Orthodontic Expansion Screw Lateral Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expansion screws for regulating teeth have significant installation dimensions due to the size of their locking mechanisms, which hinder their accessibility and usability, especially in confined spaces like a patient's mouth.
Innovation Solution
The expansion screw incorporates a lateral locking mechanism with a locking member that applies an axial spring force to the actuating portion, utilizing latching elements and retaining arms to secure the spindle against unintended rotation, allowing for smaller installation dimensions and easy access from multiple angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal strip friction brake locking mechanism is used, then the spindle is secured against unintended rotation, but the installation dimensions become large
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a planar metal strip brake to a three-dimensional positive locking system where the locking lever engages with locking notches in the vertical dimension, allowing compact radial arrangement while maintaining secure locking
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the friction brake system and implemented as a separate positive locking mechanism with independent locking lever and notches, eliminating the need for large friction brake components
2Reliability
If the actuating portion has a non-circular outer cross-section for friction braking, then the frictional force depends on the angle-of-rotation position, but the outer periphery becomes less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating portion is segmented into a circular outer periphery for tool application and a lateral end face with locking notches for positive locking, allowing the tool to access the circular perimeter from any angle while the locking function operates independently on the end face
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 ensures the spindle is securely locked against rotation while maintaining compact dimensions, enabling straightforward operation regardless of the screw's position, thus addressing the issue of large installation dimensions in existing expansion screws.
Implementation Method 1
subjects the actuating portion to an axially aligned spring force when the spindle is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion screw for regulating teeth has two expansion-screw bodies, the spacing between which can be changed by means of a spindle, and has at least one guide pin which is aligned parallel to the spindle and engages in guide openings of the two expansion-screw bodies, the spindle having a first and a second threaded portion, each of which is connected to an expansion-screw body, and an actuating portion, with at least one point for application of a tool for rotating the spindle, and the expansion screw has a locking mechanism which interacts with the actuating portion in order to secure the spindle against unintended rotation. The locking mechanism has at least one locking element with a locking member which is disposed laterally alongside the actuating portion and subjects the actuating portion to an axial spring force when the spindle is rotated.