Apparatus comprising a suction assembly and at least one accessory unit provided with an electronic and/or pneumatic device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suction assemblies in dental practices are cumbersome and difficult to integrate with existing dental units due to issues with cable damage and air vortex creation when trying to connect suction conduits and electrical cables within the same support element.
Innovation Solution
A novel apparatus that integrates a suction assembly and an accessory unit with electronic devices, using a bearing frame with a central and outer tube configuration, a joint with multiple compartments, and connection means to allow for easy mounting on a supporting element, such as a dental unit, while maintaining the integrity of tubes and cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If suction conduit and electrical cables are connected within the same support element, then integration is achieved, but cable damage and air vortexes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is segmented into separate compartments: a first compartment for the suction conduit and a second compartment for electrical cables. This segmentation prevents cable damage and air vortexes while maintaining integration capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction assembly and accessory unit are nested within a common bearing frame structure, with the suction conduit and cables organized in separate nested compartments. This allows integrated mounting while protecting cable integrity and maintaining suction efficiency.
2Productivity
If suction assembly is integrated into dental unit, then operational efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction assembly and accessory unit are merged into a single integrated apparatus with a common bearing frame, joint, and connection means. This merging improves operational efficiency by consolidating functions while managing complexity through shared structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing frame and joint structure serve multiple functions: supporting the suction assembly, accommodating accessory units, providing separate pathways for conduits and cables, and enabling mounting to dental units. This multi-functionality improves productivity while controlling complexity through versatile design.
3Reliability
If separate support elements are used for suction and accessories, then cable protection is ensured, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple support functions are merged into a single bearing frame structure that provides separate protected pathways for both suction conduits and electrical cables. This merging maintains cable protection while improving ease of operation through unified mounting and simplified integration.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
Apparatus (A) comprising a bearing frame (U) comprising an outer tube (1), a central tube (2), a peripheral duct (10) and a central duct (20) in fluid communication with suction means; a suction assembly (3) comprising a free suction section (32); a joint (4) comprising a central compartment (40) wherein a section (21) of the central duct is disposed, and a peripheral compartment (43) in adjacent position to the central compartment; openings (18, 48) that provide communication between the peripheral compartment and the peripheral duct; and an accessory unit (5) comprising a supporting arm (51) with a longitudinal duct (52), a first end (5a) provided with an accessory (50), and a second end (5b) connected to the joint in such a way that the longitudinal duct is in communication with the peripheral compartment; the accessory comprises tubes and/or electric cables that pass through the openings.