Self-Ligating Orthodontic Bracket With Coplanar Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-ligating orthodontic brackets require complex and costly manufacturing processes such as crimping, bending, or gluing to assemble the sliding member, which can lead to errors and increased costs, and do not prevent accidental disassembly or plaque accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A self-ligating orthodontic bracket utilizing a coplanar spring mechanism that is slidably engaged with the bracket body, allowing for easy assembly without crimping, bending, or gluing, and featuring a spring design that provides retaining forces to prevent accidental disassembly and secure archwire retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crimping, bending, or gluing processes are used to assemble the sliding member to the bracket, then the sliding member can be securely retained, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket body is designed with integrated retaining features (recesses and protrusions) that automatically secure the sliding member through its own structure, eliminating the need for external assembly processes like crimping, bending, or gluing. The sliding member engages with these pre-formed features during simple insertion, making the assembly self-securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining features are merged directly into the bracket body structure itself, rather than being separate components. The recesses and protrusions are formed as integral parts of the bracket during manufacturing, combining the retention function with the bracket's structural elements.
2Reliability
If excessive compression is applied to the sides of the bracket to retain the sliding member, then the sliding member is securely held, but the bracket may be damaged and become unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket's own structure provides the retention mechanism through its recesses and protrusions, eliminating the need for external compression forces. The sliding member is retained through geometric interlocking rather than applied pressure, preventing structural damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential over-compression damage by providing built-in geometric constraints (recesses and protrusions) that naturally limit the retention force to safe levels. The structure is designed to accommodate the sliding member without requiring forces that could damage the bracket.
3Manufacturing precision
If insufficient compression is applied to the sides of the bracket, then the bracket structure is preserved, but the sliding member may accidentally disengage during use
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket structure itself provides adequate retention through its recesses and protrusions that create geometric interlocking with the sliding member. This self-provided retention eliminates the need for external compression while ensuring the sliding member cannot accidentally disengage.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of the bracket body's recesses and the sliding member's protrusions creates a composite retention system where the interaction between these two elements provides secure holding without requiring additional forces or materials.
4Reliability
If conventional self-ligating bracket designs are used, then archwire retention is achieved, but additional manufacturing steps and additives are required increasing cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket design uses its own structural features (recesses and protrusions) to achieve both sliding member retention and archwire retention, eliminating the need for additional additives or complex manufacturing steps. The structure serves multiple retention functions inherently.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket body's recesses and protrusions serve multiple functions: they retain the sliding member, provide structural integrity, and contribute to archwire retention. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components or processes for each retention requirement.
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 coplanar spring mechanism simplifies assembly, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances the security of the bracket door's position, preventing accidental disassembly and reducing plaque accumulation, while maintaining efficient archwire movement.
Implementation Method 1
a coplanar spring that deflects in a direction generally coplanar with the bracket door's plane of motion and that interact with one or more depressions or recesses in the bracket body to provide retaining forces on the bracket door
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth is provided that includes a bracket body and a bracket door including a coplanar spring. The bracket body has a base that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a archwire slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the archwire slot. The coplanar spring includes a spring body and one or more legs that deflect in direction generally coplanar with a plane of motion of the bracket door. The one or more legs interact with one or more depressions in the bracket body to move and retain the bracket door on the bracket body.