Dental Retainer Coil Joint Strength Polymer Bow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic retainers face issues with joint strength and durability, particularly when using polymer holding members with metal wire supporting members, leading to potential breakage and unsightly stainless steel wires visible in the mouth.
Innovation Solution
A dental retainer design featuring a coil joint where a coil from a supporting member compresses or is compressed onto a highly oriented polymer holding member, providing enhanced strength and aesthetics by using a polymer labial bow attached to a cast metal frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal wire supporting member is used with a polymer holding member, then the retainer provides structural support, but the joint becomes weak and prone to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining a polymer holding member with a metal wire supporting member in a labial bow assembly. The polymer provides flexibility and comfort while the metal wire provides structural strength and rigidity, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials to achieve both strength and reliability in the joint connection.
2Reliability
If a stainless steel wire is used in the mouth, then the retainer provides durability, but it becomes unsightly and visible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a polymer holding member in the visible anterior region of the mouth where aesthetics are important, while using a metal wire supporting member in the posterior regions where structural support is needed but visibility is minimal. This localized material selection allows the retainer to be durable throughout while being aesthetically pleasing in the visible areas.
3Strength
If a coil joint is used to connect the holding member and supporting member, then the joint strength increases by 50%, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing the coil spring inside the polymer holding member, where the coil is nested within the hollow or cavity structure of the polymer component. This nesting arrangement allows the complex coil joint mechanism to be contained within the existing polymer structure, increasing joint strength while minimizing the overall increase in device complexity by utilizing the existing geometric space.
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 coil joint significantly increases the retainer's ability to hold static weight, offering improved durability and aesthetics by embedding the coil into the polymer, enhancing joint strength by approximately 50% compared to prior art.
Implementation Method 1
The holding member is elastically deformable and the coil compresses or is compressed against the holding member to form the joint
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a dentition retaining apparatus that includes a joint between a holding member and a supporting member. The holding member is elastically deformable and terminates in an end segment having a length with an outer diameter. The joint includes a coil extending from the supporting member and having an inner diameter that is less than the outer diameter of the end segment of the holding member. The coil is placed around at least a portion of the end segment of the holding member. The coil compresses the end segment of the holding member.