Dental Light Curing Unit Switch Hidden by Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light curing units for dental use face issues where light curable material adheres to the key tops of the outside switch, causing degradation and potential erroneous operations due to exposure to the light source, leading to a compromised appearance and functionality over time.
Innovation Solution
The light curing unit design positions the setting switches operable only when the door is open and hidden by it when closed, preventing exposure to the light emitting sources, and incorporates a light blocking structure to prevent light leakage, ensuring the key tops remain uncured and hidden, thus avoiding material adhesion and erroneous operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the outside switch is disposed on the front surface of the case body for easy operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the light curable material adheres to the key top and causes appearance degradation and potential erroneous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The setting switches are extracted from the front surface (exposed area) and relocated to the rear surface (hidden area) of the case body. This extraction removes the switches from the harmful light environment while maintaining their operational functionality through the transparent door, thus preventing material adhesion and appearance degradation without compromising ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the outside switch is disposed on the front surface of the case body, then the ease of operation is improved, but erroneous operation may occur due to accidental touching
Solution Approach 1:
The setting switches are extracted from the accessible front surface and positioned on the rear surface of the case body. This spatial extraction creates physical isolation that prevents accidental touching while the transparent door maintains operational accessibility, thereby eliminating erroneous operation risks without sacrificing ease of use.
3Productivity
If the setting switches are exposed to the light from the light emitting sources, then the light curable material cures quickly on the key tops, but this causes appearance degradation and material adhesion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The setting switches are extracted from the light path by relocating them to the rear surface of the case body, hidden behind the front panel. This extraction eliminates unwanted light exposure to the key tops, preventing material adhesion and appearance degradation, while the transparent door ensures the switches remain fully functional for setting curing parameters.
4Reliability
If the setting switches are hidden by the door, then the key tops are protected from light exposure and material adhesion, but the switches may become less accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The door is constructed with a transparent material that acts as a flexible optical film. This transparent door allows light to pass through for curing operations while simultaneously serving as a protective barrier that hides and protects the setting switches on the rear surface, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation through optical transparency.
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
This design prevents the light curable material from adhering to and curing on the switch key tops, maintaining the unit's appearance and preventing erroneous operations, while ensuring the switches remain functional and the resin components are not degraded by light exposure.
Implementation Method 1
one or more light emitting sources disposed at an inner wall portion of the case body to radiate light to a dental prosthesis made of a light curable material
Implementation Method 2
radiate light to a dental prosthesis made of a light curable material disposed in a light curing space
Implementation Method 3
a door opening/closing detection means for allowing the electric power to be supplied from the power supply circuit to the one or more light emitting sources only when the door is closed
Data Source
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AI summary
A light curing unit for dental use, the appearance of which is not degraded even after a long period of use and which does not easily cause erroneous operation, is provided. A light curing unit for dental use includes: a power supply circuit disposed in a case body to supply electric power to one or more light emitting sources according to a condition set using one or more setting switches each having a key top; and a door opening/closing detection means for allowing the electric power to be supplied from the power supply circuit to the one or more light emitting sources only when a door is closed. The one or more setting switches are disposed at a position at which the one or more setting switches are operable when the door is opened, and at which the one or more setting switches are hidden by the door and each key top is not exposed to the light from the one or more light emitting sources when the door is closed.