Elastic Nail Correcting Device for Variable Thickness Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nail correcting devices are difficult to attach to nails of varying thicknesses due to fixed distance between holding teeth, making them unsuitable for both thick and thin nails, and result in increased production costs and user confusion.

Innovation Solution

A nail correcting device with holding pieces that have a large space between distal edges, made of elastic materials like superelastic nickel titanium, allowing for adjustable attachment to nails of different thicknesses, and featuring arc, helical, and V-shaped designs to distribute stress evenly and prevent breakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the distance between distal edges of holding teeth is set at a predetermined value (1.0 to 1.2 mm), then the device can reliably hold nails with average thickness (0.7 mm), but it becomes difficult to attach to nails with thick (2.0 mm) or varying thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to different nail thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holding piece is designed with elastic material properties that allow it to dynamically adapt its shape and spacing to match different nail thicknesses. The elastic body deforms elastically under loading to conform to the nail surface, enabling reliable attachment across a range of thicknesses rather than requiring a fixed predetermined distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The distance between distal edges of holding teeth is changed from a fixed predetermined value to a variable parameter that can adapt to different nail thicknesses. This is achieved through the elastic deformation of the holding piece, which allows the spacing between holding teeth to change based on the actual nail dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If plural kinds of nail correcting devices with different distances between holding teeth are prepared, then adaptability to different nail thicknesses is improved, but production costs increase and user selection becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different nail thicknessesVSAvoidvariety of device types
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal nail correcting device design is created that can accommodate multiple nail thicknesses through the elastic properties of the holding piece. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized devices with different fixed spacing, as one device can adapt to various nail dimensions while maintaining reliable attachment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic holding piece provides dynamic adaptability within a single device, allowing it to adjust to different nail thicknesses without requiring multiple static device variants. This dynamic adjustment capability consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate devices into one universal solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the holding piece is made of elastic material, then adaptability to different nail thicknesses is improved, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different nail thicknessesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding piece is constructed from an elastic body that functions as a flexible structural element. This flexible material allows the holding piece to deform and adapt to different nail thicknesses while maintaining its structural integrity and holding function, achieving adaptability through material flexibility rather than complex mechanical structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device can be easily attached to a wide range of nail thicknesses, providing a strong hold without detaching and preventing breakage of holding pieces, while simplifying the structure and enhancing corrective force.

Implementation Method 1

The whole of the nail correcting device is made of an elastic material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

made of elastic materials like superelastic nickel titanium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperelasticity: Pseudoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3115030B1Nail correcting device
Publication Date: 2018.06.13 ACTMENT
  • EP3115030B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3115030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3115030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A nail correcting device made of an elastic material includes: a pair of holding pieces (11) arranged side by side in a predetermined direction (P); and a connecting piece (12) connecting the holding pieces (11) to each other, the pair of holding pieces (11) each including: a body (13) at least partly in an arc within a plane intersecting with the predetermined direction (P); and a pair of first and second distal edges (14A, 14B) connected to both ends of the body (13) to hold a nail. The pair of first and second distal edges (14A, 14B) are spaced from each other along the predetermined direction (P) at an inner side and an outer side.