Buccal Tube with Rotating Hidden Traction Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional buccal tubes with fixed traction hooks cause irritation and discomfort due to their sharp angle structures and inability to be hidden when not in use, leading to a foreign body sensation and inconvenience during orthodontic treatment.
Innovation Solution
A buccal tube design featuring a movable or rotatable traction hook that can be hidden within an accommodation space when not in use, utilizing a rotating shaft and elastic limiting members to control the hook's position, forming a smooth curved surface to reduce irritation and discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed traction hook is provided on the buccal tube, then the traction function is available, but the patient experiences foreign body sensation and discomfort due to the hook being always exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The traction hook is designed to be movable relative to the main body, capable of rotating between a hidden state (reducing patient discomfort) and an exposed state (providing traction function). This dynamic configuration allows the hook to adapt between comfort and functionality based on treatment needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The traction hook can be retracted into an accommodation space within the main body when not in use, creating a nested configuration. This nesting principle allows the hook to be hidden inside the buccal tube, eliminating the foreign body sensation while maintaining the capability to be deployed when needed.
2Reliability
If a fixed traction hook with sharp angle structure is used, then the traction function is achieved, but the sharp angles cause irritation and discomfort to the patient
Solution Approach 1:
By making the traction hook movable rather than fixed, the design allows the hook to be hidden when not in use, preventing continuous irritation of the oral mucosa. The hook maintains its functional shape when deployed but minimizes harmful exposure during non-use periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful aspect (exposed sharp angles) is separated from the useful aspect (traction function) by allowing the hook to be retracted. When hidden, the sharp angles are contained within the accommodation space, eliminating their harmful effect on the oral mucosa while preserving the traction capability when needed.
3Ease of operation
If the traction hook is made movable or rotatable, then the hook can be hidden to reduce discomfort, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The traction hook is designed with a simple rotational movement capability relative to the main body, allowing it to transition between hidden and exposed positions. This dynamic feature adds minimal structural complexity while significantly improving patient comfort by enabling the hook to be concealed when not in use.
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 buccal tube effectively reduces patient discomfort by hiding the traction hook when not in use, preventing irritation and food entanglement, while maintaining functionality when needed, thus enhancing the orthodontic experience.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic limiting member abuts against a side wall of a first limiting protrusion to block the traction hook from rotating or moving. When the traction hook is in use, a force is applied to rotate or move the traction hook, the first limiting protrusion presses the elastic limiting member to deform the elastic limiting member
Data Source
AI summary
A buccal tube includesa main body. The main body is provided with a traction hook which can move or rotate relative to the main body, and the main body is internally provided with an accommodation space. When the traction hook is not in use, the traction hook is disposed in the accommodation space. When the traction hook is in use, one end of the traction hook outwardly rotates or moves away from the accommodation space.