ELECTRIC DENTAL HANDPIECE AND CONTROL SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An electric dental handpiece comprising:
- a head configured to rotatably support a tool;
a handle defining a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion, the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply, andan electric motor positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and configured to rotate the tool.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric dental handpiece including a head engaging a handle and configured to rotatably support a tool. The handle includes a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion with the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply. An electric motor is positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and is configured to rotate the tool. Additionally, a method of operating a dental drilling system connected with one of a plurality of handpieces.
44 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An electric dental handpiece comprising:
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a head configured to rotatably support a tool; a handle defining a lower handle portion and an upper handle portion, the lower handle portion engaging the head and the upper handle portion having an attachment area configured for attachment to a power supply, and an electric motor positioned with a majority thereof within the lower handle portion and configured to rotate the tool. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of operating a dental drilling system connected with one of a plurality of handpieces, each handpiece having a distinct electric motor, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving an activation signal for activating the handpiece; b) determining which handpiece of the plurality of handpieces is connected to the dental drilling system based on a determined characteristic of the electric motor; and c) controlling the electric motor based on the activation signal and characteristics corresponding to the determined handpiece. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. An electric dental handpiece comprising:
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a handle; a head supported by the handle and configured to rotatably support a tool; an electric motor configured to rotate the tool; a spindle chucking assembly positioned in the head and configured to removably support the tool, the spindle chucking assembly including an upper spindle bearing configured to rotatably support a spindle shaft, and a spindle gear associated with the spindle shaft; and at least one removable cap assembly associated with the head for providing access to the spindle chucking assembly, wherein the spindle gear, the spindle shaft and the spindle bearing are all removable from the head upon removal of the at least one cap assembly.
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40. An dental handpiece comprising:
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a handle; a head supported by the handle and configured to rotatably support a tool; at least one removable cap assembly associated with the head; and at least one flow passage extending through the head and the at least one cap assembly, wherein the flow passage includes at least one circumferential channel, the circumferential channel extending across a parting plane between the head and the at least one cap assembly.
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41. An electric dental handpiece comprising:
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a handle; a head supported by the handle and configured to rotatably support a tool; an electric motor positioned in the handle and configured to rotate the tool; one or more cooling air tubes configured to deliver a cooling air flow about the electric motor, and a temperature sensing mechanism for sensing a temperature of the electric motor, the cooling air flow being controlled based on such sensed temperature, wherein the electric motor includes at least one motor winding and the temperature sensing mechanism computes the temperature of the electric motor based on a measured resistance of the at least one motor winding.
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Specification