Orthodontic Bracket Clip Guide Groove Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic brackets face challenges in maintaining a low height while preventing the clip from unintentionally opening, leading to archwire detachment, especially under forces like biting hard food or accidental withdrawal during treatment.
Innovation Solution
The orthodontic bracket design features a U-shaped clip with a lower extended part positioned below the archwire slot, a guide groove, and clip retaining parts, which prevent the clip from rotating and ensure the archwire remains securely in place by canceling forces exerted on the clip, thus reducing the likelihood of detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clip is designed to extend below the archwire slot to prevent unintended opening, then the reliability of archwire retention is improved, but the height of the bracket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the guide groove and lower extended part of the clip in the vertical dimension below the archwire slot, rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional arrangement allows the clip to engage and restrain the archwire from below, preventing unintended opening while minimizing the horizontal profile and discomfort to the patient's lip.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove acts as an intermediary structure that receives and guides the lower extended part of the clip. This intermediary mechanism enables the clip to effectively engage the archwire and resist opening forces without requiring the entire bracket structure to be taller, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and height.
2Ease of manufacture
If the clip structure is simplified to reduce bracket height, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability of the clip against unintended opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clip is segmented into distinct functional parts: an upper part that engages the archwire from above, a lower extended part that engages from below, and a curved part connecting them. The guide groove is also segmented with specific portions for receiving different parts of the clip. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing the guide groove with different characteristics at different locations - the first portion has specific dimensions to receive the lower extended part, while the second portion has different dimensions to receive the curved part. This localized differentiation ensures stable clip engagement without requiring complex overall structure, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while improving clip stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic bracket is provided. The orthodontic bracket includes a base part; a bracket body mounted on the base part and having a retaining projection provided on an upper face thereof; a clip having a U-shaped cross-section, the clip being mounted on the bracket body and including an upper part along the upper face of the bracket body, a lower part along a lower face of the bracket body, a curved part therebetween, and an engaging hole provided in the upper part of the clip in a position that corresponds to a position of the retaining projection of the bracket body such that the retaining projection projects through the engaging hole when the clip is in an open position thereon; and an archwire slot in the upper face of the bracket body that extends perpendicular to a moving direction of the clip.