Dental Tool Sharpening Fixture Adapter for Precision Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual and motorized sharpening devices for dental instruments lack precision and adaptability, often causing damage due to incorrect angles and material removal, and are impractical for sterilization during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A fixture with an adapter that holds sharpening stones at a proper angle and includes a support beam for stabilization, allowing for various stone widths and sterilization compatibility, enabling precise sharpening of dental instruments without damaging their curved surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single width sharpening stone is used in the fixture, then the fixture structure is simple, but the adaptability to sharpen different dental instruments is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into modular components: a base unit with support legs and an interchangeable adapter assembly. The adapter can be segmented or reconfigured to accommodate different stone widths, allowing the same base fixture to handle multiple stone sizes without requiring complete fixture replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is designed with universal compatibility to hold sharpening stones of various widths. By making the adapter multi-functional rather than fixed to a single stone width, the fixture system can adapt to different dental instrument sharpening needs while maintaining a consistent base structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If freehand sharpening is performed without angle guidance, then the operation is simple and quick, but the sharpening precision and tool safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture acts as an intermediary device between the dental instrument and the sharpening stone. It provides built-in angle guidance structures and positioning features that automatically maintain the correct sharpening angle, eliminating the need for separate protractors or angle gauges while keeping the operation straightforward.
3Reliability
If dental tools are sterilized at high temperatures, then sterilization effectiveness is achieved, but the sharpening device must also be sterilized which complicates in-procedure sharpening
Solution Approach 1:
The sharpening system is segmented into sterilizable components (fixture and adapter) that can be separated from the sharpening stone. This allows the fixture to be sterilized independently at high temperatures while the stone can be replaced or covered, enabling practical in-procedure sharpening without compromising sterilization standards.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for a fixture for sharpening dental instruments has an engagement arm for connecting to the fixture and for creating a holding space for different width sharpening stones, a bearing shelf for supporting different width sharpening stones, and a base member for supporting the adapter when connected to the fixture.