Dental Handpiece Slip Ring Isolation for Endodontic Signal Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental handpieces face issues with electrical signal transmission during endodontic treatments, leading to inaccurate measurements due to shortcuts through tissue or interference with the patient's mouth and external cables, which degrade hygiene and visibility.
Innovation Solution
A dental handpiece design featuring an electrically conductive tool receiver, a drive chain with a drive unit and shaft, a slip ring, and a prestressed bifurcated contact, isolated from the outer casing by non-conductive ball bearings, ensuring reliable signal transmission and insulation, integrated with a flexible electrical coupling and spring-loaded contacts for secure signal delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external cables are used for electrical signal transmission, then signal delivery is possible, but hygiene is degraded and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates external cables from the system by implementing internal electrical signal transmission through the drive chain components (drive shaft, tool receiver, and tool). This removes the harmful external cables while maintaining signal transmission functionality through the internal mechanical connection path.
2Reliability
If electrical signals are transmitted through tissue shortcuts, then signal delivery occurs, but measurement accuracy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the drive chain components (drive shaft, tool receiver, and tool) as an intermediary transmission path for electrical signals. This controlled internal path prevents signal shortcuts through tissue, ensuring signals travel through the intended mechanical connection path and maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Strength
If the drive chain and tool receiver are electrically connected to the outer casing, then structural support is provided, but electrical signal transmission is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection path by isolating the drive chain and tool receiver from the outer casing. This segmentation prevents electrical interference while maintaining the mechanical structural support function, allowing the drive chain components to remain electrically isolated from the conductive outer casing.
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
Ensures accurate and reliable electrical signal transmission to endodontic tools within the handpiece, eliminating external cables and enhancing hygiene while maintaining visibility and procedural accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
the drive chain, the tool receiver, and the signal path are electrically isolated from the outer casing via ball bearings
Implementation Method 2
the prestressed bifurcated contact impinges on the slip ring which impinges on the tool receiver to deliver electrical signals from a connection interface via a signal path
Data Source
AI summary
A dental handpiece including an outer casing, a handpiece head, a tool receiver disposed in the handpiece head, the tool receiver is electrically conductive, a drive chain that includes a drive unit and a drive shaft drivable by the drive unit, the drive shaft being coupled to the tool receiver, a slip ring disposed around a section of the tool receiver and in mechanical and electrical connection with the tool receiver, and a prestressed bifurcated contact in mechanical and electrical connection with the slip ring. The prestressed bifurcated contact impinges on the slip ring which impinges on the tool receiver to deliver electrical signals from a connection interface a tool inserted in the tool receiver during use of the dental handpiece. The signal path includes the prestressed bifurcated contact. The drive chain, and the signal path are electrically isolated from the outer casing via ball bearings.