Integrated Suction Lighting for Dental Dust Extraction Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing extraction systems for dental ceramic workstations provide insufficient occupational safety, limited visibility, and hinder product quality due to inadequate shielding and lighting solutions, often leading to malfunctions.

Innovation Solution

A suction device with a main body, extraction tunnel, and discharge opening, coupled with a light arrangement that illuminates the processing area through a frame with centrally positioned light elements, and a transparent protective cover, along with an electrical circuit for activation, ensuring improved visibility and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional protective shields are used to protect the operator, then occupational safety is improved, but the field of vision is restricted and the work area is darkened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupational safetyVSAvoidwork area illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the protective shield function with the lighting function by integrating light sources directly into the extraction device housing. This merging eliminates the need for separate protective shields while providing both protection and illumination, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction device itself acts as an intermediary that serves dual purposes: it provides particle extraction for safety and incorporates lighting elements to illuminate the work area. This intermediary approach allows the same structure to fulfill both protective and illuminating functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the extraction device is positioned to act as a shield for the operator, then occupational safety is improved, but the field of vision is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupational safetyVSAvoidfield of vision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function and lighting function are merged into a single integrated device. The light sources are positioned within the extraction device housing to illuminate the work area while the device itself provides protection, eliminating the need for separate protective shields that would block vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting is localized to specific areas within the work zone, with light sources positioned to illuminate only the necessary processing areas. This local illumination approach provides adequate visibility without requiring large protective structures that would restrict the operator's overall field of vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If multiple components for extraction and shielding are used, then occupational safety is improved, but the system complexity increases leading to malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupational safetyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions (extraction, shielding, and lighting) into a single unified device structure. By combining these functions rather than using separate components, the system complexity is reduced while maintaining comprehensive safety and functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction device is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously provides particle extraction, operator protection, and work area illumination. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple separate components, thereby reducing system complexity and the potential for malfunctions while maintaining occupational safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enhances occupational safety and visibility by positioning the light arrangement near the extraction opening, reducing shadowing and malfunctions, thereby improving product quality.

Implementation Method 1

a light arrangement for illuminating the processing area, wherein the light arrangement has a frame along which at least one light element is arranged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an extraction device for extracting dust particles... an extraction tunnel having an extraction opening and a discharge opening, wherein the dust particles occurring in front of the extraction opening during operation can be captured and discharged through the extraction tunnel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4410235B1Suction device
Publication Date: 2026.02.04 ZUBLER GERATEBAU GMBH
  • EP4410235B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4410235B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4410235B1 patent drawingFigure 1e~1f

AI summary

Disclosed is an extraction device (100) for extracting dust particles, comprising a main body (110) with an extraction tunnel (112) having an inlet opening and a discharge opening (130), wherein the dust particles occurring in front of the inlet opening during operation can be captured and discharged through the extraction tunnel (112) from the discharge opening (130), a coupling device (140) for attaching the main body (110) to a processing area, a light arrangement (200) for illuminating the processing area, wherein the light arrangement has a frame (210) along which at least one light element (220) is arranged, which extends substantially over the entire frame (210), wherein the frame (210) centrally encloses a viewing opening (230), wherein the light element (220) is directed towards the processing area during operation, and an electrical circuit for activating and deactivating the light arrangement (200).wherein the frame (210) has an opening (214) at the top which extends in particular over the entire width of the intake opening or the main body (110).