Rotating Dental Care Unit and Chair for Ergonomic Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated dental care apparatuses lack symmetry and flexibility to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed dentists, limiting ergonomic efficiency and requiring multiple apparatus versions to meet diverse user needs and cultural differences.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a patient chair and dental care unit that are both turnable relative to a vertical axis, with the dental care unit capable of 360-degree rotation and the patient chair capable of independent rotation, allowing for symmetric positioning of all components and instruments on either side of the chair, facilitated by a combination of motorized and manual adjustment mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dental care unit is designed with fixed asymmetric positioning, then the apparatus structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate both right-handed and left-handed dentists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the dental care unit itself asymmetric in its component layout, but compensating through the symmetric capability of the entire apparatus. The dental care unit can be positioned asymmetrically on either side of the patient chair, and its internal components (instruments, suction, display) are arranged to match the positioning side, creating a mirror-image configuration for left-handed versus right-handed dentists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the dental care unit rotatable relative to the patient chair about a vertical axis. This rotational capability allows the unit to dynamically change position between left and right sides, transforming a static asymmetric design into a dynamic system that adapts to different user needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of the apparatus are produced to meet different cultural and individual needs, then user needs are satisfied, but manufacturing and inventory complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single apparatus that serves multiple functions and user types. The rotatable dental care unit allows one basic construction to fulfill the roles of what would otherwise require multiple asymmetric versions, enabling the same apparatus to serve right-handed dentists, left-handed dentists, and different cultural preferences.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational mechanism enables one apparatus version to dynamically adapt to different user configurations, replacing the need for multiple static versions in production and inventory.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the patient chair is fixed to the floor, then the apparatus structure is stable, but ergonomic flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the dental care unit to rotate relative to the patient chair. This creates a dynamic relationship between the two components, allowing ergonomic adjustment while keeping the patient chair itself stable and floor-fixed.
4Device complexity
If the dental care unit is positioned asymmetrically, then the apparatus construction is simple, but symmetry for left/right-handed use is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by introducing rotational movement. The dental care unit is constructed simply with asymmetric internal layout, but the rotational joint allows it to achieve symmetric positioning capability, presenting mirror-image configurations for left-handed and right-handed dentists.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns an integrated dental care apparatus which comprises a patient chair (20) and a dental care unit (10), which according to the invention are arranged to comprise means for mounting the dental care unit (10) on a floor while the dental care unit (10) and the patient chair (20) are structurally connected by means which support the patient chair (20), and wherein both the dental care unit (10) and the patient chair (20) are arranged to comprise means for enabling them to be turned in relation to a vertical axis (101, 102).