Orthodontic Bracket with Ball and Socket Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic archwire brackets are economically costly due to the high price of shape memory materials and lack a retaining element for the archwire, making them inefficient and requiring additional components.
Innovation Solution
An orthodontic archwire bracket with a ball and socket joint coupling and a control element that allows for adjustable torque and angular positioning of the archwire, incorporating a retaining element to secure the archwire without additional components, using a bracket body that can be expanded or constricted for locking and unlocking the joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solid bracket body made of shape memory material is used, then the bracket can adjust torque and inclination, but the manufacturing cost increases and the bracket becomes non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket body is divided into multiple parts: a base body, a bracket body, and a control element. This segmentation allows the bracket to achieve adjustment capability through the interaction of separate components rather than requiring a complex solid shape memory structure, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A control element is introduced as an intermediary component between the base body and bracket body. This control element enables the adjustment of torque and inclination by mediating the interaction between the other components, providing a simpler and more cost-effective solution compared to using the bracket body itself as the adjustment mechanism.
2Strength
If the bracket body is made solid, then structural integrity is improved, but the bracket cannot be made functional for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into functional components: the base body provides structural integrity and tooth attachment, while the bracket body and control element work together to provide adjustment capability. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a static solid structure to a dynamic system with movable parts. The control element can be positioned in different locations (first position for locking, second position for adjustment), enabling the bracket to adapt between providing structural integrity and enabling adjustment based on operational needs.
3Reliability
If additional retaining elements are added, then the archwire can be retained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is merged with the bracket body structure, forming an integrated component rather than a separate addition. This merging approach provides reliable archwire retention while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining multiple functions into a unified structure.
4Reliability
If the screw head is located at the bottom of a hollow portion, then the ball and socket joint can be locked, but it becomes difficult to reach with a driving tool
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the screw head at the bottom of a hollow portion where it is hidden, the control element is positioned on the outer surface of the bracket body where it is easily accessible. This inversion of the conventional approach maintains the locking capability while significantly improving ease of operation by making the control element visible and reachable from the outside.
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 solution reduces the economic burden, simplifies manufacturing, and allows for precise adjustments in torque and angular positioning of the archwire, enhancing orthodontic treatment efficiency and reducing the number of parts needed.
Implementation Method 1
Said base body and said bracket body are connected to one another by a ball and socket joint coupling comprising a ball element formed on the base body and a socket element formed in the bracket body. The ball and socket joint coupling allows relative rotational movement in three coordinate axes.
Implementation Method 2
the ball and socket joint coupling is locked by friction force between the ball element and the socket element when the control element is in said locking position
Implementation Method 3
A retaining element is connected to the bracket body to retain said archwire in said main slot
Data Source
AI summary
The orthodontic archwire bracket comprises a base body (10) having a base element (11) to be fixed to a tooth and a bracket body (20) having a socket element (25) surrounded by a perimetric wall (32) including two opposed slot portions (21a, 21b) forming a slot (21) to receive an archwire. The base and bracket bodies (10, 20) are connected by a ball and socket joint coupling. The perimetric wall (32) has a slit (33) providing a gap. A control element (60) mounted on the bracket body (20) is changeable between locking and unlocking positions to expand or constrict the bracket body (20) by increasing or reducing the gap. The ball and socket joint coupling is locked by friction when the control element (50) is in the locking position and the ball and socket joint coupling is unlocked enabling relative movement in three coordinate axes when the control element (50) is in the unlocking position.