Self-Ligating Orthodontic Bracket Clasp With V-Shaped Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic brackets with spring-loaded clasps suffer from weakened cross-sections due to keyhole-shaped openings, leading to decreased spring force over time, potential breakage, and issues with plaque accumulation affecting functionality.
Innovation Solution
A self-ligating orthodontic bracket with a spring-loaded clasp featuring a C-shaped bend and V-shaped arms bounding the engagement opening, ensuring uniform cross-section and stable spring action, preventing material fatigue and facilitating easy opener insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a keyhole-shaped opening is provided in the clasp for inserting a clasp opener, then the clasp can be opened, but the cross-section of the clasp is weakened leading to decreased spring force and potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement opening is designed as an elongated slot extending in the mesial-distal direction rather than a simple keyhole shape. This dimensional change allows the opening to be accessed from the side while maintaining the clasp's cross-sectional integrity in the vertical plane, thus preserving spring force while enabling opener insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The clasp is designed with different cross-sectional properties in different regions: the engagement opening area has a specific width to allow opener access, while the bend area maintains sufficient material thickness to preserve spring characteristics. This local differentiation allows the opening to be functional without compromising overall clasp strength.
2Strength
If the clasp width is increased at the bend area to maintain strength, then spring force is preserved, but the opening for clasp opener insertion becomes more difficult to access
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing width in the vertical plane (which would hinder opener access), the engagement opening is extended in the mesial-distal horizontal direction. This allows the opener to engage from the side while the clasp bend maintains its original width and strength characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The clasp is functionally segmented into different zones: the bend area maintains full cross-sectional dimensions for strength, while the engagement opening is created as a separate accessible feature in the mesial-distal direction, allowing independent optimization of both strength and operability.
3Strength
If the opening is positioned in the second arm away from the bend, then cross-section strength is maintained, but plaque accumulation in the slot affects clasp functionality and causes unintentional bending
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement opening is extracted from the second arm and repositioned to the bend area, allowing the second arm to remain continuous and free of openings that could trap plaque. The opening is created in a location where it does not interfere with the structural integrity of the clasp arms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated engagement opening acts as an intermediary feature that provides opener access without requiring openings in the clasp arms themselves. The opening is positioned in the bend area where it serves as a access point while the arms remain solid and resistant to plaque accumulation.
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 design maintains consistent spring force and stability, preventing breakage and plaque-induced stiffness, ensuring effective archwire manipulation and improved patient comfort over extended use.
Implementation Method 1
The clasp is made of a spring material and features a C-shaped bend that provides elastic restoring force to maintain the archwire in the groove
Implementation Method 2
The spring-loaded clasp with C-shaped bend stores mechanical energy when deformed and releases it to return to its original position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~8
AI summary
A self-ligating bracket (1) is described, comprising a base (4), an occlusal wall (6), a gingival wall (5), and a groove (7) that separates the occlusal wall (6) and the gingival wall (5) and extends continuously from mesial to distal. A slot (18) extends from gingival to occlusal. A spring-loaded clasp (25) has a first clasp leg (26) and a second clasp leg (27) which are connected by an occlusal or gingival clasp bend (28). The first clasp leg (26) is inserted into the slot (18) and is slidable therein in a gingival-occlusal direction between a closed and an open position of the clasp (25). The clasp (25) has an engagement opening (40) in the region of the clasp bend (28) for the insertion of a clasp opener (41).According to the invention, the engagement opening (40) - in a view along the longitudinal direction (29) of the first clamp leg (26) or in a top view of the clamp (25) unfolded into a plane - is laterally bounded by two V-shaped arms (43, 44) extending towards each other, and a distance (A) between the two arms (43, 44) measured from mesial to distal is at least as large as the width (B1; B2) of each of the two arms (43, 44) measured from mesial to distal.