Tooth Arch Receiving Element with Actuator-Driven Rigidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tooth cleaning mouthpieces face challenges in achieving a proper fit for diverse tooth sizes and curvatures, leading to inadequate bristle reach and cleaning force distribution.
Innovation Solution
A tooth arch receiving element with a conformable structure that can be shaped to match individual tooth arches and then made rigid using an actuator arrangement, ensuring a personalized fit and effective cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-size mouthpiece is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fit quality deteriorates leading to poor bristle reach and cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The arch is divided into multiple size categories (small, medium, large) with predetermined dimensions. Users select the appropriate size based on their tooth arch measurements, allowing standardized mass production of each size while maintaining good fit quality for individual users.
Solution Approach 2:
The arch dimensions are varied across different size models to match different user requirements. By producing multiple size variants with specific dimensional parameters, the system achieves both manufacturing efficiency (through standardization) and fit quality (through parameter variation).
2Strength
If the arch is made rigid initially, then structural strength is improved, but adaptability to individual tooth arches deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arch transitions from a flexible state during the fitting stage to a rigid state during the cleaning stage. The actuator arrangement enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the arch to first adapt to the user's tooth arch shape and then maintain that shape with sufficient rigidity for effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The arch is first shaped to match the user's tooth arch during a preliminary fitting stage before actual cleaning. This preliminary shaping action allows the arch to adapt to individual variations, and only after this adaptation is the arch made rigid for the cleaning operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arch is made flexible continuously, then adaptability to individual tooth arches is improved, but cleaning force transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arch dynamically changes its mechanical properties from flexible to rigid based on the operational stage. During fitting, flexibility enables adaptation to individual tooth arches; during cleaning, rigidity ensures effective force transmission from the bristles to the tooth surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigidity parameter of the arch is changed from low (flexible) during fitting to high (rigid) during cleaning. This parameter transformation is achieved through the actuator arrangement, which modifies the arch's structural properties to match the requirements of each operational phase.
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 solution provides improved bristle reach and coverage, ensuring better cleaning of teeth surfaces, including gum lines and interproximal areas, while accommodating various tooth and jaw types.
Implementation Method 1
an arch formed of a conformable structure for receiving the teeth/jaw of a user; and an actuator arrangement for increasing the rigidity of the conformable structure after it has been shaped to correspond to a shape of a tooth arch of a subject during an arch fitting stage
Data Source
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AI summary
A tooth arch receiving element has an arch formed of a conformable structure for receiving the teeth of a user. An actuator is used to increase the rigidity of the conformable structure after it has been shaped to correspond to a shape of a tooth arch of a subject during an arch fitting stage.