Patent ID: 12213924

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG.1, embodiments of the present disclosure include a dental chair2. The dental chair2is configured to support a dental patient during a dental procedure. The dental chair2may be elevated, lowered, recline, and/or traverse to position the patient in the appropriate position. The dental chair2includes a base6that rests on the floor or flat surface, a height adjustment assembly8, a chair assembly20is coupled to height adjustment assembly8, and a traverse motion assembly40coupled to chair assembly20. The height adjustment assembly8is configured to move the chair assembly20between a lowered and a raised position along a vertical direction V. The traverse motion assembly40is configured to move, or traverse, the chair assembly20in a forward-backward direction T, as will be further described below. The dental chair2includes a sensor assembly70configured to determine a distance the chair assembly travels along the forward-backward direction T, which may then be used to aid in operation of dental chair2.

Continuing withFIG.1, the chair assembly20includes a platform22, a seat assembly26coupled to the platform22, a back28coupled to the seat assembly26, a headrest30coupled to the back28, a pair of armrests32and34that extend relative to the back28for a patient's arms, and a pair of leg supports36and38that extend from the seat assembly26. The dental chair2as shown does not include cushions; only the internal components of each part of the chair assembly20are illustrated.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the platform22is configured to support the seat assembly26and couple to the traverse motion assembly40. As shown, the platform22is generally planar plate having an upper surface22uand a lower surface221, the platform22includes a pair of roller assemblies35aand35bcoupled to the lower surface221. The roller assembly35bis not shown in the drawing due to the viewing angle.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the traverse motion assembly40is configured to traverse the chair assembly20in a forward-backward direction T. The traverse motion assembly40and sensor assembly70is shown coupled to a lower surface of the platform22. The traverse motion assembly40includes a mounting plate42and a pair of guide tracks24aand24bcoupled to the mounting plate42and that receive the pair of roller assemblies35aand35b, respectively. The traverse motion assembly40also includes a control system50used to control traverse movement of the chair assembly20.

Turning next toFIG.3, the control system50includes a controller52and a hydraulic system60. The controller52may include an interface54, a memory unit56, and one or more processors58. The interface54may is configured to receive inputs from a user and display output to the user. Accordingly, the interface54may include a screen, inputs, or other features to record user input and/or display system information to the user. The memory unit56is a typical medium used to store data, such as preloaded chair positions, data logs, software for operation of the control system50, firmware, as well as other software applications as is known in the art. The control system50may further include various electronic components, such as an analog/digital converter59to convert analog signals to digital signals, which are processed by the processor58. The processor58is configured to execute instructions, for example, such as to process data obtained from the sensor assembly70and/or sending control signals to the valve assemblies of the hydraulic system60as further explained below.

Referring toFIGS.2and3, the hydraulic system60includes a cylinder assembly44used to control motion of the platform22. As shown inFIG.2, the cylinder assembly44has a first end46coupled to the mounting plate42, and a second end48coupled to the platform22. The cylinder assembly44includes a piston (not shown or numbered) that includes the second end48and is partially disposed in a housing (not numbered). The piston and housing form a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. As further explained below, the activation of the cylinder assembly44, e.g. such as through extension or retraction of the piston, causes the platform22to move along the guide tracks24aand24bas needed. Because the seat assembly26and back28are coupled to the platform22, movement of the platform22effectively moves the chair assembly along with it.

The hydraulic system60also includes a forward direction valve assembly62coupled to the controller52and the cylinder assembly44and a backward direction valve assembly64coupled to the controller52and the cylinder assembly44. The forward direction valve assembly62and the backward direction valve assembly64each include inlet and outlet valves, respectively. And each valve assembly is configured to control motion in one direction. For instance, the forward direction valve assembly62controls fluid into and out of the cylinder assembly44to control forward motion. The backward direction valve assembly64controls fluid into and out of the cylinder assembly44to control backward motion.

The hydraulic system60also includes a pump66coupled to an inlet of the forward direction valve assembly62and an inlet of the backward direction valve assembly64, and a fluid reservoir68coupled to an inlet of the forward direction valve assembly62and an outlet of the backward direction valve assembly64.

FIGS.4and5illustrate a sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensor assembly70is configured to measure linear distance of travel of the seat assembly26along the forward-backward direction T. As shown, the sensor assembly includes a bracket assembly72, a rod76, and a potentiometer80. A mounting plate82is coupled to a guide track24band is configured to support the rod76and the potentiometer80.

The bracket assembly72includes a mount84and bracket plate86. The mount84is coupled to a lower surface221of the platform22. Accordingly, as the platform22traverses in the forward-backward direction so does the mount84and the bracket plate86. The bracket plate86is fixed to the mount84and further defines an opening85having a cross-sectional shape through which the rod76extends.

The rod76is rotatably fixed to the traverse motion assembly. As shown, the rod76has a first end88, a second end90opposite the first end88, and a rod cross-sectional shape. A gear shaft92is coupled o the second end90. A housing94is fixed to the mounting plate82and rotatably carries the first end88of the rod76via a bearing assembly so that the rod is can freely rotate. The second end90, for example, the gear shaft92, carries a detecting end96that is positioned proximate the potentiometer80.

Continuing withFIGS.4and5, the rod76has a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of opening in the bracket plate86. The rod cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional shape of the opening are selected so that any movement of the bracket plate cause the rod to rotate. In the embodiment shown, the cross-sectional shape of the rod76in generally square. However, the rod cross-sectional shape can have shape other than a strictly circular. In addition, the rod76itself have a degree of twist and can be considered a twist rod. Furthermore, only a portion of rod76may have twist. Because the rod cross-section generally corresponds to the opening of the bracket plate86, as the chair assembly20, via the platform22, moves in the forward backward direction T, the twist in the rod76cause the rod76to rotate. Accordingly, the rod76is configured to rotate a) in a first rotational direction when the chair assembly moves in a forward direction F, and b) in a second rotational direction that is opposite the first rotational direction when the chair assembly moves in a backward direction B that is opposite the forward direction F. Furthermore, it can be seen that the rod76has a degree of twist that corresponds to a maximum linear distance of traverse of the seat in the forward-backward direction T. Rotation of the rod76, due to the degree of twist in the rod, is also indicative of the linear distance the platform22traverses. Accordingly, as the rod76rotates, the potentiometer80, which is proximate the detecting end96of the rod, obtains data indicative of the linear distance that chair assembly has traversed.

The processor58is electronically coupled to the potentiometer. In response to receiving data indicative of rotational movement of the rod, the processor58configured to determine a linear distance traveled by the chair assembly in the forward-backward direction T. The linear distance traveled may be used by the controller aid in the monitoring and control of the chair assembly, as further described below.

The processor can determine and then implement control instructions to move the chair between desired positions. The processor can also determine, based on the data obtained from the potentiometer, the linear distance of seat is currently from a first position P1, as shown inFIGS.6and8. The first position may be a zero position or null position but is not always so. This allows the processor to determine in what direction the seat assembly26must traverse to arrive a preset position or traverse back to the null or zero position. Thus, if the current position differs from a desired position, the processor determines if the seat should traverse in a forward direction or a backward direction. If the processor determines the seat needs to move in the forward direction, the processor causes the forward direction valve assembly to open, thereby permitting the piston to activate and move the seat the forward direction. If the processor determines the seat needs to move in the backward direction, the processor causes the backward direction valve assembly to open, thereby permitting the piston to activate and move the seat the backward direction.

Referring toFIGS.6-9, in use, the controller52adjusts or change the position of the seat assembly26based on data generated by the sensor assembly.FIGS.6and8shows a seat assembly26in the first position P1. In Figured8, the bracket plate86is in a backward position. As the controller52activates the cylinder assembly44, the platform22and bracket plate86are advance in the forward direction F. This, in turn, cause the rod76to rotate, which generates responsive data or signals in the potentiometer80.FIGS.7and9show the seat assembly26in a second position P2that is different from the first position P1. InFIG.9, the bracket plate86is shown in a more forward position closer to the potentiometer80. The rotation of the rod76and the platform22, and thus the seat assembly26, traverses forward, generating data indicate of the linear distance that the platform22, and thus seat assembly26, has traveled to arrive the second position P2as illustrated.

In use practice, the dental chair2is configured permit a user to select a desired position of a dental chair2with the interface54. The processor58may determine a current position of the dental chair2using preset positions and any needed data logs. An analog to digital converter may be used to convert the current position data into digital data. The processor58can then, based on the digital data of the current position, determine a linear distance between a current position of the dental chair and the desired position of the dental chair. Next, the chair is activated, causing the dental chair to traverse along a forward-backward direction T from the current position to toward the desired position. Then, the sensor assembly70and a processor58determine a distance of linear movement of the dental chair along the forward-backward direction T. In this regard, the distance of linear movement is determined based on rotational movement of a rod76caused by traverse of the dental chair along forward-backward direction T. The control system50can then stop traverse of the dental chair along the forward-backward direction T when the distance of linear movement is substantially equal to the linear distance determined between the current position of the dental chair and the desired position of the dental chair.

The present disclosure has emphasized that the dental chair2is configured to traverse the seat assembly26in a forward-backward direction T using a traverse motion assembly40. It should be appreciated, that the dental chair includes addition motion assemblies. For instance, the dental chair2may include a motion assembly that cause 1) back to recline relative to the seat, the seat and back to tilt, 2) the legs to extend and retract, and 3) the entire chair assembly to be elevated relative to the floor or lowered closer to the floor. Each motion assembly may include its respective sensors and motion control features. In some embodiments, the control system50may be used to control operation of these motion control assemblies. In one example, the dental chair further comprises a sensor configured to detect a position of the back. Based on the sensor detecting the position of the back, the processor can determine a position of the headrest. In alternative embodiments, however, the dental chair may further include a sensor configured to detect a position of the headrest. In each case, the sensors may be electronically coupled to the controller52and its respective motion assembly.

While the disclosure is described herein, using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The precise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps of articles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting. For instance, although the steps of the methods are described with reference to sequential series of reference signs and progression of the blocks in the figures, the method can be implemented in an order as desired.