Device with an attachment for releasable connection to a handheld instrument, and illuminating means suitable for use in such a device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024712423
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-03-13
- Filing Date
- 2024-03-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing hand instruments with light guides and electrically connected light sources are not compatible with each other, requiring users to switch to a complete new system, which is uneconomical and wasteful as functional components become obsolete.
A device with a first and second electrical contact in the connection area, allowing for the supply of electrical energy to hand instruments, enabling compatibility with different types of hand instruments and expanding their functionality by integrating a light source that can be coupled into a light guide, thus allowing for the combination of hand instruments with light guides and electrically connected light sources.
Enables the combination of various hand instruments with improved compatibility and expanded functionality, allowing for the use of hand instruments with light guides and electrically connected light sources, such as air-driven turbine handpieces, mechanically driven handpieces, and polymerization devices, without the need for a complete system change.
Smart Images
Figure EP2024056591_19092024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Title of the invention
[0003] Device with a connector for detachable connection to a hand-held instrument, and light source; suitable for use in such a device
[0004] field of technology
[0005] The invention relates to a device with a connection for detachably connecting to a hand-held instrument in order to supply the hand-held instrument with mechanical energy, electrical energy, air, water, light and the like, wherein the device extends along an axis and has a first coupling device with a coupling pin which can be inserted into a coupling recess on the hand-held instrument, wherein a light source for coupling light into a light guide is arranged in the region of the first coupling device.
[0006] The invention further relates to a lighting means suitable for use in such a connecting element, in particular a light-emitting diode (LED) or halogen lamp, with input-side electrical connection contacts for supplying the lighting means with electrical energy.
[0007] State of the art
[0008] In the field of dentistry and dental technology, hand instruments are widely used for performing work on teeth, dentures, and the like. For example, handpieces, contra-angle handpieces, or turbine handpieces are known, which use a rotary cutting, grinding, milling, drilling, or polishing tool to shape the contour, surface, or geometry of a tooth or denture. Other hand instruments include polymerization units for curing plastics or scalers for working on tooth surfaces. In addition, rod-shaped handpieces are used in industry and in the trades for processing workpieces. To optimally illuminate the work area, it is common practice to integrate light sources into hand instruments.
[0009] To supply the hand instruments with suitable media such as air, water, electrical power, light, and the like, the hand instruments are connected to a supply unit via a supply hose. The connection is usually made via a coupling, which is inserted between the hand instrument and the supply hose and through which the media is passed. For motor-driven handpieces and contra-angles, it is common practice to couple the drive unit directly to the handpiece or contra-angle, for which the connecting sections are designed accordingly.
[0010] EP 2 606 847 A1 discloses a dental handpiece that is essentially composed of two parts. The first part serves as a handle and houses a drive, while the second part is equipped with a processing tool. The facing end faces form connection areas, via which the two parts can be axially connected. A light source is arranged in the connection area of the first part, the light from which is introduced via a coupling surface into a light guide on the second component. This guide leads into the area of the processing tool and has a light exit surface directed toward the working area.
[0011] EP 2 308408 A2 describes a handle element that can be connected to a supply hose via a connecting device. In the connection area, the connecting device has ring-shaped electrical contacts that interact with mating contacts on the handle element. Electrical lines lead from the mating contacts to a lighting module in the working area of the tool, supplying it with electrical energy.
[0012] A disadvantage of the hand instruments described above is that couplings or drives with fiber optics are not compatible with hand instruments with sliding contacts, and vice versa. Users of one system are either tied to that system or have to accept a complete system change.
[0013] However, the latter option at least proves to be uneconomical, as there is no longer any use for fully functional components.
[0014] Summary of the invention
[0015] Against this background, the object of the invention is to improve the compatibility of the components of different types of handheld instruments. A further object is to be able to expand handheld instruments with additional functions.
[0016] These objects are achieved by a device of the type described at the outset, in which a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact are arranged in the region of the first coupling device, which can be supplied with electrical energy from an energy source and which, when connected to the hand-held instrument, interact with a first electrical counter-contact and a second electrical counter-contact on the hand-held instrument in order to supply consumers on the hand-held instrument with electrical energy.
[0017] Furthermore, these objects are achieved by a lighting device of the type described above, in which a first electrical contact and / or second electrical contact are / is arranged on the outer circumference, which are / is electrically connected to the input-side electrical connection contacts.
[0018] Advantageous further training results from the subclaims.
[0019] The invention is based on the idea of expanding the functionality of existing devices by providing the connection area to the handheld instrument with electrical contacts, in addition to the illuminant whose light can be coupled into a light guide, via which electrical current can be conducted to a load in the handheld instrument. In this way, different types of handheld instruments can be combined with a device according to the invention. For example, a device according to the invention is suitable for handheld instruments whose lighting device is based on a light guide via which light is guided to a light outlet in the area of the tool. At the same time, however, handheld instruments with an electrical load can also be connected to the device according to the invention. An electrical load can be a illuminant, an oscillating scaler and the like.
[0020] In this way, a connecting element according to the invention can be used to combine both hand instruments with a light guide and hand instruments with an electrically connected light source. The same applies to handpieces with other or additional consumers, such as light sources for curing plastics or disinfecting water, or for improved illumination of the preparation site.
[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, wherein further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent. The exemplary embodiments relate to hand instruments in the form of air-operated turbine handpieces and mechanically driven handpieces, but are not limited thereto. Hand instruments in the form of contra-angle handpieces, scalers, polymerization devices, powder jet devices, and the like are also within the scope of the invention. Where possible, identical reference numerals are used for identical or functionally equivalent features of different embodiments.
[0022] Short description of the drawings
[0023] It shows
[0024] Fig. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hand instrument that can be coupled thereto,
[0025] Fig. 2 is an oblique view of the device shown in Fig. 1,
[0026] Fig. 3 is an oblique view of the illuminant according to the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 is an oblique view of an alternative embodiment of a illuminant according to the invention,
[0027] Fig. 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hand instrument that can be coupled thereto,
[0028] Fig. 6 is an oblique view of the device shown in Fig. 5,
[0029] Fig. 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hand instrument that can be coupled thereto,
[0030] Fig. 8 is an oblique view of the device shown in Fig. 7,
[0031] Fig. 9 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hand instrument that can be coupled thereto,
[0032] Fig. 10 is an oblique view of the device shown in Fig. 9,
[0033] Fig. 11 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a device according to the invention with a hand instrument that can be coupled thereto,
[0034] Fig. 12 is an oblique view of the device shown in Fig. 11,
[0035] Fig. 13 is an oblique view of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention, and
[0036] Fig. 14 is an oblique view of a sixth embodiment of a device according to the invention. Description of the embodiments
[0037] 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the invention. It shows a hand instrument 1.1 in the form of a turbine handpiece 3 operated with compressed air, which is intended to be connected to a device 2.1 according to the invention. The hand instrument 1.1 can also be a scaler, polymerization device, a powder jet device, or the like. In the present embodiment, the device 2.1 according to the invention consists of a coupling 5, which can be connected on the side facing away from the hand instrument 1.1 to a supply hose (not shown), via which media such as air, water, light, electrical energy, and the like are provided from a dental station or other supply device for operating the hand instrument 1.1. For use, the hand instrument 1.1 and the device 2.1 can be axially plugged together in the direction of the axis 4.
[0038] The turbine handpiece 3 has a handle section 6, which at its free end merges into a head section 7, in which a compressed air-driven turbine is arranged as a drive for a processing tool 8. The axially opposite end of the handle section 6 forms a connection area with a coupling recess 9 for releasably coupling to the device 2.1. For this purpose, the coupling recess 9 has a geometry that is adapted to the corresponding design of the device 2.1, i.e. the coupling recess 9 provides interfaces via which the media required for the operation of the hand instrument 1.1 are transferred from the device 2.1 into corresponding lines on the hand instrument 1.1. These lines are shown in Fig.1 only the electrical lines 12, 13 are shown, which lead from a lighting device 10 arranged in the transition area between the head section 7 and the handle section 6 with an LED as a light source to the coupling recess 9, where they form electrical counter-contacts 14, 15, which will be explained in more detail below.
[0039] The device 2.1 has a substantially cylindrical base body 16, which has a first coupling device 17 for connecting the hand instrument 1 on its end face facing the hand instrument 1.1 and a further coupling device 18 for connecting to a supply hose on its opposite end face. The first coupling device 17 comprises an axially extending coupling pin 19 with a first longitudinal section 20 projecting from the end face and an adjoining further longitudinal section 21 of smaller diameter. Both longitudinal sections 20, 21 have a cross-section that is rotationally symmetrical to the axis 4, and annular webs 22 with circumferential ring seals are arranged on the circumference of said cross-section. Recesses 23 located between the annular webs 22, together with the corresponding geometry of the coupling recess 9, form circumferential annular channels in a known manner, which are connected via a first longitudinal section 20 protruding from the end face and adjoining a further longitudinal section 21 of smaller diameter.1, channels connected to the supply hose are supplied with the required media. These media are supplied to the corresponding consumers, such as compressed air from a turbine, via lines in the handheld instrument 1.1.
[0040] The additional coupling device 18 for connecting a supply hose has, in addition to media lines 25 for air and water, two electrical plug contacts 26, 27, which, when a supply hose is connected, engage in corresponding sockets at the end of two electrical lines in the supply hose and through which electrical current is supplied. The supply hose is secured to the device 2.1 via a fastening device in the area of the second coupling device 18, for example, via a thread or a bayonet connection.
[0041] The free end of the coupling pin 19 simultaneously forms an electrical socket 24, which is electrically connected to the electrical plug contacts 26, 27 of the further coupling device 18. The electrical socket serves to accommodate the illuminant 11, here a light-emitting diode (LED) as shown on a larger scale in Fig. 3.
[0042] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the illuminant 11 has a rod-shaped configuration with a cylindrical longitudinal section 28, inside which a light-emitting diode is arranged. At one end of the illuminant 11, a window 29 for light emission is provided in the end face there. At the opposite end, a collar 30 is provided surrounding the illuminant's circumference, and a first electrical connection contact 31 and a second electrical connection contact 32 protrude axially from the end face there. The electrical connection contacts 31, 32 can also be arranged on the outer circumference of the illuminant 11, analogous to the illuminant 11' according to Fig. 4.
[0043] In the area of the cylindrical longitudinal section 28 of the illuminant 11, one can also see a first electrical contact 33.1 surrounding the outer circumference of the illuminant 11 and a second electrical contact 34.1 axially spaced therefrom and electrically insulated therefrom, both of which are designed as sliding contacts. The first electrical contact 33.1 is electrically connected to the first connection contact 31, and the second electrical contact 34.1 is electrically connected to the second connection contact 32.
[0044] As can be seen particularly from Fig. 2, the lamp 11 with its connecting contacts 31, 32 is inserted axially into the socket 24 and secured in position by means of a union nut 35 which can be screwed onto the coupling pin 19, the union nut 35 being supported on the collar 30.
[0045] During the coupling of the hand instrument 1.1 with the device 2.1, the coupling pin 19 is inserted into the coupling recess 9. When the intended relative position of the hand instrument 1.1 and the device 2.1 is reached, the first mating contact 14.1 in the coupling recess 9 of the hand instrument 1.1 is electrically connected to the first contact 33.1 of the illuminant 11 of the device 2.1 and the second mating contact 15.1 is electrically connected to the second contact 34.1. Electrical energy, which is conducted via a supply hose to the electrical plug contacts 26, 27, is supplied to the lamp 11 via the socket 24 and then via the first electrical contact 33.1 and second electrical contact 34.1 as well as the first counter contact 14.1 and second counter contact 15.1 in connection with the electrical lines 12, 13, finally to the lighting device 10.
[0046] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of a lighting means 11' according to the invention. Insofar as this corresponds to that described in Fig. 3, reference is made to what is said there to the extent of similarity. Differences essentially lie in the arrangement of the first electrical contact 33.1' and second electrical contact 34.1', which are formed on the end face 45 of the lighting means 11' in an annular surface formed between the light exit window 29 and the outer circumference of the lighting means 11' as sliding contacts concentrically encircling the light exit window 29, which interact with corresponding mating contacts on the hand instrument, for example with spring-loaded contact pins analogous to the mating contacts 14.5, 15.5 described in Fig. 11.
[0047] A further difference lies in the design of the connecting contacts 31' and 32', which extend along the outer circumference of the illuminant 11' over spatially and electrically separate sections, which come into contact with the mating contacts present there when the illuminant 11' is inserted into the socket 24 of the device 2.1. Such an illuminant 11' is particularly suitable for a recessed arrangement in a device according to the invention in which contacting from the side would be problematic, for example in a device 2.5 as described in more detail in Figs. 11 and 12.
[0048] Figs. 5 and 6 relate to a second embodiment of a device 2.2 according to the invention with an associated hand instrument 1.2, which largely correspond to the first embodiment, so that reference is made to the description therein for corresponding features. Differences exist primarily in the arrangement of the first electrical contact 33.2 and the second electrical contact 34.2, which in the device 2.2 are designed as sliding contacts surrounding the coupling pin 19, but are otherwise connected to the electrical plug contacts 26, 27 as in the first embodiment.
[0049] The hand instrument 1 .2 has, at the corresponding point of the coupling recess 9 with the contacts 33.2, 34.2, corresponding counter contacts 14.2, 15.2, which, as described in Figs. 1 and 2, lead electrical energy to the lighting device 10 after the hand instrument 1.2 and device 2.2 have been plugged together.
[0050] A third embodiment of the device 2.3 according to the invention with the associated hand instrument 1.3 is shown in Figs. 7 and 8. To the extent that they are similar, reference is again made to the description of the above-mentioned embodiments. In contrast, in the device 2.3, the first electrical contact 33.3 and the second electrical contact 34.3 are arranged as point contacts on an annular surface 36 orthogonal to the axis 4. The annular surface 36 is formed by a sudden reduction in the outer diameter at the transition from the base body 16 to the coupling pin 19.
[0051] To establish electrical contact, the associated hand instrument 1.3 has protruding spring-loaded pins on its end face 37 facing the device 2.3, which pins form the first mating contact 14.3 and the second mating contact 15.3. When the hand instrument 1.3 and the device 2.3 are plugged together, the annular surface 36 and the end face 37 abut one another, with the mating contacts 14.3, 15.3 connecting to the electrical contacts 33.3, 34.3. To ensure that the mating contacts 14.3, 15.3 contact the electrical contacts 33.3, 34.3, guide surfaces can be provided on the hand instrument 1.3, which interact with guide surfaces on the device 2.3 and mutually center the hand instrument 1.3 and the device 2.3 when plugged together.
[0052] The fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 9 and 10 represents a combination of the first embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with the third embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8, the description of which applies accordingly. The first electrical contact 33.4 is formed by a circumferential sliding contact on the lighting means 11, and the second electrical contact 34.4 is formed by a point contact on the annular surface 36 of the device 2.4. Contact with the hand instrument 1.4 is made via a first counter contact 14.4 in the coupling recess 9 and a second counter contact 15.4 in the form of a pin on the end face 37 of the hand instrument 1.4.
[0053] Figs. 11 to 14 relate to embodiments in which the devices 2.5 to 2.7 according to the invention are each formed by a drive unit 38, for example, an electrically or compressed air-driven motor 39. The drive unit 38 is intended for coupling to a hand instrument 1.5 in the form of a rod-shaped handpiece 40 or angle piece. Such handpieces 40 are used in the medical, particularly dental, field, but also in industry and in the craft trade for machining workpieces of all kinds by cutting, grinding, milling, drilling, polishing, and the like. The supply of media such as air, water, electrical energy, light, and the like takes place via a supply hose 43 from a dental unit or other supply device. Fig. 11 shows such a handpiece 40, which is equipped with a device according to the invention.
[0054] 2.5. A processing tool 8, which is rotatably mounted on the head section 7, is driven via the drive shaft 41 in the handpiece 40, which can be coupled to the motor 30 of the device 2.5. A lighting device 10 is arranged in the head section 7 to illuminate the work area. In the present embodiment, the lighting means of this lighting device is formed by light-emitting diodes 44 mounted on a circuit board 42. At the end facing the device 2.5, the hand instrument 1.5 has a coupling recess 9 running coaxially with the drive shaft 41.
[0055] The detailed design of the device 2.5 in the form of a drive unit 38 is shown in Fig. 12. The device 2.5 has a cylindrical base body 16, which, among other things, houses the motor 39. A hollow cylindrical coupling pin 19.5 protrudes centrally and coaxially to the drive shaft 41 from the end face facing the hand instrument 1.5. The coupling pin 19.5 accommodates part of the drive shaft of the motor 39 and can be inserted into the coupling recess 9 in the hand instrument 1.5 with a positive fit.
[0056] The outer diameter of the coupling pin 19.5 is significantly smaller than the outer diameter of the base body 16, resulting in an annular surface 36.5 extending orthogonally to the drive shaft 41 in the transition region. A light source 11' is arranged in the area of the annular surface 36.5, the light of which can be coupled into a light guide depending on the type of hand instrument 1.5, 40. In the present embodiment, the light source 11' has a light-emitting diode according to Fig. 4, which is recessed opposite the annular surface 36.5 in the device 2.5. Only the front-side electrical contacts 33.5, 34.5 in the form of sliding contacts are accessible via the annular surface 36.5.
[0057] The connection of the lighting device 10 to the electrical contacts 33.5, 34.5 of the device 2.5 is made via spring-loaded counter contacts 14.5, 15.5 on the front face 37.5 of the hand instrument 1.5, 40, which, after the hand instrument 1.5, 40 and device 2.5 have been joined, are connected to the electrical contacts 33.5 and
[0058] 34.5 and are connected to the illumination device 10 via the electrical lines 12 and 13. Fig. 13 discloses a sixth embodiment of a device 2.6 according to the invention, which differs from the previously described one by the arrangement of two spatially and electrically separated, point-shaped contacts 33.6 and 34.6 in the region of the annular surface 36.6, which interact with correspondingly arranged mating contacts on the hand instrument. Additionally, a light source 11 for supplying a light guide with light is present in the region of the annular surface 36. The electrical contacts 33.6 and 34.6 are thus implemented separately from the light source 11.
[0059] A further variant of a device 2.7 according to the invention is the subject of Fig. 14. In this seventh embodiment of the invention, the electrical contacts 33.7 and 34.7 extend as sliding contacts on the annular surface 36.7 on radially spaced, concentric circles around the coupling pin 19.7. From there, correspondingly arranged mating contacts on the hand instrument conduct the electrical energy to the lighting device 10. The mating contacts can, for example, be designed analogously to those according to Fig. 11.
[0060] The present invention is not limited to the combinations of features disclosed in the individual embodiments. Rather, combinations of features from different embodiments will be understood by those skilled in the art to be within the scope of the invention without requiring inventive effort.
Claims
Claims 1 . Device with a connection for detachable connection to a hand instrument (1.1 - 1.5) in order to supply the hand instrument (1.1 - 1.5) with mechanical energy, electrical energy, air, water, light and the like, wherein the device (2.1 - 2.7) extends along an axis (4, 41) and has a first coupling device (17) with a coupling pin (19) which can be inserted into a coupling recess (9) on the hand instrument (1.1 - 1.5), wherein in the region of the first coupling device (17) a lighting means (11, 11') for coupling light into a light guide is arranged, characterized in that in the region of the first coupling device (17) a first electrical contact (33.1 - 33.7) and a second electrical contact (34.1 - 34.7) are arranged, which can be supplied with electrical energy and which Connect with the hand instrument (1.1 - 1.5) to a first electrical counter contact (14.1 - 14.5) and second electrical counter contact (15.1 - 15.5) on the hand instrument (1.1 4- 1.5) cooperate to supply electrical consumers on the hand instrument (1.1 4- 1.5) with electrical energy.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting means (11, 11'), preferably a light-emitting diode (LED) or halogen lamp, is electrically operated and has input-side electrical connection contacts (31, 32), wherein the first electrical contact (33.1 - 33.7) and / or second electrical contact (34.1 - 34.7) interacting with the mating contacts (14.1, 15.1) on the hand instrument (1.1, 4-1.5) is / are arranged on the lighting means (11, 11') and is / are electrically connected to the input-side electrical connection contacts (31, 32).
3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lighting means (11) has a cylindrical longitudinal section (28) and the first electrical contact (33.1, 33.4) and / or second electrical contact (34.1) are each designed as a sliding contact encircling the circumference of the cylindrical longitudinal section (28).
4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the lighting means (11 ') has an end face (45) orthogonal to the axis (4) and the first electrical contact (33.1 ') and / or second electrical contact (34.1') is / are each designed as a sliding contact running around the end face (45).
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling pin (19) of the first coupling device (17) has at least one axially extending cylindrical longitudinal section (20, 21) and the first electrical contact (33.2) and / or second electrical contact (34.2) is / are each arranged on the circumference of the cylindrical longitudinal section (28).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first coupling device (17) has an annular surface (36) orthogonal to the axis (4) and the first electrical contact (33.3, 33.5, 33.6, 33.7) and / or second electrical contact (34.3, 34.4, 34.5, 34.6, 34.7) is / are each arranged on the annular surface (36).
7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first electrical contact (33.1 - 33.7) and / or second electrical contact (34.1 - 34.7) is / are each designed as a point contact or as a circumferential sliding contact.
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is formed by the housing of the device (2.1 - 2.7).
9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the hand instrument (1.1 - 1.7) is a medical, preferably a dental hand instrument, in particular a mechanically driven handpiece or angle piece, an air-driven turbine handpiece, a scaler, a powder jet or polymerization device.
10. Lighting means suitable for use in a device (2.1 - 2.7) according to one of claims 1 to 9, in particular light-emitting diode (LED) (11, 11') or halogen lamp, with an input-side first electrical connection contact (31, 31') and an input-side second electrical connection contact (32, 32') for supplying the lighting means (11, 11') with electrical energy, characterized in that a first electrical contact (33.1, 33.4) and / or second electrical contact (34.1) is / are arranged on the outer circumference of the lighting means (11) and / or on the front side of the lighting means (11'), which is / are electrically connected to the input-side first electrical connection contact (31, 31') and / or second electrical connection contact (32, 32') of the lighting means (11, 11').