Infrared Socket Heating for Safer Dental Material Warming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing heating devices for dental materials are not conveniently energy-efficient and may pose safety risks due to high-temperature components in the dispensing gun.

Innovation Solution

A tabletop heating device with a partially infrared transmissive wall between an infrared light source and a container, allowing a separate dispensing gun to be used independently, featuring energy-efficient LEDs and a reflective layer to maximize heat transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a heating element based on an electric resistor is used to heat packages, then the heating function is achieved, but the device is not energy efficient and may pose safety risks due to high-temperature components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsafety risks from high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional electric resistor heating element with an infrared light source that uses optical energy instead of direct electrical heating. The infrared LED emits infrared radiation that directly heats the dental material through photothermal conversion, eliminating the need for high-temperature metal heating elements and associated safety risks while improving energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction (electric resistor) to infrared radiation (optical energy). By using infrared light with specific wavelengths (940 nm) that are absorbed by the dental material, the system achieves heating through parameter change in the energy form, reducing energy loss and eliminating high-temperature component safety issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the heating components are integrated into the dispensing gun, then the heating function is convenient, but the dispensing gun becomes potentially harmful due to high temperature in use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of heatingVSAvoidhigh temperature in dispensing gun

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the heating function from the dispensing gun by placing the infrared light source in a separate heating device. The dispensing gun remains separate and freely movable, while the heating device contains the infrared LED and socket wall. This segmentation eliminates high-temperature components from the dispensing gun while maintaining convenient heating operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a socket wall as an intermediary component that is partially transmissive to infrared light. This socket wall allows infrared radiation to pass through to heat the dental material in the container while protecting the user from direct exposure to high-temperature components. The socket wall acts as a mediator between the infrared source and the material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If a fully transmissive wall is used for infrared light, then heat transfer is maximized, but the structure cannot provide thermal insulation and may cause energy loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat transfer efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss through wall

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the socket wall partially transmissive to infrared light rather than fully transmissive or fully opaque. The socket wall is designed with specific infrared transmissivity characteristics that allow controlled passage of infrared radiation while providing thermal insulation. This localized optimization balances heat transfer efficiency with energy conservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 convenient, safe, and energy-efficient heating of dental materials, minimizing heat capacity in the dispensing gun and reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The body comprises a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in a direction toward the receptacle. The socket wall is at least partially transmissive for infrared light.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Implementation Method 2

Infrared light for the purpose of the present specification is defined by light that exhibits a wavelength within a wavelength range of between 800 nm to 1500 nm.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal conversion: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

The socket wall comprises a reflective layer for reflecting light and preferably for reflecting thermal radiation in a direction toward the receptacle.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS12569318B2Device for heating a dental material

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 SOLVENTUM INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES CO

AI summary

A heating device for heating a dental material. The heating device has a body and a socket. The socket is removably received within the body and has a socket wall that forms a receptacle for positioning a container for the dental material therein. The body has a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in a direction toward the receptacle. The socket wall is at least partially transmissive for infrared light. The heating device allows for heating the dental material within the container.