Self-ligating Orthodontic Bracket with Elastomeric Locking Tines
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing and assembly of small-sized brackets require significant effort due to the precise installation of flexible thrust bearings and inflexible cylinders, which is challenging and costly.
Innovation Solution
A bracket design featuring a one-piece locking element with elastomerically bendable tines that engages into recesses in the occlusal and gingival walls, allowing for cost-effective and precise manufacturing via injection molding, eliminating the need for adhesive bonding and precise positioning of thrust bearings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible thrust bearing and an inflexible cylinder are used to hold the slide in position, then the slide can be held securely in both open and closed positions, but the manufacturing and assembly effort increases significantly due to the small dimensions of the bracket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flexible thrust bearing and the inflexible cylinder into a single integrated locking element made of elastomeric material. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and adhesive bonding, while maintaining the functional benefits of both components through the elastomeric material's inherent flexibility and resilience
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is made entirely of elastomeric material that combines the properties of both the flexible thrust bearing and the rigid cylinder. The elastomeric material provides both the flexibility needed for resilient engagement and the structural integrity needed for precise positioning, eliminating the need for composite assembly of different materials
2Manufacturing precision
If adhesive bonding is used to secure the thrust bearing and cylinder, then precise positioning is achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive bonding step from the manufacturing process by designing the locking element to be self-retaining through its elastomeric properties. The resilience of the elastomeric material provides automatic positioning and securing without requiring external adhesives or complex bonding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves itself by using its own elastomeric resilience to achieve precise positioning and secure engagement. The material's natural elasticity allows it to deform during assembly and then maintain precise positioning without requiring external bonding agents or complex manufacturing steps
3Ease of manufacture
If the recess is designed with a tapering section to allow elastomeric bending, then the locking element can be easily inserted and positioned, but the recess geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The recess geometry incorporates a tapering section that allows the locking element to dynamically adapt during insertion. The tapered shape guides the elastomeric material to deform in a controlled manner, enabling easy insertion while the material's resilience ensures secure engagement in the final position
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs, allows for larger positional tolerances, and provides enhanced security in the closed position while maintaining the open position during orthodontic treatment, preventing unintended bracket opening.
Implementation Method 1
the locking element is guided in the recess so that it can be displaced back and forth in a lingual-labial direction, and has one or more elastically or elastomerically bendable tines, which have an end facing in a labial to lingual direction, and glide onto a wall of the recess surrounding the locking element as the locking element is displaced back and forth
Data Source
AI summary
A self-ligating bracket for orthodontics, includes: a groove for receiving an archwire; a slide which can be displaced between a closed position in which it bridges the groove and an open position in which the groove is open; and a locking element which can hold the slide both in its closed position and in its open position. In the gingival and/or in the occlusal wall, a recess is open towards the slide in which the locking element is inserted which is directed against the slide. The locking element is displaceably guided in the recess and has elastically or elastomerically bendable tines which, when the slide is pushed over the convex end of the locking element, are displaced deeper into the recess, thereby being elastically or elastomerically bent and thereby building up a restoring force.