Self-Ligating Bracket with Projection-Recess Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing orthodontic self-ligating brackets face challenges in manufacturing complexity and high production tolerances due to the need for materials with high elasticity, and issues with contamination and blockages in mechanisms, making it difficult to prevent clamp slippage and maintain precision.
Innovation Solution
A self-ligating orthodontic bracket design featuring a resilient clamp with a first clamp leg and a second clamp leg connected by a bent section, where the first clamp leg has an oblong recess with a projection to prevent unintended loss and can be easily manufactured, allowing for precise assembly and use of inflexible materials like ceramics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tongue is cut out and bent to prevent clamp slippage, then clamp retention is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production tolerances worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is pre-formed on the first clamp leg before assembly, and the recess is pre-formed on the bracket body. This preliminary preparation of interlocking features eliminates the need for complex post-manufacturing deformation steps, reducing both manufacturing complexity and production tolerances while maintaining reliable clamp retention through the pre-designed geometric interlock.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of bending a tongue element to create an anti-slip feature (as in prior art), the invention inverts the approach by forming a projection directly on the clamp leg and a corresponding recess on the bracket body. This reverses the traditional methodology from deforming a flexible element to creating rigid geometric interlocking features, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the same retention function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If materials with high elasticity are used for clamp resilience, then clamp elasticity is improved, but ease of manufacture worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from requiring high elasticity to allowing rigid or inflexible materials. This parameter change is achieved by compensating for the loss of elastic retention through the geometric interlocking of the projection and recess, enabling the use of easier-to-manufacture materials like ceramics while maintaining functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention substitutes the mechanical elastic retention system with a geometric interlocking system. Instead of relying on material elasticity to prevent clamp slippage, the design uses the shape complementarity between the projection and recess to provide retention, allowing replacement of elastic materials with rigid, easier-to-manufacture alternatives.
3Measurement precision
If a lifting element with oblong hole is used, then clamp displacement control is improved, but contamination resistance worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the oblong hole feature from the design. By removing this contamination-prone element, the patent prevents food particles and contaminants from entering and compacting in the mechanism, while maintaining clamp displacement control through alternative means such as the projection-recess interlocking system and controlled movement paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of complex mechanisms by simplifying the overall design. By eliminating the oblong hole and lifting element complexity, the design reduces contamination risk while maintaining functional precision through simpler, more hygienic geometric interlocking features that are easier to clean and maintain.
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 simplifies clamp manufacture, prevents unintended loss, reduces manufacturing tolerances, and allows for the use of inflexible materials, while maintaining effective archwire management and adhesion to teeth surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient clamp, which has a first clamp leg and a second clamp leg that are connected with each other by an occlusally or gingivally arranged clamp bend
Data Source
AI summary
A self-ligating bracket for orthodontics includes a resilient clamp, wherein a first clamp leg is inserted in a slit and can be moved therein between a closed and open position to prevent an unintended loss of the clamp. The first clamp leg has at least one oblong recess, into which protrudes a projection that proceeds from the lingually or labially situated surface of the slit. The recess is bordered on its end facing away from the clamp bend by a stop, which hits the projection in the open position of the clamp and limits a further movement of the clamp. The surface situated opposite the projection forms an escape space inside of the slit, into which the first clamp leg escapes with the stop under a resilient deformation when the stop slides over the projection during insertion of the clamp.