Self-Ligating Bracket Hinge Pin Elastic Deformation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-ligating orthodontic brackets face challenges in aesthetics, functionality, cost, and manufacturability, particularly in the design of movable closure members like clips or latches that retain archwires within the bracket slots.
Innovation Solution
The orthodontic bracket incorporates a resilient hinge pin with a unique cross-sectional profile that elastically deforms to provide a spring bias, allowing the latch to move between open and closed positions, ensuring secure archwire retention and easy insertion/removal, utilizing a cam surface mechanism for non-collinear motion and a non-symmetric aperture design to maintain the latch in position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient hinge pin with elastic deformation capability is used to provide spring bias, then the latch can be held securely in the closed position and accidental opening is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to the non-symmetric cross-sectional profile and cam surface mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin utilizes elastic deformation of its cross-sectional profile as a parameter change mechanism. The non-symmetric cross-section allows the pin to deform elastically under load, providing spring bias that secures the latch in the closed position while maintaining reliability without requiring additional complex components
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism transitions from a static connection to a dynamic system where the hinge pin can elastically deform. This dynamic capability allows the hinge pin to absorb and release energy, maintaining secure retention while accommodating movement between open and closed positions
2Ease of operation
If the latch mechanism is designed with cam surface for non-collinear motion, then the functionality and ease of operation are improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase due to the non-symmetric aperture and cam surface geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin employs a non-symmetric cross-sectional profile with different dimensions in orthogonal directions. This asymmetry enables the cam surface mechanism to generate non-collinear motion, improving ease of operation by allowing the latch to move along a controlled path that facilitates user interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The latch motion transitions from simple linear movement to non-collinear motion through the cam surface mechanism. The non-symmetric aperture and cam surface geometry introduce a second dimensional component to the motion, enabling more complex and user-friendly operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hinge pin cross-section varies with latch position, then the spring bias is optimized for different operational states, but the device complexity increases compared to a uniform cross-section design
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge pin features non-uniform local properties along its length, with the cross-sectional profile varying at different positions. This local quality variation allows the pin to provide optimized spring bias characteristics for different operational states (open vs. closed positions) while maintaining a single integrated component
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 design enhances the functionality and aesthetics of self-ligating orthodontic brackets by providing secure archwire retention, ease of use, and reduced width for lingual applications, while maintaining effective spring bias to prevent accidental opening, thus improving the overall orthodontic treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
A cross-sectional profile of the first shaft portion and/or the second shaft portion of the hinge pin is configured to elastically deform to impart a spring bias to the latch
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a cam surface mechanism for non-collinear motion
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic bracket for coupling an archwire with a tooth includes a bracket body, a hinge pin, and a latch. The bracket body includes a first surface configured to be mounted to the tooth and an archwire slot in a second surface. The hinge pin includes a first shaft portion coupled with the bracket body. The latch is coupled to the bracket body by a second shaft portion of the hinge pin. The latch is movable between an opened position and a closed position. A cross-sectional profile of the first shaft portion and/or the second shaft portion of the hinge pin is configured to elastically deform to impart a spring bias to the latch that opposes movement of the latch relative to the bracket body.