Removable Sterilizable Rotary Button for Dental Micro-Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current control units for dental and surgical micro-motors lack ergonomic design and are difficult to sterilize, leading to contamination and deterioration of the console materials.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a removable sterilizable button coupled to the control support via friction, snap-on, or magnetic connection, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and sterilization, enhancing ergonomics and reducing contamination risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control interface uses a fixed keyboard with multiple buttons, then the control functions are comprehensive, but the sterilization process becomes difficult and the materials deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is divided into two separate parts: a fixed control box containing the encoder and electronics, and a removable button that can be detached for sterilization. This segmentation allows the sterilizable button to be separated from the non-sterilizable control box, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive control functions and sterilization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The button is extracted as a separate sterilizable component from the control box. By taking out the button that requires frequent contact and potential contamination, it can be independently sterilized without subjecting the entire control box to aggressive sterilization processes that would damage its materials.
2Ease of operation
If the control interface requires numerous successive key strokes, then the control functions are comprehensive, but the ergonomics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single rotary button with an encoder. Instead of requiring numerous separate buttons for different control functions, the encoder allows the user to rotate the button to cycle through different functions and press it to activate them, reducing the number of physical buttons needed while maintaining comprehensive control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The single rotary button serves multiple functions by combining rotational movement for function selection with pressing action for activation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate buttons for different operations, improving ergonomics while maintaining comprehensive control functionality.
3Reliability
If the entire console is sterilized by heating to 135°C, then the sterilization is effective, but the console materials are damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into a sterilizable button and a non-sterilizable control box. This allows the button to undergo aggressive sterilization processes without exposing the entire console, including sensitive electronic components and material-sensitive parts, to high temperatures that would cause damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The button is extracted as a separate sterilizable component that can be subjected to high-temperature sterilization (135°C) independently. This extraction allows effective sterilization of the button while protecting the rest of the console materials from thermal damage.
4Strength
If chemical disinfection is used on the console, then the sterilization is gentler on materials, but the chemical substances deteriorate the console materials and aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The control interface is segmented into a sterilizable button and a protected control box. This segmentation allows the use of aggressive chemical disinfectants on the button to achieve effective sterilization, while the control box materials and aesthetic surfaces are protected from direct contact with these chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The button is extracted as a separate component that can be exposed to aggressive chemical disinfectants for effective sterilization. This extraction protects the console's aesthetic appearance and sensitive materials from chemical deterioration while maintaining sterilization effectiveness on the high-contact surfaces.
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 solution provides a user-friendly, easily sterilizable control interface that prevents contamination and extends the lifespan of the control system components by allowing for more aggressive chemical cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
the removable sterilizable button is coupled in removable fashion to the control support... through friction, through snap-on connection, or magnetically
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a control system (1) for a micro-motor for dental or surgical use comprising a control box (10) provided with an adjustment knob (2), mounted in a way rotatable about a rotational axis (A-A). The adjustment knob (2) is made up of a control support (20) integral with an encoder (3) integrated in the said box (10), and a sterilizable button (21) coupled in a removable way to the said control support (20).