Torque Limiting Dental Tool Holder with Deflecting Catch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental torque wrenches for implant dentistry are complex, require frequent maintenance, and often lose calibration, leading to over-tightening issues due to vague instructions for 'hand tightening' abutment screws, which can result in failures when used chairside.
Innovation Solution
A torque limiting device with a simple design featuring a housing and a torque limiting insert with a locking catch that deflects out of engagement at a predefined torque limit, eliminating the need for moving parts and replacement components, ensuring accurate torque control without straining the abutment screw.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional torque limiting wrenches are used, then torque control function is achieved, but device complexity increases with numerous moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential torque limiting function from complex mechanical systems and implements it through a simple insert with a locking catch that deflects at the torque limit, eliminating the need for intricate moving parts while maintaining reliable torque control
Solution Approach 2:
The torque limiting insert is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be replaced if needed, rather than using expensive complex mechanisms that require maintenance. The insert contains the essential torque-limiting geometry without expensive moving parts
2Reliability
If traditional torque limiting wrenches with replacement components are used, then torque limitation is achieved, but maintenance requirements increase and calibration is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a reusable housing and a torque limiting insert. The insert contains all torque-limiting geometry and can be independently replaced or maintained, isolating wear and calibration issues to a single replaceable component rather than the entire device
Solution Approach 2:
The locking catch automatically deflects and disengages when the torque limit is reached, providing self-regulating torque control without requiring external calibration or adjustment. The design is inherently maintenance-free for the housing, with only the simple insert potentially needing replacement
3Ease of operation
If vague hand tightening instructions are given, then operation simplicity is maintained, but over-tightening occurs leading to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The device provides immediate tactile feedback when the torque limit is reached through the deflection and disengagement of the locking catch. This automatic feedback mechanism eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures or user judgment, allowing simple operation with reliable torque control
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 device provides reliable torque limitation at approximately 8 to 10 Ncm, reducing the risk of over-tightening and allowing indefinite use without maintenance, while maintaining calibration and ensuring correct alignment and retention of the drive tool.
Implementation Method 1
the locking catch can be moved at least approximately radially outwards with respect to the rotation axis into the recess in to a disengaged position
Implementation Method 2
being aligned with the recess such that the locking catch can be moved at least approximately radially outwards with respect to the rotation axis into the recess in to a disengaged position, wherein the locking catch is arranged to engage with the dental drive tool when the tool is introduced in the bore in order to transmit a torque applied to the housing to the tool and to deflect into the disengaged position against the force of the spring region when a predefined torque limit has been reached
Data Source
AI summary
A torque limiting device for use with a dental drive tool including a housing defining a rotation axis and having a bore concentric with the rotation axis and a torque limiting insert. The housing has a recess for housing at least part of the torque limiting insert. The torque limiting insert includes a fixing region held within the housing and a spring region extending from the fixing region and including a locking catch protruding into the bore. The locking catch is aligned with the recess so it can be moved radially outwards into the recess in to a disengaged position. The locking catch is arranged to engage with the dental drive tool when the tool is introduced in the bore to transmit a torque applied to the housing and to deflect into the disengaged position against the force of the spring region when a predefined torque limit is reached.