Heat Treatment Furnace Camera Height Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for determining the height of dental objects in heat treatment furnaces require the objects to be warm and can only accommodate muffles or dental restorations, limiting the working area and accuracy, especially when multiple objects overlap.

Innovation Solution

A heat treatment furnace equipped with an electronic camera and an evaluation device that generates image data sets to determine the height and geometric dimensions of dental objects independently of temperature, using various camera arrangements and additional features like infrared lamps and position detection devices to ensure high accuracy and complete geometry measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If an infrared camera is used to determine the height of dental objects, then the height can be determined when the objects are warm, but the objects must reach a certain temperature to be visible, limiting measurement capability at lower temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight determinationVSAvoidobject temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the detection parameter from infrared thermal radiation (which requires high temperature) to visible light reflection (which works at any temperature). The electronic camera captures reflected light from the dental objects, allowing height measurement regardless of whether the objects are warm or cold, thus resolving the temperature dependency limitation of infrared cameras

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the infrared detection mechanism with an electronic camera-based optical detection system. Instead of detecting thermal radiation, the system uses reflected visible light to create images and determine heights, replacing the temperature-dependent infrared mechanism with a temperature-independent optical mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If multiple dental objects are arranged in the heat treatment furnace, then the productivity increases, but the objects cover each other, reducing measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of dental objectsVSAvoidheight determination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional height measurement to three-dimensional spatial mapping by capturing images from multiple camera positions and angles. This multi-dimensional approach allows the system to distinguish between objects that overlap in the furnace, determining the height of each object independently even when they are arranged closely together, thus enabling both high productivity and accurate measurement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the measurement process into multiple image captures from different positions and angles. By dividing the observation into multiple discrete views, the system can separate and analyze each dental object individually, preventing the covering effect that would occur with a single viewpoint, thereby maintaining measurement precision while accommodating multiple objects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the camera is arranged to record dental objects from above, then the working area is maximized, but the height determination accuracy decreases due to overlapping objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking areaVSAvoidheight determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic camera positioning, where the camera can be moved to different positions and angles during the measurement process. This dynamic approach allows the system to capture images from multiple perspectives, enabling accurate height determination of individual objects even when they are arranged in a large working area, thus resolving the contradiction between maximizing working area and maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise determination of dental object height and geometry regardless of temperature, allowing for better working area adjustment and optimal firing results, even when objects overlap, by using cameras and evaluation devices to generate high-quality image data sets.

Implementation Method 1

an electronic camera (103) for generating an image data set (107) of the dental object (101)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the heat treatment furnace comprises an infrared lamp arranged to generate a heat curtain behind the dental object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20250017706A1Heat treatment furnace for a dental restoration

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 IVOCLAR VIVADENT AG

AI summary

A heat treatment furnace (100) for a dental object (101), including an electronic camera (103) for generating an image data set (107) of the dental object (101) within a firing chamber (123) and an evaluation device (105) for determining a height and/or geometric dimension of the dental object (101) on the basis of the image data set (107).