Rotating Dental Mirror Centrifugal Debris Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mouth mirror apparatuses are inefficient in removing mist, water drops, or debris from the reflective surface during dental procedures, which can impair visibility and require complex cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
A mouth mirror apparatus with a mounting frame, elongated handle, and rotatable mirror member, integrated with a suction system that uses a fluid stream to drive rotation and centrifugal force to remove debris, while being easily disassembled for cleaning and sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mouth mirror apparatus uses a stationary mirror design, then the structure is simple, but mist and debris cannot be effectively removed from the reflective surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the mirror body rotatable rather than stationary. The mirror is mounted on a rotating mechanism that allows it to spin during use, creating centrifugal force that throws water drops and debris outward from the reflective surface, thereby maintaining visibility while remaining structurally relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatics and hydraulics by introducing a fluid outlet that directs a fluid stream onto the mirror surface. This fluid stream works in conjunction with the rotation to enhance the removal of mist and debris, using fluid dynamics to improve cleaning effectiveness without complex mechanical structures.
2Ease of manufacture
If the mirror is fixed and non-rotating, then the manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning and sterilization processes become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable mirror design allows the reflective surface to be continuously exposed during rotation, making it more accessible for cleaning and sterilization processes. The rotation mechanism enables fluid streams to reach all surfaces of the mirror, improving cleaning effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing requirements.
3Reliability
If a rotating mirror mechanism is implemented, then debris removal effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a rotating mirror mechanism that spins the mirror body during use. This rotation is achieved through a relatively simple mounting structure that allows rotational movement, creating centrifugal force to effectively remove debris while avoiding overly complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fluid delivery system that directs streams of fluid onto the mirror surface to assist in debris removal. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach complements the rotation mechanism, enhancing cleaning effectiveness while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through the use of fluid dynamics rather than additional mechanical components.
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
Effectively clears mist and debris from the mirror surface, maintaining clear visibility and simplifying the cleaning process, without the risk of electric shock, and allowing for efficient operation with a suction device.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid stream is permitted to be drawn into the lower space through the fluid intake port to flow toward the internal port
Implementation Method 2
the fluid stream to force the driving member to rotate about the shaft axis to thereby rotate the mirror member, so that water drops and/or debris on the reflecting surface are thrown outwards by a centrifugal force
Implementation Method 3
By a suction force provided by a suction device, the fluid stream is permitted to be drawn into the lower space
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A mouth mirror apparatus is adapted to be connected to a suction device and includes a mounting frame (1), an elongated handle (12), and a mirror member (2). The mirror member (2) is rotatably mounted on a major wall (11) of the mounting frame (1) and can be driven to rotate when the suction device is actuated. When the mirror member (2) rotates, a centrifugal force is generated to fling off water drops and/or debris on a reflecting surface (211) of the mirror member (2).