Flexible Bite Block with Asymmetric Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bite-safe dental care apparatuses are inadequate in maintaining the mouth open for extended periods, particularly for young children, and often cause discomfort due to their design and material properties.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional dental care apparatus with protruding members made of robust and flexible materials, designed to prop the mouth open at different positions, featuring varying dimensions and shapes to accommodate different users, and optionally incorporating electronic components for vibration and light sources to provide comfort and entertainment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If traditional bite blocks are used to keep the mouth open during dental procedures, then the mouth can be kept open, but the device causes discomfort and cannot maintain the mouth open for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The bite block incorporates a resilient material that allows dynamic deformation under bite force and automatically returns to its original shape, enabling the device to adapt to user biting pressure while maintaining mouth opening over extended periods without causing discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The bite block uses a resilient material with specific elastic properties that change the mechanical parameters of the device, allowing it to deform elastically under load and recover, thereby maintaining effective mouth opening duration while reducing harmful discomfort effects
2Strength
If a robust material is used to withstand biting forces, then the apparatus becomes durable, but it may cause discomfort due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The bite block is constructed from a resilient material that functions as a flexible structural element, allowing the device to withstand biting forces through elastic deformation rather than rigid resistance, thereby maintaining durability while eliminating discomfort associated with rigid materials
3Ease of manufacture
If the protruding member has uniform dimensions, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate different users and mouth opening positions
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding member features non-uniform dimensions with varying width and thickness profiles, creating an asymmetric geometry that provides multiple stable orientations for insertion while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through single-piece molding of the complex shape
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 apparatus effectively keeps the mouth open during dental procedures, reduces discomfort, and serves as a teething toy, while being safe and durable enough to withstand biting forces and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
The portion is comprised of a resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for a bite-safe dental care apparatus. The apparatus includes a three-dimensional body. The three-dimensional body is comprised of a substantially robust and flexible material. The apparatus includes at least one protruding member extending from the three-dimensional body. The at least one protruding member is configured to act as a bite block when inserted into a user's mouth. A width of the at least one protruding member is different than a thickness of the at least one protruding member such that the at least one protruding member props the user's mouth open at different positions when used as a bite block.