Dental unit chair having air handpiece speed maintenance function

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental unit chair having an air handpiece speed maintenance function, and the dental unit chair comprises: a doctor table; a foot controller capable of turning on / off an air handpiece or changing an RPM thereof by a pedal operation; an input unit for acquiring RPM information of the air handpiece by either operating a pedal of the foot controller for a reference time or longer by an operator or inputting desired RPM information of the air handpiece by the operator; a communication unit for communicating with the dental unit chair by transferring a variable resistance value of a variable resistor of the foot controller through a wired signal or a wireless signal; and a control unit for receiving a control signal for the RPM information of the air handpiece acquired from the input unit, and controlling an air volume of a proportional control valve according to the control signal, so that the dental unit chair enables an accurate RPM to be maintained even without continuously depressing the foot pedal.

Description

Dental unit chair with air handpiece speed maintenance function

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental unit chair having a speed maintenance function for an air handpiece, and more specifically, to a dental unit chair that allows a constant RPM to be maintained without the practitioner having to continuously press the foot pedal to maintain the RPM of the air handpiece at a desired speed.

[0002] Generally, dental treatment is performed while the patient is lying in a dental unit chair.

[0003] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional dental unit chair, wherein the dental unit chair (2000) may be equipped with a doctor table equipped with various treatment tools, a water supply device for supplying gargle water for rinsing the patient's mouth, a foot controller (1000) for controlling various treatment tools, a lighting device for illuminating the inside of the oral cavity, and a monitor arm supporting a monitor for displaying information on the inside of the oral cavity and CT images.

[0004] Here, the foot controller (1000) is used to control instruments that cannot be directly operated and controlled by the hands during treatment, through the foot, and the practitioner can control the output of various treatment tools, such as an air handpiece equipped in a dental unit chair, through the operation of the foot controller.

[0005] As prior art related to this, Korean Published Patent No. 10-2023-0105627 discloses a technology in which the foot controller has a plurality of inclined surfaces having different inclination angles on the upper surface of the cam block to control the air flow rate supplied to the treatment tool.

[0006] However, since the above prior art controls the operation of the air handpiece through the operation of the foot pedal included in the foot controller (1000), in order to continuously maintain the RPM of the air handpiece at a desired speed, the practitioner must keep pressing the foot pedal with the same pressure while performing examination and treatment, so there is a risk that the muscles or ligaments in the practitioner's ankle may be tense and pain may occur in the ankle.

[0007] The present invention was devised in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a dental unit chair that prevents strain on the muscles or ligaments of the practitioner's ankle and greatly improves work convenience by allowing the practitioner to maintain a constant RPM without having to continuously press the foot pedal to maintain the air handpiece at a desired RPM speed.

[0008] To achieve the objectives of the present invention as described above, the present invention provides a dental unit chair comprising: a chair on which a patient can sit or lie down and which is used for dental treatment procedures; a doctor table equipped with various treatment tools and having a display unit that displays information; a foot controller capable of turning on / off or changing the RPM of an air handpiece by pedal operation; an input unit in which a practitioner operates the pedal of the foot controller for a period of time longer than a reference time to obtain RPM information of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time, or in which a practitioner inputs desired RPM information of the air handpiece through a button unit placed on the doctor table to obtain RPM information of the air handpiece; a communication unit that transmits the variable resistance value of the variable resistor of the foot controller as a wired signal or a wireless signal to communicate with the dental unit chair; and a control unit that receives a control signal for the RPM information of the air handpiece obtained from the input unit and controls the amount of air of a proportional control valve according to the control signal so that the air handpiece maintains a constant RPM.

[0009] The above foot controller may include a pedal capable of turning the air handpiece on / off or changing the RPM, and maintaining the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time when the pedal is operated for longer than a reference time, thereby allowing the desired RPM to be set; a link operating unit for operating a variable resistor by the pedal operation and adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor; a variable resistor whose terminal moves from top to bottom by the V / R (Variable Resistance) link of the link operating unit when the pedal is operated, and which generates and outputs a resistance value transmitted to a proportional control valve; and a communication unit that communicates the variable resistance value of the variable resistor with a dental unit chair via a wired signal or a wireless signal.

[0010] Here, the link operating part may include a valve plate fixed to the bracket of the pedal and having a V / R link shaft installed at one end so that the V / R link shaft rises when the pedal is pressed; a valve plate spring provided on the upper surface of the valve plate to maintain pressure when one end of the valve plate rises during pedal operation and to return to its original state when the pedal operation is released; a spring fixing plate installed on a base to fix the upper end of the valve plate spring; a V / R link shaft fixed to one end of the valve plate and contacting the V / R link during pedal operation to operate a variable resistor; a V / R link that contacts the V / R link shaft during pedal operation, rotates around a central axis, and changes the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the pedal operation pressure; a V / R spring to return the V / R link to its original state after the pedal operation; and a V / R operating shaft fixed to the other end of the V / R link and connected to the terminal of the variable resistor to change the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the pedal operation pressure.

[0011] In addition, the link operating part may further include V / R rubber attached to both sides of the V / R link where the V / R operating shaft is installed to prevent damage to the part.

[0012] In the present invention, the doctor table is equipped with a speed maintenance activation button to enable / deactivate the speed maintenance function through the pedal of the foot controller, and the control unit can control the speed maintenance function to be activated when the button is pressed for a predetermined standard time or longer.

[0013] In addition, the doctor table is equipped with an RPM setting button that allows the user to set the desired RPM, and the control unit can control the operation to the set RPM when the pedal of the foot controller is pressed after RPM setting with the button.

[0014] Meanwhile, the present invention may further include a notification unit that generates a notification sound when the user activates / deactivates the speed maintenance function, completes the RPM setting of the air handpiece, and turns off the air handpiece after activating the speed maintenance function.

[0015] In addition, the display portion of the doctor table may display an image indicating the activation / deactivation of the speed maintenance function and the completion of the air handpiece RPM setting.

[0016] In the present invention, the control unit can control the air handpiece power to be turned off or the RPM to be changed when the pedal is pressed again after the speed maintenance function is activated by pressing the pedal for a reference time or longer.

[0017] In addition, the control unit may also control the air handpiece to operate at the previously used RPM when two or more buttons, including the RPM button of the doctor table, are pressed simultaneously for a reference time or longer, so that the previous RPM can be recalled when the air handpiece is stopped and reused while the speed maintenance function is activated.

[0018] Meanwhile, the input unit includes a pedal of the foot controller and a button unit installed on the doctor table, and is characterized by being able to change to a desired RPM through the button unit, so that after activating the speed maintenance function, the user can change to the desired air handpiece RPM during diagnosis and treatment.

[0019] The above communication unit is characterized by applying at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, RFID, and ZIGBEE as a wireless communication method.

[0020] In the present invention, the reference time during which the pedal can maintain the RPM of the air handpiece and set it to a desired RPM is 3 seconds, and when the operator operates the pedal for a predetermined reference time of 3 to 5 seconds, the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time can be maintained.

[0021] According to the present invention as described above, the operator can maintain a constant RPM without having to continuously press the foot pedal to maintain the air handpiece at a desired RPM speed, thereby greatly improving the operator's work convenience.

[0022] For example, if you press the foot pedal at the desired RPM for 3 to 5 seconds to maintain the air handpiece RPM at the desired speed, the air handpiece RPM is saved, allowing for diagnosis and treatment without pressing the foot pedal, and pressing the pedal again allows you to turn off the air handpiece power or change the RPM, enabling the use of an air handpiece that maintains an accurate RPM.

[0023] In addition, the operator can maintain a constant RPM by inputting the desired air handpiece RPM information through the button section located on the doctor table.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a conventional dental unit chair.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dental unit chair according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a foot controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the interior of a foot controller according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the interior of the foot controller from the opposite direction to that in Figure 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the interior of the foot controller of the present invention from the side.

[0030] FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views showing that a variable resistor is operated by the link operating part of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of the doctor table of the dental unit chair of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating the display of the doctor table of the dental unit chair of the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, it should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. At this time, the configuration and operation of the present invention illustrated in the drawings and described thereby are described as at least one embodiment, and the technical concept of the present invention and its core configuration and operation are not limited by this.

[0034] The present invention relates to a dental unit chair that allows an accurate RPM to be maintained without the practitioner having to continuously press a foot pedal to maintain the RPM of an air handpiece at a desired speed. The dental unit chair of the present invention basically includes a chair used for dental treatment procedures, a foot controller capable of turning the air handpiece on / off or changing the RPM by pedal operation, and a doctor table equipped with various treatment tools and having a display unit that displays information.

[0035] The above chair may include a headrest that supports the patient's head, a backrest that supports the patient's back, and a seat on which the patient's lower body rests.

[0036] The above doctor table is equipped with various treatment tools necessary for dental treatment, and various dental instruments necessary for dental treatment, such as an air handpiece for removing hard tissue by rotation, a suction device for aspirating liquid into the patient's mouth, an air blower for spraying air, and a water blower for discharging water, can be arranged.

[0037] The above foot controller is intended to control instruments that cannot be directly operated and controlled by the hands during treatment, using the foot. It can control the output of various treatment tools, such as air handpieces equipped in dental unit chairs, and can turn the air handpiece on / off or change the RPM by pedal operation.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a foot controller according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the foot controller is equipped with a joystick (6) for raising or lowering the seat and backrest of the chair, a switch unit (2) for moving the position of the chair to the previous treatment position after the patient gargles, a switch unit (4) for moving the position of the chair to gargle the patient's oral cavity after treatment, and a pedal (10) for operating an air handpiece.

[0039] In the present invention, the RPM of the air handpiece is maintained for a predetermined standard time, for example, 3 seconds or more, after the pedal (10) is pressed, so that the air handpiece operates without pedal operation, and the speed maintenance is released when the pedal is pressed again.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a dental unit chair according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to maintain the RPM of an air handpiece in the dental unit chair at a speed desired by the practitioner, the dental unit chair of the present invention may be configured to include a control unit (100), an input unit (110), a display unit (120), a notification unit (130), a communication unit (140), and a flow rate control unit (150).

[0041] The above control unit (100) can control the overall operation of a dental unit chair according to one embodiment of the present invention and manage the flow of information or data between each component to control the input unit (110), display unit (120), notification unit (130), communication unit (140), and flow control unit (150).

[0042] The input unit (110) can receive commands for controlling an air handpiece. The input unit (110) is configured to include a pedal unit (112) of the foot controller and a button unit (114) installed on the doctor table, and the operator obtains RPM information of the air handpiece corresponding to the standard time by operating the pedal (10) of the foot controller for a standard time or longer, or the operator obtains RPM information of the air handpiece by inputting the desired RPM information of the air handpiece through the button unit placed on the doctor table.

[0043] The control unit (100) receives a control signal for RPM information of the air handpiece obtained from the input unit (110), and controls the amount of air of the proportional control valve (152) of the flow rate control unit (150) according to the control signal so that the air handpiece maintains a constant RPM.

[0044] The communication unit (140) performs the function of transmitting a control signal generated from the foot controller to the dental unit chair to control the air handpiece, and includes a wired communication unit (142) that performs wired communication with the dental unit chair to transmit the variable resistance value of the variable resistor of the foot controller as a wired signal or a wireless signal to perform communication with the dental unit chair, and a wireless communication unit (144) that performs wireless communication with the dental unit chair.

[0045] The above communication unit (140) may use at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, RFID, and ZIGBEE as a wireless communication method.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the interior of a foot controller according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the interior of a foot controller from the opposite direction to FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the interior of a foot controller of the present invention from the side, and FIG. 7 to 8 are perspective views showing that a variable resistor is operated by a link operating part of the present invention.

[0047] The above foot controller is equipped with a pedal (10) that is operated by the operator to turn on / off or change the RPM of the air handpiece, and a link operating part for operating a variable resistance (80) by the pedal operation of the pedal (10) and adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistance.

[0048] The above pedal (10) is configured to maintain the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time when the pedal is operated for a predetermined reference time or longer, thereby allowing the desired RPM to be set. When the pedal (10) is pressed, the terminal of the variable resistor (80) moves from top to bottom by the V / R (Variable Resistance) link (70) of the link operating part, and the resistance value of the variable resistor changes and is transmitted to the proportional control valve.

[0049] Here, the link operating part includes a valve plate (20) fixed to a bracket (12) of the pedal (10), and a V / R link shaft (50) is fixed to one end of the valve plate (20) to contact the V / R link (70) when the pedal is operated to operate the variable resistor (80), so that when the pedal (10) is pressed, the V / R link shaft (50) rises and the V / R link shaft (50) comes into contact with the V / R link (70).

[0050] On the upper surface of the valve plate (20), a valve plate spring (30) is provided to maintain pressure when one end of the valve plate is raised during pedal operation and to return to its original state when the pedal operation is released, and a spring fixing plate (40) is provided to be installed on the base (11) to fix the upper end of the valve plate spring (30).

[0051] Meanwhile, a V / R link (70) is provided that rotates around a central axis when the pedal is operated and changes the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the pedal operation pressure. A V / R spring (60) is connected to the V / R link (70) to restore the V / R link to its original state after the pedal operation. A V / R operating shaft (72) is provided at the other end of the V / R link (70), to which a terminal (82) of a variable resistor (80) is connected to change the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the pedal operation pressure.

[0052] In addition, V / R rubber (74) to prevent damage to parts may be attached to both sides of the V / R link (70) where the V / R operating shaft (72) is installed.

[0053] The above variable resistance (80) generates and outputs a resistance value transmitted to the proportional control valve, as the terminal (82) moves from top to bottom by the V / R link (70) of the link operating part when the pedal is operated.

[0054] Since the above proportional control valve can control the opening and closing of the valve proportionally according to the amount of current, the control unit (100) can control the valve to open and close in proportion to the current value by adjusting the current value according to the resistance value information received from the foot controller.

[0055] Depending on the degree of opening or closing of the above valve, the pressure or amount of air supplied through the proportional control valve is controlled, and accordingly, the RPM speed of the corresponding air handpiece can be controlled.

[0056] In this way, the variable resistor (80) is operated by the link operation, and the variable resistance value of the variable resistor (80) is communicated with the dental unit chair via a wired signal or a wireless signal so that the air handpiece RPM speed value is transmitted and the air volume of the proportional control valve is controlled so that the air handpiece operates at the stored RPM.

[0057] At this time, the present invention allows the RPM information of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time to be obtained by the input unit (110) after the pedal of the foot controller is pressed and maintained for a reference time or longer, and the control unit (100) can control the amount of air of the proportional control valve according to the control signal for the RPM information of the air handpiece obtained by the input unit (110) so that the air handpiece maintains a constant RPM.

[0058] FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram of a doctor table of a dental unit chair of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating a display of a doctor table of a dental unit chair of the present invention.

[0059] In the present invention, the doctor table is equipped with a speed maintenance activation button (92) to enable / deactivate the speed maintenance function through the pedal of the foot controller, and the control unit can control the speed maintenance function to be activated when the button (92) is pressed for a predetermined standard time or longer.

[0060] In addition, when two or more buttons of the foot controller, namely the pedal (10) and the switch part (2)(4), are pressed simultaneously for 3 seconds or more, the speed maintenance function is activated, allowing the user to easily control the speed maintenance function to be activated / deactivated.

[0061] In addition, the doctor table is equipped with an RPM setting button that allows the user to set the desired RPM, and the control unit can control the operation to the set RPM when the pedal of the foot controller is pressed after RPM setting with the button.

[0062] For example, if you set the RPM to 100,000 before holding the air handpiece and operating it, the air handpiece can operate at 100,000 RPM immediately when the pedal is operated.

[0063] Meanwhile, the present invention may further include a notification unit that generates a notification sound when the user activates / deactivates the speed maintenance function, completes the RPM setting of the air handpiece, and turns off the air handpiece after activating the speed maintenance function.

[0064] In addition, the display portion (94) of the doctor table may display an image indicating the activation / deactivation of the speed maintenance function and the completion of the RPM setting of the air handpiece.

[0065] The above control unit can control the air handpiece power to be turned ON at a desired RPM by pressing the pedal for a reference time or longer after the speed maintenance function is activated, and then pressing the pedal again to turn OFF the air handpiece power or change the RPM.

[0066] In addition, the control unit may also control the air handpiece to operate at the previously used RPM when two or more buttons, including the RPM button of the doctor table, are pressed simultaneously for a reference time or longer, so that the previous RPM can be recalled when the air handpiece is stopped and reused while the speed maintenance function is activated.

[0067] In the present invention, the reference time during which the pedal can maintain the RPM of the air handpiece and set it to a desired RPM is 3 seconds, and when the operator operates the pedal for a predetermined reference time of 3 to 5 seconds, the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time can be maintained.

[0068] In other words, to maintain the air handpiece RPM at the desired speed, if you press the foot pedal at the desired RPM for 3 to 5 seconds, the air handpiece RPM is saved, allowing you to perform examinations and treatments without pressing the foot pedal, and if you press the pedal again, you can turn off the air handpiece power or change the RPM.

[0069] In addition, the doctor table is equipped with a speed control button that allows the user to adjust the speed to the desired air handpiece RPM after the speed maintenance function is activated, and the control unit can control the speed so that it can be changed to the desired air handpiece RPM during diagnosis and treatment after the speed maintenance function is activated.

[0070] The foregoing description is merely an illustrative explanation of the technical concept of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to explain, not limit, the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention shall be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical concepts within an equivalent scope shall be interpreted as being included within the scope of rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chair in which a patient can sit or lie down, used for dental treatment procedures; A doctor table equipped with various treatment tools and having a display unit that displays information; A foot controller capable of turning the air handpiece on / off or changing the RPM by pedal operation; An input unit for obtaining RPM information of an air handpiece corresponding to the reference time by the operator operating the pedal of the above foot controller for a reference time or longer, or for obtaining RPM information of an air handpiece by the operator inputting desired RPM information of an air handpiece through a button unit placed on the doctor table; A communication unit that transmits the variable resistance value of the variable resistor of the above foot controller as a wired signal or a wireless signal to communicate with a dental unit chair; and A control unit that receives a control signal for RPM information of an air handpiece obtained from the input unit above, and controls the amount of air of a proportional control valve according to the control signal so that the air handpiece maintains a constant RPM; A dental unit chair including 2. In claim 1, the foot controller is, A pedal capable of turning the air handpiece on / off or changing the RPM, and maintaining the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the reference time when the pedal is operated for longer than a reference time, thereby allowing the RPM to be set to a desired RPM; A link actuator for operating a variable resistor by the above pedal operation and adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor; A variable resistor that generates and outputs a resistance value transmitted to a proportional control valve, wherein the terminal moves from top to bottom by the V / R link of the link operating part when the above pedal is operated; and A communication unit that communicates with a dental unit chair using a wired or wireless signal as the variable resistance value of the above variable resistor; A dental unit chair characterized by including 3. In claim 2, the link operating part is, A valve plate fixed to the bracket of the above pedal and having a V / R link shaft installed at one end so that the V / R link shaft rises when the pedal is pressed; A valve plate spring provided on the upper surface of the above valve plate, which maintains pressure when one end of the valve plate rises during pedal operation and returns it to its original state when the pedal operation is released; A spring fixing plate installed on a base to fix the upper end of the above valve plate spring; A V / R link shaft fixed to one end of the above valve plate and contacting the V / R link during pedal operation to operate the variable resistor; A V / R link that contacts the V / R link shaft when the pedal is operated, rotates around a central axis, and changes the variable resistance value according to the pedal operation pressure; A V / R spring for restoring the V / R link to its original state after the above pedal operation; A V / R operating shaft fixed to the other end of the above V / R link and connected to the terminal of a variable resistor to change the resistance value of the variable resistor according to the pedal operation pressure; A dental unit chair characterized by including 4. In Claim 3, A dental unit chair characterized by further including V / R rubbers attached to both sides of a V / R link on which the above-mentioned V / R operating shaft is installed to prevent damage to parts.

5. In Claim 1, The above doctor table is equipped with a speed maintenance activation button to enable / deactivate the speed maintenance function through the pedal of the above foot controller, and A dental unit chair characterized by the above-described control unit controlling the speed maintenance function to be activated when the above-described button is pressed for more than a predetermined standard time.

6. In Claim 1, The above doctor table is equipped with an RPM setting button that allows the user to set the desired RPM, and A dental unit chair characterized by the above-described control unit controlling operation to the set RPM when the pedal of the foot controller is pressed after RPM setting with the above-described button.

7. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by further including a notification unit that generates a notification sound when the user activates / deactivates the speed maintenance function, completes the RPM setting of the air handpiece, and turns off the air handpiece after activating the speed maintenance function.

8. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by displaying an image indicating the activation / deactivation of the speed maintenance function and the completion of the RPM setting of the air handpiece on the display portion of the doctor table.

9. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by the above-described control unit enabling the air handpiece power to be turned ON at a desired RPM by pressing the pedal for a reference time or longer after the speed maintenance function is activated, and then enabling the air handpiece power to be turned OFF or the RPM to be changed when the pedal is pressed again.

10. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by the above input unit including a pedal of the foot controller and a button unit installed on the doctor table, and being able to change to a desired RPM through the button unit, so that after activating the speed maintenance function, the user can change to the desired air handpiece RPM during diagnosis and treatment.

11. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by the above-described control unit enabling the operation of the air handpiece at the previously used RPM when two or more buttons, including the RPM button of the doctor table, are pressed simultaneously for a reference time or longer, so that the previous RPM can be recalled when the air handpiece is stopped and reused while the speed maintenance function is activated.

12. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized in that the above communication unit applies at least one of Bluetooth, WiFi, RFID, and ZIGBEE as a wireless communication method.

13. In Claim 1, A dental unit chair characterized by the above-mentioned standard time during which the above-mentioned pedal maintains the RPM of the air handpiece to set it to a desired RPM being 3 seconds, and the operator maintaining the RPM of the air handpiece corresponding to the said standard time when operating the pedal for a predetermined standard time of 3 to 5 seconds.

Images