A thermoforming device for invisible orthodontic appliances

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of film pressing technology, and discloses a film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance, which includes a moving unit, a first lifting unit, a heating unit, a grasping unit, a dental model placement table and a film storage table; the first lifting unit is arranged on the moving unit; the heating unit is arranged on the moving unit; the grasping unit is arranged on the first lifting unit; the grasping unit is of a sleeve type structure and is sleeved on the heating unit; the dental model placement table is used for placing a dental model; the film storage table is used for storing films; wherein, the moving unit drives the grasping unit to move between the dental model placement table and the film storage table; the first lifting unit drives the grasping unit to lift and lower; the heating unit is used for heating the film grasped by the grasping unit. The film pressing device for the invisible orthodontic appliance of the present invention has a simple and compact structure, saves labor costs, realizes automatic film pressing, and has high production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of film pressing, and particularly to a film pressing device for invisible orthodontic appliances. Background Art

[0002] Due to advantages such as aesthetics, convenience, and ease of cleaning, shell-shaped dental appliances based on polymer materials are becoming increasingly popular.

[0003] Currently, invisible orthodontic appliances are generally produced based on a hot film pressing molding process, and are usually mass-produced in large factories using large production equipment. However, most of the existing film pressing devices are operated manually, with low processing and production efficiency, long production cycles, inability to guarantee production continuity, high production costs, and high manual operation error rates, resulting in film damage and resource waste. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a film pressing device for invisible orthodontic appliances, which has a simple and compact structure, saves labor costs, realizes automatic film pressing, and has high production efficiency.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a film pressing device for invisible orthodontic appliances, including a moving unit, a first lifting unit, a heating unit, a grasping unit, a dental model placement table, and a film storage table; the first lifting unit is arranged on the moving unit; the heating unit is arranged on the moving unit; the grasping unit is arranged on the first lifting unit; the grasping unit is of a sleeve type structure and is sleeved on the heating unit; the dental model placement table is used for placing dental models; the film storage table is used for storing films; wherein, the moving unit drives the grasping unit to move between the dental model placement table and the film storage table; the first lifting unit drives the grasping unit to lift and lower; the heating unit is used for heating the film grasped by the grasping unit.

[0006] Preferably, the first lifting unit includes two first lifting cylinders arranged in parallel and at intervals, one end of each first lifting cylinder is connected to the moving unit, and the other end is connected to the grasping unit.

[0007] Preferably, the heating unit includes a heater, a rotating shaft, and a rotating motor, the rotating motor is arranged on the moving unit; one end of the rotating shaft is connected to the rotating motor, and the other end is connected to the heater; the grasping unit is sleeved on the heater.

[0008] Preferably, a plurality of adsorption holes are arranged on the bottom surface of the grasping unit, and the adsorption holes are communicated with an external air pump.

[0009] Preferably, the diaphragm storage table includes a base, a top seat and a support frame. The top seat is provided with a circular access hole; one end of each support frame is connected to the base, and the other end is connected to the top seat.

[0010] Preferably, the diaphragm storage table further includes a support plate, a lifting motor and two lead screws. One end of each lead screw is arranged on the base through a bearing, and the other end is arranged on the top seat through a bearing. The vertices of the two lead screws are located on the same center line of the access hole. A driven wheel is arranged at the bottom end of each lead screw; the lifting motor is arranged on the base, and the lifting motor is provided with a driving wheel. The driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel through a synchronous belt; the support plate is arranged in the support frame and is respectively connected to the two lead screws.

[0011] Preferably, the film pressing device of the invisible orthodontic appliance further includes a lifting unit. The lifting unit includes a lifting sleeve, a lifting plate and a second lifting unit; the lifting plate is of an annular structure and is arranged on the bottom surface of the lifting sleeve; the second lifting unit is connected to the lifting sleeve; the lifting sleeve is located directly above the dental model placement table; the inner diameter of the lifting sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the grasping unit, and the inner diameter of the grasping unit is larger than the inner diameter of the lifting plate; wherein, the moving unit moves the grasping unit holding the diaphragm above the lifting sleeve, the first lifting unit lowers the grasping unit, the second lifting unit raises the lifting sleeve, the lifting sleeve is sleeved on the grasping unit, and the lifting plate and the grasping unit clamp the diaphragm.

[0012] Preferably, the film pressing device of the invisible orthodontic appliance further includes a feeding chute. One end of the feeding chute is connected to an external feeding device, and the other end is connected to the dental model placement table, and it is inclined downward to the dental model placement table.

[0013] Preferably, the feeding chute includes a first chute and a second chute that are symmetrically spliced; the film pressing device further includes a support table, a chute guide rail, a first slider, a second slider, a first connecting rod, and a second connecting rod; the chute guide rail is arranged on the support table and is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding chute; the first slider and the second slider are respectively slidably arranged on the chute guide rail; the first chute is arranged on the first slider, and the second chute is arranged on the second slider; one end of the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve, and the other end is rotatably connected to the first chute; one end of the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second chute; wherein, when the lifting sleeve rises, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod respectively pull the first chute and the second chute to approach each other along the chute guide rail and be spliced together, and when the lifting sleeve descends, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod respectively push the first chute and the second chute to separate from each other along the chute guide rail.

[0014] Preferably, the top surface of the dental mold placement table is provided with exhaust holes for sucking out the residual air between the diaphragm and the dental mold, and the exhaust holes are communicated with an external air pump.

[0015] Preferably, a positioning baffle surrounding the dental mold placement table is arranged at one end of the feeding chute connected to the dental mold placement table.

[0016] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] The film pressing device of the invisible orthodontic appliance of the present invention is provided with a moving unit, and the grasping unit and the heating unit are respectively arranged on the moving unit, which can drive the grasping unit and the heating unit to move synchronously. In this way, when the grasping unit grasps the diaphragm, the heating unit can directly heat the diaphragm, saving the moving time of the heating unit and improving the production efficiency; at the same time, a diaphragm storage table and a dental mold placement table are provided, and the grasping unit can directly grasp the diaphragm from the diaphragm storage table to the dental mold placement table for film pressing. The whole process only requires the first lifting unit and the moving unit to drive the grasping unit to move, making the overall structure simple and compact, and the production process simple, fast, with a high error tolerance rate, improving the production efficiency and the yield rate. Description of the Drawings

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the film pressing device of the invisible orthodontic appliance provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a front view of the film pressing device of the invisible orthodontic appliance provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the grasping unit provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 It is a schematic structural diagram of a diaphragm storage table provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 It is a schematic structural diagram of a lifting unit provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of a feeding chute provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Reference numerals:

[0025] 1. Moving unit; 2. First lifting unit; 21. First lifting cylinder; 3. Heating unit; 31. Heater; 32. Rotating shaft; 33. Rotating motor; 4. Gripping unit; 5. Dental mold placement table; 6. Diaphragm storage table; 61. Base; 62. Top seat; 63. Support frame; 64. Support plate; 65. Lifting motor; 66. Lead screw; 67. Driving wheel; 68. Driven wheel; 69. Timing belt; 7. Lifting unit; 71. Lifting sleeve; 72. Lifting plate; 73. Second lifting unit; 8. Feeding chute; 81. First chute; 82. Second chute; 9. Support table; 10. Chute guide rail; 11. First slider; 12. First connecting rod; 13. Second connecting rod. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0027] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation to the present application.

[0028] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "linkage" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] See Figure 1 and Figure 2 Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a moving unit 1, a first lifting unit 2, a heating unit 3, a grasping unit 4, a dental model placing table 5, and a film storage table 6; the first lifting unit 2 is disposed on the moving unit 1; the heating unit 3 is disposed on the moving unit 1; the grasping unit 4 is disposed on the first lifting unit 2; the grasping unit 4 is of a sleeve type structure and is sleeved on the heating unit 3; the dental model placing table 5 is used for placing a dental model; the film storage table 6 is used for storing films; wherein, the moving unit 1 drives the grasping unit 4 to move between the dental model placing table 5 and the film storage table 6; the first lifting unit 2 drives the grasping unit 4 to lift and lower; the heating unit 3 is used for heating the film grasped by the grasping unit 4.

[0030] During the use process of the above film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance, the moving unit 1 moves the grasping unit 4 above the film storage table 6, the first lifting unit 2 lowers the grasping unit 4, after the grasping unit 4 grasps the film, the first lifting unit 2 raises the grasping unit 4, the moving unit 1 moves the grasping unit 4 above the dental model placing table 5, the heating unit 3 heats the film, after heating is completed, the heating unit 3 stops heating, the first lifting unit 2 lowers the grasping unit 4, the grasping unit 4 presses the heated and softened film onto the dental model on the dental model placing table 5, after cooling for a certain period of time, the film adheres to the dental model, the first lifting unit 2 raises the grasping unit 4, the film adhered with the dental model rises with the grasping unit 4, after the moving unit 1 moves the grasping unit 4 to the designated discharging position, the grasping unit 4 places the film adhered with the dental model at the discharging position.

[0031] It should be noted that the film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance is disposed in a machine cover, and a platform for installing the film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance is disposed inside the machine cover. The moving unit 1 can be a conventional synchronous belt linear module.

[0032] See Figure 3 Referring to Figure 3 , in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the first lifting unit 2 includes two first lifting cylinders 21 that are parallel and spaced apart, one end of each first lifting cylinder 21 is connected to the moving unit 1, and the other end is connected to the grasping unit 4.

[0033] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the heating unit 3 includes a heater 31, a rotating shaft 32, and a rotating motor 33. The rotating motor 33 is disposed on the moving unit 1; one end of the rotating shaft 32 is connected to the rotating motor 33, and the other end thereof is connected to the heater 31; the grasping unit 4 is sleeved on the heater 31. Thus, when the heating unit 3 heats, the rotating motor 33 can drive the heater 31 to rotate and heat, ensuring uniform heating of the diaphragm.

[0034] Further, the heater 31 is a heating lamp tube.

[0035] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of adsorption holes are provided on the bottom surface of the grasping unit 4, and the adsorption holes are communicated with an external air pump. Specifically, the adsorption holes are uniformly distributed on the bottom surface of the grasping unit 4.

[0036] See Figure 4 , in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the diaphragm storage table 6 includes a base 61, a top seat 62, and a support frame 63. The top seat 62 is provided with a circular access hole; one end of each support frame 63 is connected to the base 61, and the other end thereof is connected to the top seat 62.

[0037] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the diaphragm storage table 6 further includes a support plate 64, a lifting motor 65, and two lead screws 66. One end of each lead screw 66 is disposed on the base 61 through a bearing, and the other end thereof is disposed on the top seat 62 through a bearing. The vertices of the two lead screws 66 are located on the same center line of the access hole. A driven wheel 68 is provided at the bottom end of each lead screw 66; the lifting motor 65 is disposed on the base 61, and the lifting motor 65 is provided with a driving wheel 67. The driving wheel 67 is connected to the driven wheel 68 through a synchronous belt 69; the support plate 64 is disposed within the support frame 63, and the support plate 64 is respectively slidably connected to the two lead screws 66. Thus, the lifting motor 65 drives the driving wheel 67 to rotate, the driving wheel 67 drives the driven wheel 68 to rotate through the transmission belt, and the driven wheel 68 drives the lead screw 66 to rotate, so that the support plate 64 is lifted along the lead screw 66, thereby controlling the lifting of the diaphragm and facilitating the grasping of the grasping unit 4.

[0038] It should be noted that the support plate 64 is connected to a lead screw nut on the lead screw 66. The lead screw 66 rotates to realize the sliding of the lead screw nut along the lead screw 66, thereby realizing the sliding of the support plate 64 along the lead screw 66.

[0039] Further, a buffer plate is disposed within the support frame 63, and the buffer plate is disposed on the support plate 64.

[0040] See Figure 5, in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the thermoforming device for the invisible orthodontic appliance further includes a lifting unit 7, and the lifting unit 7 includes a lifting sleeve 71, a lifting plate 72 and a second lifting unit 73; the lifting plate 72 is in a ring structure and is arranged on the bottom surface of the lifting sleeve 71; the second lifting unit 73 is connected to the lifting sleeve 71; the lifting sleeve 71 is located directly above the dental model placement table 5; the inner diameter of the lifting plate 72 sleeve is larger than the outer diameter of the grasping unit 4, and the inner diameter of the grasping unit 4 is larger than the inner diameter of the lifting plate 72; wherein, the moving unit 1 moves the grasping unit 4 grasping the diaphragm above the lifting sleeve 71, the first lifting unit 2 lowers the grasping unit 4, the second lifting unit 73 raises the lifting sleeve 71, the lifting sleeve 71 is sleeved on the grasping unit 4, and the lifting plate 72 and the grasping unit 4 clamp the diaphragm. Specifically, the second lifting unit 73 may be composed of two second lifting cylinders, which are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lifting sleeve 71. In this way, the stability of grasping can be ensured, and the stability when it fits with the dental model can be ensured.

[0041] See Figure 6 , in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the thermoforming device for the invisible orthodontic appliance further includes a feeding chute 8, one end of the feeding chute 8 is connected to an external feeding device, the other end is connected to the dental model placement table 5, and it is inclined downward to the dental model placement table 5. In this way, the dental model can be directly conveyed to the dental model placement table 5 through the feeding chute 8, improving production efficiency.

[0042] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the feeding chute 8 includes a first chute 81 and a second chute 82 that are symmetrically spliced; the thermoforming device further includes a support table 9, a chute guide rail 10, a first slider 11, a second slider, a first connecting rod 12 and a second connecting rod 13; the chute guide rail 10 is arranged on the support table 9 and is perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding chute 8; the first slider 11 and the second slider are respectively slidably arranged on the chute guide rail 10; the first chute 81 is arranged on the first slider 11, and the second chute 82 is arranged on the second slider; one end of the first connecting rod 12 is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve 71, and the other end is rotatably connected to the first chute 81; one end of the second connecting rod 13 is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve 71, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second chute 82; wherein, when the lifting sleeve 71 rises, the first connecting rod 12 and the second connecting rod 13 respectively pull the first chute 81 and the second chute 82 to approach each other along the chute guide rail 10 and be spliced together, and when the lifting sleeve 71 descends, the first connecting rod 12 and the second connecting rod 13 respectively push the first chute 81 and the second chute 82 to separate from each other along the chute guide rail 10.

[0043] Specifically, when the lifting sleeve 71 rises, the lifting sleeve 71 drives one end of the first connecting rod 12 and the second connecting rod 13 to rise. The first connecting rod 12 and the second connecting rod 13 respectively pull the first slideway 81 and the second slideway 82. Since the first slideway 81 and the second slideway 82 are spliced together, at this time, the dental mold can enter the dental mold placement table 5 through the feeding slideway 8, and then the diaphragm can be attached to the dental mold; when the lifting sleeve 71 is in the initial position, that is, in the descending state, the first slideway 81 and the second slideway 82 are in a separated state. Only when the grasping unit 4 grasps the diaphragm in place and the lifting sleeve 71 rises, can the dental mold slide to the dental mold placement table 5 synchronously, ensuring the rigor of the production process and the production efficiency.

[0044] It should be noted that an induction sensor is provided on the dental mold placement table 5. When the dental mold slides to the dental mold placement table 5, the induction sensor will identify whether the dental mold is in place. If it senses that the dental mold is in place, the first lifting unit 2 and the second lifting unit 73 will move the diaphragm downward.

[0045] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, exhaust holes for sucking out the remaining air between the diaphragm and the dental mold are provided on the top surface of the dental mold placement table 5, and the exhaust holes are communicated with an external air pump.

[0046] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a positioning baffle surrounding the dental mold placement table 5 is provided at one end of the feeding slideway 8 connected to the dental mold placement table 5. In this way, the positioning baffle can prevent the dental mold from sliding out of the dental mold placement table 5.

[0047] It should be noted that the moving unit 1, the first lifting unit 2, the heating unit 3, the diaphragm storage table 6, the lifting unit 7, and the induction sensor are all connected to an external control mechanism and power supply. The control mechanism can be a PC or a tablet.

[0048] In summary, the preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a film pressing device for an invisible orthodontic appliance. Compared with the prior art:

[0049] The film pressing device for the invisible orthodontic appliance of the present invention is provided with a moving unit 1, and the grasping unit 4 and the heating unit 3 are respectively arranged on the moving unit 1, which can drive the grasping unit 4 and the heating unit 3 to move synchronously. In this way, when the grasping unit 4 grasps the diaphragm, the heating unit 3 can directly heat the diaphragm, saving the moving time of the heating unit 3 and improving the production efficiency; at the same time, a diaphragm storage table 6 and a dental mold placement table 5 are provided. The grasping unit 4 can directly grasp the diaphragm from the diaphragm storage table 6 to the dental mold placement table 5 for film pressing. The whole process only requires the first lifting unit 2 and the moving unit 1 to drive the grasping unit 4 to move, making the overall structure simple and compact, and the production process simple and fast, with a high error tolerance, improving the production efficiency and the yield rate.

[0050] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the technical principle of the present invention, several improvements and replacements can be made, and these improvements and replacements should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An impression molding device for an invisible orthodontic appliance, characterized in that, Comprising: A mobile unit; A first lifting unit disposed on the mobile unit; A heating unit disposed on the mobile unit; A grasping unit disposed on the first lifting unit; the grasping unit is of a sleeve type structure and sleeved on the heating unit. The first lifting unit includes two first lifting cylinders arranged in parallel and spaced apart. One end of each first lifting cylinder is connected to the mobile unit, and the other end is connected to the grasping unit; A dental mold placing table for placing dental molds; A diaphragm storage table for storing diaphragms; A feeding chute. A lifting unit is further included. The lifting unit includes a lifting sleeve, a lifting plate and a second lifting unit; the lifting plate is of an annular structure and disposed on the bottom surface of the lifting sleeve; the second lifting unit is connected to the lifting sleeve; the lifting sleeve is located directly above the dental mold placing table; the inner diameter of the lifting sleeve is greater than the outer diameter of the grasping unit, and the inner diameter of the grasping unit is greater than the inner diameter of the lifting plate. Wherein, the mobile unit moves the grasping unit holding the diaphragm above the lifting sleeve, the first lifting unit lowers the grasping unit, the second lifting unit raises the lifting sleeve, the lifting sleeve is sleeved on the grasping unit, and the lifting plate and the grasping unit clamp the diaphragm; one end of the feeding chute is connected to an external feeding device, and the other end is connected to the dental mold placing table and is inclined downward to the dental mold placing table. The feeding chute includes a first chute and a second chute symmetrically spliced together; the film pressing device further includes a support table, a chute guide rail, a first slider, a second slider, a first connecting rod and a second connecting rod; the chute guide rail is disposed on the support table and perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding chute; the first slider and the second slider are respectively slidably disposed on the chute guide rail; the first chute is disposed on the first slider, and the second chute is disposed on the second slider; one end of the first connecting rod is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve, and the other end is rotatably connected to the first chute; one end of the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the lifting sleeve, and the other end is rotatably connected to the second chute. Wherein, when the lifting sleeve rises, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod respectively pull the first chute and the second chute to approach each other and be spliced together along the chute guide rail, and when the lifting sleeve descends, the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod respectively push the first chute and the second chute to separate from each other along the chute guide rail; Wherein, the mobile unit drives the grasping unit to move between the dental mold placing table and the diaphragm storage table; the first lifting unit drives the grasping unit to lift and lower; the heating unit is used to heat the diaphragm grasped by the grasping unit.

2. The film pressing device for the invisible orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating unit includes a heater, a rotating shaft, and a rotating motor. The rotating motor is disposed on the moving unit. One end of the rotating shaft is connected to the rotating motor, and the other end thereof is connected to the heater. The grasping unit is sleeved on the heater.

3. The thermoforming device for the invisible orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of adsorption holes are provided on the bottom surface of the grasping unit, and the adsorption holes are communicated with an external air pump.

4. The thermoforming device for an invisible orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein: The diaphragm storage table includes a base, a top seat, and a support frame. The top seat is provided with a circular access hole. One end of each support frame is connected to the base, and the other end thereof is connected to the top seat.

5. The film pressing device for the invisible orthodontic appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that: The diaphragm storage table further includes a support plate, a lifting motor, and two lead screws. One end of each lead screw is disposed on the base through a bearing, and the other end thereof is disposed on the top seat through a bearing. The vertices of the two lead screws are located on the same center line of the access hole. A driven wheel is provided at the bottom end of each lead screw. The lifting motor is disposed on the base. The lifting motor is provided with a driving wheel, and the driving wheel is connected to the driven wheel through a synchronous belt. The support plate is disposed within the support frame, and the support plate is respectively connected to the two lead screws.

6. The thermoforming device for the invisible orthodontic appliance according to claim 1, wherein: An exhaust hole for sucking out the remaining air between the diaphragm and the dental mold is provided on the top surface of the dental mold placement table, and the exhaust hole is communicated with an external air pump.

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