redesigning an electric toothbrush

Redesigning an Electric Toothbrush

Dora the Explorer

Merna HannaChris Valez

Lauren GabrylukFloyd Dorazio

Executive Summary/Objective

To analyze the presented electric toothbrush in the market and redesign the product based on targeted customer needs. To do this, we tested every aspect of the toothbrush, such as noise level. Rotations per minute, weight, etc. Then we assessed our data to see what to improve.

Mission StatementTo redesign the Dora the Explorer electric toothbrush to be more children friendly. Our goal is to make it more convenient and efficient for our 2 to 5 year old consumer base.  Customer satisfaction is our main objective to create the most revenue in comparison to other children’s electric toothbrush markets.

Customer Needs

Function Matrix

Customer NeedsWe found our customer needs through social networking, reviews on Amazon and Colgates’ webpage and students on campus. Many recommended aesthetic changes and battery life.

Problem StatementWe decide to continue with our idea to make our redesigned toothbrush more energy efficient and better suited for children. From customer reviews we concluded that battery life was a big issue so we made our design a rechargeable toothbrush. In order to make the toothbrush more user friendly for children, we added extra rubber gripping to prevent slipping. We removed the stationary bristles and added a tongue cleaner to the back of the brush head in order to encourage good oral hygiene habits in kids.

Benchmarking

House of Quality

Target Specification

Type of Energy Concept Web

Brushing Styles Concept Web

Additional Functions Web

Morph

Chart

Concept Selection

Final Specifications

Final SpecificationsOur purpose is to redesign our electric toothbrush to appeal to a range of children needs and wants. The final toothbrush has a rubber button with an off/on option.  To protect the toothbrush against water entry and have a noise reducing effect a thin rubber is placed inside. The brush has a single rotating brush head with two opposing circle brush heads. Also, the brush head has a tongue cleaner. The blue section its shows its worn out.

Designs1st: Grips in the shape of butterflies were added.  This helps younger children grip onto the brush easier and also satisfying their creativity with the butterflies. The designs help them enjoy brushing their teeth more.2nd- Grips in the shape of butterflies were added.  This helps younger children grip onto the brush easier and also satisfying their creativity with the butterflies. The designs help them enjoy brushing their teeth more.3rd-Grips in the shape of butterflies were added.  This helps younger children grip onto the brush easier and also satisfying their creativity with the butterflies. The designs help them enjoy brushing their teeth more.

DesignsPackaging Design- Grips in the shape of butterflies were added.  This helps younger children grip onto the brush easier and also satisfying their creativity with the butterflies. The designs help them enjoy brushing their teeth more.

Embodiment/Final DesignFor the Embodiment Design and Final Design, we incorporated all three of our design together without sacrificing any efficiency.  A tongue cleaning brush was added to the back of the brush head for a more efficient clean of the mouth.  We also decided to discard the stationary bristles because they are somewhat unnecessary.  Also for added grip, we added grips on the side to help children hold the brush more easily. This is the ideal and final design for our toothbrush redesign.

ConclusionsImprovements made by adding grips, tongue cleaner, and single rotation brush head which satisfies the customer needs and complaints.