Dental Examination Light Frontal Control Panel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental examination lights are cumbersome for dental providers, requiring them to reposition the light to access control functions, which disrupts their focus and efficiency, especially for those with a dominant hand opposite to the control placement.

Innovation Solution

A dental examination light with a frame having frontal support members and integrated handles, with control panels positioned proximate to the handles for easy access and minimal body movement, allowing for one-handed operation and reduced contamination risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control functions are positioned on the side of the light, then the light structure is simplified, but the dental provider must move the light to access controls, disrupting focus and efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of control functionsVSAvoidTime required to reposition light for control access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel is repositioned from a lateral location to a frontal location on the light head, changing the spatial dimension of control accessibility. This allows the dental provider to access controls without moving the light laterally, maintaining focus on the procedure while reducing time loss from repositioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If controls are positioned on the light head, then control accessibility is improved, but the number of human contact surfaces increases, complicating cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAccessibility of control functionsVSAvoidNumber of contact surfaces requiring cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel is integrated into the frontal support member structure, merging the control functions with the existing light head structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate contact surfaces compared to having controls on a separate lateral mount, simplifying the cleaning process while maintaining accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If the light is repositioned to optimal position, then illumination quality is improved, but the dental provider's focus is averted from the procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQuality of oral cavity illuminationVSAvoidMaintaining focus on procedure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control panel is pre-positioned on the frontal support member within the light head structure, allowing all control functions to be accessed from the optimal illumination position without requiring additional repositioning operations. This preliminary placement of controls eliminates the need to divert focus from the procedure to adjust light positioning for control access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8070322B2Examination light with readily accessible controls

Publication Date: 2011.12.06 DENTAL EQUIP PELTON & CRANE

AI summary

Disclosed herein are examination light embodiments. A light having a frame for holding the light has a frontal support member with first and second lateral sides. Disposed on each first and lateral sides are one or more actuators for controlling functionality of the light. A first and second handle are associated with the first and second lateral sides, respectively. The one or more actuators are located proximate to the first and second handles to enable movement and functionality control of the light that requires the use of only one hand.