3D scanner and protective cover

Abstract

To provide a technology that protects a three-dimensional scanner without decreasing a user's convenience.SOLUTION: A three-dimensional scanner 1 comprises a long body 30, a scanner tip 10 that is detachably attached to a tip of the body 30, and a hollow protective cover 100 for covering the body 30, which is provided around the axis of the body 30. A first opening 100A for externally exposing the scanner tip through the tip so that the scanner tip 10 can be attached to / detached from the tip is formed at the tip of the protective cover 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a three-dimensional scanner for acquiring three-dimensional data of the surface shape of an object, and a protective cover for protecting the three-dimensional scanner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a three-dimensional scanner that scans the surface shape of an object such as teeth and soft tissues in the oral cavity to acquire three-dimensional data of the surface shape is known. Also, in a three-dimensional scanner, in order to prevent cross-infection between multiple patients or to save the trouble of alcohol-disinfecting the main body of the three-dimensional scanner, the main body of the three-dimensional scanner is covered with a protective cover. For example, Patent Document 1 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2021 / 0030503) discloses a protective cover for protecting a handheld three-dimensional scanner.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The protective cover for a three-dimensional scanner disclosed in Patent Document 1 is configured to integrally protect both the main body of the three-dimensional scanner and the probe provided at the tip of the main body, thereby providing overall protection for the three-dimensional scanner. In a three-dimensional scanner, a scanner tip may be attached to the probe. A user, such as a surgeon, attaches the scanner tip to the probe before scanning the surface shape of an object using the three-dimensional scanner, and removes the scanner tip from the probe after scanning the surface shape of the object. In addition, during scanning, the user may remove the scanner tip from the probe to change its orientation for easier scanning, change the orientation of the scanner tip, and then reattach the scanner tip to the probe. When a protective cover that integrally protects the main body and probe, such as the one disclosed in Patent Document 1, is used for a three-dimensional scanner using such a scanner tip, the user cannot freely change the orientation of the scanner tip during scanning, which reduces user convenience.

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a technology that protects 3D scanners without compromising user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The three-dimensional scanner described herein acquires three-dimensional data of the surface shape of an object. The three-dimensional scanner comprises a long main body, a scanner tip detachably attached to the tip of the main body, and a hollow protective cover that surrounds the main body around its axis. A first opening is formed at the tip of the protective cover to allow the scanner tip to be detachably attached to the tip and exposed to the outside.

[0007] The protective cover relating to this disclosure protects a three-dimensional scanner that acquires three-dimensional data of the surface shape of an object. The three-dimensional scanner comprises a long body and a scanner tip that is detachably attached to the tip of the body. The protective cover is formed in a hollow shape so as to cover the body around its axis. A first opening is formed at the tip of the protective cover to expose the scanner tip to the outside, allowing the tip to be detachably attached to the scanner tip. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the tip of the 3D scanner is exposed to the outside through a first opening formed at the tip of the protective cover, allowing the user to attach and detach the scanner chip from the exposed tip of the 3D scanner. This protects the 3D scanner without compromising user convenience. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This diagram shows the configuration of a three-dimensional scanner according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows the external appearance of the handpiece according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the internal configuration of the handpiece according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a cross-section of a handpiece according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] This figure shows the configuration of the protective cover according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This figure shows a handpiece with a protective cover attached according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This figure shows a handpiece with a protective cover attached according to the embodiment, in a state in which a user is holding it. [Figure 8] This figure shows a protective cover related to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <Embodiment> Embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] [Configuration of a 3D scanner] The three-dimensional scanner 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the three-dimensional scanner 1 according to the embodiment. The three-dimensional scanner 1 is an intraoral scanner (IOS) that scans the surface shape of objects such as teeth and soft tissues in the oral cavity and acquires three-dimensional data of the surface shape. The three-dimensional data includes the positional information (coordinates of each axis in the vertical, horizontal, and height directions) of each point cloud (multiple points) that represents the surface shape of the object. In addition to the three-dimensional data, the three-dimensional scanner 1 can also acquire color data indicating the color of each point cloud (multiple points) that represents the surface shape of the object.

[0012] The three-dimensional scanner 1 according to this embodiment is applicable not only to dentistry but also to all medical fields, including ophthalmology, otolaryngology, radiology, internal medicine, surgery, and veterinary medicine. For example, the three-dimensional scanner 1 according to this embodiment is not limited to intraoral scanners but is also applicable to other three-dimensional scanners having a similar configuration. For example, it can be applied to scanners that acquire three-dimensional data of the surface shape inside the outer ear by imaging the inside of a person's ear, in addition to the inside of the oral cavity.

[0013] The user of the 3D scanner 1 may be any person who uses the 3D scanner 1 to acquire 3D data of objects such as teeth and soft tissues, including dentists, dental assistants, dental school professors or students, dental technicians, manufacturers' engineers, and manufacturing plant workers. The subject of scanning with the 3D scanner 1 may be any person who can be scanned with the 3D scanner 1, including patients in dental clinics and subjects in dental universities.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the three-dimensional scanner 1 includes a handpiece 2, a control device 3, a power source 4, and a display 5. The handpiece 2 is a handheld member and includes an elongated main body 30, a probe 20 provided at the tip of the main body 30, and a scanner chip 10 detachably attached to the probe 20.

[0015] The probe 20 becomes a part (tip portion) of the main body by being fixed to the main body 30 and has a shape that can be fitted to the base of the scanner chip 10. The probe 20 is inserted into the oral cavity with the scanner chip 10 attached thereto and projects light having a pattern (hereinafter also simply referred to as "pattern") onto an object such as teeth and soft tissues. The probe 20 receives the reflected light from the object onto which the pattern is projected and guides it to the main body 30. The scanner chip 10 covers the outer periphery of the probe 20 and is detachably attached to the probe 20.

[0016] The handpiece 2 projects a pattern onto an object through the probe 20 to which the scanner chip 10 is attached and images the projected pattern. Note that the handpiece 2 is configured to acquire a three-dimensional shape using the principle of the focusing method as described below, but may be configured to acquire a three-dimensional shape using other principles such as the confocal method or the triangulation method. That is, the handpiece 2 may be provided with a configuration using any principle as long as it is configured to acquire a three-dimensional shape using an optical method.

[0017] The control device 3 controls the operation of the handpiece 2 and processes the image captured by the handpiece 2 to acquire a three-dimensional shape. The control device 3 can output three-dimensional data corresponding to the acquired three-dimensional shape to the display 5, and can also input information such as settings of the handpiece 2 using an input device (not shown).

[0018] In the three-dimensional scanner 1 according to the embodiment, the control device 3 is configured separately from the handpiece 2. However, if the control device 3 is small and light enough to be lifted with one hand, part or all of the functions of the control device 3 may be mounted on the handpiece 2.

[0019] The display 5 displays the three-dimensional shape of the object indicated by the three-dimensional data obtained by the control device 3. The display 5 can also display other information such as the setting information of the handpiece 2, patient information, the startup state of the three-dimensional scanner 1, the instruction manual, and the help screen. For the display 5, for example, a stationary liquid crystal display, a head-mounted type, or a glasses-type wearable display can be applied. Note that the three-dimensional scanner 1 may include a plurality of displays 5, and the three-dimensional shape of the object and other information may be displayed on the plurality of displays 5 simultaneously or separately.

[0020] The power supply 4 supplies power to the handpiece 2 and the control device 3. The power supply 4 may be provided outside the control device 3, but may also be provided inside the control device 3 or inside the handpiece 2. Note that the three-dimensional scanner 1 may include a plurality of power supplies 4 capable of supplying power to each of the handpiece 2, the control device 3, and the display 5.

[0021] In the example of FIG. 1, the handpiece 2, the control device 3, the power supply 4, and the display 5 of the three-dimensional scanner 1 are depicted as being wired by cables (thick lines in the figure), but part or all of these wirings may be connected by wireless communication.

[0022] [Configuration of Handpiece] The handpiece 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the handpiece 2 according to the embodiment. In the following description, the axis along the lateral direction (width direction) of the main body 30 of the handpiece 2 is defined as the X-axis, the axis along the longitudinal direction (depth direction) of the main body 30 is defined as the Y-axis, and the axis along the height direction of the main body 30 is defined as the Z-axis.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the handpiece 2 comprises a long body 30, an operating section 40 provided on the surface of the body 30, a probe 20 attached to the body 30 as the tip of the body 30, a scanner tip 10 detachably attached to the probe 20, and a main cable 50 connected to the body 30.

[0024] The main body 30 includes a first main body portion 301 that is grasped by the user, a second main body portion 302 located behind the first main body portion 301 and near the center of the main body 30, and a third main body portion 303 located behind the second main body portion 302. Furthermore, the main body 30 includes a front end portion 30A which is the end of the first main body portion 301 and captures reflected light from the object, and a rear end portion 30B which is the end of the third main body portion 303 and is located opposite the front end portion 30A.

[0025] The main body 30 has a polygonal or nearly polygonal cross-section (YZ section) near the rear end 30B, and has multiple faces as its outer circumferential surfaces. For example, when viewing the cross-section (YZ section) of the main body 30 from the rear end 30B toward the front end 30A, it has an upper surface 110 corresponding to the surface on which the operating section 40 is provided, a bottom surface 120 located opposite the upper surface 110 in the Z-axis direction, a right side surface 130 located to the right of the cross-section in the Y-axis direction, and a left side surface 140 located to the left of the cross-section, opposite the right side surface 130 in the Y-axis direction. The shape of the cross-section (YZ section) of the main body 30 is not limited to a quadrilateral, but may be a pentagon or hexagon, or a circle or an ellipse. Here, nearly polygonal means that the overall shape is roughly polygonal, even if one of the corners is rounded or one of the sides is not a straight line but a gentle curve. Furthermore, a roughly quadrilateral means that the shape as a whole is approximately quadrilateral, even if one of its corners is rounded or one of its sides is not a straight line but a gentle curve.

[0026] The control unit 40 includes several types of switches for the user to operate the 3D scanner 1 and is located on a specific surface (in this example, the top surface 110) on the outer periphery of the main body 30. The several types of switches include, for example, a power switch for turning the 3D scanner 1 on or off, a changeover switch for switching scan types, and a function switch for deleting acquired 3D data when rescanning.

[0027] The handpiece 2 further includes a first air passage 60 provided on the outer circumferential surface of the second main body portion 302 of the main body 30. Specifically, the three-dimensional scanner 1 has two first air passages 60 symmetrically on the right side 130 and left side 140 of the main body 30. The first air passage 60 takes in air (outside air) from outside the main body 30 through an air intake port (not shown) and supplies the taken-in air to the inside of the main body 30. The first air passage 60 includes a mesh portion 61 provided between the air intake port and the inside of the main body 30. The mesh portion 61 has a plurality of openings with an opening length sufficient to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the main body 30. Note that the first air passage 60 may not only supply air, but may also discharge air from inside the main body 30 to the outside of the main body 30 through an exhaust port (not shown). The first air passage 60 is configured to perform at least one of supplying air and exhausting air.

[0028] The handpiece 2 further includes a second air passage 70 provided at the rear end 30B of the third main body portion 303 of the main body 30. The second air passage 70 discharges air from inside the main body 30 to the outside of the main body 30 via an exhaust port (not shown). The second air passage 70 includes an end cap 72 and a mesh portion 71 provided between the exhaust port and the inside of the main body 30. The mesh portion 71 has multiple openings with an opening diameter sufficient to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the main body 30. The second air passage 70 may not only exhaust air, but may also take in air (outside air) from outside the main body 30 via an air intake port (not shown) and supply the taken-in air to the inside of the main body 30. The second air passage 70 is configured to perform at least one of air intake and exhaust.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the internal configuration of the handpiece 2 according to the embodiment. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the handpiece 2 according to the embodiment. Note that in Figure 4, the XZ cross-section of the handpiece 2 is shown.

[0030] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the handpiece 2 comprises a light source 31, an optical sensor 32, a prism 33, a lens 34, and a counterweight 35 inside a handheld body 30. Furthermore, the handpiece 2 comprises a waveplate 21 and at least one lens 22, 23 inside a probe 20 attached to the tip of the body 30. In the example in Figures 3 and 4, the handpiece 2 has two lenses 22, 23 inside the probe 20, but it may have one lens or three or more lenses. The scanner tip 10 attached to the probe 20 has a reflector 11 with a predetermined inclination at its tip.

[0031] The light source 31 consists of a laser element or LED (Light Emitting Diode) and a polarizer, and irradiates the object with light having a specific polarization component. In the example shown in Figure 3, the light emitted from the light source 31 passes through the handpiece 2 along the optical axis parallel to the X-axis.

[0032] The optical sensor 32 consists of an imager and detects light from the light source 31 that has been reflected off the object.

[0033] The prism 33 is, for example, a polarizing beam splitter, positioned between the light source 31 and the lens 34, allowing light from the light source 31 and light reflected by the object to pass through. The prism 33 is an element that guides the two incident polarized components of light in different directions.

[0034] The lens 34 is positioned between the object and the optical sensor 32, and changes the focal position relative to the object.

[0035] The waveplate 21 is composed of, for example, a quarter-wave plate and is located between the object and the lens 34, allowing light directed towards the object and light reflected by the object to pass through. The waveplate 21 is an element that transforms the state of the polarization components of incident light by adding a phase difference (optical path difference) to the two polarization components of the incident light.

[0036] In the handpiece 2 configured in this way, light from the light source 31 passes through the prism 33 and lens 34, then through the probe 20, and is irradiated onto the object via the reflector 11 of the scanner tip 10. The light from the light source 31 reflected by the object passes through the reflector 11 again, through the probe 20 and lens 34, and enters the prism 33. The prism 33 is a polarizing beam splitter, which changes the direction of propagation of the light from the object in the direction (Z-axis direction) where the optical sensor 32 is located. The light whose direction of propagation has been changed by the prism 33 is detected by the optical sensor 32. In the example shown in Figure 4, the light from the light source 31 and the light reflected by the object and guided to the prism 33 are shown separately, but this is for illustrative purposes only, and in reality, the handpiece 2 is configured so that both types of light are guided coaxially.

[0037] When acquiring a three-dimensional shape using the focusing technique, light passing through a pattern generation element (not shown) placed between the lens 34 and the object is projected onto the object. When the lens 34 moves back and forth along the same straight line (for example, the optical axis L shown in Figure 3), the focal position of the projected pattern changes. The optical sensor 32, in accordance with the control device 3, detects light from the object at a predetermined frame rate each time the focal position of the projected pattern changes, thereby imaging the object located at the focal position of the projected pattern. The control device 3 calculates the shape information of the object based on the position of the lens 34 and the detection result by the optical sensor 32 at that time, thereby acquiring three-dimensional data of the surface shape of the object.

[0038] Furthermore, when the lens 34 reciprocates linearly in the direction of the optical axis L (X-axis direction), the center of gravity of the handpiece 2 shifts by the mass of the lens 34, and this is transmitted as vibration to the user's hand holding the handpiece 2. The counterweight 35 cancels out the vibration caused by the reciprocating linear motion of the lens 34 by reciprocating linearly in a direction opposite to that of the lens 34.

[0039] The user can grasp the handpiece 2 by grasping the scanner tip 10 and the first main body 301 attached to the probe 20. The user can also change the direction in which the reflector 11 provided on the scanner tip 10 is tilted by rotating the scanner tip 10 in the circumferential direction around the X axis.

[0040] For example, if the user attaches the scanner tip 10 to the probe 20 in the orientation shown in Figure 4, light from the light source 31 can be emitted downwards in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the user can hold the handpiece 2 and scan teeth located on the lower side of the oral cavity. On the other hand, if the user inverts the scanner tip 10 in the Z-axis direction and attaches it to the probe 20 in the opposite orientation to that shown in Figure 4, light from the light source 31 can be emitted upwards in the Z-axis direction. In this case, the user can hold the handpiece 2 and scan teeth located on the upper side of the oral cavity.

[0041] [Protective cover configuration] The protective cover 100 for protecting the handpiece 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the protective cover 100 according to the embodiment. When using the three-dimensional scanner 1, the user can cover the body 30 of the handpiece 2 with the protective cover 100 to prevent cross-infection between multiple patients and to avoid the trouble of disinfecting the body 30 of the handpiece 2 with alcohol. The protective cover 100 is, for example, a disposable cover made of polyester. Therefore, after using the protective cover 100 on the handpiece 2, the user can discard the used protective cover 100 and use a new protective cover 100 on the handpiece 2. Note that the protective cover 100 is not limited to a disposable cover; it may be reusable after washing and disinfecting.

[0042] As shown in Figure 5, the protective cover 100 has a hollow shape that covers the body 30 of the handpiece 2 around its axis. Specifically, the protective cover 100 has a predetermined length X (for example, 220 mm) that extends in the X-axis direction along the elongated body 30. The protective cover 100 includes a front portion 101 that protects the first body portion 301, which is the part of the body 30 that the user grips; a central portion 102 located behind the front portion 101 and mainly protecting the first air passage portion 60; and a rear portion 103 located behind the central portion 102 and mainly protecting the operating portion 40. Furthermore, a first opening 100A is formed at the end of the front portion 101, which is the tip of the protective cover 100. A second opening 100B is formed at the end of the rear portion 103, which is the rear end of the protective cover 100.

[0043] The opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the protective cover 100 is progressively larger from the front (front part 101) to the rear (rear part 103) so as not to obstruct the passage of air through the first air passage opening 60. Specifically, the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the central part 102 is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the front part 101. Furthermore, the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the rear part 103 is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the central part 102. For example, the opening diameter Y1 (length along the Y-axis) of the first opening 100A is 46.5 mm, and the opening diameter Y2 (length along the Y-axis) of the second opening 100B is 146.5 mm. The opening diameter of the cross-section of the protective cover 100 is configured to progressively increase from the opening diameter Y1 at the front to the opening diameter Y2 at the rear.

[0044] When the protective cover 100 is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the central portion 102 is greater than the inclination of the outline of the front portion 101. For example, when the protective cover 100 is viewed in the Z-axis direction, the angle Db between the line along the X-axis direction and the outline of the central portion 102 is greater than the angle Da between the line along the X-axis direction and the outline of the front portion 101. Also, when the protective cover 100 is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the rear portion 103 is smaller than the inclination of the outline of the central portion 102. For example, when the protective cover 100 is viewed in the Z-axis direction, the angle Dc between the line along the X-axis direction and the outline of the rear portion 103 is smaller than the angle Db between the line along the X-axis direction and the outline of the central portion 102. In other words, the protective cover 100 has a shape such that the degree of spread of the central portion 102 is greater than the degree of spread of the front portion 101, and the degree of spread of the rear portion 103 is smaller than the degree of spread of the central portion 102. The protective cover 100 is made of polyester and is transparent. The protective cover 100 can also be formed by pressing together two sheets with a flared shape as shown in Figure 5 at the edges other than the first opening 100A and the second opening 100B (for example, the outlines of the front part 101, the central part 102, and the rear part 103). By constructing the protective cover 100 with only two sheets in this way, the manufacturing of the protective cover 100 can be made easy. Furthermore, since the pressed edges of the two sheets create a fold, the two sheets can be folded, allowing multiple protective covers 100 to be stacked on top of each other.

[0045] Figure 6 shows the handpiece 2 with the protective cover 100 according to the embodiment attached. Figure 7 shows the handpiece 2 with the protective cover 100 attached according to the embodiment held by a user.

[0046] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, when the protective cover 100 is attached to the main body 30 of the handpiece 2, the scanner tip 10 attached to the probe 20 protrudes from the first opening 100A of the protective cover 100 and is exposed to the outside, with the front end 30A of the main body 30 as the boundary. This allows the user to attach and detach the scanner tip 10, which is exposed from the first opening 100A of the protective cover 100, from the probe 20. As described above, in the handpiece 2 according to the embodiment, the orientation of the scanner tip 10 is changed and the scanner tip 10 is attached to the probe 20 depending on whether to scan the upper teeth or the lower teeth in the oral cavity. In this respect, because the scanner tip 10 is exposed from the first opening 100A of the protective cover 100, the user can freely change the orientation of the scanner tip 10 as needed, even when the protective cover 100 is attached. This makes it possible to protect the handpiece 2 of the three-dimensional scanner 1 without reducing user convenience. Furthermore, since the scanner chip 10 is exposed through the first opening 100A of the protective cover 100, it is possible to avoid the light emission from the scanner chip 10 being obstructed by the protective cover 100.

[0047] The opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the front portion 101 of the protective cover 100 is approximately the same as, or slightly larger than, the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the first main body portion 301 of the main body 30. Therefore, the front portion 101 of the protective cover 100 covers the first main body portion 301 of the main body 30 by precisely following its axis. As a result, as shown by the dotted circle in Figure 7, the user can easily hold the handpiece 2 even over the protective cover 100 when gripping the scanner tip 10 (probe 20) and the first main body portion 301 to use the handpiece 2.

[0048] The opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the central portion 102 of the protective cover 100 is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the front portion 101, and the inclination of the outline of the central portion 102 is greater than the inclination of the outline of the front portion 101. As a result, the protective cover 100 spreads outward at the second main body portion 302 of the main body 30, creating a gap between the central portion 102 of the protective cover 100 and the first air passage portion 60 formed in the second main body portion 302 of the main body 30. This allows the user to protect the main body 30 with the protective cover 100 without obstructing the passage of air through the first air passage portion 60.

[0049] The opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the rear portion 103 of the protective cover 100 is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section (YZ section) of the central portion 102, while the inclination of the outline of the rear portion 103 is smaller than the inclination of the outline of the central portion 102. As a result, while the protective cover 100 spreads further outward at the third main body portion 303 of the main body 30, the degree of spreading of the protective cover 100 from the central portion 102 to the rear portion 103 is more restrained than the degree of spreading of the protective cover 100 from the front portion 101 to the central portion 102. This prevents the rear portion 103 from spreading too much and interfering with scanning even when the user grips the handpiece 2 with the protective cover 100 attached. Furthermore, since it is possible to avoid increasing the area of ​​the material used for the rear portion 103, it is possible to suppress an increase in the material cost of the protective cover 100.

[0050] Since a second opening 100B is formed at the rear end of the protective cover 100, the second air passage portion 70 provided at the rear end 30B of the main body 30 is exposed to the outside without being covered by the second opening 100B of the protective cover 100. As a result, the user can protect the main body 30 with the protective cover 100 without obstructing the passage of air through the second air passage portion 70.

[0051] <Variation> The protective cover 100 according to this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be further modified and applied in various ways. For example, Figure 8 shows a modified protective cover 200. As shown in Figures 8(A) to (L), the modified protective cover 200 has the same features as the protective cover 100 according to Embodiment 1, but may have a different shape from the protective cover 100. Even a protective cover 200 having the shape shown in Figure 8 can protect the handpiece 2 of the three-dimensional scanner 1 without reducing user convenience.

[0052] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are intended to be included. The configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the configurations illustrated in the variations may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0053] 1 3D scanner, 2 handpiece, 3 control unit, 4 power supply, 5 display, 10 scanner chip, 11 reflector, 20 probe, 21 waveplate, 22, 23, 34 lenses, 30 main body, 30A front end, 30B rear end, 31 light source, 32 optical sensor, 33 prism, 35 counterweight, 40 control unit, 50 main cable, 60 first air passage, 61, 71 mesh section, 70 second air passage, 72 end cap, 100, 200 protective cover, 100A first opening, 100B second opening, 101 front section, 102 center section, 103 rear section, 110 top surface, 120 bottom surface, 130 right side, 140 left side, 301 first main body section, 302 second main body section, 303 third main body section.

Claims

1. A three-dimensional scanner that acquires three-dimensional data of the surface shape of an object, The main body is long and, A scanner chip is detachably attached to the tip of the main body, The body is equipped with a hollow protective cover that surrounds the body around its axis, A three-dimensional scanner, wherein the tip of the protective cover has a first opening formed therein, allowing the scanner tip to be detached from the tip and exposed to the outside through the tip.

2. A first air passage is formed on the side of the main body for supplying air and exhausting air, The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 1, wherein the opening diameter of the cross-section of the protective cover is progressively larger from the front to the rear.

3. The protective cover includes a front portion that protects the part in which the user grips the main body, and a central portion located behind the front portion that protects the first air passage portion. The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 2, wherein the aperture diameter of the cross-section of the central portion is larger than the aperture diameter of the cross-section of the front portion.

4. The protective cover includes a rear portion located behind the central portion, The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 3, wherein the aperture diameter of the cross-section of the rear portion is larger than the aperture diameter of the cross-section of the central portion.

5. The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 3, wherein when the protective cover is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the central part is greater than the inclination of the outline of the front part.

6. The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 4, wherein when the protective cover is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the rear portion is smaller than the inclination of the outline of the central portion.

7. A second air passage is formed at the rear end of the main body for supplying air and exhausting air, The three-dimensional scanner according to claim 1, wherein a second opening is formed at the rear end of the protective cover to avoid obstructing the passage of air in the second air passage.

8. The three-dimensional scanner according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the protective cover is a disposable cover.

9. A protective cover for a 3D scanner that acquires 3D data of the surface shape of an object, The aforementioned three-dimensional scanner is The main body is long and, The main body comprises a scanner chip that is detachably attached to the tip of the main body, The protective cover is formed in a hollow shape so as to cover the main body around its axis. A protective cover having a first opening formed at its tip, which allows the scanner chip to be attached to and detached from the tip, thereby exposing the tip to the outside.

10. A first air passage is formed on the side of the main body for supplying air and exhausting air, The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein the opening diameter of the cross-section of the protective cover is progressively larger from the front to the rear.

11. The protective cover includes a front portion that protects the part in which the user grips the main body, and a central portion located behind the front portion that protects the first air passage portion. The protective cover according to claim 10, wherein the opening diameter of the cross-section of the central portion is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section of the front portion.

12. The protective cover includes a rear portion located behind the central portion, The protective cover according to claim 11, wherein the opening diameter of the cross-section of the rear portion is larger than the opening diameter of the cross-section of the central portion.

13. The protective cover according to claim 12, wherein when the protective cover is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the central part is greater than the inclination of the outline of the front part.

14. The protective cover according to claim 13, wherein, when the protective cover is viewed from the side, the inclination of the outline of the rear portion is smaller than the inclination of the outline of the central portion.

15. A second air passage is formed at the rear end of the main body for supplying air and exhausting air, The protective cover according to claim 9, wherein a second opening is formed at the rear end of the protective cover so as not to obstruct the passage of air in the second air passage.

16. A disposable protective cover according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

Images