Concave Panel Case for Dental Device Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental treatment device cases often fail to guide the device into the proper position when it is initially misaligned, preventing the case from being closed effectively.
Innovation Solution
The case design includes a bottom panel with a first concave portion matching the device's bottom shape and a top panel with a second concave portion matching the device's top shape, along with a hinge for opening and closing, and optional protrusions on the bottom panel to resemble the device's outline, ensuring proper alignment and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If posts are used to hold the dental treatment device in place, then the device can be stored securely, but the posts cannot guide the device into the proper position when misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating concave portions in specific locations on the top and bottom panels that correspond to the shape of the dental treatment device. These localized concave features provide alignment guidance where needed while maintaining the overall storage function of the case. The concave portions are strategically positioned to guide the device into proper orientation during insertion, resolving the contradiction between secure storage and alignment guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-forming the concave portions in the case panels before use. These pre-formed concave features are designed to automatically guide the dental treatment device into the correct position as it is inserted into the case, eliminating the need for manual alignment adjustments. This preliminary structural preparation ensures both secure storage and proper alignment guidance.
2Device complexity
If the case is designed with simple posts for device placement, then the case structure remains simple, but the device cannot be properly aligned when initially misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire case structure complex, the patent applies local quality by adding only the necessary concave portions in specific areas of the top and bottom panels. These localized features provide the precision alignment guidance needed while keeping the overall case structure relatively simple and easy to manufacture. The concave portions are the only additional elements needed to achieve proper device alignment.
3Reliability
If conventional posts are used to hold the device, then the device can be stored, but misalignment prevents the case from being closed effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by adding local concave features to the top and bottom panels that guide the dental treatment device into proper alignment during insertion. These localized guidance features ensure the device is positioned correctly, allowing the case to be closed effectively while maintaining reliable storage capability. The concave portions create a self-aligning mechanism that works seamlessly with the existing post structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A case for a dental treatment device includes a bottom panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the bottom panel defines a first concave portion that corresponds to a shape of a bottom of the dental treatment device. The first concave portion forms a corresponding first convex portion of the outer surface of the bottom panel. The case also includes a top panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the top panel defines a second concave portion that corresponds to a shape of a top of the dental treatment device. The second convex portion forms a corresponding second convex portion of the outer surface of the top panel.