Self-Ligating Orthodontic Bracket Spring Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional self-ligating orthodontic brackets require crimping, bending, or gluing to secure the sliding member, leading to manufacturing complexity, increased costs, and potential errors in assembly, which can result in irreversible damage and patient dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a spring mechanism that biases or propels the bracket door between open and closed positions, eliminating the need for crimping, bending, or gluing, and allowing for easy assembly and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If crimping, bending, or gluing is used to secure the sliding member to the bracket, then the sliding member is retained, but manufacturing complexity increases and assembly errors become irreversible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the sides of the bracket flexible rather than rigid. The sides are designed to be bendable during assembly to facilitate retention of the sliding member, but then become sufficiently rigid to maintain the assembled configuration. This dynamic flexibility-to-rigidity transition eliminates the need for complex crimping, bending, or gluing processes while ensuring reliable retention of the sliding member.
2Reliability
If crimping, bending, or gluing is used to secure the sliding member, then the sliding member is retained, but assembly errors become irreversible and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sides allow for easy assembly by enabling the bracket to be manipulated during the assembly process. The sides can be bent to accommodate the sliding member during insertion, then naturally return to or maintain their configured shape without requiring additional fastening operations. This dynamic behavior makes assembly reversible and correctable, significantly improving ease of manufacture.
3Productivity
If the bracket uses a sliding member to retain the archwire, then friction on wire movement is reduced, but the sliding member requires additional securing processes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sides of the bracket provide a simple yet effective mechanism to secure the sliding member without adding complexity. The dynamic flexibility allows the sliding member to be easily retained during assembly while maintaining the low-friction advantage of the sliding mechanism during orthodontic treatment. This resolves the contradiction by providing a simple elastic retention mechanism rather than complex fastening systems.
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 spring mechanism simplifies assembly, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, enhances patient comfort, and minimizes plaque buildup by eliminating empty spaces, while providing a secure and efficient archwire retention mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring mechanism that biases or propels the bracket door between an opened position and a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
An orthodontic self-ligating bracket for orthodontic treatment of maloccluded teeth. The bracket includes a bracket body, a bracket door, and a spring mechanism retained by the bracket door. The bracket body has a base on the bottom side of the bracket body that is contoured to attach to a surface of a tooth, a bracket slot on the top side of the bracket body extending in a mesiodistal direction and configured to releasably retain an archwire, and a bracket groove on the top side of the bracket body extending in an occlusogingival direction towards the bracket slot. The spring mechanism includes one or more springs that are configured to contact the bracket door and the bracket body. The bracket door can thus be retained by and slidably engage the bracket body between an open position and a closed position. One or more additional active spring members may also be provided.