Orthodontic Bracket with Rounded Archwire Slot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Orthodontic brackets with rectangular archwire slots cause friction and irritation due to their design, leading to undesirable forces and discomfort during orthodontic treatment, especially when using round archwires which do not torque well in these slots.

Innovation Solution

The design of orthodontic brackets with a base body having a triangular or circular cross-section to reduce friction and irritation, featuring a guide recess and snap-on nose for secure engagement of archwires and elastomeric chains, and a low-profile archwire slot with a rounded shape to minimize contact and enhance torque application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If rectangular archwire slots are used in orthodontic brackets, then control and engagement of rectangular archwires is improved, but friction increases and round archwires do not torque well

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and engagementVSAvoidfriction

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The archwire slot is designed with a rounded cross-sectional shape instead of rectangular, and the archwire path includes a curved section with radius of curvature matching the slot. This curvature allows round archwires to engage effectively and apply torque while minimizing friction contact points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If rectangular bracket profiles are used, then structural strength is improved, but irritation of inner lip surfaces increases due to protruding edges

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidirritation of inner lip surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket profile is designed with curved surfaces instead of sharp rectangular edges. The rounded contours eliminate protruding edges that cause irritation to the inner lip surfaces while maintaining sufficient structural strength through optimized curved geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If round archwires are used in rectangular slots, then friction is reduced, but torque application becomes ineffective

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefrictionVSAvoidtorque application

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The archwire slot incorporates a curved path section with a radius of curvature that matches the round archwire diameter. This allows the round archwire to engage the slot along its curved path, enabling effective torque application while maintaining low friction contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the archwire slot have different geometric properties - straight sections for engagement and curved sections for torque application. This local variation in geometry optimizes both friction reduction and torque effectiveness in different regions of the slot.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9517112B2Low profile bracket with elastomeric chain

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 WORLD CLASS TECHNOLOGY CORP

AI summary

An orthodontic appliance comprises a base portion adapted to be affixed to a patient's tooth and an upper portion including a flexible and resilient hook for forming a tubular channel for receiving an archwire. The upper portion includes a flange affixed to the hook, and is sized and shaped to connect to loops of an elastomeric power chain.