Dental Care Unit Console With Optical Color Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental care unit device holder systems face limitations in identifying and activating devices, especially in closed holders, due to issues with hose geometry and material properties, leading to incorrect activation signals and restricted device order flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of optical sensors capable of color separation, which utilize color identifiers on device hoses to identify device types and activation states, allowing for flexible device order rearrangement and accurate activation signaling without the need for separate activation identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If microswitch identification is used to detect device placement, then activation function is enabled, but it cannot be used in closed holders where hoses roll through
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods (microswitches) with optical identification methods. Optical sensors detect color identifiers on devices regardless of holder type, enabling both open and closed holders to achieve reliable device detection and activation without the limitations of mechanical contact-based systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces color identifiers as an intermediary element between the device and the identification system. These visual markers serve as a universal interface that optical sensors can detect in both open and closed holder configurations, mediating the identification process across different holder types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inductive or capacitive identification is used, then it functions in open and closed holders, but it requires devices to be specially designed with electrically conductive properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color identifiers on devices that can be detected by optical sensors. This approach requires no special electrical properties or complex manufacturing modifications to the devices themselves, making it easier to manufacture while maintaining compatibility with both open and closed holder types.
3Measurement precision
If prior art optical methods are used, then identification is achieved in open holders, but they cannot reliably detect devices in closed holders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places color identifiers at specific locations on devices (such as on the hose portion that remains visible in closed holders or on the device body in open holders). This localized placement ensures that optical sensors can detect the identifier regardless of whether the holder is open or closed type, achieving both precise detection and universal compatibility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If device order in console is changed, then flexibility is improved, but identification signals may become incorrect without reprogramming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where optical sensors continuously detect color identifiers on devices in the console, and the control unit receives feedback about device positions and types. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically update identification signals when device order changes, maintaining reliability without requiring manual reprogramming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-programs the control unit with information about different device types and their corresponding activation signals. When a device is placed in the console, the system preliminarily identifies it via color detection and automatically selects the correct activation signal, preparing the appropriate response before the device is actually activated.
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
Enables quick reprogramming of device order, ensures correct activation signals, and supports both open and closed holders, improving the versatility and hygiene of dental care units by eliminating previous identification method limitations.
Implementation Method 1
optical sensors capable of colour separation, which utilise color identifiers on device hoses to identify device types and activation states
Implementation Method 2
light emitted by the light source/sources is arranged to reflect or scatter from the device set in the device holder, or from its hose, to the detector
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3f
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental care unit and its device holder unit. In the device holder unit, there are device- places and the device-places are arranged such that the device holder unit can be fitted with different and/or different types of devices. Preferably, in a device hose, or in a device connected to a hose, there is a colour identifier, and the device-places of the device holder unit are provided with optical sensors capable of colour separation, which sensors are arranged to identify the colour identifier in question. The invention enables implementing the device order of the console such that places of the devices in the console are freely changeable.