Mouth-Closing Patch Fixation for Stable Intraoral Apparatus Retention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices for intraoral apparatuses are unreliable, prone to displacement, and uncomfortable, especially during mouth breathing, and mouth-closing patches lack sufficient fixation to prevent oral devices from shifting, rotating, or being aspirated.
Innovation Solution
A mouth-closing device with a multilayer mouth-closing patch and strip-shaped patches, connected by a connecting mechanism with fixing rings, provides multi-point fixation and prevents lateral rotation, ensuring the intraoral apparatus remains in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the intraoral apparatus is tightly clamped to the teeth by its own shape or by a device such as a clasp, then the fixation is secure, but the intraoral apparatus may cause discomfort due to the tightness of clamping on the teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barrier element as an intermediary component between the intraoral apparatus and the teeth. This barrier prevents direct contact and tight clamping on the teeth, thereby eliminating discomfort while still providing secure fixation through the barrier's engagement mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is divided into separate functional components: the intraoral apparatus, the barrier element, and the fixing mechanism. This segmentation allows the barrier to independently provide protection to the teeth while the fixing mechanism ensures secure attachment without direct tooth contact
2Reliability
If a barrier is used to lock the intraoral apparatus in the direction of entering and leaving the oral cavity, then the apparatus is secured in that direction, but the intraoral apparatus cannot be kept from lateral or rotational displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the barrier element from a simple linear structure to a three-dimensional configuration that protrudes laterally. This dimensional expansion allows the barrier to engage with teeth on multiple sides, providing prevention of lateral displacement and rotational movement while maintaining its primary function of blocking entering/leaving motion
3Ease of operation
If the intraoral apparatus is connected to a rope or strap outside the mouth and is fixed to the head and neck, ear or clothing, then the apparatus can be secured externally, but the fixing position is far from the mouth, the rope or strap is long and flexible, the tolerance of fixation is large, and it is impossible to keep the intraoral apparatus from lateral, vertical, and rotational displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier element serves as an intermediary that transfers the fixation force from the external fixing mechanism to the intraoral apparatus. This intermediary is positioned close to the mouth, providing precise fixation while maintaining the convenience of external attachment through the rope or strap
4Ease of operation
If the mouth-closing patch is fixed to the lips, then the mouth can be kept closed, but the fixation is not reliable enough to prevent the oral device from shifting, rotating, or being aspirated
Solution Approach 1:
The mouth-closing device is segmented into multiple independent components: the mouth-closing patch, the barrier element, and the fixing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the patch maintains mouth closure while the barrier and fixing mechanism provide reliable fixation to prevent shifting, rotation, or aspiration
Data Source
Figure 1~3A
Figure 3B~4C
Figure 4D~6
AI summary
A mouth-closing device, comprising a mouth-closing patch (2), the mouth-closing patch (2) being fixed to a user's lips to maintain the user's mouth in a closed state; and further comprising one or more strip-shaped patches (7), the strip-shaped patch (7) being connected to the mouth-closing patch (2) and fixed to the user's face. A fixing device (1) is used for fixing an intraoral apparatus, the fixing device comprising the mouth-closing device, and further comprising a connecting mechanism, wherein the connecting mechanism is located between the mouth-closing patch (2) and the intraoral apparatus, and the mouth-closing patch (2) is connected to the intraoral apparatus by means of the connecting mechanism; the connecting mechanism comprises a connecting piece (3) and one or more fixing rings (4) connected to the connecting piece (3); and the connecting piece (3) is connected to the intraoral apparatus, the mouth-closing patch (2) passes through the fixing ring (4), and the mouth-closing patch (2) is fixed to the user's lips.