Compact LED Polymerization Apparatus for Denture Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing photopolymerization apparatuses are either too large and complex for home-visit medical care due to their temperature control mechanisms or have low light intensity due to the use of point light sources, making them unsuitable for efficient denture repair.
Innovation Solution
A compact polymerization apparatus with a light irradiator and polymerization vessel that uses multiple LEDs for high-intensity light emission, integrated with a heat sink and fans for efficient cooling, allowing for uniform temperature control and easy portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a photopolymerizer with temperature control means (Peltier device, air passage, motor, table) is used to heat the polymerization space, then the hardness and strength of the polymerized object is improved, but the device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature control function from a complex integrated system and implements it through a simple external heat source (hot water or heating lamp) applied to the polymerization container, eliminating the need for Peltier devices, controlled air passages, motors, and rotating tables while still achieving effective heating for improved polymerization strength
Solution Approach 2:
The polymerization container is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the reaction vessel and the heat transfer medium when filled with hot water, or as a container subjected to external heating, eliminating the need for dedicated temperature control mechanisms
2Device complexity
If a point light source is used for photopolymerization, then the device can be made compact and portable, but the light intensity per unit area becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single point light source, the patent employs multiple LED light sources arranged around the polymerization container, each emitting light from a relatively large area. This segmented approach maintains device compactness while significantly increasing the total light intensity per unit area delivered to the polymerization space
3Productivity
If multiple LED light sources are used to increase light intensity, then the polymerization efficiency is improved, but the heat generation from LEDs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by multiple LED light sources into a beneficial effect by using it to heat the polymerization container and accelerate polymerization reactions, eliminating the need for separate cooling mechanisms while improving polymerization efficiency through controlled thermal effects
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 apparatus achieves stable and high-intensity light irradiation for efficient polymerization, suitable for denture repair during home-visit medical care, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a light source assembly (240) including a base (241) having a light-emitting surface (242) on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes (243) is disposed
Implementation Method 2
heat generated from the light-emitting diodes (243)
Implementation Method 3
a heat-dissipating surface (244) to which a heat sink (245) is joined
Implementation Method 4
heat dissipation by a heat sink
Implementation Method 5
a cooling fan (270) to send cooling air (2a) to the heat sink (245)
Implementation Method 6
a cooling fan (270) to send cooling air (2a) to the heat sink (245) and an exhaust fan (280) to exhaust heated air (2b) from the light source chamber (220)
Implementation Method 7
a light-transmissive window member (230) and the light source assembly (240) is disposed within the light source chamber (220) so that a light-emitting surface (242) faces the light-transmissive window member (230)
Implementation Method 8
polymerizing an unpolymerized portion formed of a photopolymerization curable composition by applying light emitted from the light irradiator (200)
Data Source
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AI summary
A polymerization apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a light irradiator; and a polymerization vessel. The light irradiator includes a first casing and a light source assembly. The first casing includes a light source chamber defined by cylindrical side walls, a ceiling, and a floor including a light-transmissive window member. The light source assembly includes a base having a light-emitting surface on which a plurality of light-emitting diodes is disposed in a predetermined pattern and a heat-dissipating surface to which a heat sink is joined, and the light source assembly is disposed within the light source chamber so that the light-emitting surface faces the light-transmissive window member. The polymerization vessel includes a polymerization cup and a second casing. The polymerization cup has a frustoconical or substantially frustoconical shape that opens upward and increases in diameter upward, and is capable of housing an object therein. The second casing is a bottomed cylindrical or box-shaped casing having an opening at the apex thereof, the polymerization cup being attachably/detachably housed in the second casing via the opening. In this polymerization apparatus, light that has been emitted by the plurality of light-emitting diodes of the light irradiator and has passed through the light-transmissive window member is applied to the inside of the polymerization cup of the polymerization vessel.