Tiered Dental Tail Cap With Pull Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current dental equipment systems require multiple sized tail caps to silence vacuum noise after procedures, and existing solutions are often not disposable or sterilized properly, leading to inefficiencies and potential cross-contamination.

Innovation Solution

A tiered tail cap design with multiple plug portions of varying diameters and a pull mechanism for easy installation and removal, made from recyclable or biodegradable materials, which can be used with different sized suction tubing and does not require sterilization, incorporating antimicrobial agents for infection control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple sized tail caps are used to silence vacuum noise for different equipment sizes, then vacuum noise is effectively silenced, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevacuum noiseVSAvoidnumber of different tail cap sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tail cap is designed with a tiered body structure containing multiple plug portions of different diameters, allowing a single tail cap to fit multiple sizes of tailpieces and suction tubing. This universal design eliminates the need for maintaining multiple different sized tail caps in inventory while effectively silencing vacuum noise across different dental equipment sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tail cap body is segmented into multiple plug portions (first plug portion, second plug portion, etc.) with varying diameters. Each plug portion can be selectively inserted into different sized openings, allowing the single tail cap to serve multiple functions and accommodate different equipment sizes without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If tail caps are made reusable to reduce waste, then resource utilization improves, but sterilization requirements and cross-contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetail cap wasteVSAvoidsterilization compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tail cap is designed as a disposable component made from recyclable or biodegradable materials. After use, the entire tail cap is discarded rather than sterilized and reused. This approach eliminates cross-contamination risks associated with improper sterilization while managing waste through environmentally friendly materials. The low cost of the disposable tail cap makes this approach economically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Device complexity

If a single tail cap design is used for all equipment sizes, then inventory complexity decreases, but adaptability to different equipment sizes may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory managementVSAvoidcompatibility with different equipment sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tail cap incorporates multiple plug portions with different diameters within a single body structure. This allows one universal tail cap design to adapt to various equipment sizes including different tailpiece and suction tubing diameters, maintaining versatility while simplifying inventory to a single standardized component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The tiered body structure contains nested plug portions where smaller plug portions are positioned within or alongside larger ones. This nesting arrangement allows the single tail cap to provide multiple size options, with each plug portion capable of being used independently depending on the equipment size being accommodated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If tail caps are made disposable to eliminate sterilization needs, then cross-contamination is prevented, but material consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfection controlVSAvoidtail cap material

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The tail cap is designed as a disposable item that is discarded after single use, completely eliminating sterilization requirements and ensuring infection control. The material consumption is managed by using recyclable or biodegradable materials and optimizing the tail cap design to use minimal material while maintaining functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The tail cap is made from recyclable or biodegradable materials that balance disposability with environmental responsibility. These materials allow the tail cap to be discarded after use without causing excessive environmental harm, mitigating the concern about increased material consumption while maintaining the infection control benefits of disposability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS10898294B2Tail cap for dental equipment

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 STOMA VENTURES LLC

AI summary

A tail cap is disclosed having a body portion having a top side and a bottom side with the bottom side having a first plug portion and a second plug portion, a pull, and a central portion connected between the body portion and the pull. Another tail cap is disclosed having a body portion having a top side and a bottom side with the bottom side having a first plug portion and a second plug portion and the top side having a third plug portion and a fourth plug portion, a pull, and a central portion connected between the body portion and the pull.