Dental Handpiece Generator with LED Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental and medical handle elements with generators often require a fluid supply for operation, which can be inconvenient and inefficient, especially when the fluid supply is inadequate or unsuitable, and the power output from existing generators fluctuates with speed, affecting lighting devices like incandescent bulbs, leading to poor illumination and subjective color perception changes.
Innovation Solution
A handle element with a coupling device for a drive unit, a tool holder, and a drive element with a shaft that rotates to drive a generator, allowing operation without fluid supply, and using optical semiconductor elements like white light-emitting diodes with color conversion materials to maintain consistent illumination, along with a generator design featuring a stator and rotor with magnetic flux elements and permanent magnets to manage power output across speed ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If a fluid supply is provided to drive the generator, then the generator can be operated, but the handle becomes dependent on external fluid sources and requires additional connections and lines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fluid supply requirement from the handle system by providing the generator with an independent power source (battery or capacitor) located in the drive unit. This eliminates the need for fluid lines and connections between the drive unit and handle, thereby reducing handle complexity while maintaining generator operation capability.
2Ease of operation
If the generator is driven by a shaft connected to the drive element, then the generator can operate without fluid supply, but the power output fluctuates with shaft speed affecting lighting quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control unit that monitors the instantaneous power output of the generator and adjusts the lighting device operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism compensates for power fluctuations caused by varying shaft speeds, maintaining consistent illumination intensity and color temperature despite changes in drive element speed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a battery or capacitor is integrated into the drive unit to power the generator, then no fluid supply is needed, but the drive unit becomes more complex and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an electrical energy storage device (battery or capacitor) as an intermediary between the drive unit's motor and the generator. This mediator stores electrical energy during motor operation and releases it to power the generator independently, enabling fluid-free operation while concentrating the weight in the drive unit rather than distributing it throughout the system.
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 generator operation without fluid supply, provides consistent and uniform lighting, and optimizes power output to prevent excessive energy delivery, ensuring sufficient illumination and extended device lifespan while maintaining user comfort due to reduced heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
generators being understood to mean electrodynamic converters for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
at least one optical semiconductor element, in particular a white light emitting diode
Implementation Method 3
the light-emitting diode additionally includes a color conversion material in order to change the wavelength of the radiation emitted by the light-emitting diode chip
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a medical, in particular dental, handle element (100, 200) with a coupling device (101, 201) for detachably connecting the handle element (100, 200) to a drive unit, a tool holder connected or connectable to the handle element (100, 200), a drive element (102, 202) for transmitting a drive movement from the drive unit to the tool holder, so that the tool holder can be set into a working movement, wherein the drive element (102, 202) comprises at least one shaft (102A, 202A, 202B) that can be set into rotation, and a generator (103, 203) for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, wherein the generator (103, 203) is driven by the at least one shaft (102A, 202A, 202B) of the drive element (102, 202) that can be set into rotation. 202) is propellable.