Dental Handpiece Control System

Abstract

To provide a dental handpiece control system that can suitably deal with the replacement of a dental handpiece.SOLUTION: A dental handpiece control system 2 comprises an air supply flow passage 60 for supplying compressed gas from a compressed gas source 50 to a turbine blade 24 provided in a dental handpiece 20, an exhaust flow passage 70 for exhausting the compressed gas having rotated the turbine blade 24, an exhaust pressure detection part 110 for detecting an exhaust pressure that is the pressure of the compressed gas in the exhaust flow passage 70, and a determination part for determining the type of the dental handpiece 20 on the basis of the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure in the no-load rotation state of the turbine blade 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to controlling dental handpieces which operate by using compressed gas to rotate turbine blades. [Background technology]

[0002] As a technique for controlling a dental handpiece having turbine blades, Patent Document 1 describes a control system equipped with an exhaust pressure sensor that detects the exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of the exhaust air. In this control system, the rotation speed of the turbine blades under load is maintained constant using the detected exhaust pressure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-221300 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Here, the dental handpiece is configured to be detachable from the hose through which compressed gas flows. Different types of dental handpieces are used depending on the application, and different types of dental handpieces have different reference exhaust pressures. A reference exhaust pressure is set in the control unit of the dental handpiece on the assumption that a predetermined type of dental handpiece is attached to a certain hose. Therefore, if a different type of dental handpiece is replaced and attached to a certain hose, suitable control cannot be performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dental handpiece control system that can appropriately respond to replacement of a dental handpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a dental handpiece control system of the present invention includes an air intake passage that supplies compressed gas from a compressed gas source to a turbine blade provided in a dental handpiece, an exhaust passage that exhausts the compressed gas that has rotated the turbine blade, an exhaust pressure detection unit that detects an exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of the compressed gas in the exhaust passage, and From the start of rotation to the time a specified period of time has elapsed Based on the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state, Based on the exhaust pressure A determination unit for determining the type of the the determining unit has a first learning result obtained by learning the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state from when the turbine blades start to rotate until the predetermined time has elapsed for each of the types of the dental handpiece, and determines the type of the dental handpiece by comparing the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detecting unit with the first learning result. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, by determining the type of dental handpiece, it is possible to appropriately respond to replacement of the dental handpiece. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a dental treatment unit to which a dental handpiece control system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hose, a mounting portion, a dental handpiece, and a bur. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a compressed gas flow path in a dental handpiece control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a dental handpiece control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing an example of the time characteristics of exhaust pressure in a dental handpiece, and a graph showing differences in the time characteristics of exhaust pressure for each type of dental handpiece. [Figure 6]1 is a graph showing an example of the time characteristics of exhaust pressure in a dental handpiece, the graph showing the time characteristics of exhaust pressure in a normal dental handpiece, and the graph showing the time characteristics of exhaust pressure in a dental handpiece in which a malfunction has occurred. [Figure 7] 1 is a graph showing an example of a control method for a proportional valve based on exhaust pressure, which illustrates a case where the target exhaust pressure is set to an initial target exhaust pressure value and a case where the target exhaust pressure is set based on an operation. [Figure 8] 11 is a graph showing an example of a control method for a proportional valve based on exhaust pressure, and is a graph for explaining a case in which the target exhaust pressure is automatically reset when the load increases. [Figure 9] 11 is a graph showing an example of a proportional valve control technique based on exhaust pressure, and is a graph for explaining a case where the target exhaust pressure is automatically reset when the load decreases. [Figure 10] 1 is a flowchart for explaining a method of determining the type of a dental handpiece and whether it is normal or not, and a method of identifying the type of malfunction, by a dental handpiece control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a graph showing an example of a control method for a proportional valve based on exhaust pressure, and is a graph for explaining a case where a target exhaust pressure is automatically set. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted.

[0010] <Dental treatment unit> As shown in Fig. 1, a dental treatment unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a unit used when a doctor as a user performs dental treatment on a patient. A dental handpiece control system 2 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is applied to the dental treatment unit 1. The dental treatment unit 1 basically includes a chair module 3, a base unit 4, a first support unit 5, a treatment table 6, a second support unit 7, an assistant table 8, and a foot controller 9.

[0011] <Chair module> The chair module 3 comprises a chair body 3a for the patient.

[0012] <Basic unit> The base unit 4 is disposed on a side of the chair module 3. The base unit 4 includes a cuspidor holder 4a, a cuspidor 4b installed on the cuspidor holder 4a, and a water inlet 4c for supplying water to a gargle cup.

[0013] <First support part> The first support unit 5 supports the examination table 6 movably around the chair module 3. The first support unit 5 includes arm units 5a and 5b arranged in series. One end (base end) of the arm unit 5a is connected to the housing unit of the base unit 4 via a joint unit, and the other end (tip end) of the arm unit 5a is connected to the arm unit 5b via a joint unit. One end (base end) of the arm unit 5b is connected to the arm unit 5a via a joint unit, and the other end (tip end) of the arm unit 5b is connected to the examination table 6 via a joint unit.

[0014] <Treatment table> The examination table 6 is used by a doctor (dentist) as a user. The examination table 6 includes a table 6a, a hanger 6b, a plurality of hoses 6c, a mounting unit 6d, a dental handpiece 20, and a bur 30 (see FIG. 2), a display unit 6e, and an operation unit 6f.

[0015] The table 6a is a portion on which the doctor places items necessary for dental treatment.

[0016] <Hanger> The hanger 6b is a portion for suspending and holding the dental handpiece 20 attached to the attachment portion 6d. The hanger 6b is configured to be capable of holding a plurality of dental handpieces 20 individually.

[0017] <Hose> The hose 6c is configured so that compressed gas (eg, compressed air) supplied to the dental handpiece 20 and compressed gas discharged from the dental handpiece 20 can flow through it.

[0018] <Attachment part> The attachment portion 6d is a metal member attached to the tip of the hose 6c, and is configured so that the dental handpiece 20 can be detachably attached thereto.

[0019] <Dental handpieces and burs> As shown in Fig. 2, the dental handpiece 20 and the bur 30 are tools (examples of instruments) that are held by a doctor and used for treating (cutting, etc.) a patient's teeth. In this embodiment, the dental handpiece 20 is detachably attached to the attachment part 6d by press-fitting the tip part of the attachment part 6d into the base part of the dental handpiece 20. The dental handpiece 20 and the bur 30 can be used for purposes such as cavity formation for caries removal, formation of proximal surfaces, formation of abutment teeth for prostheses or resin filling, finishing cutting or polishing after crowns, inlays or resin filling, removal of filled prostheses or composite resin, etc., and the types of dental handpieces and burs 30 are selected and used according to these purposes. The dental handpiece 20 and the bur 30 will be described in detail later.

[0020] ≪Display section≫ The display unit 6e is composed of a monitor or the like, and displays an image to be shown to a doctor based on a control signal from a control unit 120 (see FIG. 4) described later.

[0021] ≪Operation section≫ The operation unit 6f is composed of buttons, a touch panel, etc., and outputs a control signal based on (manual) operation by a doctor to a control unit 120 (see FIG. 4) described later.

[0022] <Second Support Part> As shown in FIG. 1, the second support portion 7 supports the assistant table 8 movably around the chair module 3. The second support portion 7 includes arm portions 7a and 7b arranged in series. One end portion (base end portion) of the arm portion 7a is connected to a housing portion of the base unit 4 via a joint portion, and the other end portion (tip portion) of the arm portion 7a is connected to the arm portion 7b via a joint portion. One end portion (base end portion) of the arm portion 7b is connected to the arm portion 7a via a joint portion, and the other end portion (tip portion) of the arm portion 7b is connected to the assistant table 8 via a joint portion.

[0023] <Assistant table> The assistant table 8 is used by an assistant (dental assistant) as a user. The assistant table 8 includes a table 8a, a hanger 8b, a plurality of sets of hoses 8c, an attachment portion 8d, and an instrument 40.

[0024] The table 8a is a portion on which an assistant can place items necessary to assist in dental treatment.

[0025] <Hanger> The hanger 8b is a portion for hanging and holding the instrument 40 attached to the attachment portion 8d.

[0026] <Hose> The hose 8c is configured to allow compressed gas (eg, compressed air) and / or water to be supplied to the instrument 40, and compressed gas to be discharged from the instrument 40 to flow therethrough.

[0027] <Attachment part> The mounting portion 8d is a metal member attached to the tip of the hose 8c, and is configured so that the instrument 40 can be attached and detached.

[0028] Instruments The instrument 40 is a tool that is held by an assistant and used to assist (such as suction) in the treatment of a patient's teeth. Examples of the instrument 40 include a vacuum tip and a syringe.

[0029] <Foot controller> The foot controller 9 is an operation unit that is operated by the doctor's foot (such as by stepping on it). The foot controller 9 outputs a control signal according to the operation result by the doctor to a control unit 120 (on-off valve control unit 22) described later.

[0030] <Dental handpiece control system> 3 and 4, the dental handpiece control system 2 is a system that controls the pressure of compressed gas supplied to a dental handpiece. The dental handpiece control system 2 includes a dental handpiece 20 and a bur 30 (see FIG. 2), a compressed gas source 50, an air supply passage 60, an exhaust passage 70, an on-off valve 80, a proportional valve 90, an installation detection unit 100, an exhaust pressure detection unit 110, and a control unit 120.

[0031] <Dental handpiece> As shown in Fig. 2, the dental handpiece 20 is detachably attached to the attachment portion 6d and is gripped and operated by a doctor to cut a patient's teeth. As shown in Fig. 3, the dental handpiece 20 includes, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side, an air supply flow path 21 within the piece, a turbine chamber 22, and an exhaust flow path 23 within the piece as a flow path for compressed gas.

[0032] The dental handpiece 20 includes a turbine blade 24 as a member for converting the pressure of the compressed gas into a rotational force. The turbine blade 24 is disposed in the turbine chamber 22 and is rotatably supported by a shaft and a bearing (not shown).

[0033] In such a dental handpiece 20, most of the compressed gas supplied from the air supply passage 21 in the piece to the turbine chamber 22 is exhausted to the exhaust passage 23 in the piece. In addition, a part of the compressed gas supplied to the turbine chamber 22 is exhausted to the outside of the dental handpiece 20 from the turbine chamber 22 formed in the head portion of the dental handpiece 20.

[0034] That is, the following relationship holds regarding the pressure of the compressed gas: [Air supply pressure] ≒ [Exhaust pressure] + [Head exhaust pressure] The supply pressure is the pressure of compressed gas flowing through the supply air flow passage 60 (the supply air flow passage 21 within the piece). The exhaust pressure is the pressure of compressed gas flowing through the exhaust flow passage 70 (the exhaust flow passage 23 within the piece). The head exhaust pressure is the pressure of compressed gas exhausted from the turbine chamber 22 to the outside of the dental handpiece 20, not to the exhaust flow passage 70.

[0035] <bar> As shown in FIG. 2, bur 30 is a tool that actually cuts the patient's teeth, and is detachably attached to dental handpiece 20 and rotatably attached together with turbine blade 24 (see FIG. 3).

[0036] <Compressed gas source> As shown in FIG. 3, the compressed gas source 50 is a tank that stores compressed gas (eg, compressed air) that is the power source for the turbine blades 24, an air compressor that generates compressed gas by compressing gas, or the like.

[0037] <Air supply flow path> The air supply flow path 60 is a flow path for supplying compressed gas stored in the compressed gas source 50 to the dental handpiece 20. The air supply flow path 60 includes, in order from the upstream side (compressed gas source 50 side) to the downstream side (dental handpiece 20 side), an upstream air supply flow path 61, a flow path switching unit 62, and multiple sets of downstream air supply flow paths 63 and an air supply flow path within the piece 21.

[0038] <Upstream air supply flow path> The upstream air supply flow path 61 (part of it) is disposed within the base unit 4 and the first support part 5 (see FIG. 1). One end (upstream end) of the upstream air supply flow path 61 is connected to the compressed gas source 50, and the other end (downstream end) of the upstream air supply flow path 61 is connected to the flow path switching part 62.

[0039] <Flow path switching section> The flow path switching unit 62 is disposed in the housing of the treatment table 6 (see FIG. 1). The flow path switching unit 62 includes a valve block having a pipeline branching from an upstream air supply flow path 61 to a plurality of downstream air supply flow paths 63, and a plurality of control valves provided at the branched portions of the valve block. The control valves are solenoid valves that can switch between an open state and an closed state based on a control signal from the control unit 120.

[0040] <Downstream air supply flow path> The downstream air supply passage 63 is disposed within the hose 6c and the mounting portion 6d (see FIG. 2).

[0041] <Exhaust flow path> The exhaust flow path 70 is a flow path for exhausting to the outside the compressed gas that rotates the turbine blades 24 (see FIG. 2) of the dental handpiece 20. The exhaust flow path 70 includes, in order from the upstream side (the dental handpiece 20 side) to the downstream side, a plurality of sets of intra-piece exhaust flow paths 23 and an upstream exhaust flow path 71, a flow path integrating section 72, and a downstream exhaust flow path 73.

[0042] ≪Upstream exhaust flow path≫ The upstream exhaust flow path 71 is provided inside the hose 6c and the mounting portion 6d (see FIG. 2).

[0043] <Flow path integration section> The flow path integrating unit 72 is provided in the housing of the treatment table 6 (see FIG. 1). The flow path integrating unit 72 includes a valve block having a pipeline integrating the multiple upstream exhaust flow paths 71 to the downstream exhaust flow path 73, and multiple check valves provided in a portion of the valve block prior to integration. The check valve is a one-way valve that permits the flow of compressed gas from the upstream side to the downstream side and prohibits the flow from the downstream side to the upstream side.

[0044] ≪Downstream exhaust flow path≫ (A part of) the downstream exhaust flow path 73 is disposed within the first support part 5 and the base unit 4 (see FIG. 1). One end (upstream end) of the downstream exhaust flow path 73 is connected to the flow path integrating part 72, and the other end (downstream end) of the downstream exhaust flow path 73 is exposed from the first support part 5 (see FIG. 1) and is configured to be able to discharge compressed gas to the outside.

[0045] <Shut-off valve> The on-off valve 80 is a normally-closed solenoid valve disposed at the gas outlet of the compressed gas source 50 or at the upstream air supply flow path 61. The on-off valve 80 is configured to be switchable between a closed state in which the flow of compressed gas is prohibited and an open state in which the flow of compressed gas is permitted.

[0046] <Proportional valve> The proportional valve 90 is an electromagnetic valve disposed at a location downstream of the on-off valve 80 in the upstream air supply flow path 61, or at a location upstream of the location where the flow path branches in the flow path switching unit 62. The proportional valve 90 is disposed inside the housing of the treatment table 6 (see FIG. 1). The proportional valve 90 is configured to be able to continuously change the opening degree of the flow path through which the compressed gas flows (the ratio of the opening area at an arbitrary movement amount of the valve body to the total opening area in the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path seen from the flow direction of the compressed gas), and is initially set to an appropriate open state that allows the compressed gas to flow.

[0047] <Installation detection unit> As shown in Fig. 4, the installation detection unit 100 is a sensor that detects whether the dental handpiece 20 (see Fig. 1) is installed (hung) on ​​the hanger 6b (see Fig. 1) or not (removed from the hanger 6b). The installation detection unit 100 detects whether each of the multiple dental handpieces 20 is installed or removed. The installation detection unit 100 outputs the detection result to the control unit 120.

[0048] <Exhaust pressure detector> The exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is a sensor that detects the exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of compressed gas flowing through the exhaust flow path 70 (in this embodiment, the downstream exhaust flow path 73) (see FIG. 2). The exhaust pressure detection unit 110 outputs the detection result (exhaust pressure) to the control unit 120. The exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is disposed in the housing of the treatment table 6 (see FIG. 1).

[0049] In this embodiment, the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is a semiconductor sensor equipped with a Wheatstone bridge circuit assembled using a plurality of strain gauges constituted by piezoresistors. Such a semiconductor sensor detects the exhaust pressure by converting the change in electrical resistance of the Wheatstone bridge circuit into a voltage change and measuring it. The exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is not limited to a semiconductor sensor, and any pressure sensor capable of detecting exhaust pressure, such as a metal thin film type, a capacitance type, an optical fiber type, or a vibration type, can be used as the exhaust pressure detection unit 110.

[0050] <Control Unit> The control unit 120 is configured with an electric circuit and / or a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output circuit, etc. The control unit 120 includes, as functional units, a storage unit 121, an on-off valve control unit 122, a control valve control unit 123, an exhaust pressure time characteristics calculation unit 124, a determination unit 125, a target exhaust pressure setting unit 126, a comparison unit 127, and a proportional valve control unit 128.

[0051] ≪Storage section≫ The storage unit 121 stores a type and normality determination database 121a and a malfunction identification database 121b. The storage unit 121 also stores a target exhaust pressure database 121c.

[0052] <Database for determining type and normality> The type and normality determination database 121a is a database used to determine the type of the dental handpiece 20 to which compressed gas is supplied and exhausted. The type and normality determination database 121a is also a database used to determine whether the dental handpiece 20 to which compressed gas is supplied and exhausted is normal (whether a malfunction occurs). The type and normality determination database 121a stores the type of dental handpiece 20 and the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure of a normal dental handpiece 20 of the type in association with each other. The time characteristics of the exhaust pressure in the type and normality determination database 121a include the integral value (lower limit value and upper limit value) of the exhaust pressure from the start of rotation of the turbine blades 24 to a predetermined time T, the exhaust pressure (lower limit value and upper limit value) at the time when the predetermined time T has elapsed, graphs showing the change in the exhaust pressure over time (a graph showing the lower limit value and a graph showing the upper limit value), and the like.

[0053] Here, from the start of rotation of the turbine blades 24 until the time when the predetermined time T has elapsed, the dental handpiece 20 is not pressed against the patient's teeth and no load is applied thereto, that is, it is in a so-called no-load rotating state.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the exhaust pressure P at 20 of the dental handpiece of type 1 1 1 is a graph showing the change over time in the exhaust pressure P 2 Graph showing the change over time in the exhaust pressure P 3 In this embodiment, the type and normality determination database 121a stores, for each type of dental handpiece 20, the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure for determining the type of dental handpiece 20, the time characteristic of the rotation start (time t0 ) after a certain time T has elapsed (time t 1 ) exhaust pressure P 1 ,P 2 ,P 3 Alternatively, the type and normality determination database 121a stores the integral values ​​of the rotation start (time t 0 ) after a certain time T has elapsed (time t 1 ) exhaust pressure P 1 ,P 2 ,P 3 The values ​​of are stored respectively.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 6, the type and normality determination database 121a stores, for each type of dental handpiece 20, the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure for determining whether the dental handpiece 20 is normal or not, the rotation start time (time t 0 ) after a certain time T has elapsed (time t 1 ) Lower limit of exhaust pressure P L A graph showing the change over time in exhaust pressure and the upper limit P H A graph showing the change over time is stored.

[0056] <Database for identifying defects> 4, the malfunction identification database 121b is a database used to identify the type of malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 to which compressed gas is supplied and exhausted. The malfunction identification database 121b stores the type of malfunction occurring in the dental handpiece 20 and the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 in which the malfunction occurs in association with each other. An example of the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in the malfunction identification database 121b is a graph showing the change in the exhaust pressure over time.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the fault identification database 121b stores, for each type of fault, the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure for identifying the type of fault in the dental handpiece 20, the time from the start of rotation (time t 0) after a certain time T has elapsed (time t 1 ) exhaust pressure P W1 ,P W2 A graph showing the change over time of the exhaust pressure P W1 ,P W2 Although two graphs are shown showing the change over time, the number of graphs is not limited to this.

[0058] The predetermined time T is the time when the proportional valve 90 is operated at time t without performing feedback control using the target exhaust pressure (initial value of the target exhaust pressure). 0 The on-off valve 80 is opened and the proportional valve 90 is held at a predetermined opening degree (for example, the opening degree at the initial stage of control in feedback control using the target exhaust pressure initial value), and the time is set to a time (for example, 400 to 600 ms) before the exhaust pressure reaches the target exhaust pressure initial value.

[0059] <Target exhaust pressure database> 4, the target exhaust pressure database 121c is a database that holds a target exhaust pressure that is a target of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 for each type of dental handpiece 20. The target exhaust pressure database 121c stores a target exhaust pressure initial value that is a target exhaust pressure at the start of control for each type of dental handpiece 20. The target exhaust pressure database 121c also stores a plurality of target exhaust pressures for each type of dental handpiece 20 as target exhaust pressures that can be selected and set by the doctor's operation (manual operation). The plurality of target exhaust pressures are higher than the target exhaust pressure initial value.

[0060] The target exhaust pressure may have a lower limit and an upper limit.

[0061] As the initial value of the target exhaust pressure, a rotational speed (e.g., 200,000 rpm, 300,000 rpm, 400,000 rpm) of the turbine blades 24 (see FIG. 3) that roughly corresponds to the initial value of the target exhaust pressure may be stored in association with the initial value of the target exhaust pressure, or such rotational speed may be displayed on the display unit 6e.

[0062] In addition, the target exhaust pressure database 121c may store, for automatic control, the range of exhaust pressure fluctuation (absolute value) from the steady-state exhaust pressure and the direction of the fluctuation (increase or decrease) as well as the amount of change in the target exhaust pressure and the direction of the change (increase or decrease) in association with each type of dental handpiece 20 as a table or the like.

[0063] <On-off valve control unit> The on-off valve control unit 122 receives a control signal (operation result) from the foot controller 9 (see FIG. 1) and controls the on-off valve 80 based on the operation result. The on-off valve control unit 122 opens the on-off valve 80 when the foot controller 9 is depressed by the doctor, and closes the on-off valve 80 when the doctor's depression of the foot controller 9 is released.

[0064] <Control valve control section> The control valve control unit 123 acquires a control signal (detection result) from the installation detection unit 100 built into the hanger 6b, and controls the control valve based on the detection result, thereby making the flow path switching unit 62 capable of supplying compressed gas only to the dental handpiece 20 (see Figure 1) that has been removed from the hanger 6b and is being held by the doctor.

[0065] <Exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation section> The exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 acquires the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110, calculates the time characteristic of the acquired exhaust pressure, and outputs the calculation result to the determination unit 125. Examples of the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure include an integral value of the exhaust pressure from the start of the supply of compressed gas to the dental handpiece 20 (see FIG. 2) for a predetermined time T, a value of the exhaust pressure at the end of the predetermined time T, and a graph showing the change over time of the exhaust pressure for the predetermined time T.

[0066] In the learning stage of the type and normality determination database 121a, the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 calculates the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a state where a normal dental handpiece 20 (see FIG. 2) whose type is known is attached to the attachment unit 6d (see FIG. 2). The exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 associates the type of the dental handpiece 20 with the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 and stores them in the type and normality determination database 121a. Here, the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 can acquire the type of the dental handpiece 20 based on the operation result of the operation unit 6f by a doctor or the like.

[0067] In the learning stage of the malfunction identification database 121b, the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 calculates the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a state where the dental handpiece 20 (see FIG. 2) with a known type of malfunction is attached to the attachment unit 6d (see FIG. 2). The exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 associates the type of malfunction with the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 and stores them in the malfunction identification database 121b. Here, the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 can acquire the type of malfunction based on the result of operation of the operation unit 6f by a doctor or the like.

[0068] ≪Judgment section≫ The determination unit 125 acquires the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure calculated by the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124, and compares the acquired time characteristic of the exhaust pressure with the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure stored in the memory unit 121 to determine the type and / or a malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 (see FIG. 2). The determination unit 125 outputs the determination result of the type and / or a malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 to the display unit 6e to display it on the display unit 6e.

[0069] If the calculated exhaust pressure time characteristic matches the time characteristic stored in the type and normality determination database 121a (or falls between its lower and upper limits), the determination unit 125 determines that the type associated with the matching time characteristic is the type of dental handpiece 20 currently being used.

[0070] The determination unit 125 determines whether the calculated exhaust pressure time characteristic (here, a graph showing the change over time) is equal to or lower than the lower limit P L and upper limit P H If the calculated exhaust pressure time characteristic (here, a graph showing the change over time) falls within the range (always falls within the range in this embodiment), the dental handpiece 20 currently being used is determined to be normal. The determination unit 125 also determines whether the calculated exhaust pressure time characteristic (here, a graph showing the change over time) falls within the range of the lower limit P L and upper limit P H If the dental handpiece 20 comes out from between the dental handpiece 20 and the dental handpiece 20 (even temporarily in this embodiment), it is determined that the dental handpiece 20 currently being used is not normal (has a defect).

[0071] When it is determined that a malfunction has occurred in the dental handpiece 20 currently being used, the determination unit 125 identifies the type of malfunction by comparing the calculated time characteristics of the exhaust pressure (here, a graph showing the change over time) with the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure stored in the malfunction identification database 121b during a predetermined time T.

[0072] <Target exhaust pressure setting section> Target exhaust pressure setting section 126 sets a target exhaust pressure, which is a target value of the exhaust pressure detected by exhaust pressure detection section 110 , and outputs the set target exhaust pressure to comparison section 127 .

[0073] During manual operation, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 can set one target exhaust pressure selected from a plurality of target exhaust pressures pre-stored in the target exhaust pressure database 121c as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control.

[0074] Furthermore, during automatic control, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 can calculate the amount of change and the direction of change (increase or decrease) of the target exhaust pressure based on the fluctuation range (absolute value) of the exhaust pressure from the exhaust pressure in the steady state and the direction of the fluctuation (increase or decrease). In this case, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 can calculate a new target exhaust pressure by substituting the target exhaust pressure in the steady state and the calculated amount of change and the direction of change (increase or decrease) of the target exhaust pressure into a preset equation, and can reset the calculated target exhaust pressure as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control.

[0075] Furthermore, during automatic control, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 can refer to the target exhaust pressure database 121c using the exhaust pressure fluctuation range (absolute value) and the directionality of the fluctuation (increase or decrease) from the exhaust pressure in the steady state, and can read out from the target exhaust pressure database 121c the change amount and the change direction (increase or decrease) of the target exhaust pressure corresponding to the exhaust pressure fluctuation range (absolute value) and the directionality of the fluctuation (increase or decrease) from the exhaust pressure in the steady state. In this case, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 can calculate a new target exhaust pressure based on the target exhaust pressure in the steady state and the read-out change amount and change direction (increase or decrease) of the target exhaust pressure, and can reset the calculated target exhaust pressure as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control.

[0076] <Comparison Section> The comparison unit 127 acquires the target exhaust pressure set by the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 and the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110, and compares the acquired target exhaust pressure and exhaust pressure. More specifically, the comparison unit 127 calculates the difference between the exhaust pressure and the target exhaust pressure (exhaust pressure−target exhaust pressure) as the comparison result, and outputs the calculated comparison result (difference) to the proportional valve control unit 128.

[0077] <Proportional valve control section (air supply control section)> The proportional valve control unit 128 is an example of a supply pressure control unit that controls the supply pressure, which is the pressure of compressed gas supplied to the turbine blades 24. The proportional valve control unit 128 acquires a comparison result by the comparison unit 127, and controls the proportional valve 90 based on the acquired comparison result. The proportional valve control unit 128 controls the proportional valve 90 to change the supply pressure, which is the pressure of compressed gas supplied to the dental handpiece 20, and makes the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 match the target exhaust pressure. When the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is lower than the target exhaust pressure (exhaust pressure-target exhaust pressure<0), the proportional valve control unit 128 increases the opening amount of the proportional valve 90 to increase (raise) the supply pressure and exhaust pressure, and makes the exhaust pressure closer to and match the target exhaust pressure. When the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 is higher than the target exhaust pressure (exhaust pressure-target exhaust pressure>0), the proportional valve control unit 128 reduces the opening amount of the proportional valve 90 to lower (reduc) the supply pressure and exhaust pressure, thereby bringing the exhaust pressure closer to and equal to the target exhaust pressure.

[0078] That is, target exhaust pressure setting section 126 , comparison section 127 and proportional valve control section 128 constitute a feedback control section that feedback controls proportional valve 90 based on the exhaust pressure detected by exhaust pressure detection section 110 .

[0079] Furthermore, the proportional valve control unit 128 controls the supply air pressure depending on the type of dental handpiece 20 determined by the determination unit 125. In this embodiment, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 manually or automatically sets the target exhaust pressure depending on the type of dental handpiece 20 determined by the determination unit 125, and the proportional valve control unit 128 controls the supply air pressure based on the target exhaust pressure.

[0080] <Setting the target exhaust pressure at the beginning of control and feedback control of the proportional valve> As shown in FIG. 7, at the start of control, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the target exhaust pressure initial value P T1The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 reads out the target exhaust pressure initial value P T1 is set as the target exhaust pressure.

[0081] The comparison unit 127 compares the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110. E and the initial target exhaust pressure P T1 and outputs the comparison result to the proportional valve control section 128. Based on the comparison result, the proportional valve control section 128 outputs the detected exhaust pressure P E is the initial target exhaust pressure P T1 The proportional valve 90 is controlled so that the supply pressure P S With the control of the proportional valve 90, the exhaust pressure P E The exhaust pressure P E is the initial target exhaust pressure P T1 The state that matches (P E =P E1 =P T1 ) at supply pressure P S is the exhaust pressure P E1 A value that is larger than the head exhaust pressure (P S =P S1 )

[0082] <Setting the target exhaust pressure based on operation (manual operation) and feedback control of the proportional valve> The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 switches the method of setting the target exhaust pressure between an operation-based method and an automatic method based on the result of the operation of the operation unit 6f by the doctor. When setting the target exhaust pressure based on the operation, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 reads out a plurality of target exhaust pressures associated with the type of dental handpiece 20 being used from a target exhaust pressure database 121c pre-stored in the storage unit 121, and displays the read-out plurality of target exhaust pressures on the display unit 6e. The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the plurality of target exhaust pressures (P TA ,P TB ,P TC), and sets the selected target exhaust pressure as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control. As described above, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 may be configured to display on the display unit 6e the rotation speed (e.g., 200,000 rpm, 300,000 rpm, 400,000 rpm) of the turbine blades 24 (see FIG. 3) stored in association with the target exhaust pressure initial value. In this case, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the target exhaust pressure associated with the selected rotation speed as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control.

[0083] The comparison unit 127 compares the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110. E and the target exhaust pressure (P TA ,P TB ,P TC The proportional valve control section 128 compares the detected exhaust pressure P E is the target exhaust pressure (P TA ,P TB ,P TC The proportional valve 90 is controlled so that the supply pressure P S With the control of the proportional valve 90, the exhaust pressure P E It changes over time to show a value larger than the head exhaust pressure.

[0084] Target exhaust pressure P TA The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EA and supply pressure P SA , target exhaust pressure P TB The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EB and supply pressure P SB , and the target exhaust pressure P TC The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EC and supply pressure P SC The following relationship holds: P TA >P TB >P TC P EA >P EB >P EC PSA >P SB >P SC

[0085] <Automatic target exhaust pressure setting and proportional valve feedback control> As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the target exhaust pressure is automatically set, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the exhaust pressure P E When the exhaust pressure P E The target exhaust pressure is reset based on the fluctuation range of the target exhaust pressure. As a method for setting the new target exhaust pressure, as described above, a method using a preset formula or a method using the target exhaust pressure database 121c may be used.

[0086] Here, the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 periodically (for example, every several tens of milliseconds) detects the exhaust pressure P E The control unit 120 detects and outputs the exhaust pressure P E The control unit 120 (target exhaust pressure setting unit 126) executes control every time the acquired exhaust pressure P E is the same value for a predetermined number of times (or is between the lower limit and upper limit of the target exhaust pressure), E In addition, the control unit 120 (target exhaust pressure setting unit 126) determines that the acquired exhaust pressure P E When the exhaust pressure P changes from the steady-state value (or falls between the lower and upper limits of the target exhaust pressure), E It is determined that the target exhaust pressure has deviated from the steady state, and the target exhaust pressure is reset.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 8, when the doctor presses the dental handpiece 20 against the tooth more strongly, the load acting on the dental handpiece 20 (the turbine blades 24) increases, so that the exhaust pressure P E The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the exhaust pressure P E When the exhaust pressure P becomes lower (falls) from the steady state, E The target exhaust pressure is reset so that the target exhaust pressure becomes higher as the fluctuation range (absolute value) of the exhaust pressure becomes larger.

[0088] The comparison unit 127 compares the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110. E The proportional valve control unit 128 compares the detected exhaust pressure P E The proportional valve 90 is controlled so that the supply pressure P S With the control of the proportional valve 90, the exhaust pressure P E It changes over time to show a value larger than the head exhaust pressure.

[0089] Exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range D (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range D TD , target exhaust pressure P TD The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on ED and supply pressure P SD , exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range E (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range E TE , target exhaust pressure P TE The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EE and supply pressure P SE , and exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range F (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range F TF , target exhaust pressure P TF The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EF and supply pressure P SF The following relationship holds: D>E>F P TD >P TE >P TF P ED >P EE >P EF P SD >P SE >P SF

[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, when the doctor reduces the pressure of the dental handpiece 20 against the tooth, the load acting on the dental handpiece 20 (turbine blades 24) decreases, so the exhaust pressure P EThe target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 determines the exhaust pressure P E When the exhaust pressure P becomes higher (risen) from the steady state, E The target exhaust pressure is reset so that the target exhaust pressure becomes lower as the fluctuation range (absolute value) of the target exhaust pressure becomes larger.

[0091] The comparison unit 127 compares the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110. E The proportional valve control unit 128 compares the supply pressure P with the target exhaust pressure and outputs the comparison result to the proportional valve control unit 128. Based on the comparison result, the proportional valve control unit 128 controls the proportional valve 90 so that the detected exhaust pressure coincides with the target exhaust pressure. S With the control of the proportional valve 90, the exhaust pressure P E It changes over time to show a value larger than the head exhaust pressure.

[0092] Exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range G (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range G TG , target exhaust pressure P TG The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EG and supply pressure P SG , exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range H (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range H TH , target exhaust pressure P TH The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EH and supply pressure P SH , and exhaust pressure P E The fluctuation range I (absolute value), the target exhaust pressure P set based on the fluctuation range I TI , target exhaust pressure P TI The exhaust pressure P is controlled based on EI and supply pressure P SI The following relationship holds: G>H>I P TG <P TH <P TI P EG <P EH <P EI P SG <P SH <PSI

[0093] In Fig. 9, in order to prioritize ease of understanding of the graph, the supply pressure P SG ,P SH ,P SI are the exhaust pressure P EG ,P EH ,P EI In reality, the boost pressure P SG is the exhaust pressure P EG Higher than the supply pressure P SH is the exhaust pressure P EH Higher than the supply pressure P SI is the exhaust pressure P EI Higher than.

[0094] <Example of operation> Next, an operation example of the dental handpiece control system 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 10 and the graph in FIG. 11, together with an example of how the dental handpiece 20 is used by a doctor (see FIGS. 1 to 4 as appropriate).

[0095] 10, when the doctor grasps the dental handpiece 20 and removes it from the hanger 6b, the control valve control unit 123 controls the control valve of the flow path switching unit 62 based on the detection result of the installation detection unit 100 (Yes in step S1). Through this control, the flow path switching unit 62 becomes capable of flowing compressed gas to the dental handpiece 20 removed from the hanger 6b, but cannot flow compressed gas to other dental handpieces 20 installed in the hanger 6b.

[0096] Next, when the doctor steps on the foot controller 9, the on-off valve control unit 122 opens the on-off valve 80, and the proportional valve control unit 128 controls the exhaust pressure P E is the initial target exhaust pressure P T1The opening amount of the proportional valve 90 is controlled so that it coincides with the air intake passage 60, the turbine chamber 22, and the exhaust passage 70. By such control, the compressed gas flows through the air intake passage 60, the turbine chamber 22, and the exhaust passage 70, and the turbine blades 24 and the bur 30 are rotated by the compressed gas, and the patient's teeth can be cut (Yes in step S2). In this state, the dental handpiece 20 (bur 30) is separated from the patient's teeth, and the turbine blades 24 are in an unloaded rotation state in which they rotate without being subjected to a load from the patient's teeth for at least time T.

[0097] Here, the exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation unit 124 calculates the exhaust pressure P E Based on this, the exhaust pressure P E Calculate the time characteristics of

[0098] The determination unit 125 determines the exhaust pressure P E The time characteristics of the exhaust pressure P E The type of dental handpiece 20 in use is determined by comparing the time characteristics of with (step S3).

[0099] Next, the determination unit 125 determines whether the exhaust pressure P E and the exhaust pressure P corresponding to the type of dental handpiece 20 in use stored in the type and normality determination database 121a. E By comparing the time characteristics of with , it is determined whether the dental handpiece 20 in use is normal (whether a malfunction has occurred) (step S4).

[0100] When it is determined in step S4 that a malfunction has occurred in the dental handpiece 20 in use, the determination unit 125 determines whether the exhaust pressure P E and the exhaust pressure P stored in the malfunction identification database 121b. EThe type of defect in the dental handpiece 20 being used is identified by comparing the time characteristics of with (Step S5). Next, the determination unit 125 causes the display unit 6e to display the identified type of defect in the dental handpiece 20 (Step S6).

[0101] When the dental handpiece 20 in use is determined to be normal in step S4 and when the doctor places the dental handpiece 20 on the hanger 6b after execution of step S6, the control valve control unit 123 returns the control valve of the flow path switching unit 52 to the initial state based on the detection result of the installation detection unit 100 (Yes in step S7). Then, the determination unit 125 resets the determination result of the type of the dental handpiece 20 (step S8). That is, the determination unit 125 continues to hold the determination result of the type of the dental handpiece 20 until the installation detection unit 100 detects that the dental handpiece 20 has been placed on the hanger 6b.

[0102] During the period from when the dental handpiece 20 in use is determined to be normal in step S4 until the installation detection unit 100 detects that the dental handpiece 20 has been installed on the hanger 6b in step S7, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126, the comparison unit 127, and the proportional valve control unit 128 feedback control the proportional valve 90, as shown in Fig. 11. Here, when automatic control is selected by the doctor through the operation of the operation unit 6f, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 controls the exhaust pressure P E The target exhaust pressure is automatically reset based on the change from steady state.

[0103] First, the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 E is the initial target exhaust pressure P T1 A certain time has passed in a state where the signal is consistent with the initial stage A 1 ), the doctor presses the dental handpiece 20 (and bur 30) against the patient's tooth and begins cutting.

[0104] Here, when the doctor presses the dental handpiece 20 (and the bur 30) against the patient's teeth more strongly, the load acting on the turbine blades 24 increases, and the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 (at time t 3 ,t 5 ,t 7 Exhaust pressure P at E ) is the steady-state exhaust pressure (time t 2 ,t 4 ,t 6 Exhaust pressure P at E In this case, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 resets the target exhaust pressure (lower limit value P) so that the target exhaust pressure becomes higher as the fluctuation width of the exhaust pressure (absolute value of the amount of decrease) becomes larger. T2L ,P T3L ,P T4L and upper limit P T2H ,P T3H ,P T4H The proportional valve control unit 128 feedback controls the proportional valve 90 so that the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 falls between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the reset target exhaust pressure (first stage B of the steady state by automatic control). 1 , 2nd stage B 2 and 3rd row B 3 ).

[0105] On the other hand, when the doctor reduces the pressure of the dental handpiece 20 (and the bur 30) against the patient's teeth, the load acting on the turbine blades 24 decreases, and the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 (at time t 9 Exhaust pressure P at E ) is the steady-state exhaust pressure (time t 8 Exhaust pressure P at E The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 resets the target exhaust pressure (lower limit value P T5L and upper limit P T5H The proportional valve control unit 128 feedback controls the proportional valve 90 so that the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 falls between the lower limit value and the upper limit value of the reset target exhaust pressure (fourth stage B of steady state by automatic control).4 ).

[0106] Although not shown, when the doctor operates the operation unit 6f to select operation-based control, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 reads out from the target exhaust pressure database 121c a plurality of target exhaust pressures corresponding to the type of dental handpiece 20 held by the doctor, and causes the display unit 6e to display the read-out plurality of target exhaust pressures. By operating the operation unit 6f, the doctor selects one target exhaust pressure from the plurality of target exhaust pressures displayed on the display unit 6e. The target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 acquires the operation result of the operation unit 6f, and sets the target exhaust pressure according to the operation result as a new target exhaust pressure. The proportional valve control unit 128 calculates the exhaust pressure P detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110. E The proportional valve 90 is feedback-controlled so that the target exhaust pressure coincides with the reset target exhaust pressure. As described above, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 may be configured to display on the display unit 6e the rotation speed (e.g., 200,000 rpm, 300,000 rpm, 400,000 rpm) of the turbine blades 24 (see FIG. 3) stored in association with the target exhaust pressure initial value. In this case, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the target exhaust pressure associated with the selected rotation speed as the target exhaust pressure for feedback control.

[0107] A dental handpiece control system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an air intake passage 60 that supplies compressed gas from a compressed gas source 50 to a turbine blade 24 provided in a dental handpiece 20, an exhaust passage 70 that exhausts the compressed gas that has rotated the turbine blades 24, an exhaust pressure detection unit 110 that detects the exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of the compressed gas in the exhaust passage 70, and a determination unit 125 that determines the type of the dental handpiece 20 based on the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure when the turbine blades 24 are rotating without load. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can appropriately handle replacement of the dental handpiece 20. In addition, since the dental handpiece control system 2 uses the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 before a load is applied, it can appropriately determine the type of the dental handpiece 20 before starting actual dental treatment using the dental handpiece 20, and can realize dental treatment based on the determination result.

[0108] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the determining unit 125 determines whether or not the dental handpiece 20 has a malfunction, based on the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure when the turbine blades 24 are rotating without load. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can determine a malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 and appropriately recommend replacement of the dental handpiece 20. In addition, since the dental handpiece control system 2 uses the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 before a load is applied, it can appropriately determine a malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 before the start of actual dental treatment using the dental handpiece 20 and realize dental treatment based on the determination result.

[0109] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the determination unit 125 identifies the type of malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 based on the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure when the turbine blades 24 are rotating without load. Therefore, since the dental handpiece control system 2 uses the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure of the dental handpiece 20 before a load is applied, it can appropriately identify the type of malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 before the start of actual dental treatment using the dental handpiece 20, and provide useful information for future device development and dental treatment.

[0110] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the time characteristic is the integral value of the exhaust pressure from the start of rotation of the turbine blades 24 until a predetermined time, or the value of the exhaust pressure at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 uses a unique value for each type of dental handpiece 20, and therefore can suitably determine the type of dental handpiece 20 and / or a defect.

[0111] In addition, in the dental handpiece control system 2, the determination unit 125 has learning results of the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure for each type of the dental handpiece 20, and determines the type of the dental handpiece 20 by comparing the time characteristics of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 with the learning results. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can appropriately determine the type of the dental handpiece 20 using the learning result.

[0112] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the judgment unit 125 has a learning result of the time characteristic of the normal exhaust pressure when the turbine blades 24 are in a no-load rotation state, and judges the presence or absence of a malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 by comparing the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 with the learning result. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can appropriately determine the presence or absence of a malfunction in the dental handpiece 20 by using the learning result.

[0113] Furthermore, in the dental handpiece control system 2, the judgment unit 125 has a learning result of the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state of the turbine blades 24 of the dental handpiece 20 in which the type of malfunction has been identified, and identifies the type of malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 by comparing the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 with the learning result. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can suitably identify the type of malfunction of the dental handpiece 20 using the learning result.

[0114] The dental handpiece control system 2 also includes a supply air pressure control unit (proportional valve control unit 128) that controls the supply air pressure, which is the pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the turbine blades 24, and the supply air pressure control unit controls the supply air pressure depending on the determined type of the dental handpiece 20. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can automatically determine the type of dental handpiece 20 being used and realize control according to the type of dental handpiece 20.

[0115] The dental handpiece control system 2 also includes a hanger 6b on which a plurality of the dental handpieces 20 that can be attached to each of a plurality of sets of the air intake passages 60 and the exhaust passages 70 are installed, and an installation detection unit 100 that detects whether the dental handpiece 20 is installed on the hanger 6b. When the determination unit 125 obtains a detection result by the installation detection unit 100 that the dental handpiece 20 has been removed from the hanger 6b, the determination unit 125 determines the type of the dental handpiece 20, and when the determination unit 125 obtains a detection result by the installation detection unit 100 that the dental handpiece 20 has been installed on the hanger 6b, the determination unit 125 resets the determination result. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 automatically determines the type of dental handpiece 20 being used, retains the type determination result while the dental handpiece 20 is in use, and realizes control according to the type, and can re-determine the type of dental handpiece 20 when a different dental handpiece 20 is used.

[0116] The dental handpiece control system 2 also includes a target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 that sets a target exhaust pressure, and the supply air pressure control unit controls the supply air pressure so that the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit 110 coincides with the target exhaust pressure, and the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets an initial target exhaust pressure value in accordance with the determined type of the dental handpiece 20. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 enables the setting of an initial target exhaust pressure value and the changing of the target exhaust pressure according to the type of dental handpiece 20, and can realize the rotational speed (and torque) of the turbine blades 24 (and bars 30) according to the situation (load, etc.).

[0117] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 selects one of the target exhaust pressures stored in advance, based on an operation by an operator. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 enables the target exhaust pressure to be changed based on the operation of the operator (doctor), and can realize the torque of the turbine blades 24 (and the bar 30) according to the situation (load, etc.).

[0118] In the dental handpiece control system 2, the target exhaust pressure setting unit 126 sets the target exhaust pressure based on the fluctuation range of the exhaust pressure from the steady state. Therefore, the dental handpiece control system 2 can automatically change the target exhaust pressure based on the detection result of the exhaust pressure detection unit 110, and realize the torque of the turbine blades 24 (and the bar 30) according to the situation (load, etc.).

[0119] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the type and normality determination database 121a may be divided into a type determination database for determining the type of the dental handpiece 20 and a normality determination database for determining whether the dental handpiece 20 is normal for each type of dental handpiece 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1 Dental treatment unit 2 Dental handpiece control system 3. Chair Module 3a Chair body 4 Basic Unit 5 First support 5a, 5b Arm section 6 Treatment Table 6a Table 6b Hanger 6c Hose 6d Mounting part 6e Display section 6f Operation section 7 Second Support 7a, 7b Arm section 8 Assistant Table 8a Table 8b Hanger 8c Hose 8d attachment part 9 Foot Controller 20 Dental Handpiece 21 Piece internal air supply passage 22 Turbine Room 23-piece internal exhaust passage 24 Turbine blade 30 Bar 40 Instruments 50 Compressed Gas Source 60 Air supply passage 61 Upstream air supply passage 62 Flow path switching section 63 Downstream air supply passage 70 Exhaust passage 71 Upstream exhaust flow path 72 Flow path integration section 73 Downstream exhaust flow path 80 On-off valve 90 Proportional valve 100 Installation detection unit 110 Exhaust pressure detector 120 Control section 121 Storage section 121a Type and normality determination database 121b Defect Identification Database 121c Target exhaust pressure database 122 Opening and closing valve control section 123 Control valve control section 124 Exhaust pressure time characteristic calculation section 125 Judgment section 126 Target exhaust pressure setting unit 127 Comparison Section 128 Proportional valve control section (air supply control section)

Claims

1. an air inlet passage for supplying compressed gas from a compressed gas source to a turbine blade provided in the dental handpiece; an exhaust passage for exhausting the compressed gas that has rotated the turbine blades; an exhaust pressure detection unit that detects an exhaust pressure, which is the pressure of the compressed gas in the exhaust flow path; a determination unit that determines a type of the dental handpiece based on the exhaust pressure based on a time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state from a start of rotation of the turbine blades until a predetermined time has elapsed; Equipped with The determination unit is a first learning result that learns the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state from the start of rotation of the turbine blades to the time when the predetermined time has elapsed for each of the types of the dental handpiece; The type of the dental handpiece is determined by comparing the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit with the first learning result. A dental handpiece control system comprising:

2. The determination unit is a second learning result that learns the time characteristic of the normal exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state from the start of rotation of the turbine blades until the predetermined time has elapsed; The time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit is compared with the second learning result to determine whether or not there is a malfunction in the dental handpiece.

2. The dental handpiece control system of claim 1.

3. The determination unit is a third learning result that learns the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure in a no-load rotation state from a time point when the turbine blade of the dental handpiece, in which a type of malfunction has been identified, starts to rotate until a time point when the predetermined time has elapsed; The type of the defect in the dental handpiece is identified by comparing the time characteristic of the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit with the third learning result.

3. The dental handpiece control system of claim 2.

4. The time characteristic is an integral value of the exhaust pressure from the start of rotation of the turbine blades to the time when the predetermined time has elapsed, or a value of the exhaust pressure at the time when the predetermined time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the turbine blades. A dental handpiece control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a boost pressure control unit for controlling a boost pressure, which is a pressure of the compressed gas supplied to the turbine blades, The supply air pressure control unit controls the supply air pressure in accordance with the determined type of the dental handpiece.

2. The dental handpiece control system of claim 1.

6. a hanger on which a plurality of dental handpieces are mounted that can be attached to a plurality of sets of the air intake passages and the air exhaust passages, respectively; a setting detection unit that detects whether the dental handpiece is set on the hanger; Equipped with The determination unit is determining the type of the dental handpiece when a detection result indicating that the dental handpiece has been removed from the hanger is obtained by the installation detection unit; resetting the determined type of the dental handpiece when a detection result indicating that the dental handpiece has been installed on the hanger is obtained by the installation detection unit; 6. The dental handpiece control system of claim 5.

7. A target exhaust pressure setting unit is provided for setting a target exhaust pressure, the boost pressure control unit controls the boost pressure so that the exhaust pressure detected by the exhaust pressure detection unit coincides with the target exhaust pressure, The target exhaust pressure setting unit sets an initial value of the target exhaust pressure according to the determined type of the dental handpiece.

6. The dental handpiece control system of claim 5.

8. The target exhaust pressure setting unit selects one of a plurality of target exhaust pressures stored in advance based on an operation by an operator.

8. The dental handpiece control system of claim 7.

9. The target exhaust pressure setting unit sets the target exhaust pressure based on a fluctuation range of the exhaust pressure from a steady state.

8. The dental handpiece control system of claim 7.

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