Dental Instrument Holder With Adapter And Cord Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dental delivery systems struggle to accommodate non-standard tools such as scanners and other instruments due to their high cost and the impracticality of replacing the entire system, leading to poor integration and awkward workflow.

Innovation Solution

An attachment apparatus is developed to incorporate non-standard tools into existing dental delivery systems, featuring a clamp and adapter body that secures the tool to the system's arm, while a holder and channel route the tool's cord to electronic components within the console.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the dental delivery system uses standardized slots for holding tools, then standard tools are easily accessible, but non-standard tools cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate non-standard toolsVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the tool-holding function into separate modular components: standardized slots for standard tools and an attachment apparatus with custom holder for non-standard tools. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the dental delivery system and non-standard tools. It includes an adapter body that interfaces with the system's arm and a custom holder that secures the non-standard tool, enabling compatibility without modifying the core system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the entire dental delivery system is replaced to accommodate new tools, then full compatibility is achieved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool compatibilityVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment apparatus is designed as a universal adapter that can accommodate various non-standard tools through customizable holders while interfacing with the existing standardized system. This multi-functionality allows a single attachment device to support multiple different tool types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of replacing the entire expensive dental delivery system, the invention uses a relatively inexpensive attachment apparatus that can be added to the existing system. This approach treats the attachment as an affordable upgrade rather than a complete system replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-standard tools are integrated into the system, then tool variety increases, but cord routing becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool varietyVSAvoidcord routing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cord routing function is extracted from the main system body and handled separately by the attachment apparatus. The adapter body includes integrated cord routing that guides the tool's cord from the holder to the system's electronic components, isolating the routing complexity to the attachment device only.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment apparatus acts as an intermediary that manages cord routing between non-standard tools and the system. It provides a dedicated path for cords through the adapter body, preventing cord management issues from propagating to the main system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If non-standard tools are added to the system, then functionality expands, but interference with standard tools may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidinterference with standard tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment apparatus is designed to attach to specific locations on the system's arm that do not interfere with the standardized slots. The adapter body's curved edges are configured to contact the arm at positions that maintain clear access to standard tool slots while providing a secure mounting point for non-standard tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250262110A1Dental instrument holder and expansion platform

Publication Date: 2025.08.21 A DEC INC

AI summary

An attachment apparatus is provided allowing a tool of a non-standard size to be incorporated into an existing system, such as a dental system, with standard-sized tools. In one implementation, the attachment apparatus includes a holder, adapter body and clamp to secure a scanner or other tool to an arm of the system. The apparatus may cover one tool slot of the arm while other tool slots remain available for standard-sized tools. In another implementation, the attachment apparatus can be attached to a console that may hold standard-sized tools. The attachment apparatus includes a channel for a cord of an additional tool to securely hold the cord and route it to electronic components within the console. The cord may carry power to and data to/from the tool.