Dental Pump Assembly Detent Track Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental cleaning appliances with fluid jet functionality lack efficient mechanisms for controlled fluid delivery, often relying on motor-actuated pumps that may not provide precise control over fluid volume and pressure, limiting their effectiveness in interproximal cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A positive displacement pump assembly with a fluid chamber, energy storage device, and coupling mechanism that utilizes a detent and track system to convert kinetic energy into potential energy, allowing for controlled actuation of fluid ejection, enabling precise bursts of fluid delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a motor-actuated pump is used for fluid delivery, then continuous fluid flow can be achieved, but precise control over fluid volume and pressure is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly uses periodic reciprocating motion of the piston within the fluid chamber to deliver fluid in controlled bursts. The drive mechanism converts continuous rotation into periodic reciprocating motion, allowing precise control over fluid volume and pressure through regulation of stroke frequency and amplitude, while maintaining efficient fluid delivery
2Ease of operation
If a detent and track system is used to convert kinetic energy to potential energy, then controlled actuation of fluid ejection is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detent and track system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotating drive and the reciprocating piston. The detent engages with the track to convert rotational motion into controlled reciprocating motion, providing precise actuation control while isolating the complexity of the conversion mechanism from both the drive and the pump components
3Measurement precision
If a positive displacement pump with energy storage device is used, then precise bursts of fluid delivery are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device automatically stores kinetic energy during the piston's inward stroke and releases it during the outward stroke to propel fluid bursts. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for additional control systems or power inputs during the fluid ejection phase, achieving precise fluid burst control while minimizing added complexity
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
The pump assembly enables efficient and controlled delivery of fluid bursts, improving interproximal cleaning by varying fluid volume and pressure, enhancing cleaning efficacy and user control.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage device for converting kinetic energy generated during actuation of the pump by the drive into potential energy, and storing the potential energy
Implementation Method 2
a positive displacement pump comprising a fluid chamber having a fluid inlet connectable to a source of fluid, and a fluid outlet; a drive for actuating the pump to draw fluid into the fluid chamber through the fluid inlet
Data Source
AI summary
A pump assembly for a dental cleaning appliance includes a fluid chamber, a piston, and a drive. The drive rotates a coupling member having two angularly opposed pins. An arm pivotably connected to the piston has a seat for receiving one of the pins to couple the piston to the drive. Through continued rotation of the coupling member, the piston moves within the fluid chamber to draw fluid into the fluid chamber until the second detent contacts the arm to push it away from the first detent to decouple the drive from the piston. This allows a compressed spring to actuate the piston to urge a burst of fluid from the fluid chamber.