Dental Chair Traverse Sensor Assembly for Precise Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental chair systems lack effective sensors to accurately monitor and control the traverse motion, leading to inefficiencies in positioning the chair for dental procedures.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly is integrated into the dental chair, comprising a rotatable rod, a bracket plate, and a potentiometer. The rod is fixed to the traverse motion assembly and rotates as the chair moves, with the potentiometer measuring the rotational movement to determine the linear distance traveled by the chair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If no sensor assembly is used to monitor traverse motion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the positioning precision and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A rod is introduced as an intermediary element that converts the linear traverse motion of the chair into rotational motion. The rod rotates within a bracket plate opening, and this rotation is measured by the potentiometer, enabling indirect measurement of chair position with high precision without directly sensing the chair's linear movement
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical measurement approach is replaced with an electrical sensing system. Instead of using complex mechanical encoders or optical sensors, a simple potentiometer is used to convert the mechanical rotation of the rod into an electrical signal that indicates the chair's position, simplifying the overall measurement system while maintaining accuracy
2Ease of operation
If a sensor assembly is added to monitor traverse motion, then the positioning control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod serves a dual function: it is both a mechanical component of the traverse motion assembly and the sensing element for position detection. As the chair moves, the rod automatically rotates within the bracket plate, and the potentiometer automatically converts this rotation into position data, eliminating the need for separate sensing mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket plate opening is designed with a specific cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the rod's cross-sectional shape. This universal interface allows the same bracket plate design to work with different rod positions and traverse distances, making the sensing system adaptable and simplifying the overall device architecture
3Measurement precision
If the rod cross-sectional shape corresponds to the bracket plate opening shape, then the measurement precision is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rod and bracket plate opening are designed with asymmetric cross-sectional shapes (such as D-shaped or oval) rather than circular shapes. This asymmetry ensures that the rod can only rotate in one direction within the opening, preventing ambiguous position readings and improving measurement precision. The asymmetric shape creates a unique orientation relationship that accurately reflects the chair's linear position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The sensor assembly enables precise control and monitoring of the dental chair's traverse motion, ensuring accurate positioning and enhancing operational efficiency during dental procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a potentiometer positioned proximate the rod. The potentiometer is configured to obtain data indicative of rotational movement of the rod
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure a dental chair a chair assembly configured to support a patient. The dental chair also includes a traverse motion assembly coupled to the chair assembly that move the chair assembly in a forward-backward direction. The dental chair also includes a sensor assembly having a rod rotatably fixed to the traverse motion assembly. The rod defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a rod cross-sectional shape. The dental chair also includes a sensor assembly is configured to obtain data indicative a distance of linear movement of the chair assembly along the forward-backward direction between.