Dental Aligner Attachment Mounting With Automated UV Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting functional attachments onto shell-shaped dental appliances, such as invisible tooth repositioners, face challenges with damage, uncertainty in performance, and lack of precision and quality control, whether formed thermoplastically or manually attached.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a control device to obtain and apply mounting information for precise alignment and fixation of attachments onto shell-shaped dental appliances using adhesion or welding, with ultraviolet curing adhesive, and a manipulator to automate the process, ensuring accurate positioning and bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If functional attachment is formed on shell-shaped dental appliance by thermoplastic forming technique, then the attachment is integrated with the appliance, but the attachment is prone to damage and performance becomes uncertain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration of attachment with applianceVSAvoidattachment performance consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment and the shell-shaped dental appliance are separated into independent components. The attachment is fabricated separately using precision techniques (CAD/CAM, 3D printing) and then mounted onto the appliance using a standardized mounting structure, eliminating the damage and performance uncertainty associated with thermoplastic forming while maintaining integration through precise mechanical coupling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A standardized mounting structure acts as an intermediary between the attachment and the shell-shaped dental appliance. This mounting structure provides a reliable interface that ensures consistent performance and proper positioning, while allowing both the attachment and appliance to maintain their structural integrity independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If functional attachment is fabricated separately and manually mounted onto shell-shaped dental appliance, then the attachment can be precisely fabricated, but the efficiency, precision (position and angle) and quality (bonding firmness) cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment fabrication precisionVSAvoidmounting process efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure incorporates self-positioning features including positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that automatically align the attachment with the shell-shaped dental appliance during mounting. This self-alignment mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual positioning while ensuring consistent precision in position and angle, thereby improving both quality and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If manual mounting method is used for functional attachment, then flexibility in mounting is maintained, but precision (position and angle) and quality (bonding firmness) cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting flexibilityVSAvoidattachment position and angle precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mounting process is replaced with an automated mounting system that uses the standardized mounting structure. The positioning protrusions and grooves provide mechanical guidance for precise alignment, while automated bonding processes ensure consistent bonding firmness. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically improving precision and quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution automates the mounting process, improving efficiency, precision, and quality, reducing manual labor and ensuring consistent attachment placement and bonding strength on shell-shaped dental appliances.

Implementation Method 1

the apparatus may mount and fix the attachment onto the shell-shaped dental appliance by adhesion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The attachment may be mounted and fixed onto the shell-shaped dental appliance with an ultraviolet curing adhesive

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12133784B2System and method for mounting attachments onto shell-shaped dental appliances

Publication Date: 2024.11.05 WUXI EA MEDICAL INSTR TECH

AI summary

In one aspect of the present application, there is provided a shell-shaped dental appliance attachment mounting method, comprising: a control device obtaining mounting information; and the control device using the mounting information to control an apparatus to mount and fix an attachment onto an shell-shaped dental appliance.