Dental Application Tip With High Diameter-to-Thickness Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dental material dispensing systems lack an application tip that is versatile, easy to manufacture, and inexpensive, while also being capable of adapting to narrow spaces and varying application requirements.

Innovation Solution

A tubular dispensing end with a high diameter-to-thickness ratio, made of plastic materials, which is self-adapting and can deform elastically to conform to corners, allowing precise deposition of dental materials in tight spaces, and featuring a design with alternating plastic materials for enhanced resilience and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a thin nozzle is used to precisely deposit material, then deposition precision is improved, but flow rate capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeposition precisionVSAvoidflow rate capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing end is designed with a specific diameter-to-thickness ratio (at least 13) to enable dynamic deformation. The thin-walled tubular structure can elastically deform under material pressure to widen the effective dispensing opening, allowing a tip with small initial diameter to achieve both precise deposition and high flow rate capability through dynamic adaptation during use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a wide nozzle is used to dispense material at high flow rate, then flow rate capability is improved, but deposition precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate capabilityVSAvoiddeposition precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing end features a thin-walled tubular structure with diameter-to-thickness ratio of at least 13 that can dynamically deform. When material pressure is applied, the structure elastically widens to accommodate high flow rates, then returns to its original narrow configuration for precise deposition, thus achieving both high productivity and precision through dynamic adaptation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If the wall thickness is increased to prevent buckling, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to narrow spaces deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to narrow spaces
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the diameter-to-thickness ratio parameter to be at least 13, creating a thin-walled structure that is sufficiently slender to adapt to narrow dental spaces while maintaining adequate structural stability through the optimized geometric parameter rather than increased thickness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple application tips are used for different applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different applicationsVSAvoidnumber of tips required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The application tip is designed with a universal dispensing end structure that can perform multiple functions - precise deposition in narrow spaces, high flow rate dispensing, and adaptation to different angles - all through the single thin-walled tubular design with optimized diameter-to-thickness ratio, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tips

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables precise and adaptable dispensing of dental materials, reducing the need for multiple tips and facilitating both precise placement and high flow rates, while being cost-effective and resistant to buckling, thus improving the efficiency and versatility of dental treatments.

Implementation Method 1

the dispensing end is formed of a circumferential wall having a thickness T1 and which forms a dispensing opening of a diameter Di1. The dispensing end has a diameter-to-thickness-ratio Di1:T1 at the opening which is at least 13 or greater. Further the wall thickness increases in a direction away from the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2854695B1Application Tip and System for Dispensing a Dental Material
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP2854695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2854695B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2854695B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An application tip for dispensing a dental material has a tubular dispensing end made of a plastic material. The dispensing end being formed of a circumferential wall having a thickness T1 and which forms a dispensing opening of a diameter Di1 and having a diameter-to-thickness-ratio Di1 : T1 at the opening which is 13 or greater. The wall thickness increases in a direction away from the opening. The application tip preferably facilitates appropriately depositing the dental material.