Dental angled head rotary cleaning device

Abstract

A dental angled head rotary cleaning device. The dental angled head rotary cleaning device includes a housing made of plastic and forming a head at a first end of an elongated neck and angled with respect to the neck. A second end of the neck is adapted to be detachably coupled with a drive member providing a rotary motion, the neck forming a sleeve having a wall, the housing accommodating a transmission element for transmitting the rotary motion from the drive member to a cleaning tool provided at the head. The dental angled head rotary cleaning device further includes an elongated light guide element including a light entry portion positioned at the second end of the neck to receive light provided by the drive member and a light exit portion positioned proximate the head, wherein at least a portion of the light guide element is accommodated within the wall of the neck.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a dental cleaning device, and more specifically, to a so-called disposable prophyangle piece. Background Technology

[0002] Dentists typically use a angular-headed rotary cleaning device called a "teeth cleaning" bend, which has a longitudinal neck and a head angled relative to the neck. The angular head terminates in or holds the rotating tool, which is dipped in cleaning paste or other treatment materials and then applied to the patient's teeth at a variable rotational speed. The most common rotating tool is a relatively soft "cup" used to apply cleaning paste or treatment materials, but different types of such cleaning tools are known for different purposes, such as brushes and rubber points.

[0003] The rear end of the neck is connected to a drive unit, which may be a motor head or an adapter element for connecting the neck to the motor head, wherein the rotational motion provided by the drive unit is transmitted to the cleaning tool located at the neck via a transmission element housed in the neck and / or head.

[0004] Typically, cleaning devices like these are supplied as single-use items; that is, they are intended for a single use and will be discarded afterward. This avoids the need for complex cleaning and sterilization of such devices. Therefore, production cost is a significant factor, and polishing cups are usually made of plastic and manufactured through injection molding.

[0005] On the other hand, dental treatment requires good visibility of the area to be treated. Therefore, it is generally known that more complex treatment devices, such as reworkable straight and curved dentistry heads, include a light source adapted to emit light in an area directly in front of the treatment instrument, for example, in the direction of the drill tip. However, the manufacture of such reworkable straight and curved dentistry heads is more complex and cost-intensive, making it unlikely that integrating a light source into the dentistry head would significantly impact production costs.

[0006] In this regard, US2020 / 0390532A1 discloses a tooth-protecting bend in which an LED is attached to the front of the neck to provide therapeutic light. A cable providing an electrical connection to a drive unit is disposed inside the sleeve-shaped neck. Alternatively, an optical fiber element is arranged inside the neck, extending from the rear of the neck to a region near the head, wherein the optical fiber element retransmits the light provided by the drive unit to the light-emitting end to provide therapeutic light.

[0007] However, the solution in US2020 / 0390532A1 also significantly complicates the manufacturing of these bends, leading to increased production costs. Therefore, it is necessary to operate disposable bends with a light finish, which is possible with reworkable straight and curved heads, where the manufacturing cost of these devices can be kept at a reasonable level. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a light guide element is used to transmit light provided by a drive component to a position near the head. Light enters the light guide element at its rear end and is guided to a light emitting section that emits light in such a manner that the area surrounding the cleaning tool of the cleaning device is illuminated. By housing at least a portion of the light guide element within the wall of the neck, the use of separate optical fiber elements that must be individually arranged within the cleaning device can be avoided, making the assembly and manufacture of the cleaning device less complex and resulting in reduced production costs.

[0009] Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention, a dental angular-head rotary cleaning device is provided, the angular-head rotary cleaning device comprising a housing made of plastic and forming a head and an elongated neck, the head being located at a first end of the neck and at an angle relative to the neck, wherein a second end of the neck is adapted to be removably coupled to a drive member providing rotational motion, and wherein the neck forms a sleeve having a wall, the housing housing housing a transmission element for transmitting rotational motion from the drive member to a cleaning tool provided at the head, wherein the cleaning device further comprises an elongated light guide element comprising a light inlet portion and a light outlet portion, the light inlet portion being positioned at the second end of the neck to receive light provided by the drive member, and the light outlet portion being positioned close to the head, and wherein at least a portion of the light guide element is received within the wall of the neck.

[0010] Using a light guide element, with at least a portion of it housed within the neck wall, offers several advantages compared to using fiber optic components. First, the light guide element, made of transparent plastic and preferably injection-molded, can be optimized for the light inlet, light guide, and light outlet portions. Second, unlike fiber optic components, no separate or additional optical elements are required to ensure effective light injection and emission, as the light guide element itself is already designed and optimized for these aspects. Furthermore, integrating the light guide element into the wall of the cleaning device is significantly easier than placing optical fibers separately within the neck.

[0011] Preferably, the light guide element is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning device and positioned on the bottom side of the cleaning device, i.e., the cleaning tool is positioned at the head on the bottom side. In this way, the light emitting part can be arranged to provide maximum available light for illuminating the cleaning tool.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light guide element is held by the neck via a form-locking connection. Preferably, the light guide element is integrated into the external geometry of the neck, thereby allowing the external geometry of the cleaning device to remain as unchanged as possible. This results in the advantageous preservation of the known ergonomic external contours of such a cleaning device.

[0013] To achieve a shape-locking connection, the light guide element can be formed from a separate element that is attached to the neck via a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Another solution is to form the neck of the cleaning device of the present invention using two housing components, particularly two half-shells, which latch together to clamp and hold the light guide element securely. In this second approach, the housing components preferably include corresponding longitudinal grooves in their respective walls, wherein the grooves form channels for receiving at least a portion of the light guide element. In both alternatives, attachment of the light guide element to the neck can be achieved quickly, efficiently, and reliably.

[0014] When the light guide element is attached to the neck via the aforementioned shape-locking connection, the light guide element preferably also serves to lock the drive shaft of the cleaning device. Therefore, the light guide element may include a fixing portion facing inwards towards the neck, which is adapted to axially fix a transmission element extending through the neck. In this case, the light guide element performs two functions simultaneously: transmitting light to the cleaning tool and fixing the transmission element. Thus, the number of components forming the cleaning device of the present invention can be kept to a minimum.

[0015] As an alternative to shape-locked connections, the light guide element can also be held by the neck via a material-locked connection. To achieve this material-locked connection, the light guide element can be formed by injection molding, wherein the wall of the neck provides a channel or groove into which the material forming the light guide element is injected. Alternatively, the light guide element can be attached to the neck by overmolding the light guide element with the plastic material forming the neck.

[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the light entry portion of the light guide element is adapted to cooperate with the connection portion of the drive component to fix the cleaning device and prevent it from rotating relative to the drive component. This can be achieved by providing a light guide element wherein the light entry portion forms a protrusion or recess, which is adapted to engage with a corresponding recess or protrusion provided on the drive component. Furthermore, the light guide element not only serves to transmit light by providing additional functionality, thereby reducing the number of individual components.

[0017] To receive the rotational motion provided by the drive component, the transmission element housed in the neck preferably comprises an elongated drive shaft with a pin-shaped connection at its rear end, which is adapted to engage with the clamping mechanism of the drive component. The resulting connection mechanism has an extremely simple structure, at least relative to the side of the cleaning device. Similarly, this helps to keep the manufacturing cost of the cleaning device at a desired low level.

[0018] This simple structure of the connecting mechanism, which incorporates the idea of ​​using a light guide element, also represents a creative aspect, as it can be implemented independently of the question of how the light guide element is attached to the cleaning device.

[0019] Therefore, according to a second aspect of the invention, a dental angular-head rotary cleaning device is provided, comprising: a housing made of plastic and forming a head and an elongated neck, the head being located at a first end of the neck and at an angle relative to the neck, wherein a second end of the neck is adapted to be removably coupled to a drive member providing rotational motion, and wherein the neck forms a sleeve having a wall, the housing housing a transmission element for transmitting rotational motion from the drive member to a cleaning tool disposed at the head, wherein the transmission element disposed in the neck includes an elongated drive shaft having a pin-shaped connection at its rear end, the pin-shaped connection being adapted to cooperate with a clamping mechanism of the drive member, and wherein the cleaning device further includes an elongated light guide element including a light inlet and a light outlet, the light inlet being positioned at the second end of the neck to receive light provided by the drive member, and the light outlet being positioned close to the head.

[0020] Furthermore, the idea of ​​additionally using the light guide element to fix the cleaning device to prevent rotation forms a third aspect of the invention, according to which a dental angular-headed rotary cleaning device is provided. This angular-headed rotary cleaning device includes a housing made of plastic and forming a head and an elongated neck. The head is located at a first end of the neck and is angled relative to the neck. A second end of the neck is adapted to be removably connected to a drive member that provides rotational movement. The neck forms a sleeve with walls. The housing houses a transmission element for transmitting rotational movement from the drive member to a cleaning tool provided at the head. The cleaning device also includes a light guide element having a light inlet for receiving light provided by the drive member and a light outlet positioned close to the head. The light outlet is adapted to cooperate with a connection portion of the drive member to fix the cleaning device and prevent it from rotating relative to the drive member.

[0021] The present invention also provides a dental cleaning system comprising the angular head rotary cleaning device as described above and a drive component adapted to be detachably connected to the cleaning device to provide rotational motion transmitted to the cleaning device, wherein the drive component includes means for providing light to a light guide element of the cleaning device.

[0022] According to the invention, the driving component can be a motor head, which includes a motor for driving the rotary drive shaft, preferably an electric motor, wherein the motor head is a light source capable of being directly connected to the cleaning device and includes a light entry portion facing a light guide element of the cleaning device. Alternatively, the driving component can be an adapter element, a first end of which can be connected to the cleaning device and a second end of which can be connected to the motor head providing rotational motion, wherein the adapter element includes a transmission element for transmitting the rotational motion provided by the motor head to the cleaning device. In this second alternative solution, the adapter element includes a light source or light guide located at the first end, the light source being used to directly provide light to the light guide element of the cleaning device, one end of the light guide facing the light source of the motor head to receive the light provided by the light source of the motor head, and the second end of the light guide facing the light entry portion of the light guide element of the cleaning device. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 The image shows a dental cleaning system based on a disposable tooth-protecting bend.

[0025] Figures 2a to 2c Three different alternatives for providing light to the bend of a disposable dental prosthesis are shown.

[0026] Figures 3 to 6 A first embodiment of the disposable polishing cup of the present invention with a light guide element is shown.

[0027] Figure 7 Shown separately Figures 3 to 6 The light guide element of the implementation method.

[0028] Figures 8 to 10 An alternative inventive method is shown for attaching a light guide element to a disposable polishing cup in a snap-fit ​​manner.

[0029] Figures 11 to 14 Another embodiment of the solution of the present invention is shown, wherein the light guide element is clamped and held by the housing component of the disposable polishing cup.

[0030] Figures 15a to 15c Another embodiment is shown in which a material locking connection for the light guide element is obtained. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1 This paper presents a dental cleaning system based on the so-called single-aperture tooth protection angle (DPA) known in the prior art. For example... Figure 1 The system shown includes three main components: a motor head 50, an adapter element 60, and a DPA for a angular head rotary cleaning device 1.

[0032] The motor head 50 is a longitudinal, typically cylindrical head component that internally includes an electric motor that provides rotational motion. The motor head 50 may include an internal power supply component such as a battery or accumulator, or may be connected to an external power source via a cable (not shown in the figures). The electric motor provides rotational motion at a variable speed, which is transmitted to the cleaning tool 3 located at the front end of the cleaning device 1.

[0033] In many solutions known in the prior art, the cleaning device 1 is not directly connected to the motor head 50, but instead uses an intermediate component as an adapter. Figure 1 An adapter element 60 is also shown, which is connected to the motor head 50 at its rear end and to the cleaning device 1 at its front end. The adapter element 60 is preferably designed according to DIN EN ISO 14457 and allows for flexible connection of different cleaning devices to the motor head 50, wherein the rotational motion provided by the motor head 50 is transmitted to the cleaning device via an internal transmission element. As another advantage of using the adapter element 60, the distance between the motor head 50 and the cleaning device 1 is increased. This is an important aspect because the cleaning device 1 should be the only part that comes into direct contact with the patient. As mentioned above, the cleaning device 1 is designed as a disposable device, while the motor head 50 is used multiple times but must undergo a complex reprocessing procedure for cleaning and / or sterilization. Therefore, contamination of the motor head 50 should be avoided.

[0034] Typically, it is desirable to improve the visibility of the area treated by the cleaning device 3 by directing light to the corresponding area. In the prior art, as known from US2020 / 0390532A1, an LED is integrated into the cleaning device 1, which is powered by a motor head 50 via a cable extending through the cleaning device 1 and having a connection suitable for engagement with a corresponding connection on the motor head. The present invention provides a more economical solution that still allows light to be effectively directed to the front area of ​​the cleaning tool 3; however, the cleaning device 1 can be manufactured at a lower cost.

[0035] The general concept of the present invention is to use a light guide element integrated in the cleaning device 1, which transmits the light received from the driving component to the light emitting part, so that the light is guided to the cleaning tool 3.

[0036] Figures 2a to 2c Three general alternatives for achieving illumination of the treatment area according to the invention are shown, differing in the position of the main light source.

[0037] exist Figure 2a In the illustrated embodiment, the cleaning system also includes three components: a motor head 50, an adapter element 60, and a angular-headed rotary cleaning device 1. Here, a light source formed by an LED 57 is preferably located at the motor head 50. Specifically, the LED 57 is located at the front end of the motor head 50, in the area of ​​the connection portion adapted to connect with the rear end of the adapter element 60. The light generated by the LED 57 is transmitted to the front of the adapter element 60 via a first light guide 68. When connected to the cleaning device 1, the light transmitted by the light guide 68 enters the light entry portion 31 of the light guide element 30 of the present invention, which ultimately emits light at its light exit portion 32, which is positioned near the head 12 of the cleaning device 1, where the cleaning tool 3 is located.

[0038] exist Figure 2b In the middle, the adapter element 60 also serves to transmit the rotational motion provided by the motor head 50 to the cleaning device 1. Now, a light source 67, also formed by LEDs, is provided at the adapter element 60, particularly at the front connecting portion of the adapter element 60, which connects to the rear of the cleaning device 1. Figure 2a Similarly, in the cleaning device 1, the light guide element 30 is integrated, wherein the light generated by the LED 67 enters the light guide element 30 at the light inlet 31, is then transmitted to the light outlet 32, and is emitted. In this case, the adapter element 60 must include an electrical connection component connected to the motor head 50 to provide power for driving the LED 67.

[0039] at last, Figure 2c One solution is shown in which the adapter element 60 is omitted and the cleaning device 1 is directly connected to the motor head 50. Here, with... Figure 2a and Figure 2bCompared to the two solutions shown, the length of the cleaning device 1 is increased to ensure that the head 12 of the cleaning device 1 is separated from the motor head 50 by a sufficient distance. In this solution, the main light source is still the LED 57 located at the connection of the motor head 50, and the light is transmitted from the rear end of the cleaning device 1 to the light guide element 30 near the front of the head to illuminate the area of ​​the cleaning tool.

[0040] It must be mentioned that, Figures 2a to 2c The general concept of the invention using a light guide element 30 is schematically illustrated. The light guide element 30 is integrated into the cleaning device 1 and transmits light supplied by a drive component (which may be a motor head 50 or an adapter element 60) to the area where the cleaning tool 3 is located. In particular, the invention utilizes specific integration techniques that allow for reduced manufacturing costs of the cleaning device 1 while achieving efficient light transmission. Several embodiments of three alternative solutions will be explained in more detail below.

[0041] The first preferred embodiment is in Figures 3 to 7 As shown, the angular-headed rotary cleaning device 1 is connected to an adapter element 60. As is known from the prior art, the adapter element 60 has the primary function of transmitting rotational motion provided by a motor head (not shown) to the cleaning device 1 to rotate the cleaning tool 3. The transmission within the cleaning device 1 is performed by an elongated transmission element 5 extending through a sleeve-shaped neck 11 of the housing 10. A second rotating element 4 is arranged at the head 12 of the cleaning device 1, which carries the cleaning tool 3 at its front end and is connected to the transmission element 5 via a helical gear. All components of the cleaning device 1 are preferably made of plastic, which reduces material costs. The rear end of the transmission element 5 forms a pin-shaped connecting portion 6, which extends into the adapter element 60 and engages with the clamping mechanism of the adapter element 60 to transmit motion.

[0042] In this first embodiment, the adapter element 60 carries at least one light source 67 at its front, which is configured to be coupled to the cleaning device 1. The light source 67 can be positioned over the entire radius of the cylindrical coupling profile and is therefore annular in shape. Preferably, the light source is implemented in the form of a single LED forming a point light source. The LED 67 can be any color or an ultraviolet LED, but is preferably implemented in the form of a white LED. The light source 67, and particularly its emission direction, is preferably pointed towards the cleaning device 1 at a defined angle α between 0° and 25° relative to the axis of rotation I, in order to improve the transmission of light to the light guide element 30. This will be explained in more detail later.

[0043] LED 67 is soldered to the surface of the carrier portion of adapter element 60, preferably to an inclined surface (see...). Figure 5Preferably, a 3D-MID carrier 68 is used, and the LED 67 is contacted by a conductive component. Particularly advantageously, the 3D-MID carrier 68 carries the electrical contacts of the LED 67 and the required electrical wires. The electrical contacts are routed via electrical wires to an interface opposite to the cleaning device 1. This is preferably accomplished by a pocket or recess embedded in the wall of the adapter element 60. The pocket extends along the entire length of the 3D-MID carrier 68, and the carrier is primarily rotationally symmetrical. On one surface of the carrier 68 (preferably an off-center surface), a component 69 for detecting the electrical connection with the LED 67 can be integrated. For this purpose, a resistor, preferably connected in parallel with the LED, can be used.

[0044] The outer sleeve 61 of the adapter element 60 is primarily rotationally symmetrical and has an opening and a recess for light emission. The opening is generally circular and ensures light emission. The recess is designed so that the cleaning device 1 can extend into the outer sleeve when inserted, achieving the minimum possible distance between the LED 67 and the light entry portion 31 of the light guide element 30. Preferably, the protrusion 35 attached to the light guide element 30 extends into the recess during insertion. In this way, pre-alignment of the cleaning device 1 relative to the connecting element 60 is achieved, and the cleaning device 1 is fixed to prevent rotational movement relative to the adapter element 60. This produces the positive effect of precisely defining the position of the light entry portion 31 of the light guide element relative to the LED 67.

[0045] The angular-headed rotary cleaning device 1 of the present invention includes a light guide element 30 on the lower side facing the cleaning tool 3, which is located at the head 12. The light guide element 30 is geometrically designed to be integrated into the external geometry of the longitudinal neck 11 and has a light emitting portion 32 near its front end of the cleaning tool 3. In the illustrated embodiment, light emission is preferably influenced by the angled continuation of the light guide element 30, causing light to be emitted from the outer contour of the wall 16 of the neck 11. Preferably, this angle is 72° + / - 15° relative to the axis of rotation I. The light emitting portion 32 then closes the external geometry of the cleaning device 1 in the direction toward the cleaning tool 3.

[0046] exist Figure 7 The light guide element 30 is shown in more detail, specifically the light inlet 31 and the light outlet 32. As already mentioned, the light guide element 30 has a protrusion 35 at the light inlet 31 in the direction of the rotation axis I. The protrusion 35 is used to fix the cleaning device 1 so as not to rotate relative to the adapter element 60. The protrusion 35 also forms a lens with a preferably convex light inlet surface 36 to improve the light entering the light guide element 30.

[0047] As another specific feature, the light guide element 30 has an integrally formed fixing portion 37, which forms a partially cylindrical support surface that engages the middle portion of the transmission element 5 located between the two disc-shaped flange portions 7 and 8. When the light guide element 30 is connected to the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1, the fixing portion 37 fixes the transmission element 5 axially, such that the front connecting portion of the transmission element 5 engages with the second rotating member 4 to which the cleaning tool 3 is attached.

[0048] exist Figures 3 to 7 In the first embodiment shown, the light guide element 30 is connected to the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1 via a shape-locking connection. Specifically, the light guide element 30 is snap-fitted to the sleeve 15 formed by the neck 11. To manufacture the cleaning device 1, the first housing 10 is preferably formed by injection molding, and the transmission element 5 having the cleaning device 3 and the second rotating member 4 are inserted into the housing 10. In the final manufacturing step, the light guide element 30 is attached to the housing 10 to complete the external contour of the cleaning device 1 and simultaneously fix the transmission element 5 to prevent axial movement.

[0049] Preferably, in addition to the latch of the fixing part 37 near the cleaning tool 3, a latch is also present on the inner side of the light guide element 30 at the end away from the cleaning tool 3 to ensure that the light guide element is fixed at that point of the cleaning device. Preferably, the latch is released by a snap-fit ​​connection that is internally latched within the geometry of the outer sleeve.

[0050] The length of the light guide element 30 is kept as short as possible to minimize transmission loss. Furthermore, the short design increases the stability of the snap-fit ​​connection and thus enhances the fixation of the light guide element 30 within the cleaning device 1. For example, the light guide element 30 has a length of 23 ± 10 / - 5 mm. The light guide element 30 is made of a light-guiding material, preferably a light-guiding thermoplastic material such as PMMA or PC.

[0051] Therefore, the cleaning device 1 consists of only four individual components, all of which can be manufactured using standard injection molding methods. Furthermore, the installation of these four components can be achieved quickly and efficiently.

[0052] exist Figures 3 to 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the light entry portion 31 of the relatively short light guide element 30 is located in the middle position in the longitudinal direction of the neck 11. In this case, the light source 67 of the adapter element 60 is located in the front region of the cylindrical connecting element, which is inserted into the rear end of the cleaning device 1 during the connection process.

[0053] exist Figure 8In the alternative shown, the longitudinal extension of the light guide element 30 is increased, so that the light entry portion 31 is more or less flush with the rear end of the neck 11. This, of course, requires adjustment of the position of the LED 67 of the adapter element 60, which should then be arranged on the corresponding surface portion facing the light entry portion of the light guide element 30. The resulting cleaning device 1 with the elongated light guide element 30... Figure 8 As shown in the figure. In this case, the mechanical latch of the light guide element 30 preferably does not occur at the light-in-coupling point, but at the intermediate position.

[0054] exist Figure 9 The third design variant is shown, in which the length of the light guide element 30 is the same as that of the light guide element 30. Figures 3 to 7 The embodiment shown here is further enhanced, but in this embodiment, the light guide element 30 terminates in a recessed light-injection coupling portion of the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1. The recess of the light guide element 30 ensures that a corresponding protrusion provided at the adapter element 60 can engage the recess, thereby again allowing the cleaning device to be fixed at the point where light-injection coupling occurs without rotation.

[0055] exist Figure 10 The fourth design variant is shown, in which the cleaning device 1 is now configured with a motor head 50 ( Figure 10 (Not shown in the diagram) Direct connection. This scheme corresponds to... Figure 2c In the general alternative shown, the housing of the cleaning device 1 extends longitudinally to increase the distance between the cleaning tool 3 and the drive component. Similarly, the light guide element 30 is formed as an element attached to the wall 15 of the neck 11 via a snap-fit ​​connection. In this case, the wall 16 of the neck 11 includes a short channel portion 16a near the connection area, into which the rear end of the light guide element 30 is inserted during installation. Figures 3 to 9 The embodiment shown is similar, also having a front light guide element 30 with a fixing part 37, which is then attached to the neck 11 by a snap-fit. Figure 10 The solution shown eliminates the need for a separate adapter element 60 and further reduces the number of parts in the entire cleaning system.

[0056] Similarly, the light transmission from the drive component to the cleaning device 1 can also be used to fix the cleaning device 1 so as not to rotate. In this case, the light guide element 30 terminates in a slightly protruding latch lug that engages in a corresponding recess in the end face of the motor head 50, in which the LED is also arranged. It is also conceivable that the LED of the motor head 50 is arranged in the opposite configuration, either on the protrusion or on the latch lug.

[0057] For all the embodiments discussed so far, a form-fit connection is used to attach the light guide element 30 to the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1, wherein, in particular, a snap-fit ​​connection is used. Figures 11 to 14 The diagram illustrates an alternative possibility of attaching the light guide element 30 to the cleaning device 1.

[0058] Here, the housing 10 clamps and holds the light guide element 30. This is achieved by providing, as shown in the image... Figure 11 This is achieved by two separate housing components 17 and 18, which form half-shells of housing 10 and are attached to each other during installation to hold all internal components. Specifically, the transmission components 4 and 5, including the cleaning tool 3, are first inserted into one of the two half-shells 17, and then the second half-shell 18 is connected to the first half-shell, for example by a specific clamping or traction mechanism. Following a similar manner to the transmission components 4 and 5, the light guide element 30 is now also integrated into the wall 16 of the neck 11. In this case, the two housing components 17 and 18 include corresponding longitudinal grooves 17a and 18a in their respective walls, wherein the grooves 17a and 18a cooperate to form a channel for receiving at least a portion of the longitudinal light guide element 30 (preferably for receiving the light guide element 30 over its entire length).

[0059] exist Figure 11 and Figure 12 In the solution shown, the structure of the light guide element 30 is similar to... Figures 3 to 10 The simplified manufacturing process solution shown is relatively less complex. Specifically, the diameter of the light guide element 30 is constant along its entire length in this embodiment. However, for example, as... Figure 13 As shown, in this alternative embodiment, the front portion near the light emitting portion 32 of the light guide element 30 may include a fixing portion 37, which is also used to fix the longitudinal transmission element 5 within the cleaning device 1. Furthermore, similar to the embodiments discussed above, the light entering portion 31 of the light guide element 30 can also be used to fix the cleaning device 1 in a non-rotational motion. This is achieved by providing a light guide element 30 with a light entering portion 31, which is formed in or located in a protrusion engaged in the recess of the corresponding drive member 50 or 60. Figure 13 Alternatively, the light entry portion 31 can be arranged in a corresponding recess of a protrusion that engages with the drive components 50 and 60. Figure 14 ).like Figures 11 to 14 As shown, the cleaning device 1 can be disposed in a short structure in which the adapter element 60 is used to connect with the motor head 50, or in an elongated structure for direct connection with the motor head 50.

[0060] Finally, combining Figures 15a to 15cA third option for integrating a light guide element into a cleaning device is described. Here, a material locking connection is used, wherein the light guide element 30 is permanently attached to the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1.

[0061] exist Figures 15a to 15c The diagram illustrates a first solution for achieving this material bonding, which utilizes a two-component plastic injection molding process performed in two stages. In this case, the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1 is first molded. Figure 15a The channel 200 is left open, and then the channel 200 is filled with the second material forming the light guide element 30. To retain the channel 200, certain sliding elements 210 and 215 are arranged in the mold during the molding process of the housing 10. These sliding elements are removed after the material forming the housing 10 of the cleaning device 1 has hardened. Figure 15b This creates a longitudinal cavity 200 in the second step ( Figure 15c In the process, the longitudinal cavity 200 is filled with the material that forms the light guide element 30.

[0062] Alternatively, the light guide element 30 can be manufactured in the first step, then placed in a mold for manufacturing the housing 10 of the cleaning device, and the cleaning device can be molded in the second step. This overmolding process also achieves an integral and permanent connection between the housing 10 and the light guide element 30.

[0063] Light guide elements can also have components other than the fixed part, and can be combined with Figures 3 to 14 The light guide element 30 described in the illustrated embodiment has similar features. However, the light guide element is not only used to transmit light, but also helps to improve the connection with the drive component by additionally fixing the cleaning device so that it does not rotate.

[0064] Therefore, the present invention provides several solutions for effectively integrating light guide elements into disposable cleaning devices.

Claims

1. A dental rotary cleaning device with an angular head (1), the rotary cleaning device comprising: A housing (10) made of plastic and forming a head (12) and an elongated neck (11), the head being located at a first end of the neck (11) and at an angle relative to the neck (11). The second end of the neck (11) is adapted to be removably connected to a drive component (50, 60) that provides rotational motion, and wherein the neck (11) forms a sleeve (15) with a wall (16), and the housing (10) accommodates a transmission element (4, 5) that transmits rotational motion from the drive component (50, 60) to a cleaning tool (3) disposed at the head (12). The cleaning device (1) further includes an elongated light guide element (30), which includes a light inlet (31) and a light outlet (32). The light inlet is positioned at the second end of the neck (11) to receive light provided by the driving components (50, 60), and the light outlet is positioned close to the head (12). At least a portion of the light guide element (30) is housed within the wall (16) of the neck (11), and the light guide element (30) is held by the neck (11) by a shape-locking connection.

2. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The light guide element (30) is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning device (1) and is located on the bottom side of the cleaning device (1), wherein the cleaning tool (3) is disposed on the bottom side at the head (12).

3. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The light guide element (30) is integrated with the external geometry of the neck (11).

4. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The light guide element (30) is formed from a single element attached to the neck (11) by a snap-fit.

5. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The neck (11) is formed by two housing parts (17, 18), particularly by two half-shells, which latch each other to clamp and hold the light guide element (30).

6. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The housing components (17, 18) include corresponding longitudinal grooves (17a, 18a) in their respective walls (16), the grooves (17a, 18a) forming channels for receiving at least a portion of the light guide element (30).

7. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The light guide element (30) includes a fixing portion (37) facing the interior of the neck (11), the fixing portion (37) being adapted to axially fix a transmission element (5) extending through the neck (11).

8. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The light guide element (30) is held in place by the neck (11) by a material locking connection.

9. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to claim 8, in, The light guide element (30) is formed by injection molding, wherein the wall (16) of the neck (11) provides a channel or groove (200), and the material forming the light guide element (30) is injected into the channel or groove; or The light guide element (30) is connected to the neck (11) by overmolding the light guide element (30) with a plastic material forming the neck (11).

10. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in, The light entry portion (31) of the light guide element (30) is adapted to cooperate with the connecting portion of the driving components (50, 60) for fixing the cleaning device (1) so as not to rotate relative to the driving components (50, 60), and The light entry portion (31) is preferably formed or located in a protrusion or recess, which is adapted to engage with a corresponding recess or protrusion disposed on the drive member (50, 60).

11. The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, The transmission element (5) housed in the neck (11) forms an elongated drive shaft with a pin-shaped connection (6) at its rear end, the pin-shaped connection being adapted to cooperate with the clamping mechanism of the drive components (50, 60).

12. A dental rotary cleaning device with an angular head (1), the rotary cleaning device comprising: A housing (10) made of plastic and forming a head (12) and an elongated neck (11), the head being located at a first end of the neck (11) and at an angle relative to the neck (11). The second end of the neck (11) is adapted to be removably connected to a drive component (50, 60) that provides rotational motion, and wherein the neck (11) forms a sleeve (15) with a wall (16), and the housing (10) accommodates a transmission element (4, 5) that transmits rotational motion from the drive component (50, 60) to a cleaning tool (3) disposed at the head (12). The transmission element (5) housed in the neck (11) forms an elongated drive shaft, which has a pin-shaped connecting portion (6) at its rear end. This pin-shaped connecting portion is adapted to cooperate with the clamping mechanism of the drive component. The cleaning device (1) further includes an elongated light guide element (30), which includes a light inlet (31) and a light outlet (32). The light inlet is positioned at the second end of the neck (11) to receive light provided by the drive components (50, 60), and the light outlet is positioned close to the head (12).

13. A dental rotary cleaning device with an angular head (1), the rotary cleaning device with an angular head comprising: A housing (10) made of plastic and forming a head (12) and an elongated neck (11), the head being located at a first end of the neck (11) and at an angle relative to the neck (11). The second end of the neck (11) is adapted to be removably connected to a drive component (50, 60) providing rotational motion, and wherein the neck (11) forms a sleeve (15) with a wall (16), the housing (10) accommodating a transmission element (5) that transmits rotational motion from the drive component (50, 60) to a cleaning tool (3) disposed at the head (12). The cleaning device (1) further includes a light guide element (30) having a light entry portion (31) for receiving light provided by the driving components (50, 60) and a light exit portion (32) positioned close to the head (12). The light guide element (30) is adapted to cooperate with the connection portion (55, 65) of the driving components (50, 60) to fix the cleaning device (1) so as not to rotate relative to the driving components (50, 60).

14. A dental cleaning system comprising: The angular head rotary cleaning device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13; as well as Drive components (50, 60) are adapted to be removably coupled to the cleaning device (1) to provide rotational motion transmitted to the cleaning device (1). The driving components (50, 60) include means for providing light to the light guide element (30) of the cleaning device (1).

15. The dental cleaning system of claim 14, wherein the dental cleaning system has the angular head rotary cleaning device of claim 11 or 12. in, The drive components (50, 60) include a rotary drive shaft with a clamping mechanism connected to a pin-shaped connection (6) of an elongated drive shaft housed in the cleaning device (1).

16. The dental cleaning system according to claim 15, in, The driving component is a motor head (50), which includes a motor for driving the rotary drive shaft, preferably an electric motor. The motor head (50) is directly connected to the cleaning device (1) and includes a light source (57) facing the light entry part (31) of the light guide element (30) of the cleaning device (1).

17. The dental cleaning system according to claim 15, in, The driving component is an adapter element (60), which is capable of being connected at a first end to the cleaning device (1) and at a second end to a motor head (50) that provides rotational motion. The adapter element (60) includes a transmission element that transmits the rotational motion provided by the motor head (50) to the cleaning device (1), and The adapter element (60) includes: a) A light source (67) located at the first end to provide light to the light guide element (30) of the cleaning device (1); or b) A light guide (68), one end of which faces the motor head (50) to receive light provided by the light source (57) of the motor head (50), and the second end of which faces the light entry part (31) of the light guide element (30) of the cleaning device (1).

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