Dental and Medical Mirror Elastic Coupling to Prevent Screw Loosening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental and medical mirrors experience screw loosening during procedures, causing inconvenience and disrupting the focus of medical practitioners due to the need for repeated tightening.

Innovation Solution

A dental and medical mirror design featuring a C-shaped spring and fastener system for easy and firm coupling of the mirror body and holder parts, utilizing a fastener receiving side through-hole and anti-slip features for secure attachment without screw loosening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If screw fastening is used to connect the mirror holder and mirror body, then the connection can be firmly established, but the screw loosens during repeated use and movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidservice duration without loosening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the screw fastening mechanical system with an elastic coupling system. The elastic member (spring) provides continuous elastic force to maintain the connection between the mirror holder and mirror body, eliminating the loosening problem inherent in screw fastening. The elastic coupling mechanism uses elastic deformation and recovery to maintain firm connection without requiring periodic tightening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid screw fastening to elastic force-based connection. The elastic member provides a dynamic connection force that adapts to movement and vibration, maintaining reliable connection throughout the service duration. The elastic force parameter replaces the static screw tightness parameter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If screw fastening is used to connect the mirror holder and mirror body, then the connection can be firmly established, but repeated tightening is required during procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidprocedural efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic coupling system replaces screw fastening, eliminating the need for repeated tightening operations during procedures. The elastic member automatically maintains connection stability through its elastic properties, allowing practitioners to continue procedures without interruption for tightening adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic coupling system is self-regulating and maintains its own connection stability without requiring external intervention. The elastic member automatically compensates for movement and vibration, providing self-service connection maintenance that improves procedural efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If screw fastening is used to connect the mirror holder and mirror body, then the connection can be firmly established, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcoupling operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic coupling system replaces the multi-step screw fastening operation with a simple insertion and elastic engagement process. The elastic member automatically engages with the mirror holder upon insertion, providing firm connection without requiring threading or tightening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the complex screw fastening mechanism and replaces it with a simplified elastic coupling mechanism. The essential function of firm connection is retained while removing the complex operational steps of screw threading and tightening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design ensures secure and easy assembly/disassembly of the mirror components, preventing loosening during use, thereby maintaining procedural efficiency and concentration.

Implementation Method 1

employing elastic coupling instead of conventional screw-coupling as the form of coupling of the mirror body part and the mirror holder part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4631417A1Dental and medical mirror without screw loosening

Publication Date: 2025.10.15 DENFLEX CO LTD

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AI summary

Proposed is a dental and medical mirror used at dentist clinics and hospitals. The mirror includes a mirror body part gripped by the hand during use, and a mirror holder part which is coupled to the mirror body part, and has a mirror provided at one end thereof and is replaced after use for a predetermined period, and employs elastic coupling instead of conventional screw-coupling as the form of coupling of the mirror body part and the mirror holder part, thereby enabling the mirror body part and the mirror holder part to be easily and firmly coupled to each other by a simple fitting operation, and fully solving the problem of screw loosening occurring during a procedure in which the mirror is used.