Retractable Electrical Connection in Dental Handpiece
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Dental handpieces with lighting capabilities are not compatible with 'non-light' drive motors, leading to the need for separate tools and disruptions during operations, as the protruding indexing and electrical connection means prevent connection to motors without illumination capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dental handpiece design with retractable indexing and electrical connection means that can be connected to 'non-light' motors, allowing for the use of existing drive motors by retracting these components during connection, ensuring compatibility without interfering with the motor's indexing or energy supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical connection means and indexing means protrude from the proximal end face of the handpiece, then electrical energy transfer and angular positioning are ensured, but compatibility with non-light drive motors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection means are designed to be movable between a retracted position (when connected to non-light motors) and a connection position (when connected to light motors). This dynamic configuration allows the handpiece to adapt to different motor types, resolving the contradiction between reliable electrical connection and motor compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the electrical connection means is changed based on the motor type. When connected to non-light motors, the connection means are retracted; when connected to light motors, they are in the connection position. This parameter change enables compatibility with different motor configurations while maintaining reliable electrical connection when needed.
2Measurement precision
If indexing means protrude from the proximal end face, then angular positioning is achieved, but connection to non-light motors is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The indexing means are designed to be retractable, allowing them to be pulled back during connection to non-light motors and to protrude when connected to light motors for precise angular positioning. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between achieving precise angular positioning and enabling easy connection to different motor types.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting means are integrated in the handpiece, then working area illumination is improved, but compatibility with existing non-light motors is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection means that supply power to the lighting means are made movable. When connected to non-light motors, these connection means are retracted, allowing the handpiece to be used with existing motors. When connected to light motors, the connection means are in the connection position, enabling the lighting means to illuminate the working area. This resolves the contradiction between improved illumination and motor compatibility.
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 the reuse of dental handpieces with lighting capabilities on 'non-light' drive motors, maintaining operational continuity and tool familiarity for practitioners, without requiring additional tools or motor changes.
Implementation Method 1
first elastic means permanently recall the electrical connection means to the connection position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a dental handpiece (1), including: a head (2) suitable for driving a tool; a body (3) having a proximal section (4) extending in a longitudinal direction (l-l) and intended to be connected, by a proximal end surface (5), to a distal surface of a drive motor; an indexing means (8) suitable for rotatably positioning the body (3) of the dental handpiece (1) about the longitudinal direction (l-l) relative to the drive motor; an electric means (9) for lighting the working area of the tool; and a means (10) for supplying electric power to the electric lighting means (9). The indexing means (8) is retractable or set back from the proximal end surface (5), and the electric supply means (10) includes a retractable electrical connection means (11).