Dental Surveyor Linkage for Precise Cast Angle Reproduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental surveyors face difficulties in accurately determining, recording, and reproducing the path of insertion and removal of dental casts due to the movement of ball joints causing changes in previously adjusted directions, leading to imprecise denture production.

Innovation Solution

A dental surveyor with a platform, stand column, first and second surveying arms, and a vertical spindle, equipped with adjustment screws and a swivel ball, allows for precise adjustment and fixation of dental casts using a three-point positioning system, ensuring accurate alignment and orientation through a pivoting linkage mechanism and a stroke needle for measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single ball joint is used to pivot the surveying arm, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision deteriorates because the ball joint movement causes changes in previously adjusted directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure complexityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single ball joint into two separate ball joints: a first ball joint for pivoting the surveying arm and a second ball joint for pivoting the vertical spindle. This segmentation allows each ball joint to perform a specific function independently, preventing the interference and positioning errors that occur when a single ball joint is used for both movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the ball joint is allowed to move freely for adjustment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the determined direction deteriorates because the ball joint movement causes previously adjusted directions to change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment flexibilityVSAvoiddirection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the adjustment functions into two separate ball joints, the patent enables independent adjustment of the surveying arm and vertical spindle without affecting previously set directions. Each ball joint can be adjusted freely while maintaining the stability of the other adjustment, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and directional stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If re-tripoding is performed to adjust multiple positioning points, then the positioning precision is improved, but the loss of time increases because the ball joint movement requires repeated adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidsurveying time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented ball joint design allows surveyors to adjust the surveying arm and vertical spindle independently without causing previously adjusted points to shift. This eliminates the need for repeated re-tripoding operations, significantly reducing the time required to achieve accurate three-point positioning while maintaining high positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If conventional surveying methods are used, then the device complexity is low, but the productivity deteriorates because determining and reproducing the path of insertion and removal is quite difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurveyor structureVSAvoidsurveying efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent's segmented ball joint mechanism enables precise and stable determination of the path of insertion and removal by allowing independent adjustment of the surveying arm and vertical spindle. This significantly improves surveying efficiency and makes path reproduction much easier, addressing the productivity issue without requiring overly complex additional mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4674376A1Dental surveyor and surveying method therefor
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 SHIH JUI YUAN
  • EP4674376A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674376A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4674376A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dental surveyor comprising a surveyor and a surveying table is provided. The surveyor comprises a platform, a stand column, a first surveying arm, a second surveying arm, and a vertical spindle. The stand column, the first surveying arm, and the second surveying arm are pivotally connected with each other. The second surveying arm is equipped with a vertical spindle having a stroke needle for surveying a cast. The surveying table comprises a cast holder and an adjustment seat. The surveying table is mounted on the platform. The cast holder is used for clamping the cast. The angle and orientation of the cast holder can be changed by use of the adjustment seat. Three screws are locked on the adjustment seat. By moving the screws forward and backward, the heights of the corresponding positions of the cast holder are changed, achieving the effect of three-point positioning and adjustment on the cast and a precise adjustment of the cast angle.