TWI626920B - Defogging device - Google Patents

Abstract

A demisting device suitable for use in an oral scanner. The oral scanner includes a body portion and a distal end portion. The end portion is provided with a light incident surface and a reflective surface. The reflective surface is inclined with respect to the light incident surface. The demisting device comprises a body and an energy generator. The energy generator is disposed on the base, and the energy generator is adjacent to the reflective surface and provides energy to the reflective surface to heat the reflective surface.

Description

Defogging device

The present invention relates to a demisting device, and more particularly to a demisting device suitable for use in an oral scanner.

When the oral scanner scans the patient's mouth, the scanning head at the end will be in a high-humidity oral environment. However, the temperature difference between the room temperature (for example, 25 degrees) and the oral cavity is likely to cause fogging when the scanning head scans. The scan result is inaccurate and takes a lot of time, which affects the scanning accuracy. In addition, the scanning head of the oral scanner mostly uses a heating device built in the body to remove the fog. When the scanning head is improperly heated or the temperature is poorly controlled and overheated, the oral scanner is prone to failure or unusable, and the safety is also derived. The problem.

The present invention relates to a demisting device that uses an externally powered heating method to defogg the dental scanner to avoid safety problems during use.

According to an aspect of the invention, a demisting device is provided for use in an oral scanner. The oral scanner includes a body portion and a distal end portion, the end portion is provided with a light incident surface and a reflective surface, and the reflective surface is inclined with respect to the light incident surface, and the mist removing device is mounted. The set includes a body and an energy generator. The energy generator is disposed on the base, and the energy generator is adjacent to the reflective surface and provides energy to the reflective surface to heat the reflective surface.

In order to better understand the above and other aspects of the present invention, the preferred embodiments are described below, and in conjunction with the drawings, the detailed description is as follows:

100‧‧‧Defogging device

110‧‧‧ body

112‧‧‧ openings

114‧‧‧Switch circuit

116‧‧‧Processor

118‧‧‧Protection circuit

120‧‧‧Energy Generator

121‧‧‧First induction coil

122‧‧‧Second induction coil

123‧‧‧Circuit board

124‧‧‧Power terminal

125‧‧‧Electrical heat conversion element

126‧‧‧heat source

127‧‧‧thermal terminals

128‧‧‧heat source

129‧‧‧Fan

130‧‧‧Oral scanner

131‧‧‧ Body Department

132‧‧‧End

133‧‧‧Into the glossy side

133a‧‧‧ openings

134‧‧‧reflecting surface

135‧‧‧heat insulation parts

136‧‧‧thermal sheet

137‧‧‧Shell

138‧‧‧ openings

139‧‧‧Thermistor

140‧‧‧Microwave Generator

141‧‧‧Magnetron

142‧‧‧heat insulation parts

I ₁ ‧‧‧ Current

I ₂ ‧‧‧Induction current

MF‧‧‧induced magnetic field

A‧‧‧ input

B‧‧‧output

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the combination and separation of a defogging device and an oral scanner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are exploded and schematic perspective views showing the distal end portion of the oral scanner.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the demisting device and the oral scanner.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an induction coil for heating.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the demisting device and the oral scanner.

Fig. 7 is a schematic exploded view showing the distal end portion of the oral scanner.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the demisting device and the oral scanner.

Figure 9 is a schematic view showing the distal end portion of the oral scanner.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the demisting device and the oral scanner.

Fig. 11 is a schematic exploded view showing the distal end portion of the oral scanner.

Figure 12 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the demisting device and the oral scanner.

Figure 13 is a block diagram showing the protection circuit and the switching circuit applied to the present invention.

The following is a detailed description of the embodiments, and the examples are only used for The description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2, a demisting apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a body 110 and an energy generator 120. The seat body 110 is, for example, a hollow elongated body having an opening 112 facing upward, and the shape of the seat body 110 is matched with the outer shape of the oral scanner 130, so that the user can firmly place the oral scanner 130 on the seat body 110 and Easy to take. Further, the energy generator 120 is disposed on the base 110, for example, at the front end of the base 110 and near the distal end portion 132 of the oral scanner 130 to heat the distal end portion 132.

Referring to FIG. 2, the oral scanner 130 includes a body portion 131 and a distal end portion 132. The body portion 131 refers to an elongated body that can be gripped by a user, and the distal end portion 132 is inserted into the oral cavity for scanning. Scan head. The distal end portion 132 generally has a light incident surface 133 whose opening 133a faces downward and a reflecting surface 134 which is inclined with respect to the light incident surface 133 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). After the scanning beam is emitted through the optical body (not shown) in the body portion 131, it can be reflected to the opening 133a of the light incident surface 133 via the reflecting surface 134 and into the oral cavity to perform scanning of the oral cavity. Thereafter, the reflected scanning beam enters the end portion 132 via the opening 133a of the light incident surface 133, and is reflected into the optical machine body via the reflecting surface 134 to obtain a scanned image.

In another embodiment, the end portion 132 may be disposed, for example, at a right angle of three turns (not shown). The reflective surface 134 may be disposed on a slope of a right angle of three turns. The reflective surface 134 is, for example, coated on a slope. The polarizing material on or the polarizing film attached to the inclined surface. Of course, the reflective surface 134 can also be a separate component, such as a mirror or a reflective diaphragm, and is not limited to being disposed on a right angle.

In an embodiment, when the oral scanner 130 is placed in the seat 110 In the upper case, the energy generator 120 can be used to provide energy to the reflective surface 134 to increase the internal temperature of the end portion 132 to a predetermined temperature, for example, to heat a conductive sheet on the reflective surface 134 by heat conduction, heat convection or heat radiation. 136 (see FIG. 3B) or an electrothermal conversion element 125 (see FIG. 7) supplied to the reflecting surface 134 or heated by electromagnetic/magnetothermal conversion so that the temperature of the reflecting surface 134 is higher than the temperature in the oral cavity, Avoiding the temperature difference between the reflective surface 134 and the oral cavity causes the reflective surface 134 (or right angle three turns) to fog during scanning. The energy provided by the energy generator 120 may be magnetic energy, electric energy, thermal energy, light energy, microwave, electromagnetic wave, far infrared ray or other forms of energy, and the energy is converted into direct or indirect reflection by energy conversion or absorption. The heat energy of the surface 134 is heated. Therefore, the energy generator 120 of the present embodiment is not limited to a heat source that supplies thermal energy, but an energy conversion element that can convert electrical energy, magnetic energy, microwave, or light energy into thermal energy. Various possible embodiments are presented below and are described in detail in conjunction with the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B , in one embodiment, the end portion 132 is provided with a heat conducting sheet 136 on the reflecting surface 134 . The heat conducting sheet 136 is, for example, a metal sheet or ceramic, and the heat conducting sheet 136 is in thermal contact with the reflecting surface 134, and the heat conducting sheet 136 is fixed to the back surface of the reflecting surface 134 by, for example, a thermal conductive adhesive. The heat conducting sheet 136 can absorb the heat energy provided by the energy generator 120 on the seat body 110, thereby increasing the temperature of the reflecting surface 134. In addition, a heat absorbing and holding member 135 may be disposed in the end portion 132, which is in thermal contact with the reflective surface 134 or connected to the heat conductive sheet 136. The heat absorbing heat insulating member 135 is, for example, a heat absorbing material or a composite material that retains heat energy for a long time. The heat absorbing heat insulating member 135 has a better heat insulating effect with respect to the heat conductive sheet 136 having a lower specific heat, so that the end portion 132 can be extended into the oral cavity for a long time. Maintain above the oral temperature to prevent fog from adhering to the reflective surface 134. In an embodiment, the heat absorbing and insulating member 135 can be a sealing member and the inside thereof Contains a liquid substance that is higher than specific heat, such as water. When the water is heated, thermal energy can be stored in the heat absorbing heat retaining member to increase the internal temperature of the tip end portion 132.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in an embodiment, the energy generator 120 has a first induction coil 121, and the end portion 132 is provided with a second induction coil 122 on the reflective surface 134. The first induction coil 121 is adjacent to the first induction coil 121. Two induction coils 122. When the first induction coil 121 is energized, an induced magnetic field MP is formed by the current I ₁ flowing through the first induction coil 121, and the second induction coil 122 located at the end portion 132 is subjected to the induced magnetic field MP to generate an induced current I. ₂ . Therefore, by changing the current flowing through an induction coil, the current flowing through the other induction coil can be changed by the induced magnetic field. This phenomenon is called electromagnetic induction. Referring to FIG. 5, using the principle of electromagnetic induction, a current I ₁ that changes with time is input to the input terminal A, so that the first induction coil 121 generates a periodically varying induced magnetic field MF, and the magnetic field of the second induction coil 122 of the output terminal B. A periodic change is also generated, thus generating an induced current I ₂ and outputting an alternating current. When the magnetic energy is converted into electrical energy, the induced current I ₂ flowing through the second induction coil 122 causes the coil to generate heat due to the generation of thermal resistance, so that the electrical energy is converted into thermal energy, and then the thermal energy is transmitted to the thermal conductive sheet 136 or directly to the reflection. The face 134 is heated to perform the work of heating and defogging.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in an embodiment, the energy generator 120 includes, for example, a circuit board 123 and a set of power terminals 124 for providing a power source, such as a DC power source. The energizing terminal 124 is, for example, a pogo terminal having a positive electrode and a negative electrode for transmitting power. In one embodiment, the circuit board 123 is disposed in the base 110, and the set of energizing terminals 124 extends through the housing 137 of the end portion 132 and is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 137 for contacting the circuit board 123. In addition, the end portion 132 is provided with an electric heat transfer on the reflective surface 134, for example. The replacement element 125, such as a high thermal resistance resistive material, receives the power transmitted by the set of energized terminals 124 and converts the electrical energy into thermal energy. That is, the circuit board 123 is in electrical contact with the electrothermal conversion element 125 via the set of energization terminals 124, and the electrothermal conversion element 125 generates a thermal resistance via energization to transfer thermal energy to the reflective surface 134 and heat the reflective surface 134 to perform Heat defogging work. In addition, in the embodiment, a heat absorbing member 135 (see FIG. 3B) may be disposed in the end portion 132, which is in thermal contact with the reflecting surface 134 or connected to the electrothermal converting element 125.

In addition, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in an embodiment, the energy generator 120 includes, for example, a heat source 126 and a set of thermally conductive terminals 127. The heat source 126 is, for example, a resistance heating wire that is electrically heated. The heat conduction terminal 127 is made of copper, and penetrates the housing 137 of the end portion 132 and is exposed on the outer surface of the housing 137 for contacting the heat source 126. In addition, the end portion 132 is provided with a heat conducting sheet 136 on the reflecting surface 134 for receiving the heat energy transmitted by the heat conducting terminal 127. That is, the heat source 126 is in thermal contact with the heat conducting sheet 136 via the set of heat conducting terminals 127, transfers heat energy in a heat conduction manner, and heats the reflecting surface 134 to perform the work of heating and defogging. In addition, a heat absorbing member 135 (see FIG. 3B) may be disposed in the end portion 132, which is in thermal contact with the reflecting surface 134 or connected to the heat conducting sheet 136.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in an embodiment, the energy generator 120 includes a heat source 128 and a fan 129. The heat source 128 is, for example, a resistance heating wire. The fan 129 is disposed in front of the heat source 128 when the fan 129 rotates. When a gas stream is formed, the heat energy generated by the heat source 128 can be caused to flow via the gas stream. In addition, the end portion 132 is provided with a heat conducting sheet 136 on the reflecting surface 134 for receiving thermal energy transmitted by the airflow. Fan 129 is adjacent to thermally conductive sheet 136 and is located between heat source 126 and thermally conductive sheet 136. The heat conducting sheet 136 is exposed, for example, to the tip end portion 132. An opening 138 of the housing 137 is used to increase the area of heat absorption. That is to say, the heat source 126 can transmit thermal energy in a heat convection manner via the airflow formed by the fan 129, and heat the reflecting surface 134 to perform the work of heating and defogging. In addition, a heat absorbing member 135 (see FIG. 3B) may be disposed in the end portion 132, which is in thermal contact with the reflecting surface 134 or connected to the heat conducting sheet 136.

Referring to FIG. 12, in an embodiment, the energy generator 120 includes, for example, a microwave generator 140, and the end portion 132 is provided with a heat absorbing member 142 on the reflecting surface 134, and the heat absorbing member 142 includes an absorbable microwave. Liquid substance, such as water. The water molecules are easily heated by microwave vibration, and the specific heat of the water is higher, and the heat conduction sheet 136 having a lower specific heat has a better heat preservation effect, so that the tip end portion 132 can be kept above the oral temperature for a long time after extending into the oral cavity. To prevent fog from adhering to the reflecting surface 134. In one embodiment, the component that generates microwaves in the microwave generator 140 is a magnetron 141. The magnetron 141 converts electrical energy into microwave energy, which emits a microwave frequency of, for example, 2450 MHz to generate water molecules. Shock. In another embodiment, in addition to microwaves, a far infrared ray generator can be used to convert electrical energy into far infrared or other wavelengths of radiation to heat the thermally conductive sheet 136 on the tip portion 132 in a thermally radiative manner.

In addition, referring to the figures 1, 2 and 13, in the above embodiments, the oral scanner 130 further includes a protection circuit 118, which includes, for example, a thermistor 139 (see FIG. 3B), which is disposed at A flexible circuit board in the end portion 132 is configured to detect whether the internal temperature of the end portion 132 exceeds a set value. In addition, the demisting device 100 further includes a switching circuit 114 connected to the energy generator 120. When the internal temperature of the end portion 132 exceeds a set value, the protection circuit 118 controls the switch circuit 114 to turn off the energy generator 120. In an embodiment, the protection of electricity The circuit 118 and the switch circuit 114 are connected to a processor 116, for example, via wireless transmission or wired transmission. The processor 116 is, for example, a computer or a logic operation unit, which can be disposed outside the base 110. When the oral scanner 130 is placed on the base 110, the switch circuit 114 is activated and the processor 116 sends a control signal to the energy generator 120 to heat and defogg the distal end portion 132 of the oral scanner 130. When the internal temperature of the end portion 132 reaches a predetermined temperature, the protection circuit 118 transmits a sensing signal to the processor 116, and the processor 116 controls the switching circuit 114 to turn off the energy generator 120 according to the sensing signal to avoid overheating and save energy. Consumption.

It can be seen from the above description that the demisting device disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention defoggles the oral scanner by means of externally providing heating means to avoid safety problems during use. For example, a heat conducting sheet on the reflecting surface or an electrothermal converting element supplied to the reflecting surface is heated by heat conduction, heat convection or heat radiation or heated by electromagnetic/magnetothermal conversion so that the temperature of the reflecting surface is higher than The temperature inside the mouth. The energy provided by the energy generator may be magnetic energy, electric energy, thermal energy, light energy, microwave, electromagnetic wave, far infrared ray or other forms of energy, and the energy is converted into direct or indirect reflection surface by energy conversion or absorption. Heat of heat. Also, since the energy generator is not disposed in the oral scanner, it is naturally possible to avoid a situation in which the heating device built in the body is improperly heated to cause malfunction or is unusable.

In conclusion, the present invention has been disclosed in the above preferred embodiments, and is not intended to limit the present invention. A person skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

A demisting device is suitable for an oral scanner, the oral scanner includes a body portion and a distal end portion, the end portion is provided with a light incident surface and a reflective surface, and the reflective surface is inclined with respect to the light incident surface. The mist device comprises: a body; and an energy generator disposed on the body, the energy generator being adjacent to the reflecting surface and providing energy to the reflecting surface to heat the reflecting surface. The demisting device of claim 1, wherein the end portion is provided with a heat absorbing and insulating member on the reflecting surface, and the heat absorbing and insulating member is in thermal contact with the reflecting surface. The defogging device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy generator has a first induction coil, and the end portion is provided with a second induction coil on the reflective surface, wherein the first induction coil is adjacent to the The second induction coil is energized to form an induced magnetic field, and the second induction coil is subjected to the induced magnetic field to generate an induced current and generate a thermal resistance to heat the reflective surface. The defogging device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy generator comprises a circuit board and a set of energizing terminals, wherein the end portion is provided with an electrothermal conversion element on the reflecting surface, the circuit board is The group energizing terminal is in electrical contact with the electrothermal converting element, and the electrothermal converting element generates a thermal resistance via energization to heat the reflecting surface. The demisting device of claim 4, wherein the set of energizing terminals penetrates a casing of the end portion and is exposed on an outer surface of the casing. The defogging device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy generator comprises a heat source and a set of heat conducting terminals, wherein the end portion is disposed on the reflecting surface A heat conducting sheet is in thermal contact with the heat conducting sheet via the set of heat conducting terminals to heat the reflecting surface in a thermally conductive manner. The demisting device of claim 6, wherein the set of heat conducting terminals penetrates a casing of the end portion and is exposed on an outer surface of the casing. The defogging device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the energy generator comprises a heat source and a fan, the end portion is provided with a heat conducting sheet on the reflecting surface, the fan is adjacent to the heat conducting sheet, the fan Rotating forms a gas stream such that the heat source heats the thermally conductive sheet via the gas stream. The demisting device of claim 2, wherein the energy generator comprises a microwave generator, and the heat absorbing and insulating member comprises a liquid substance capable of absorbing microwaves. The demisting device of claim 1, wherein the reflecting surface is a mirror or a reflective film. The demisting device of claim 1, wherein the oral scanner further comprises a protection circuit for detecting whether an internal temperature of the end portion exceeds a set value, and the demisting device further comprises a switch The circuit, wherein the protection circuit controls the switching circuit to turn off the energy generator when an internal temperature of the end portion exceeds the set value.