KR20220106314A - Dental circulation system providing purified compressed air - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air, and more specifically, relates to a dental circulation system for performing humidity reduction and sterilization of compressed air in a separate purification unit and supplying the same to a storage unit. According to the present invention, the microbiosis of a patient can be prevented.

Description

DENTAL CIRCULATION SYSTEM PROVIDING PURIFIED COMPRESSED AIR

The present invention relates to a dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air, and more particularly, to a dental circulation system for supplying compressed air to which humidity reduction and sterilization has been applied in a separate purification unit to a storage unit. will be.

In hospitals, compressed air is used in various forms. In particular, in dentistry, a flow path of compressed air is coupled to a handpiece to which a tool for removing foreign substances and the like is coupled during oral treatment to supply compressed air.

Such compressed air is generally generated by a compressor, and a tank for storing the compressor and compressed air is generally installed in a hospital basement, outside a building, and the like. Compressed air generated by the compressor is stored in a tank, and flows into a hospital interior (eg, a handpiece used for treatment) along a flow path according to an operator's need.

When compressed air is produced by a compressor, water is inevitably produced. Although air is compressed, moisture is not. For example, when compressed to 7.5 times in 20L, 150L of air is entered, and the humidity of 60% becomes 450% when compressed, so that water is generated in the tank.

Ideally, it is desirable to remove the water, but the operation of removing the water generated in the tank once is very cumbersome, and since there is no regulation on medical air, most of the water was used without removing the water separately.

If water (moisture) generated by air compression is not removed and is continuously present in the tank, rust is generated in the tank as shown in FIG. 1 . Figure 1 is actually a sample of rust generated in a tank that has not removed moisture for 5 years.

This molten compressed air is supplied to the handpiece and used during dental treatment, causing a major problem such as bacterial infection in the oral cavity. However, most patients are not aware of this fact, and hospitals also implicitly neglect this fact. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a dental circulation system capable of providing purified compressed air.

Republic of Korea Registered Utility Model Publication No. 20-0304111

The present invention relates to a dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air, and more particularly, to a dental circulation system for supplying compressed air to which humidity reduction and sterilization has been applied in a separate purification unit to a storage unit. will be.

In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes: a purification unit for purifying incoming air; a pump unit through which the purified air is introduced from the purification unit or for sending the air to the purification unit; a storage unit through which air passing through the pump unit is introduced; and a control unit for controlling opening/closing of a plurality of valves formed in a plurality of flow paths connecting the purification unit, the pump unit, and the storage unit.

In addition, the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes a first flow path coupled to the pump unit; a second flow path branched from the first flow path and coupled to the purification unit, the second flow path having a second valve; and a third flow path branched from the first flow path, through which external air is introduced, and a third valve is formed, wherein the pump unit includes purified air passing through the first flow path or the second flow path. outside air is drawn in.

In addition, the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes a fourth flow path coupled to the pump unit; a fifth passage branched from the fourth passage and coupled to the purification unit, the fifth passage having a fifth valve; and a sixth flow path branched from the fourth flow path and coupled to the storage unit, wherein a sixth valve is formed, wherein the air of the pump unit is supplied to the purification unit through the fifth flow path or the It is supplied to the storage unit through a sixth flow path.

In addition, the control unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention, closes the second valve and the sixth valve, and opens the third valve and the fifth valve mode; and a second mode in which the second and sixth valves are opened and the third and fifth valves are closed.

In addition, after the first mode operation of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention, the humidity in the purification unit is preset after the pressure of the air in the purification unit reaches a preset reference upper limit pressure. When the reference humidity is reached, the second mode is switched to, and after the second mode is operated, the air in the purification unit reaches the preset reference lower limit pressure and then the first mode is switched.

In addition, the purification unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes a cooler, a dehumidifier and a sterilizer.

In addition, the purification unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes a temperature and humidity sensor and a pressure sensor.

In addition, the purification unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention includes a water container for storing water generated in the dehumidifier and a drain port for discharging the water stored in the water container to the outside of the purification unit. .

In addition, the purification unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention is formed with a sealable door.

In addition, the air stored in the storage unit of the dental circulation system for providing purified compressed air according to the present invention is coupled to the dental handpiece.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide purified compressed air to the compressed air supplied to the dental handpiece through repeated operation of the first mode and the second mode and dehumidification and sterilization in the purification unit, and the compressed air is stored It is possible to prevent the occurrence of rust in advance by preventing the generation of water in the storage unit. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the inflow of contaminated air into the oral cavity of the patient during the dental treatment process, thereby preventing bacterial infection and the like.

1 is an actual photograph in which rust has occurred.
2 is a schematic diagram of a dental circulation system according to the present invention.
Figure 3 shows the air flow of the dental circulation system according to the first mode of operation of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the air flow of the dental circulation system according to the second mode of operation of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings of the present invention will be described in detail. The embodiments introduced below are provided as examples so that the spirit of the present invention can be sufficiently conveyed to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below and may be embodied in other forms. And, in the drawings, the size and thickness of the device may be exaggerated for convenience. Like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but will be embodied in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and common knowledge in the art to which the present invention pertains It is provided to fully inform the possessor of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of description.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments, and therefore is not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural, unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprise” and/or “comprising” refers to the presence of one or more other components, steps, operations and/or elements mentioned. or addition is not excluded.

2 is a schematic diagram of a dental circulation system according to the present invention. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration and effect of the dental circulation system according to the present invention will be described.

The dental circulation system according to the present invention includes a purification unit 100 , a pump unit 200 , a storage unit 300 , and a control unit 400 .

The purification unit 100 includes a cooler 110 , a dehumidifier 120 , a sterilizer 130 , a temperature and humidity sensor 140 , a pressure sensor 150 , a door 160 , and a circulation window 170 .

As will be described later, air compressed in the pump unit 200 is introduced into the purification unit 100 . In addition, the compressed air purified by the purification unit 100 may flow out to the pump unit 200 . This is according to the mode selection of the control unit 400 . This will be described later in detail.

The dehumidifier 120 includes a water tank 121 for storing the water generated by the dehumidifier 120 and a drain hole 122 for discharging the water stored in the water tank 121 to the outside of the purification unit 100 .

The pump unit 200 serves as a compressor, and compresses air. In addition, the storage unit 300 receives the compressed air from the pump unit 200, is connected to the handpiece (not shown) at the same time to store and provide purified compressed air to the handpiece.

The control unit 400 is in charge of overall electronic control for the operation of the present system, and in particular, regulates opening/closing of a plurality of valves, which will be described later. In addition, the opening/closing of the plurality of valves is adjusted by matching the pressure of the air in the purification unit 100 and the reference upper limit pressure and the reference lower limit pressure. This will be described later in detail.

A plurality of flow paths and valves are formed between the purification unit 100 , the pump unit 200 , and the storage unit 300 .

First, a first flow path 11 , a second flow path 12 , and a third flow path 13 are formed between the purification unit 100 and the pump unit 200 .

The first flow path 11 is coupled to the pump unit 200 . In addition, the first flow path 11 is branched and connected to the second flow path 12 and the third flow path 13 , respectively.

At this time, the second flow path 12 is connected to the purification unit 100 , and external air is introduced into the third flow path 13 . External air is first introduced through the third flow path 13 to form purified compressed air in the circulation system.

A second valve 20 that can be opened/closed is formed in the second flow path 12 , and a third valve 30 that can be opened/closed is formed in the third flow path 13 . The opening/closing of the second valve 20 and the third valve 30 is performed by the control unit 400 .

Next, a fourth flow path 14 , a fifth flow path 15 , and a sixth flow path 16 are formed between the pump unit 200 , the purification unit 100 , and the storage unit 300 .

The fourth flow path 14 is coupled to the pump unit 200 . The difference from the first flow path 11 is that air flows into the first flow path 11 into the pump unit 200 and air flows out of the fourth flow path 14 from the pump unit 200. have.

In addition, the fourth flow path 14 is branched and connected to the fifth flow path 15 and the sixth flow path 16 , respectively.

At this time, the fifth flow path 15 is connected to the purification unit 100 , and the sixth flow path 16 is connected to the storage unit 300 . The difference from the second flow path 12 is that air flows out of the second flow path 12 from the purification unit 100 and air flows into the fifth flow path 15 into the purification unit 100. have.

A fifth valve 50 that can be opened/closed is formed in the fifth flow path 16 , and a sixth valve 60 that can be opened/closed is formed in the sixth flow path 16 . The opening/closing of the fifth valve 50 and the sixth valve 60 is performed by the control unit 400 .

Accordingly, the first flow path 11 to the sixth flow path 16 are formed in the system, and the second valve 20 , the third valve 30 , the fifth valve 50 , and the sixth valve 60 are formed. do. At this time, a seventh flow path 17 to which the storage unit 300 and the handpiece are coupled may be formed.

Hereinafter, a process in which purified compressed air is supplied to the handpiece through the operation process of the system will be looked at.

I. Preparation

A preparation step of removing the humidity in the purification unit 100 is performed. This is to form a desired condition by removing the humidity in the purification unit 100 before operation of the pump unit 200 . In the preparation stage, the second valve 20 , the third valve 30 , the fifth valve 50 , and the sixth valve 60 are closed.

In addition, the dehumidifier 120 is operated to remove the humidity in the purification unit 100 . When the humidity in the purification unit 100 reaches a preset reference humidity, it is preferable to switch to the first mode (described later) in which the pump unit 200 is operated. This is detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 140 . For example, the reference humidity may be 8%.

II. 1st mode activation step

In the present invention, the 'first mode' refers to closing the second valve 20 and the sixth valve 60 , and opening the third valve 30 and the fifth valve 50 .

When the first mode is activated, the movement of air from the purification unit 100 to the pump unit 200 is blocked, and the movement of air from the pump unit 200 to the storage unit 300 is blocked. In addition, external air is introduced and compressed in the pump unit 200 , and the compressed air is introduced into the purification unit 100 .

The compressed air introduced into the purification unit 100 is purified in the purification unit 100 . In particular, moisture is removed through the dehumidifier 120 , and contaminants are sterilized through the sterilizer 130 . Due to this, purified compressed air is formed. The cooler 110 serves to maintain the temperature in the purification unit 100 . For example, it may be maintained at 25 degrees.

At this time, when the pressure in the purification unit 100 sensed by the pressure sensor 150 reaches a preset reference upper limit pressure, the operation of the pump unit 200 is stopped, and the second valve 20, the third valve ( 3), the fifth valve 50 and the sixth valve 60 are preferably closed. For example, the reference upper limit pressure may be 2 bar.

In addition, in the state in which the second valve 20 , the third valve 3 , the fifth valve 50 , and the sixth valve 60 are closed, the compressed air introduced into the purification unit 100 is converted into the purification unit 100 . ) cannot be leaked to the outside, it is dehumidified by the dehumidifier 120, and when the humidity in the purification unit 100 reaches the reference humidity, the operation of the dehumidifier 120 is stopped and switched to the second mode (to be described later) it is preferable Detected by the temperature and humidity sensor 140, the reference humidity may be, for example, 8%.

In this way, the upper limit of the pressure of the purified compressed air is specified, the upper limit of the humidity of the purified compressed air is specified, and this is recognized and the mode is changed so that the purified air is moved to the storage unit 300 . Through this, there is an advantage in that it is possible to provide the storage unit 300 with purified compressed air having a designed desired pressure and humidity.

The flow of air according to the operation of the first mode as described above is shown in FIG. 3 .

Ⅲ. 2nd mode activation step

In the present invention, the 'second mode' refers to opening the second valve 20 and the sixth valve 60 and closing the third valve 30 and the fifth valve 50 .

As described above, when the air in the purification unit 100 reaches the reference upper limit pressure, it is switched to the second mode by the control unit 400 . At this time, when the second mode is switched to, the inflow of external air is blocked, and the air discharged from the pump unit 200 is fed back and prevented from flowing into the purification unit 100 . The air purified through the first mode is transferred to the storage unit 300 through the second flow path 12 , the first flow path 11 , the pump unit 200 , the fourth flow path 14 , and the sixth flow path 16 . is brought in

The flow of air according to the second mode operation as described above is shown in FIG. 4 .

Therefore, unlike the prior art, since the compressed air purified by the purification unit 100 is stored in the storage unit 300, the conventional problem of rust occurring in the tank because moisture is not removed can be solved, and thus, in the dental treatment process, the hand By preventing the supply of contaminated compressed air to the piece, it is possible to minimize bacterial infection in the oral cavity of the patient.

The purified compressed air flows into the storage unit 300 , and the pressure of the storage unit 300 increases.

At this time, purified compressed air may be introduced up to the preset storage unit upper limit pressure in the storage unit 300 , and when the storage unit upper limit pressure is reached, the control unit 400 is controlled to stop the operation of the pump unit 200 . can do. For example, the upper limit pressure of the storage unit may be 7.5 bar. In addition, when the pressure in the storage unit 300 is lowered and the storage unit lower limit pressure is reached as the operation of the pump unit 200 stops, the control unit 400 may control the pump unit 200 to operate again.

Through this, without conversion of the first mode and the second mode, the purified compressed air in the storage unit 300 can be constantly maintained within a constant range, thereby providing a stable pressure to the handpiece.

IV. Repeat operation of 1st mode and 2nd mode

Since the air in the purification unit 100 is supplied to the storage unit 300 , the air pressure in the purification unit 100 decreases as the time during which the second mode is operated increases. At this time, when the pressure in the purification unit 100 sensed by the pressure sensor 150 reaches the preset reference lower limit pressure, the dehumidifier 120 of the purification unit 100 starts operation again, and the first mode is activated. is activated For example, the reference upper limit pressure may be 0.9 bar.

In this process, as described above, due to the operation of the first mode, compressed air is introduced into the purification unit 100 , and the air pressure in the purification unit 100 reaches the reference upper limit pressure. Thereafter, the operation of the pump unit 200 is stopped, and the second valve 20 , the third valve 3 , the fifth valve 50 , and the sixth valve 60 are closed. In addition, when the compressed air in the purification unit 100 is dehumidified by the dehumidifier 120 and reaches the reference humidity, the operation of the dehumidifier 120 is stopped and converted to the second mode. In this way, the first mode and the second mode may be repeatedly performed. As described above, for example, the reference humidity may be 8%.

In order to turn off the system according to the present invention, the power of the pump unit 200 is cut off, the water tank of the dehumidifier 120 is drained through the drain hole 122, and all the pressure of the storage unit 300 is removed. After that, the power of the control unit 400 is turned off.

In the present invention, the sealable door 160 can be opened and closed when the purification unit 100 is maintained, and the circulation window 170 is also temporarily opened to increase the ease of operation.

Although the detailed description of the present invention described has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art or those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field will It will be understood that various modifications and variations of the present invention can be made without departing from the technical scope. Accordingly, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

100: purification unit,
200: pump unit,
300: storage unit,
400: control unit.

Claims (10)

a purification unit for purifying the incoming air;
a pump unit through which the purified air is introduced from the purification unit or for sending the air to the purification unit;
a storage unit through which air passing through the pump unit is introduced; and
Containing;
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
According to claim 1,
a first flow path coupled to the pump unit;
a second flow path branched from the first flow path and coupled to the purification unit, the second flow path having a second valve; and
A third flow path branched from the first flow path, through which external air is introduced, a third valve is formed; further comprising,
Purified air passing through the first flow path or external air passing through the second flow path is introduced into the pump unit
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
3. The method of claim 2,
a fourth flow path coupled to the pump unit;
a fifth passage branched from the fourth passage and coupled to the purification unit, the fifth passage having a fifth valve; and
A sixth flow path branched from the fourth flow path, coupled to the storage unit, and formed with a sixth valve; further comprising,
The air of the pump unit is supplied to the purification unit through the fifth flow path or is supplied to the storage unit through the sixth flow path
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
4. The method of claim 3,
The control unit is
a first mode in which the second and sixth valves are closed and the third and fifth valves are opened; and
A second mode of opening the second valve and the sixth valve and closing the third valve and the fifth valve; controlling to operate repeatedly
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
5. The method of claim 4,
After the first mode operation, when the pressure of the air in the purification unit reaches a preset reference upper limit pressure and the humidity in the purification unit reaches the preset reference humidity, it is switched to the second mode,
After the second mode operation, the air in the purification unit is switched to the first mode after reaching a preset reference lower limit pressure
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
According to claim 1,
The purification unit will include a cooler, a dehumidifier and a sterilizer
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
7. The method of claim 6,
The purification unit will include a temperature and humidity sensor and a pressure sensor
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
8. The method of claim 7,
The purification unit includes a water tank for storing water generated by the dehumidifier and a drain port for discharging the water stored in the water tank to the outside of the purification unit
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
9. The method of claim 8,
The purification unit is that a sealable door is formed
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.
According to claim 1,
The air stored in the storage unit is coupled to the dental handpiece
A dental circulation system that provides purified compressed air.

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