Passive Self-Ligating Bracket with Elastic Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional orthodontic brackets require frequent re-ligation during archwire changes, leading to increased friction, reduced tooth movement speed, and longer treatment cycles due to high friction forces between the archwire and bracket.
Innovation Solution
A passive self-ligating bracket with a locking piece and elastic element that securely locks the archwire in place, reducing friction and allowing for easier installation and maintenance, while preventing free sliding due to gravity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a common bracket uses ligatures to secure the archwire, then the archwire is firmly held in place, but the friction force between archwire and bracket increases, requiring greater anchorage and reducing tooth movement speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ligature component entirely, replacing it with a self-ligating mechanism where the archwire is retained by a sliding door assembly that clips onto the bracket body. This extraction of the ligature eliminates the high friction problem while maintaining archwire retention through a different mechanical principle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sliding door assembly as an intermediary mechanism between the archwire and bracket body. This sliding door with its clipping mechanism provides archwire retention without the continuous contact friction of ligatures, allowing the archwire to be secured and released easily.
2Reliability
If a common bracket requires manual re-ligation during each archwire change, then the archwire can be securely held, but the treatment time increases due to frequent doctor visits and procedure time
Solution Approach 1:
The self-ligating bracket enables self-service functionality where the archwire can be inserted and retained automatically without requiring a doctor to manually tie ligatures at each visit. The sliding door mechanism allows the archwire to clip into place automatically, eliminating the time-consuming manual re-ligation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket is pre-configured with the sliding door assembly and clipping mechanism ready to automatically retain the archwire upon insertion. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for subsequent manual intervention during routine archwire changes, reducing treatment cycle time.
3Ease of operation
If the locking piece is allowed to slide freely due to gravity in an unlocked state, then the archwire installation is simplified, but the locking piece cannot be completely unlocked and normal installation is influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism that provides an upward counteracting force to balance the gravitational force on the locking piece. This spring force prevents the locking piece from sliding down due to gravity when unlocked, while still allowing it to be easily moved for archwire installation. The spring ensures the locking piece returns to its proper position and can be completely unlocked when needed.
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
Facilitates faster archwire installation, reduces friction forces, and enhances tooth movement speed, thereby shortening the overall orthodontic treatment cycle with improved patient comfort.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic element is provided with a bulge capable of being received at the locking position; when the locking piece is in a locked state, the bulge on the elastic element is received at the locking position; and when the locking piece is in an unlocked state, the end part of the bulge on the elastic element is in close abutment with one of the bracket body and the locking piece, and forces the elastic element to shrink and store energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a passive self-ligating bracket, comprising a bracket body, wherein the middle part of the bracket body is sunken downwards to form an archwire slot; a locking piece in slide fit with the bracket body is arranged above the archwire slot; at least one locking position is provided on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; a fixing mechanism for fixing the locking piece at the locking position is arranged on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the fixing mechanism comprises an elastic element located on one of the bracket body and the locking piece; the elastic element is provided with a bulge capable of being received at the locking position; when the locking piece is in a locked state, the bulge on the elastic element is received at the locking position; and when the locking piece is in an unlocked state, the end part of the bulge on the elastic element is in close abutment with one of the bracket body and the locking piece, and forces the elastic element to shrink and store energy. The present invention has the advantage of facilitating archwire installation.