Blank Support Body Structure for Adhesive Retention in Narrow Gaps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for securely fixing ceramic blanks in milling machines lack a simple and effective way to introduce and retain an adhesive agent between the support body and the blank, which is essential for maintaining positional accuracy during processing.

Innovation Solution

The support body features a structured inner surface with pocket-shaped depressions and elevations that allow for easy introduction and retention of an adhesive agent, ensuring it remains in place until curing, while maintaining the stability of the support body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple holder structure is used to mount ceramic blanks, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely retain adhesive agent between the blank and holder deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholder structureVSAvoidadhesive retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder's inner circumferential surface is equipped with pocket-shaped depressions at specific locations to retain adhesive agent, while the rest of the holder maintains a simple structure. This localized feature provides adhesive retention capability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pocket-shaped depressions are pre-formed in the holder's inner surface to automatically capture and retain adhesive agent when introduced, ensuring the adhesive remains in place until curing without requiring additional retention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the gap between the blank and support body is made narrow to improve positioning accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of introducing adhesive agent deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidadhesive introduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket-shaped depressions extend in the axial direction of the holder, creating a three-dimensional space that allows adhesive agent to be introduced and retained even when the radial gap between the blank and holder is narrow. This dimensional approach bypasses the limitation of narrow gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The inner circumferential surface of the holder is designed with pocket-shaped cavities that act as reservoirs for the adhesive agent, enabling adequate adhesive distribution and introduction despite the narrow gap between the blank and holder outer surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Strength

If adhesive agent is introduced into the gap between blank and support body to improve bonding, then strength is improved, but the adhesive may deform the support body or flow out before curing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidsupport body deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pocket-shaped depressions are strategically positioned and sized to contain the adhesive agent locally, preventing it from flowing out before curing and eliminating the need for excessive adhesive that could deform the support body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pocket-shaped depressions are pre-formed to accommodate and contain the adhesive agent, preventing it from flowing out or deforming the support body before curing. This structural feature acts as a built-in cushioning mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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

This solution enables secure positional fixing of ceramic blanks with adequate adhesive distribution, ensuring stability and accuracy during processing without deforming the support body, even with narrow gaps between the blank and the support body.

Implementation Method 1

a structured inner surface with pocket-shaped depressions and elevations that allow for easy introduction and retention of an adhesive agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3045145B1Support body for a blank and blank
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 DENTSPLY SIRONA INC
  • EP3045145B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a support body (10) for a blank, whereby the support body possesses a receiving opening (13) for the blank that is surrounded by an inner circumferential surface (14), which terminates in an upper and a lower edge (26, 28), and whereby a blank fixed in position within the support body is bonded to the latter by means of an adhesive agent. In order to be able to easily introduce the adhesive agent into a gap between the blank and the support body it is intended that the inner circumferential surface (14) possesses at least one depression (18, 20, 22, 24) and/or elevation extending to accommodate the adhesive agent.