Intraoral Scanner Assembly

Abstract

An intraoral scanning assembly comprising a handheld intraoral scanner and a control mechanism comprising a computer (13), the control mechanism comprising a control console (3), the computer (13) being disposed inside the control console (3), a cooling opening (16) being provided at an upper portion of the control console (3), and a rear portion (32) and a top portion (33) of the control console (3) smoothly joining each other without forming any sharp corners to form a smoothly curved inner surface joining the rear portion (32) and the top portion (33).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an intraoral scanner. More precisely, in one aspect, the invention relates to a control console for an intraoral scanner assembly. In another aspect, the invention relates to a portable intraoral scanner mechanism. [Background technology]

[0002] Intraoral scanners are devices used in dentistry to take digital impressions of the shape of the mouth. Intraoral scanners can be used, for example, when designing crowns, dentures, aligners, and other types of dental prostheses. Intraoral scanners used in dentistry generally operate by shining light onto the area to be imaged and using an image detector to capture multiple images of the shape of that area. These images are then processed by software to generate a 3D surface model of the imaged shape.

[0003] Typically, an intraoral scanner mechanism comprises a handheld scanner, a computer, and image processing software. The computer may be installed on the dentist's desk and powered by a mains power source. A dental unit in which multiple pieces of equipment are used in connection with a dental procedure may comprise a holder for the handheld intraoral scanner. Recently, portable intraoral scanner mechanisms have also become available on the market.

[0004] Generating a digital 3D surface model of the intraoral shape from images acquired by intraoral imaging scans requires computational power. In one aspect, the computer generates heat and may need to be cooled. An intraoral scan can generate approximately 200 W of heat in the computer, and it is desirable to remove this heat from the vicinity of the computer. In another aspect, portable mechanisms with batteries can be heavy and prone to tipping, making them inconvenient to use. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to one aspect, a solution is disclosed for cooling a control console included in an intraoral scanner assembly. According to another aspect, a solution is disclosed for a user-friendly, portable intraoral scanner mechanism. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] Some details and embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings below. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an intraoral scanner mechanism with a control console and structure for making the mechanism movable. [Figure 2a] FIG. 2 is a front-bottom view of a control console that may correspond to the control console shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a rear top view of a control console that may correspond to the control console shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the control console showing the cooling airflow within the control console. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of components that may be located within a control console. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 illustrates an intraoral scanner assembly mounted in a typical dental unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Figure 1 shows an example of an embodiment according to the present disclosure. The intraoral scanner mechanism shown in Figure 1 includes a stand 2 having legs 4 and wheels 6 attached to the legs 4, which form the lower part of the stand 2. The upper part of the stand 2 includes a vertical pole 5 having a bottom end and a top end, and the vertical pole 5 is connected to the lower part of the stand 2.

[0008] The mechanism further includes a support arm 8 having a first end and a second end, the support arm 8 being connected at its first end to or near the top end of the vertical pole 5 via a first articulation structure 7. A display device 9 is connected to or near the second end of the support arm 8 via a second articulation structure 10. A holder 51 for a handpiece of a handheld intraoral scanner is located near the display device 9.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the control console 3 is located near the bottom end of a vertical pole 5, as shown in FIG.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the control console 3 and the support arm 8 are positioned to extend in opposite directions from the vertical pole 5 .

[0011] 1, the stand 2 includes three legs 4 extending outward in three directions at equal angles from a vertical pole 5. In another embodiment, the control console 3 is positioned to extend from the vertical pole 5 in a direction opposite to the direction in which one of the three legs extends.

[0012] 2a and 2b show the control console 3 from the front bottom and rear top views. The console shown in these figures includes a front portion 31, a rear portion 32, a top portion 33, and a side portion 34 connecting to the front, rear, and top portions. FIG. 2b shows connectors 20 located on the rear side of the control console 3, which may be USB ports for various accessories or functions in addition to those for the intraoral scanner. Such other connectors may alternatively or additionally be located on other sides of the control console 3, such as, for example, a mains power connector and / or an Ethernet connector located on the side of the control console 3.

[0013] The front 31 of the control console 3 may extend higher than the rear 32 , in which case the top 33 is not completely horizontal but rises from the rear 32 to the front 31 .

[0014] The rear portion 32 may be vertical, but in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it first slopes backward as it moves upward from its lower end. Following this backward slope, the rear portion 32 curves without forming any sharp corners and smoothly merges with the top portion 33.

[0015] The top portion 33 itself may also curve upward from the rear portion 32 toward its front end. According to one embodiment, the highest point on the surface of the top portion is located just before reaching the front portion 31 of the control console 3.

[0016] As shown in particular in FIG. 2b, the side portions 34 are also arranged so that they smoothly curve toward the rear portion 32 and the top portion 33 near their rear and top ends, respectively, and smoothly connect with the rear portion 32 and the top portion 33 without forming any sharp corners.

[0017] According to one embodiment, and as shown in Figures 2a and 2b, there is a similar smoothly curved structure at the leading edge connecting the side portion 34 and the leading portion 31.

[0018] In one embodiment, a set of cooling openings 16 surrounds the control console 3, extending from near the top of the front 31 through near the top of the sides 32, or at least one of the sides 34, and continuing downward along near the rear end of at least one of the sides 32.

[0019] In one embodiment, the distance between the cooling openings 16 decreases from the rear of the side 32 to the front 31. In this case, each cooling opening 16 may be the same size.

[0020] In one embodiment, the cooling openings 16 are not all the same size, but rather are graduated in size from the rear end of the set of cooling openings 16 to the forward upper side to allow more air to be exhausted towards the forward side.

[0021] In one embodiment, each cooling opening 16 in a set of cooling openings is the same size, but the distance between openings in the set of cooling openings decreases from the rear portion of the side of the control console 3 toward its front.

[0022] In one embodiment, the set of cooling openings 16 does not terminate at the very bottom of the side, but rather a little above it.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a control console and illustrates one example of a cooling method within the control console 3. In FIG. 3, the fan 15 is located at the bottom of the control console 3, and block 50 in FIG. 3 represents a computer and other components that may be located within the control console 3. Components 50 may be located within the console to provide space for airflow near the interior walls of the control console 3. Although not shown in FIG. 3, cooling openings 16 allow air to exit the console at any point along the set of cooling openings 16, the shape of the console and the relatively small area occupied by openings 16 at the bottom of the set ensure that the majority of the hottest air in the upper part of the console enclosure exits above the front of the console. That is, the fan 15 pushes air from the bottom to the top, and this airflow is guided along a path near the interior surface of the console, as indicated by the two arrows in FIG. 3.

[0024] While Figure 3 may give the impression that the computer and other components are located quite high up in the console, Figure 3 is merely schematic, and in reality it is preferable to locate the components quite low down in the console 3, not only from an airflow perspective but also for other reasons discussed later in this specification.

[0025] Depending on the type of components and their location within the console, some of the airflow may be directed between components in the center of the console 3. Figure 4 shows an example of components that a control console may include, with reference numerals 13, 14 and 17 indicating a computer, a battery and a power supply for the computer, respectively.

[0026] The control console 3 of the intraoral scanner configured as described above can reduce the temperature inside the console by approximately 10°C compared to when the console is rectangular. This configuration can provide sufficient cooling even without a fan.

[0027] 5 shows the intraoral scanner mechanism 3 mounted on a typical dental unit via a connecting structure 40. For example, a typical dental unit may include: a frame portion including a wall structure extending in a substantially vertical direction and a cover structure positioned above the wall structure; an attachment mechanism arranged to attach a generally vertically extending support to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism comprising at least a first connecting means or a generally vertically extending support attached to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism for the support comprising at least a first connecting means, the vertically extending support being part of a support mechanism, the support mechanism being configured to support at least one component of one or more instruments used in dental treatment, an imaging device used in dental treatment, and an operating light used in dental treatment; and a control system for the dental unit configured to supply the at least one component with operating power, fluids, and / or control signals necessary for operation. Furthermore, some of the various aspects of the present disclosure provide a solution for realizing an intraoral scanning mechanism that can be stored in a relatively small space and is highly mobile, stable, and ergonomic.

[0028] For example, the height of the console 3 relative to the vertical pole 5 should be as low as possible, preferably located between the two legs 4 of the stand, near the top of the legs 4 and near the horizontal vertical pole 5. This allows for easy movement of the mechanism and protects the portable console from unintentional collisions. Furthermore, placing the battery near the bottom of the console keeps the center of gravity low and ensures structural stability. By placing the console on the opposite side of the vertical pole from the support arm and display device, the console functions as a counterweight to balance them.

[0029] The legs 4 of the mechanism preferably have gaps to allow for foot or shoe insertion so that the feet can be placed under the legs even when they are close to the wheels. The gap from the floor can be 8 to 15 cm, preferably at least 10 cm.

[0030] In one aspect, the shape of the control console directs the primary airflow to the area above the console where it can be most efficiently removed. The fans are located at the bottom of the console, which has a smoothly continuous curve from the bottom to the top of the enclosure, and the cooling openings on the sides allow heat generated by the computers to rise without changing the flow direction, and the air is configured to flow unimpeded from the bottom to the openings at the top, allowing for efficient heat removal from the console.

[0031] If the console walls have a smooth profile, allowing air to flow easily and unresisted through the enclosure, improving cooling efficiency, the fan can be made smaller and run at a lower speed, resulting in a quieter cooling configuration. In one aspect of the present disclosure, an intraoral scanning assembly is provided that includes a handheld intraoral scanner and a control mechanism that includes a computer 13. The control mechanism includes a control console 3 having walls including a front portion 31, a rear portion 32, a top portion 33, and side portions 34 connecting the front portion 31, the rear portion 32, and the top portion 33, the computer 13 being arranged inside the control console 3, the control console 3 having a cooling opening 16 arranged at an upper portion of the control console 3 at a short distance from the top portion 33, the rear portion 32 and the top portion 33 of the control console 3 smoothly connecting to each other without forming any sharp corners and forming a smoothly curved inner surface joining the rear portion 32 and the top portion 33 so that air within the control console 3 can be guided by the walls of the control console and flow upward toward the cooling opening 16 without passing through a sharp corner between the rear portion 32 and the top portion 33.

[0032] A cooling opening 16 may be arranged at the top end of the front part 31 of the control console 3 at a short distance from the top part 33 .

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, cooling openings 16 may be arranged at the top end of at least one side 34 of the control console 3 at a short distance from the top 33 .

[0034] Further alternatively or additionally, cooling openings 16 may be located in the at least one side portion 34 at a short distance from the rear portion 32 .

[0035] According to one embodiment, the top 33 of the control console 3 extends gradually upward from near the rear 32 toward the front 31. A set of cooling openings 16 may be arranged at the upper end of at least one side 34 of the control console 3, with each opening of the set of cooling openings 16 being equidistantly spaced from the top 33. This results in a structure in which the cooling openings closer to the front of the control console are positioned at a higher horizontal position than the cooling openings closer to the rear of the control console.

[0036] The cooling openings 16 may form a set of cooling openings 16, the set of cooling openings 16 including a subset of cooling openings 16 along the set of cooling openings 16 having a larger opening area for exhaust from the control console 3, the subset of openings 16 having a larger opening area for exhaust from the control console 3 being arranged to include more cooling openings 16 within a given sub-region of the set of cooling openings 16 or to include larger cooling openings 16 within a given sub-region of the set of cooling openings 16.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the cooling openings 16 form a set of cooling openings 16, the set of cooling openings 16 including a subset of cooling openings 16 with a largest opening area for exhaust from the control console 3, the subset of cooling openings 16 with the largest opening area being located at a short distance from the top portion 33 at the front portion 31 of the control console 3.

[0038] According to another aspect, the cooling openings 16 form a set of cooling openings 16 that extend from a region near the apex of the forward portion 31 to near the apex of at least one of the side portions 34 and further downwardly near the aft end of the at least one side portion 34. Along the set of cooling openings 16 extending from the lower end of the at least one side portion 34, the total opening area of ​​a given length of the cooling openings 16 may gradually increase in the set of cooling openings 16 toward the forward portion 31.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the rear portion 32 of the control console 3 extends from its lower end at an angle away from the front portion 31 by a predetermined distance, and then curves toward the top portion 33 to connect to the top portion 33. The top portion 33 of the control console 3, which extends gradually upward from the vicinity of the rear portion 32 toward the front portion 31, may not be flat, and may have an upwardly extending concave inner surface for airflow within the control console 3.

[0040] When connecting to other parts, the front part 31, the rear part 32, the top part 33 and the side part 34 of the control console 3 may be connected to the other parts via rounded corners, thereby smoothly connecting to the other parts.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a fan 15 located inside the control console 3 near the bottom.

[0042] The assembly may optionally include a battery component and, optionally, other components related to the operation of a computer, and all components located inside the control console 3 may be located at a predetermined distance from the walls defined by the front 31, rear 32, top 33 and sides 34 to ensure space for airflow along the inner surfaces of the front 31, rear 32, top 33 and sides 34.

[0043] According to one aspect, the assembly further includes a coupling structure configured to integrate the scanner assembly and the dental unit, and when connected, the assembly and the dental unit form a mechanism, wherein the dental unit includes: a frame portion having a wall structure extending in a generally vertical direction and a cover structure located above the wall structure; an attachment mechanism arranged to attach a generally vertically extending support portion to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism including at least a first connection means or the generally vertically extending support portion attached to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism of the support portion including at least a first connection means, the vertically extending support portion being part of a support mechanism, the attachment mechanism being configured to support at least one of the following components: one or more instruments used in dental treatment, an imaging device used in dental treatment, and an operating light used in dental treatment; and a control system of the dental unit configured to supply operating power, fluids, and / or control signals necessary for operation to the at least one component.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the assembly includes a stand 2 having legs 4 and wheels 6 disposed on the legs 4, the legs 4 and the wheels 6 forming a lower portion of the stand 2; an upper portion of the stand 2 having a vertical pole 5 having a bottom end and a top end, the vertical pole 5 being connected to the lower portion of the stand 2; a support arm 8 having one end and the other end, the one end of the support arm 8 being connected to or near the top end of the vertical pole 5 via a first articulation structure 7; a display device 9 connected to or near the other end of the support arm 8 via a second articulation structure 10; and an intraoral scanner handpiece. and a holder 51 for holding the computer, wherein the control mechanism comprises the control console, the computer is disposed within the control console 3, the control console 3 is disposed near the bottom end of the vertical pole 5, the control console 3 and the support arm 8 are disposed to extend outwardly from the vertical pole 5 in opposite directions on the same vertical plane, and / or the stand 2 has three legs 4 extending outwardly from the vertical pole 5 at equal angles to each other, and the control console 3 is disposed to extend from the vertical pole 5 on the same vertical plane in a direction opposite to the direction in which one of the three legs extends from the vertical pole 5.

[0045] The control console 3 may be dimensioned to rest partially above two adjacent legs 4 .

Claims

1. An intraoral scanning assembly comprising a handheld intraoral scanner and a control mechanism comprising a computer (13), The control mechanism includes a control console (3) having a wall including a front portion (31), a rear portion (32), a top portion (33), and a side portion (34) connecting the front portion (31), the rear portion (32), and the top portion (33); The computer (13) is located inside the control console (3), The control console (3) has a cooling opening (16) arranged at a short distance from the top part (33) at the top of the control console (3); The rear portion (32) and the top portion (33) of the control console (3) smoothly join each other without forming any sharp corners to form a smoothly curved inner surface joining the rear portion (32) and the top portion (33), so that air within the control console (3) can be guided by the walls of the control console and flow upward toward the cooling openings (16) without passing through any sharp corners between the rear portion (32) and the top portion (33). Intraoral scanning assembly.

2. 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the control console (3) comprises, at the upper end of the front part (31), a cooling opening (16) located at a short distance from the top part (33).

3. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control console (3) comprises, at an upper end of at least one side (34), a cooling opening (16) arranged at a short distance from the top (33).

4. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising cooling openings (16) in said at least one side portion (34) located at a short distance from said rear portion (32).

5. 5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the top portion (33) extends gradually upward from the vicinity of the rear portion (32) towards the front portion (31).

6. 6. The assembly of claim 5, further comprising a set of cooling openings (16) disposed at an upper end of at least one side (34) of the control console (3), each cooling opening of the set of cooling openings (16) being disposed equidistantly at a short distance from the top (33).

7. the cooling openings (16) form a set of cooling openings (16), the set of cooling openings (16) including a subset of cooling openings (16) along the set of cooling openings (16) having a larger opening area for exhaust from the control console (3); 7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the subset of openings (16) having a larger opening area for exhaust from the control console (3) is arranged to provide more cooling openings (16) within a predetermined sub-region of the set of cooling openings (16) or to provide larger cooling openings (16) within a predetermined sub-region of the set of cooling openings (16).

8. the cooling openings (16) form a set of cooling openings (16), the set of cooling openings (16) including a subset of cooling openings (16) having a largest opening area for exhaust from the control console (3); 8. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the subset of cooling openings (16) having the largest opening area is located at a front portion (31) of the control console (3) at a short distance from the top portion (33).

9. said cooling openings (16) forming a set of cooling openings (16); 9. An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the set of cooling openings (16) extend from a region near an apex of the front portion (31) to near an apex of at least one of the side portions (34) and further extend downwardly near an aft end of the at least one side portion (34).

10. 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein along a set of cooling openings (16) extending from a lower end of the at least one side portion (34), a total opening area in a predetermined length of the cooling openings (16) gradually increases toward the front portion (31) of the set of cooling openings (16).

11. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rear portion (32) extends from its lower end at an angle away from the front portion (31) by a predetermined distance, and then curves toward the top portion (33) to connect to the top portion (33).

12. 12. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the top portion (33), which extends gradually upward from the vicinity of the rear portion (32) towards the front portion (31), is not flat but has an upwardly extending concave inner surface for airflow within the control console (3).

13. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein when the front portion (31), the rear portion (32), the top portion (33) and the side portion (34) are connected to other parts, they are connected to the other parts via rounded corners, thereby smoothly connecting with the other parts.

14. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the assembly comprises a fan (15) located inside the control console (3) near its bottom.

15. the assembly optionally includes a battery component, and optionally includes other components associated with the operation of the computer; 15. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein all components disposed inside the control console (3) are disposed at a predetermined distance from the walls defined by the front (31), rear (32), top (33) and side (34) portions to ensure space for airflow along the inner surfaces of the front (31), rear (32), top (33) and side (34) portions.

16. a coupling structure configured to allow the scanner assembly and the dental unit to be integrated; The assembly and the dental unit, when connected, form a mechanism in which the dental unit: a frame portion including a wall structure extending in a substantially vertical direction and a cover structure positioned above the wall structure; an attachment mechanism arranged to attach a generally vertically extending support to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism comprising at least a first connecting means or a generally vertically extending support attached to the frame portion, the attachment mechanism for the support comprising at least a first connecting means, the vertically extending support being part of a support mechanism, the support mechanism being configured to support at least one component of one or more instruments used in dental treatment, an imaging device used in dental treatment, and an operating light used in dental treatment; 16. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising: a control system for the dental unit configured to supply the at least one component with operating power, fluids and / or control signals required for operation.

17. a stand (2) having legs (4) and wheels (6) arranged on the legs (4), the legs (4) and the wheels (6) forming a lower part of the stand (2); an upper portion of the stand (2) comprising a vertical pole (5) having a bottom end and a top end, the vertical pole (5) being connected to the lower portion of the stand (2); a support arm (8) having one end and the other end, the one end of which is connected to the top end of the vertical pole (5) or in the vicinity thereof via a first joint structure (7); a display device (9) connected to the other end of the support arm (8) or in the vicinity thereof via a second joint structure (10); a holder (51) for holding the intraoral scanner handpiece; The control mechanism comprises a control console, the computer is located in the control console (3), and the control console (3) is located near the bottom end of the vertical pole (5); the control console (3) and the support arm (8) are arranged to extend outward in opposite directions from the vertical pole (5) on the same vertical plane; and / or 16. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the stand (2) comprises three legs (4) extending outward from the vertical pole (5) at equal mutual angles, and the control console (3) is arranged to extend from the vertical pole (5) in the same vertical plane in a direction opposite to the direction in which one of the three legs extends from the vertical pole (5).

18. 18. An assembly according to claim 17, wherein the control console (3) is dimensioned to lie partially above two adjacent legs (4).

Images