Dental Unit

Abstract

To provide a dental unit that can operate safely against a collision and reduce misrecognition to prevent efficiency of work from lowering.SOLUTION: There is provided, a dental unit, including: a patient chair including a seat part provided movably up and down, and a backrest rotatable with respect to the seat part and tiltable up and down; a movable member disposed around the patient chair; a sensor disposed on at least one of the movable member and the patient chair to detect the movable member and / or the patient chair having been moved in a direction not in an originally intended movement direction; and calculation means to regulate up-down movement of the seat part and tilt-up of the backrest on the basis of a signal from the sensor, which calculation means regulates the up-down movement of the seat part and the tilt-up of the backrest on the basis of a time when detecting, based on a signal from the sensor, the movable member and / or the patient chair having been moved in a direction not in the originally intended movement direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dental unit having a patient chair in which a patient sits in a dental setting. [Background technology]

[0002] A dental unit is a unit in which various equipment used during dental treatment is provided, and includes a patient chair on which a patient sits. Around the dental unit, there is a doctor unit in which various tools for dental treatment used by the practitioner are arranged, an assistant hanger in which various tools mainly used by assistants are arranged, a water supply unit that supplies mouthwash etc. to the patient, a spitting receptacle for draining the water, a dental light for illuminating the patient's oral cavity, etc. Also, a chair on which the practitioner sits may be placed around the dental unit. The patient chair is configured to be capable of rising and lowering and also to have a backrest that can be tilted and raised in order to place the patient in a position that is easy for treatment or therapy to be performed.

[0003] Because the patient chair can be raised and lowered and tilted upright in this way, there is a risk that the doctor unit or assistant hanger may enter the range of movement and cause a collision. Such a collision should be avoided as a matter of course. Or, even if a collision does occur, it should be detected and the raising and lowering or tilting of the patient chair should be stopped immediately.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a safety device for a dental unit arm that is equipped with a sensor that detects the angle of the arm and disables at least automatic operation when it detects the angle at which the dental unit holder contacts the treatment chair. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-80978 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional safety device, when moving the doctor unit, moving the assistant hanger, raising and lowering the patient chair, or tilting and standing up, the device may mistakenly believe that safety has been compromised, even though there is no actual problem with safety, and may stop the raising and lowering or tilting and standing up of the patient chair. This is a safer operation and may be acceptable, but from the viewpoint of the efficiency of a series of operations such as treatment, it is an unnecessary stop and should be avoided. If the frequency of such unnecessary stops increases, it will result in a significant decrease in efficiency.

[0007] In view of the above problems, an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dental unit that can operate safely in the event of a collision and reduce unnecessary stoppages to prevent a decrease in work efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present disclosure is a dental unit comprising: a patient chair having a seat that can be raised and lowered, and a backrest that can rotate relative to the seat and tilt up, a movable member arranged around the patient chair, a sensor arranged on at least one of the movable member and the patient chair and that detects that the movable member and / or the patient chair has moved in a direction other than its original movable direction, and a calculation means that regulates the raising and lowering and tilting of the seat and the backrest based on a signal from the sensor, wherein the calculation means regulates the raising and lowering and tilting of the seat and the backrest based on the time at which it is detected by the sensor signal that the movable member and / or the patient chair has moved in a direction other than its original movable direction.

[0009] The movable member may be at least one of a doctor unit and an assistant hanger. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the dental unit of the present disclosure, unnecessary stops due to collisions can be reduced, and a decrease in work efficiency can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a dental unit 1. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the dental unit 1. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the dental unit 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of the sensor 30. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the sensor 30. In FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the collision calculation means 40. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a collision calculation and the flow of control of the dental unit 1 based on the collision calculation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The present disclosure will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0013] 1. Dental unit configuration 1 to 3 show the appearance of a dental unit 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 1 is a plan view (viewed from above), Fig. 2 is a front view (viewed from the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1), and Fig. 3 is a rear view (viewed from the direction of arrow III in Fig. 1). The dental unit 1 includes a base 2, a patient chair 3, a doctor unit 10, an assistant unit 20, a sensor 30, and a collision calculation means 40. It also includes a dental light (not shown). The dental light may be of a known type, and is configured such that a lighting unit equipped with lighting is held by a plurality of arms connected by joints, and the practitioner can move the lighting unit by holding it.

[0014] 1.1. Foundation The base 2 is disposed below the patient chair 3 and serves as the foundation of the patient chair 3. The base 2 has an outer shell formed by a housing, and various control devices are housed inside the housing. Examples of the control devices included here include a hydraulic circuit for raising and lowering, tilting and standing up the patient chair 3, and a hydraulic control means for controlling the hydraulic circuit. Therefore, a foot switch (not shown) is provided on the back side of the patient chair 3 of the base 2. The practitioner can operate the foot switch or an operation switch on the operation panel 11c of the doctor unit 10 to issue a command to the hydraulic control means and raise and lower the patient chair 3 and tilt and stand it up by controlling the hydraulic circuit.

[0015] 1.2. Patient chair In this embodiment, the patient chair 3 includes a seat 3a, a backrest 3b, a headrest 3c, a legrest 3d, and a footrest 3e.

[0016] The seat 3a is attached above the base 2 so that it can rise and fall. The seat 3a is raised and lowered by the hydraulic circuit housed in the base 2 as described above. Specifically, the practitioner operates the foot switch or the operation panel 11c of the doctor unit 10 (described later), and the hydraulic control means receives the operation command and appropriately operates the hydraulic cylinders incorporated in the hydraulic circuit, thereby raising and lowering the seat 3a. The backrest 3b, headrest 3c, legrest 3d, and footrest 3e rise and lower together with the seat 3a.

[0017] The backrest 3b is a member that is rotatable around one end of the seating portion 3a, and supports the torso of the patient. The backrest 3b can be tilted and raised so that the patient can sit or lie on his back. The backrest 3b is tilted and raised by a hydraulic circuit connected from within the base 2. Specifically, the practitioner operates a foot switch or the operation panel 11c of the doctor unit 10, and the hydraulic control means that receives the operation command appropriately operates a hydraulic cylinder incorporated in the hydraulic circuit, thereby tilting and raising the backrest 3b.

[0018] The headrest 3c is a member disposed at the end of the backrest 3b opposite to the end where the seating portion 3a is disposed, and is a member for supporting the patient's head. The headrest 3c is formed to be movable and rotatable so that the patient's head can be positioned in a position suitable for treatment. Such movement of the headrest 3c is performed by a mechanism including a motor incorporated inside the backrest 3b. Specifically, the practitioner operates a switch (not shown) provided on the back side of the backrest 3b or the headrest 3c or an operation panel 11c of the doctor unit 10 (described later), and the headrest 3c moves and rotates when the mechanism receives the operation command and starts to operate.

[0019] The leg rest 3d is a member that is rotatable about an end of the seating portion 3a opposite to the side where the backrest 3b is arranged, and supports the legs of the patient. The leg rest 3d is rotatable so that it can assume a vertical or horizontal position according to the tilted and standing position of the backrest 3b. Such rotation of the leg rest 3d is performed by a link mechanism that operates in linkage with the tilting and standing of the backrest 3b. Specifically, when the practitioner operates the foot switch or the operation panel 11c of the doctor unit 10 as described above, the backrest 3b tilts and stands up, and the leg rest 3d rotates in linkage with this.

[0020] The footrest 3e is a member provided in a direction extending from the legrest 3d, and supports the patient's feet. Specifically, when the backrest 3b is in an upright position, i.e., a seated position, the footrest 3e is bent relative to the legrest 3d so as to receive the soles of the patient's feet. On the other hand, when the backrest 3b is tilted and the patient lies on his / her back, the footrest 3e becomes almost flat relative to the legrest 3d so as to receive the heels of the patient. Means for moving the footrest 3e in this manner can be, but is not limited to, hydraulics, a motor, a link mechanism, or the like.

[0021] 1.3.Doctor Unit The doctor unit 10 is provided on the side of the patient chair 3 opposite to the assistant unit 20, and in this embodiment has a work table 11, a first arm 12, and a second arm 13. The work table 11 is a portion where various tools and switches required by the practitioner are provided. Specifically, the work table 11 has a work surface 11a on its upper surface, and a holder 11b is provided for storing handpieces used by the practitioner during treatment. Although not shown, the holder 11b holds various handpieces. Examples of handpieces include air turbines, micromotors, scalers, and syringes. Almost all handpieces are connected to electric circuits, water circuits, air circuits, and the like via tubes. In addition, an operation panel 11c is provided between the work surface 11a and the holder 11b. The operation panel 11c is provided with various operation switches, for example, for tilting and standing the patient chair 3, lifting and lowering operations, and switching the dental lighting on and off. In this way, the holder 11b and the operation panel 11c are gathered on the back side of the patient chair 3 of the work table 11. This provides convenience for the practitioner who performs treatment near the patient's head.

[0022] First arm 12 is a hollow rod-shaped so-called arm member, one end of which is disposed under base 2 and is rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction. Therefore, first arm 12 can rotate as shown by arrow Ia in FIG. The second arm 13 is also a hollow rod-shaped arm member. One end of the second arm 13 is disposed at the other end of the first arm 12, which is the end opposite the base 2. In addition, a workbench 11 is disposed at the other end of the second arm 13. The second arm 13 is connected to the first arm 12 so as to be rotatable about an axis whose axis is in the vertical direction, and can rotate as shown by the arrow Ib in FIG. 1. 1. Moreover, the work table 11 is connected to the second arm 13 so as to be rotatable about an axis having a vertical axis, and can be rotated as shown by the arrow Ic in FIG.

[0023] Therefore, the work table 11 can move and take a different posture within a range that combines the above-mentioned rotations of the first arm 12, the second arm 13, and the work table 11 itself, improving the convenience for the practitioner. The practitioner can change the position and posture of the work table 11 by grasping a handle or the like of the work table 11 and pushing or pulling it.

[0024] 1.4.Assistant unit The assistant unit 20 is provided on the side of the patient chair 3 opposite to the side on which the doctor unit 10 is arranged, and includes an assistant hanger 21 and a water supply and drainage section 29.

[0025] The assistant hanger 21 is a portion equipped with tools mainly used by an assistant. The assistant hanger 21 includes a hanger portion 22, a first arm 23, and a second arm 24.

[0026] The hanger section 22 is a holder for storing handpieces (not shown) used by the practitioner during treatment. Examples of handpieces include a vacuum, a saliva ejector, a syringe, and the like. The vacuum and the saliva ejector are connected to a vacuum unit (not shown) via a suction tube.

[0027] First arm 23 is a hollow rod-shaped so-called arm member, one end of which is disposed in the housing of water supply and drainage means 29 and is rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. Therefore, first arm 23 can rotate as shown by arrow Id in FIG. Second arm 24 is also a hollow rod-shaped arm member. One end of second arm 24 is disposed at the other end of first arm 23, which is the opposite end to the housing of water supply and drainage unit 29. Hanger unit 22 is disposed at the other end of second arm 24. Second arm 24 is connected to first arm 23 so as to be rotatable about an axis whose axis is in the vertical direction, and can rotate as shown by arrow Ie in FIG. 1. 1. The hanger portion 22 is connected to the second arm 24 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction, and can rotate as indicated by the arrow If in FIG.

[0028] Therefore, the hanger part 22 can move and take a different posture within a range that is a combination of the above-mentioned rotations of the first arm 23, the second arm 24, and the hanger part 22 itself, improving the convenience for the practitioner. The practitioner can change the position and posture of the hanger part 22 by grasping the handle or the like of the hanger part 22 and pushing or pulling the hanger part 22.

[0029] The water supply and drainage unit 29 is a part for supplying and draining water so that a patient can gargle and clean the inside of his / her mouth during or after treatment, and may have a known configuration. For example, the water supply and drainage unit 29 in this embodiment includes a spitting receptacle 29a and a water supply unit 29b, and water supplied from the water supply unit 29b is poured into a cup, and the patient gargles with the cup and spits the water into the spitting receptacle 29a. Therefore, the spitting receptacle 29a is bowl-shaped to spit out water in the mouth after gargling. Saliva and water discharged into the spitting receptacle 29a are discharged through a drain trap of the water supply and drainage unit 29. In addition, the spitting receptacle may be movable in consideration of the convenience of the patient's posture. In that case, the spitting receptacle 29a can be moved in front of the patient when the patient gargles.

[0030] 1.5.Sensors The dental unit 1 is equipped with a sensor 30. In this embodiment, the sensor 30 is disposed on the doctor unit 10 as a movable member and the assistant hanger 21 of the assistant unit 20, and is configured to detect the vertical movement of the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 and output the detected movement as an electrical signal. As described above, in this embodiment, the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 are allowed to move horizontally as their original moving direction due to the configuration of each arm, and vertical movement of the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 is not allowed (excluding slight vertical movement due to play or dimensional errors of the components, etc.; the same applies below). Such vertical movement, which is not the original moving direction, is assumed to occur in the case of a malfunction such as a collision with a patient chair, and for this reason, the sensor 30 is configured to be able to detect vertical movement of the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21.

[0031] For the doctor unit 10, such a sensor 30 is preferably disposed at least one of the connection between the base 2 and the first arm 12, the connection between the first arm 12 and the second arm 13, and the connection between the second arm 13 and the work table 11. Meanwhile, for the assistant hanger 21, it is preferably disposed at least one of the connection between the water supply and drainage section 29 and the first arm 23, the connection between the first arm 23 and the second arm 24, and the connection between the second arm 24 and the hanger section 22. This makes it easier to detect the vertical movement (deformation) of the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21.

[0032] Although the specific embodiment of the sensor 30 is not particularly limited, examples include a photoelectric sensor and a microswitch. Fig. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of detection by the photoelectric sensor 30, and Fig. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of detection by the microswitch 30.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4(a), a photoelectric sensor 30 is installed on member A, which is one of two connected members A and B (in this embodiment of the dental unit 1, for example, a member provided on the first arm 12 and a member provided on the second arm 13), and the state in which this photoelectric sensor 30 detects a predetermined location of member B (in this example, the end face of member B) is defined as the reference state. 4(b) and 4(c), when a vertical force F is applied from the outside to member A and / or member B, member A and / or member B deform, and the photoelectric sensor 30 is unable to detect the end face of member B. In this state, the vertical movement (deformation) of members A and B can be detected. With regard to the doctor unit 10, such a photoelectric sensor 30 is disposed at least one of the connection between the base 2 and the first arm 12, the connection between the first arm 12 and the second arm 13, and the connection between the second arm 13 and the work table 11, thereby making it possible to detect vertical movement (deformation) of the doctor unit 10. With regard to the assistant hanger 21, such a photoelectric sensor 30 is disposed at least one of the connection between the water supply and drainage section 29 and the first arm 23, the connection between the first arm 23 and the second arm 24, and the connection between the second arm 24 and the hanger section 22, thereby making it possible to detect vertical movement (deformation) of the assistant hanger 21.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5(a), a microswitch 30 is installed on member A, which is one of two connected members A and B (in this embodiment of the dental unit 1, for example, a member provided on the first arm 12 and a member provided on the second arm 13), and the state in which member B presses this microswitch 30 (ON state) is defined as the reference state. 5(b), when a vertical force F is applied to member B from the outside, member B deforms and separates from microswitch 30, releasing the pressure (OFF state). In this state, the vertical movement (deformation) of members A and B can be detected. With regard to the doctor unit 10, such a microswitch 30 is disposed in at least one of the connection between the base 2 and the first arm 12, the connection between the first arm 12 and the second arm 13, and the connection between the second arm 13 and the work table 11, thereby making it possible to detect vertical movement (deformation) of the doctor unit 10. With regard to the assistant hanger 21, such a microswitch 30 is disposed in at least one of the connection between the water supply and drainage section 29 and the first arm 23, the connection between the first arm 23 and the second arm 24, and the connection between the second arm 24 and the hanger section 22, thereby making it possible to detect vertical movement (deformation) of the assistant hanger 21.

[0035] 1.6. Collision calculation means The collision calculation means 40 receives an electric signal from the sensor 30 to determine whether the doctor unit 10 or the assistant hanger 21 has collided with another part (patient chair 3), and issues a command to stop the elevation and tilting of the patient chair 3 according to the determination. The specific determination process will be described later. The configuration of the collision calculation means 40 is conceptually shown in FIG. 6. As can be seen from FIG. 6, the collision calculation means 40 includes an operator 41, a RAM 42, a storage means 43, a receiving means 44, and an output means 45.

[0036] The operator 41 is composed of a so-called CPU (central processor), and is connected to each of the above-mentioned components to control them. The calculation means 41 also executes various programs stored in the storage means 43, which functions as a storage medium, and performs calculations as a means for generating various data and selecting data based on the programs.

[0037] The RAM 42 is a component that functions as a working area for the operator 41 and a temporary data storage means. The RAM 42 can be composed of an SRAM, a DRAM, a flash memory, etc., and is similar to a known RAM.

[0038] The storage means 43 is a member that functions as a storage medium for storing programs and data that are the basis for various calculations. The storage means 43 may also be capable of storing various intermediate and final results obtained by executing the programs.

[0039] In this embodiment, one of the programs stored in the memory means 43 includes a calculation to determine whether the doctor unit 10 or the assistant hanger 21 has collided with another part (the patient chair 3) based on a signal from the sensor 30, and further to issue a command to stop the raising and lowering and tilting and standing of the patient chair 3 based on the time when the signal from the sensor 30 is detected.

[0040] Such calculation can be performed, for example, in the following manner. When the sensor 30 detects vertical movement (deformation) of the doctor unit 10 and assistant hanger 21 during the raising / lowering and tilting / standing of the patient chair 3, it starts measuring time. If the detection of the movement (deformation) is then resolved within a predetermined time and the state returns to the reference state (state where no movement is detected), it is determined that this is a collision for which safety can be maintained, and the raising / lowering and tilting / standing of the patient chair 3 is continued without being stopped. On the other hand, if the detection by the sensor 30 continues even after the predetermined time has passed, it is determined that this is a collision for which safety cannot be maintained, and the raising / lowering and tilting / standing of the patient chair 3 is stopped. Here, the "predetermined time" is a time that will not damage the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 even if they are hit. The specific time is set appropriately according to the arrangement of each part. This prevents damage to the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 (ensuring safety) and suppresses unintended lifting and lowering of the patient chair and stopping of tilting and standing (improving the efficiency of treatment).

[0041] The receiving means 44 is a component having a function for appropriately receiving information from the outside into the collision calculation means 40, and is connected to at least the sensors 30 provided in the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21.

[0042] The output means 45 is a component having a function of appropriately outputting information to be output from among the obtained results, and is connected to the hydraulic control means in this embodiment. When the collision calculation means 40 judges that the doctor unit 10 or the assistant hanger 21 has collided with another member or the like and should be stopped, it issues a command to the hydraulic control means to stop the movement and rotation of the patient chair 3.

[0043] 2. Operation flow Next, the permission and restriction of the lifting and lowering and tilting and standing up of the patient chair 3 by the collision calculation means 40 will be described. The flow is shown in Fig. 7. As can be seen from Fig. 7, the calculation by the collision calculation means 40 includes steps S11 to S17. Each step will be described below.

[0044] In step S11, commands are issued to raise, lower, tilt, and stand up the patient chair 3. Such commands to raise, lower, tilt, and stand up the patient chair 3 are issued by, for example, the foot switch or the doctor unit 10 as described above.

[0045] In step S12, a signal indicating that a collision has occurred is received from the sensor 30 (or the signal that has been received is no longer received).

[0046] In step S13, the measurement of time from the point in time when the state of step S12 is reached is started.

[0047] In step S14, it is determined whether the signal indicating the collision from the sensor 30 has been eliminated when the time measured in step S13 reaches a predetermined time. If the problem has not been resolved, No is selected, and the raising and lowering and tilting and standing of the patient chair 3 are stopped in step S15. On the other hand, if the condition has been resolved, Yes is selected, the process moves to step S16, and the raising and lowering and tilting and standing (deformation) of the patient chair 3 continues.

[0048] In step S17, after the patient chair 3 has been raised and lowered and tilted and stood up (transformed) in step S16, it is determined whether the originally planned transformation has been completed. Once the transformation as originally planned is completed, select Yes and the process will end. On the other hand, if the originally planned raising / lowering and tilting / standing (deformation) of the patient chair 3 has not yet been completed, No is selected and the process returns to step S12.

[0049] 3. Effects etc. As described above, the dental unit 1 equipped with the sensor 30 and the collision calculation means 40 can prevent damage to movable parts such as the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 (ensuring safety), and can also suppress unintended raising and lowering of the patient chair and stopping of tilting and standing (improving the efficiency of treatment).

[0050] In the above, an example is shown in which a sensor 30 is placed on both the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 and calculations are performed for each using the collision calculation means 40, but it is also possible to configure the sensor 30 to be placed only on either the doctor unit 10 or the assistant hanger 21 and perform the above calculations.

[0051] Here, in the above embodiment, the "original moving direction" of the doctor unit 10 and the assistant hanger 21 is the horizontal direction, and the "non-original moving direction" is the vertical direction, but this is not limited to this, and each component can be configured so that a different direction becomes the original moving direction and the non-original moving direction as necessary depending on the configuration of each component.

[0052] Although the dentist unit and the assistant hanger have been described as examples of the movable members, other movable members in the dental unit may be similarly controlled by providing sensors thereon and performing calculations by the collision calculation means. Examples of the other movable members include a patient chair itself, a dental light, and a cuspidor of an assistant unit, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Dental Unit 2 Base 3 patient chair 10 Doctor unit (movable part) 20 Assistant Unit 21 Assistant hanger (movable part) 30 Sensors 40 Collision calculation means

Claims

1. A patient chair including a seat portion that can be raised and lowered and a backrest that can be rotated with respect to the seat portion to tilt and stand up; A movable member disposed around the patient chair; a sensor disposed on at least one of the movable member and the patient chair, the sensor detecting that the movable member and / or the patient chair has moved in a direction other than an original movable direction; and a computing means for restricting the elevation and tilting of the seat and the backrest based on a signal from the sensor, The calculation means regulates the elevation and lowering and the tilting and standing of the seating portion and the backrest based on the lapse of a predetermined time from when the sensor signal detects that the movable member and / or the patient chair has moved in a direction other than the original movable direction. Dental unit.

2. The dental unit according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is at least one of a doctor's unit and an assistant hanger.

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