O-ring Insertion Tool with Tapered Bushing Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inserting and replacing O-rings in dental attachment systems are inefficient due to the difficulty in compressing and correctly placing the O-ring into a cap, often resulting in the O-ring springing back out, making manual insertion with tweezers challenging and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A tool comprising a driver with a handle and tapered bushing sleeves that compress and guide the O-ring into position within the cap, utilizing a series of prongs to deform and advance the O-ring through a tapered bore, ensuring accurate placement and easy insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion with tweezers is used, then the O-ring can be inserted into the cap, but the process is time-consuming and the O-ring tends to spring back out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized insertion tool as an intermediary device between the operator and the O-ring. This tool includes a tapered bore that guides the O-ring and a compression mechanism that evenly compresses the O-ring during insertion, preventing it from springing back out. The tool mediates the insertion process by providing controlled compression and guidance, making the operation easier and faster than using tweezers alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool performs preliminary compression of the O-ring before insertion into the cap. The tapered bore of the tool compresses the O-ring evenly in advance, preparing it for insertion. This preliminary action ensures the O-ring is pre-compressed and positioned correctly before it enters the cap, preventing spring-back and ensuring proper seating.
2Ease of operation
If the O-ring is compressed unevenly during insertion, then insertion may be easier, but the O-ring springs back out and fails to seat properly
Solution Approach 1:
The tool features a tapered bore with varying compression zones along its length. Different sections of the bore provide different levels and types of compression, with the taper gradually increasing pressure on the O-ring as it progresses through the bore. This local variation in compression quality ensures even distribution of force across the O-ring's cross-section, preventing uneven compression while maintaining ease of insertion.
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 tool significantly reduces the time and effort required to insert O-rings into caps, allowing for quick and precise placement, even for different sizes, thereby improving the efficiency of dental prosthesis attachment and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The first end of the bore is shaped to receive an O-ring intended for insertion in a cap component... The driving end portion of the driver is adapted to engage in the first end of the bore of the sleeve and move the O-ring through the bore so that the O-ring is compressed as it advances through the tapered portion of the bore.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~5
Figure 6A~7B
AI summary
An O-ring insertion tool is disclosed herein which holds and inserts an O-ring into a cap for releasably securing a dental appliance to, for example, a dental attachment assembly secured in the mouth of a patient. The tool comprises a driver (15) having a central portion and at least one end portion (26, 28) with resilient prongs designed to push an O-ring through a bore in a bushing sleeve (16, 18) sized at one end to match the entrance of the cap (12). The bore has a tapered, frustoconical portion that at least extends up to the smaller end of the bore. The opposite end of the bore is of larger diameter matching the uncompressed dimensions of the O-ring. The prongs fit into the larger end of the bore in which the O-ring is positioned and are adapted to engage and advance the O- ring through the bore. The O-ring is uniformly compressed as it advances through the frustoconical portion of the bore, and the compressed O-ring is then pushed out of the second end (52) of the bore and into position in the cap (12).