Dental Prosthesis Metal Structure Articulated Rod Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for manufacturing metal structures for dental prostheses require specialized equipment and skilled personnel, making them inaccessible to smaller laboratories and less efficient compared to traditional techniques, while also lacking in passive fit quality.
Innovation Solution
A metal structure with articulated connections using protruding elements and rods with blind holes and recesses, allowing for manual assembly without laser welding, enabling easier construction and reducing the need for specialized training, while maintaining high passive fit and compatibility with acrylic or composite coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser welding technique is used to connect rods to support posts, then manufacturing precision and strength are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring expensive laser machines and specialized staff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the laser welding mechanical system with a simpler mechanical press-fit system. The rod end is inserted into a receptacle on the support post and secured with a set screw, eliminating the need for expensive laser welding equipment while achieving sufficient connection precision for dental prostheses.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components (rod, receptacle, set screw) that can be manually assembled and replaced if needed, rather than relying on expensive, complex laser welding equipment. This makes the system accessible to smaller laboratories without specialized staff.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional manual technique with laser welding is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming specialized assembly process
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into separate, pre-fabricated components (rod with receptacle, support post with set screw) that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled. This modular approach maintains precision while significantly improving assembly speed compared to laser welding processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If CAD/CAM automated process is used, then manufacturing precision and quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring expensive machines and highly qualified staff
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex CAD/CAM automated manufacturing systems with a simpler manual fabrication approach. The rod and support post components can be manually measured, cut, and fitted to achieve sufficient precision for dental applications, eliminating the need for expensive CAD/CAM equipment and highly specialized staff.
4Strength
If laser welding is used to connect metal structure components, then strength is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to stress elements and potential alterations at welding points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces laser welding with a mechanical press-fit connection system that avoids the heat-affected zones and stress concentrations created by welding. The set screw provides uniform clamping force without creating localized stress points that could compromise the metal structure or propagate cracks.
Data Source
AI summary
Metal structure that serves as an internal support to a dental prosthesis, comprising at least two support posts (1) designed to be attached on respective dental implants (10), and at least one rod (3) for connecting two adjacent support posts (1), where at least one support post (1) comprises at least one protruding element (4a, 4b) that projects from its side, and at least one rod (3) that comprises a first end (5) provided with a blind hole (6) designed to receive a first protruding element (4a) of a support post (1), thus providing an articulated connection that acts like a ball joint, and a longitudinal recess (7) designed to receive a second protruding element (4b) of the adjacent support post (1). This structure is easy to prepare and to assemble.