Dental Training Model Retaining Bar Axial Compression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing training models for dental skills lack reliable and efficient fixation of master teeth, leading to wobbling, slipping, and deformation issues during exercises, which do not accurately simulate real dental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A training model with a retaining bar that can be axially displaced to compress pins and create a releasable press fit for master teeth, ensuring secure positioning without deformation, and a retaining strip that encloses pins to prevent elastic deformation and ensure reliable holding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screws are used to attach master teeth to the carrier plate, then the master teeth can be firmly mounted, but the process becomes extremely cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm mounting of master teethVSAvoidtime for attaching and replacing master teeth
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixation system is divided into separate functional elements: pins with receiving chambers are embedded in the carrier plate, while retaining bars with openings are positioned separately. This segmentation allows for quick assembly and disassembly without requiring screws for each individual master tooth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple pins are combined into a single retaining bar structure that can be axially displaced to compress all pins simultaneously. This merging of functions allows for efficient fixation of multiple master teeth at once while maintaining reliable individual fixation through the pin-receiving chamber interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the shell and support plate are attached to a phantom head or articulator, then the training model is complete, but the underside becomes inaccessible for attaching master teeth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of training modelVSAvoidaccessibility for attaching master teeth
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pins with receiving chambers are pre-embedded in the carrier plate during manufacturing, and the retaining bar with openings is pre-positioned on the support plate. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid attachment of master teeth without requiring complex operations on the underside of the assembled model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a tooth stump is pushed into the carrier plate to widen through bores, then the tooth can be inserted, but the fixation becomes faulty and the tooth wobbles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion of master teethVSAvoidfixation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving chambers in the pins are designed with specific geometric characteristics that match the head portion of master teeth. This local geometric quality ensures precise fit and stable fixation, preventing wobbling while allowing easy insertion through the axial displacement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the through-opening is deformed elastically to allow tooth insertion, then the tooth can be inserted, but the fixation lacks rigidity and the tooth slips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsertion capabilityVSAvoidrigidity of fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining bar is designed to be axially displacable, allowing dynamic compression of the pins during master tooth insertion. Once compressed, the pins provide rigid fixation. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to transition from easy insertion to strong, slip-proof fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

5Adaptability or versatility

If multiple master teeth are inserted and removed multiple times, then the training model is usable, but the through-openings sag and play increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusability of training modelVSAvoidconsistency of fixation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining bar with its axial displacement mechanism provides a self-service fixation system. The compression of pins through the retaining bar's movement creates a reliable lock that maintains consistency over multiple insertion and removal cycles, preventing the sagging and play accumulation that occurs with elastic deformation systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 provides stable and permanent fixation of master teeth, allowing for quick and easy exchange, maintaining rigidity and accuracy in dental exercise simulations, replicating real jaw conditions effectively.

Implementation Method 1

the retaining bar is movable in an axial direction relative to the carrier plate and, in particular, can be displaced axially relative to the carrier plate. The master teeth are inserted into the receiving chambers of the pins by means of their retaining members. When the retaining bar is moved, all the pins are pressed together inwards

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The openings made in the holding strip also fix and compress the pegs, so that even with a certain amount of wear on the peg, it is ensured that the master teeth are reliably held in the receiving chamber of the peg, because the pegs are completely or almost completely covered by the openings embraced, so that they are not elastically deformable to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2466571B1Practice model
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 FRANZ SACHS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2466571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2466571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2466571B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

In a training model (1) for learning dental skills, - with a shell (2) that can be attached to a phantom head or articulator and in which a multitude of through-holes (3) are incorporated, - with one or more teaching teeth (4) that are individually arranged in the through-hole (3) of the shell (2), and with a support plate (5) that can be locked onto the shell (2) and by which the respective teaching tooth (4) is detachably fixed to the shell (2), each teaching tooth (4) should be reliably and permanently held in the training model (1).This is achieved by having at least one pin (11) formed on the carrier plate (5) in which a receiving chamber (12) is incorporated, by having a retaining element (21) protrude from each master tooth (4) which extends through the through-opening (3) of the shell (2) in the assembled state, by having the individual retaining element (21) aligned with and inserted into one of the receiving chambers (12) of the pins (11), and by having a retaining strip (31) arranged between the shell (2) and the carrier plate (5).