JP2881477B2 - Handpiece light dimmer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in a dimming device for dimming a handpiece light provided in a medical handpiece for dental use or the like.

<Conventional technology> Conventionally, a lamp is built into a medical handpiece for dental use or the like, and the treatment site is illuminated via a light guide or the treatment site is directly illuminated by a lamp provided at the tip of the handpiece. Alternatively, there is known a handpiece with a light such that a treatment site is illuminated by a lamp provided outside the handpiece via a light guide provided in a tube of the handpiece.

In this type of handpiece, an illuminance adjustment resistor and an on / off switch for the handpiece light are provided in a light control box or the like, and the practitioner appropriately operates the light control box to adjust the illuminance or turn on / off the light circuit. I have to.

FIG. 5 shows such a conventional example. 1 is a handpiece, 2 is a handpiece light provided on the handpiece 1, 3 is a handpiece drive switch such as a pedal type foot switch, 4 is a drive control circuit of the handpiece, 5
Is an on / off switch of a handpiece light circuit, 6 is a flashing signal control circuit, 7 is a handpiece light control circuit, 8 is an illuminance adjustment resistor, and 9 is an on / off display unit.

When the on / off switch 5 is turned on, the blinking signal control circuit 6 and the light control circuit 7 are turned on to enable lighting, and the display section 9 displays ON. When the drive switch 3 is turned on in this state, the drive control circuit 4 operates to drive the handpiece 1, and at the same time, a drive signal is also input to the blinking signal control circuit 6 to turn on the handpiece light 2. The illuminance at this time is set to an arbitrary value by the illuminance adjustment resistor 8.

<Problem to be Solved by the Invention> Because of the above-described configuration, if it is desired to temporarily lower the illuminance during use of the handpiece, the illuminance adjustment resistor 8 may be appropriately operated, but the original To return to the illuminance, it is necessary to operate the adjustment resistor 8 again. In addition, in order to obtain a predetermined illuminance, the operation amount of the adjustment resistor 8 must be adjusted, and since the illuminance is determined by the operation position of the adjustment resistor 8, it is not always possible to relight with the predetermined illuminance. . Furthermore, there are various problems such as the necessity of two kinds of operations of illuminance adjustment and ON / OFF, and the illuminance adjustment operation is cumbersome, and there is room for improvement in operability. In addition, many knobs provided on the operation unit for adjusting the illuminance and turning on / off are difficult to completely disinfect and clean due to irregularities on the surface, and it is necessary to improve this point.

The present invention focuses on such problems of the handpiece with a light described as the prior art, and has good operability and dimming of a handpiece light that is easy to disinfect and clean. The purpose was to obtain a device.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above-described object, a basic configuration of the present invention is a method in which one operation switch and the illuminance of a handpiece light are set to a predetermined value each time the operation switch is operated. Illuminance setting means for switching step by step in order.

The set illuminance set by the illuminance setting means may include a state of zero illuminance, or does not include a state of zero illuminance, and is set to zero when the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time. You can do so.

Further, when the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time, the illuminance of the handpiece light is increased or decreased stepwise or continuously thereafter until the operation is completed.

The illuminance setting means is configured to increase or decrease the illuminance of the handpiece light stepwise or continuously during the operation period of the operation switch, regardless of the operation time of the operation switch.

Further, in each of the above-described configurations, when the operation switch is operated in a state where the illuminance of the handpiece light is set to zero, the illuminance is set to a predetermined value other than zero.

In addition, a planar touch switch is used as the operation switch in each of the above-described configurations.

<Operation> According to the basic configuration of the present invention, a desired illuminance can be obtained according to the operation of the operation switch.

In the case where the set illuminance includes a state of zero illuminance, the illuminance can be adjusted and turned off according to the number of times the operation switch is operated, and if the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time, the illuminance is set to zero, Illuminance can be adjusted according to the number of times the operation switch is operated, and can be turned off as necessary.

If the illuminance changes when the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time, a desired illuminance can be obtained by operating the operation switch for a longer time.

If the illuminance changes during the operation period of the operation switch, a desired illuminance can be obtained according to the operation time.

Further, when the operation switch is operated when the illuminance setting is zero, the illuminance is set to a predetermined non-zero illuminance, so that relighting is always performed at a constant illuminance.

Further, by using a planar touch switch as the operation switch, a switch having no irregularities and easy to disinfect and clean can be obtained, and the operability is improved.

 Next, the illustrated embodiment will be described.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a device of a basic embodiment corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Reference numerals 11 and 12 denote operation switches and an illuminance setting circuit provided in the present invention. In response to the operation of the operation switch 11, the illuminance setting circuit 12 outputs an ON permission signal A to the blinking signal control circuit 6; The switching signal B is output to the write control circuit 7. The blinking signal control circuit 6 is turned on by the ON permission signal A, and the display section 9 displays ON. When the drive switch 3 is turned on in this state, the drive control circuit 4 operates to activate the handpiece 1. Is driven. At the same time, the drive signal is also input to the blinking signal control circuit 6, and the handpiece light 2 is turned on at a predetermined illuminance by the light control circuit 7 controlled by the illuminance switching signal B.

As the operation switch 11, a switch that is turned on by a push operation or the like is used, but a flat touch switch is most preferable, and for example, a user such as a doctor-side side of a back plate of a dental treatment table. It is provided at a position that is easy to operate. In addition, the operation switch 11 can be provided in the handpiece 1 as needed. Further, the illuminance setting circuit 12 is appropriately configured using a normal discrete circuit or using a microcomputer. The illuminance setting circuit 12 employs various configurations according to specifications according to specifications by using a configuration described in each embodiment described later. The switching signal B is output.

Note that the present invention can be applied to a device that controls a handpiece by a pneumatic signal, and a broken line shows a configuration in this case. That is, 13 is a pneumatic control circuit, 14
Is a pneumatic switch, and the pneumatic control circuit 13 and the pneumatic switch 14 are operated by a signal of the drive control circuit 4, so that the handpiece 1 is driven and turned on.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows an embodiment corresponding to claim 2. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2A, the illuminance setting circuit 12 includes an illuminance sequential switching circuit 12a and an operation switch signal detection circuit 12b, and operates as follows.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2B, the signal detection circuit 12b detects the ON operation of the operation switch 11 (step S1), and in the next step S2, determines whether or not the write circuit is in the OFF state. If it is determined that the illuminance is OFF, the process proceeds to step S3 to select the illuminance H, and the illuminance switching signal B becomes H. Further, in step S4, the ON permission signal A of the light circuit is turned ON, and the display unit 9 is displayed ON. You. If it is not in the off state in step S2, it is determined whether or not the illuminance is H in step S5. If it is H, the process proceeds to step S6, illuminance L is selected, and the illuminance switching signal B becomes L.
Go to S4. If the illuminance is L in step S5, step
Proceeding to S7, the on permission signal A is turned off, and an off display is made on the display unit 9. FIG. 2C is a time chart showing the above operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the illuminance is switched stepwise in the order of H, L, and off (illuminance is zero) each time the operation switch 11 is turned on. The drive switch 3 is turned on and the handpiece 1 is driven. Then, the handpiece light 2 is turned on or off at the illuminance H or L according to the selected state. Therefore, the user can select any illuminance to proceed with the treatment, and if the operation switch 11 is a touch switch, the ON operation becomes easy. The illuminance may be switched in the order of L, H, and off (zero illuminance), or multi-stage switching including an illuminance intermediate between H and L may be employed.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 3 shows an embodiment corresponding to a combination of the third and sixth aspects. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3A, the illuminance setting circuit 12 includes an operation switch signal detection circuit 12b, an illuminance sequential switching circuit 12c, and an initial setting circuit 12d, and operates as follows.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 (b), the operation switch 1 which has been turned off in step S11
When it is detected that 1 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S12 to start a timer incorporated in the illuminance sequential switching circuit 12c. Then, in the next step S13, it is determined whether or not the write circuit is off.
12d switches the illuminance to H. If it is not off, the process proceeds to step S14. If the illuminance is H, it is set to L. If the illuminance is L, it is set to H. And the process proceeds to step S16.
If the operation switch 11 has already been turned on in step S11, the process directly proceeds to switch S16.

Set time t ₀ of the timer is set to, for example, one second, the procedure to advances to switch S16 again back to switch S11, a time-up is repeated, when the operation switch 11 on its way is turned off Step S17 The timer is reset and the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if the operation switch 11 remains on until the time is up, the process proceeds to step S18, where the light circuit is turned off, an off display is made, and the process returns to step S11. FIG. 3 (c) is a time chart showing the above operation.

As described above, in this embodiment, the illuminance is switched from H to L or from L to H each time the operation switch 11 is turned on, and is turned off when the on operation is continued for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second or more. When the operation switch 11 is turned on in the light-off state, the illuminance H is selected irrespective of the previous illuminance, and the illumination is performed at the illuminance H when the handpiece 1 is driven.

Note that the illuminance L can be selected at the time of re-lighting, and it is also possible to adopt multi-stage switching to re-light at an intermediate illuminance. As in the second embodiment, the system in which the illuminance is switched in the order of H, L, and OFF or in the order of L, H, and OFF always uses H or L
Therefore, it can be regarded as one of the embodiments of claim 6.

<Fourth Embodiment> FIG. 4 is an embodiment corresponding to claim 4. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4A, the illuminance setting circuit 12 is obtained by adding an illuminance continuous variable circuit 12e to that of FIG. 2A. If the illuminance setting circuit 12 uses a microcomputer, the illuminance continuous variable circuit 12e sequentially stores the set value of the illuminance L while decreasing or increasing the illuminance, and outputs an illuminance switching signal B corresponding to the illuminance at that time. If it is a discrete circuit, it is configured to provide a driving motor for the illuminance adjustment resistor and drive it to the lower side or the higher side,
The operation is performed as follows.

That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 (b), the operation switch 1 which has been turned off in step S21
When it is detected that 1 has been turned on, the process proceeds to step S22 to start the timer. Then, in the next step S23, it is determined whether or not the light circuit is in an off state. If the light circuit is off, the process proceeds to step S24, where the illuminance H is selected, and in step S25, the light circuit is turned on to display on. If it is not off in step S23, step S26
It is determined whether or not the illuminance is H. If it is H, the process proceeds to step S27 to select the illuminance L and proceeds to step S25. If the illuminance is L in step S26, the process proceeds to step S28 to turn off the light circuit, and an off display is performed.

The above procedure proceeds from step S25 or S28 to step S29. If the operation switch 11 has already been turned on in step S21, the procedure directly proceeds to step S29. Here, it is determined whether the illuminance is L or not.
Returning to 1, if L, proceed to the next step S30. The above timer is set to, for example, 1 second. The procedure of returning to step S21 and proceeding to step S30 again is repeated until the time is up. If the operation switch 11 is turned off in the middle, the procedure proceeds to step S31. Is reset and the process returns to step S21. On the other hand, if the operation switch 11 is still on at the time when the time is up, the process proceeds from step S32 to step S32.
Proceed to 33.

In step S33, it is determined whether or not the previous mode was the illuminance-up mode. If the mode was the illuminance-up mode, the process proceeds to step S34. If not, the process proceeds to step S35. Then, in step S34, the mode is switched to the illuminance down mode, the illuminance continuous variable circuit 12e is operated to lower the set value of the illuminance L, or the drive motor of the illuminance adjustment resistor is driven to the lower side, and in step S35, The mode is switched to the illuminance up mode, the set value of the illuminance L is increased, or the drive motor of the illuminance adjustment resistor is driven to the rising side. This operation is continued until the operation switch 11 is turned off, and the illuminance is set to the value when the operation switch 11 was turned off.

As described above, in this embodiment, the illuminance is switched from H to L or from L to H each time the operation switch 11 is turned on. However, when the illuminance is L, the on-operation is continued for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second or more. The illuminance automatically changes, and a desired illuminance can be selected. The illuminance change can be either stepwise or continuous, and the mode of change is to adopt an appropriate mode such as repeating reciprocation between the maximum illuminance and the minimum illuminance or changing in one direction. Can be.

Further, by removing the illuminance switching function from the function of the illuminance continuous variable circuit 12e in this embodiment, the illuminance is changed from the beginning without waiting for a predetermined time when the operation switch 11 is turned on. An embodiment corresponding to claim 5 can be obtained.

As a matter of course, according to the present invention, a lamp is built in the handpiece to illuminate the treatment site through a light guide, or a lamp provided at the tip of the handpiece directly illuminates the treatment site. However, the lamp is not limited to the lamp incorporated in the handpiece body, for example, the lamp is provided outside the handpiece, and the treatment site is provided via the light guide provided on the handpiece tube and the handpiece. The present invention can be applied to various types of handpieces with lights, such as those that illuminate.

<Effects of the Invention> As is clear from the above-described embodiment, the present invention enables the handpiece light to be turned on with a desired illuminance by operating one operation switch, and the operability is improved. Further, since the adjustment of the illuminance is easy, the illuminance can be used with an appropriate illuminance, thereby reducing eye fatigue and extending the life of the lamp.

In particular, in the case where the set illuminance includes a state where the illuminance is zero, that is, a light-off state, there is no need to operate two types of switches for illuminance adjustment and on / off, and the operability is further improved.

In addition, when the operation switch is operated in the light-off state, the illuminance is set to a predetermined non-zero illuminance, so that the illuminance can always be re-illuminated at the predetermined illuminance, which is convenient.

In addition, by using a planar touch switch as the operation switch, not only the operation of the switch is facilitated, but also the surface has no irregularities and the disinfection and cleaning are simplified, so that a device excellent in hygiene can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are a block diagram, a flowchart of an operation procedure and a time chart of a main part of the second embodiment. FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C are a block diagram, a flowchart of an operation procedure, and a time chart of a main part of the third embodiment. FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are a block diagram and a flowchart of an operation procedure of a main part of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a conventional example. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Handpiece, 2 ... Handpiece light, 3 ... Handpiece drive switch, 4 ... Handpiece drive control circuit, 6 ... Flashing signal control circuit, 7 ... Handpiece light control circuit, 11 ... Operation switch, 12 ... Illuminance setting Circuit, 12a, 12
c: Illumination sequential switching circuit, 12b: Operation switch signal detection circuit, 12d: Initial setting circuit, 12e: Illumination continuous variable circuit, A:
ON permission signal, B: Illuminance switching signal.

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An apparatus for setting the illuminance of a handpiece light provided on a medical handpiece, comprising: one operation switch; and the illuminance of the handpiece light is determined each time the operation switch is operated. Illuminance setting means for switching stepwise in the following order: 2. The light control device for a handpiece light according to claim 1, wherein the set illuminance switched stepwise in a predetermined order includes a state of zero illuminance. 3. The set illuminance that is switched stepwise in a predetermined order does not include a state of zero illuminance, and is set to zero when the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time. Handpiece light dimmer. 4. The handpiece according to claim 1, wherein when the continuous operation time of the operation switch exceeds a predetermined time, the illuminance of the handpiece light is increased or decreased stepwise or continuously until the operation is completed. Light dimmer. 5. An apparatus for setting the illuminance of a handpiece light provided on a medical handpiece, comprising: an operation switch; and an illuminance of the handpiece light during a period of operation of the operation switch. Illuminance setting means for increasing or decreasing the brightness continuously or continuously. 6. An illuminance is set to a predetermined value other than zero when an operation switch is operated in a state where the illuminance of the handpiece light is set to zero. ,
The light control device for a handpiece light according to 4 or 5. 7. The light control device for a handpiece light according to claim 1, wherein the operation switch is a flat touch switch.