Dental Tank Sensor Integration for Compact Pressure Monitoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dental device tank devices lack a compact and protected integration of sensor units, leading to operational inefficiencies and complexity in assembly and retrofitting, with existing designs often requiring separate components and less precise pressure monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A dental device tank device with a sensor unit, such as a pressure sensor, integrated into the base body unit, allowing for a compact design, enhanced protection, and simplified assembly, where the sensor unit is partially surrounded by the base body and serves as an actuating element for the vent valve, enabling precise pressure monitoring and adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the sensor unit is integrated into the base body unit, then the device becomes more compact and the sensor is better protected, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is integrated into the base body unit, merging two previously separate components into one unified structure. This reduces the overall device volume and improves compactness while maintaining functional independence through modular integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body unit serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, houses the sensor unit, and acts as a protective enclosure. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the overall device while improving compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the sensor unit is integrated into the base body unit, then the sensor unit is better protected against external impacts, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is nested within the base body unit, with the base body acting as a protective outer shell. This nested configuration provides mechanical protection to the sensor against external impacts while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The base body unit provides enhanced protection specifically to the sensor unit region, with localized structural features designed to absorb and distribute impact forces. This targeted protection approach safeguards the sensor without requiring complete redesign of the entire device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the sensor unit remains captively connected to the base body unit, then operating comfort is improved, but the quantity of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating comfortVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit and base body unit are merged into a single integrated assembly that moves together as one unit. This captive connection eliminates the need for separate mounting mechanisms and reduces the total component count while ensuring the sensor remains properly positioned during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of repair

If separate connection hoses are used for the sensor unit, then the sensor can be independently replaced, but device complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor replaceabilityVSAvoidconnection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor unit is integrated into the base body unit as a unified assembly, eliminating the need for separate connection hoses and mounting mechanisms. This integration simplifies the overall device structure while the modular design allows the entire base body unit to be replaced as a single component if needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 configuration results in a more compact, user-friendly, and efficient dental device tank device with improved protection of the sensor unit, reduced component needs, and enhanced operational convenience through precise pressure monitoring and adjustment capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

the sensor unit includes at least one pressure sensor unit. The pressure sensor unit can preferably be formed by a manometer.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure sensing:

Implementation Method 2

the sealing surface of the ventilation valve forms a passage with the corresponding sealing surface in a further sealing position, which is intended to let air through in particular and preferably to adjust an internal pressure in particular of the dental appliance tank device to an ambient pressure.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure equalization:

Data Source

PatentEP2439018B1Dental device tank device
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 RENFERT GMBH & CO
  • EP2439018B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2439018B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The dental equipment tank apparatus comprises a base body unit (10) and a sensor unit (12), where the sensor unit is partially integrated in the base body unit. The sensor unit is a pressure sensor unit (14), where the base body unit is formed from a dental equipment tank cover (16). A vent valve (18) is partially formed for the sensor unit, where the sensor unit is movably mounted in the base body unit.