FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to structures of a dental care unit used in dental care work, in various embodiments of the invention partic ularly to solutions used in the cover structure of the dental care unit and in structures under the cover structure . The inven tion also relates to controlling dental care units and to a den tal care room or premises comprising dental care units according to the invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of odontology, the term dental care unit (often also just 'dental unit') refers to an apparatus or arrangement which supplies power and also possibly control signals to instruments used in connection with dental care operations, and also possibly to various other devices used in connection with dental care op erations .

One typical solution used in dental care units is to arrange den tal care instruments on an instrument console which is supported by a support arm extending from the frame structure of the dental care unit. The dental care unit may comprise more than one and also different support arms, for example for dental assistant's instruments or for other devices used in connection with dental care operations.

One typical solution used in dental care units is to arrange one or more horizontal support arms to a support arrangement which extends vertically from the frame part of the dental care unit. Such an arrangement is typically implemented either to comprise a certain number of support arms or to enable a certain number of different arm assembly variations, which can be implemented ei ther when originally assembling the dental care unit or later as a retrofit. Such vertical support arrangement is typically connected to the cover structures of the frame part of the dental care unit.

As individual dentists and on the other hand different dental clinics, educational establishments and also dentists in different cultures have needs and wishes differing from each other re lating to equipping a dental care unit with instruments, accesso ries and support arm solutions according to one's convenience, it is a challenge for a manufacturer of dental care units to design and keep on offering different dental care unit versions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a dental care unit whose frame structure is realized such that a vertically extending support structure often used in dental care units is reasona bly simple to attach or retrofit to the frame structure (or to remove from it) in the field. The object of some preferred embod iments of the invention is to realize the frame structure such that one at the same time provides novel functionality to the dental care unit.

The characteristic features of the invention are defined in the accompanying independent claims. Essentially in the dental care unit according to the invention, its cover structure is realized as comprising at least two parts and preferably such that remov ing a cover part removably connected to the cover structure pro vides access to structures under the cover structure, while the possibility to open the cover structure also facilitates mounting of and changing to another a pole extending vertically through the cover structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

In the attached figures

Fig. 1 shows one typical dental care unit according to the prior art,

Fig. 2 shows a cover structure of a frame structure of a dental care unit which can be applied, as an example, in connection with a dental care unit according to Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 shows the solution of Fig. 2 with another of the cover parts of the cover structure removed,

Fig. 4 shows a sealing element applicable for use in a seam locus between cover parts of acover structure,

Fig. 5 shows inner structures of the frame part of a dental care unit according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 shows solutions of the solution of Fig. 5 visible when viewed from obliquebly below,

Fig. 7 shows as a schematic representation an arrangement for controlling lighting arranged in a dental care unit, and

Fig. 8 shows a dental care room or a dental care premises which is provided with dental care units according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a basic structure of one typical dental care unit 1 intended for use in connection with dental care work. The dental care unit 1 of Fig. 1 comprises a frame part 2 and a patient chair 3 connected to it. From the frame part 2 extends vertically a support arrangement 4 which comprises a vertically extending support part 41, a first support structure 42 to support diagnos tic instruments related to dental care or instruments 6 used in connection with dental care operations, or both, a second support structure 43 for e.g. an operating light 8 or for an X-ray imag ing means used in connection with dental care operations, and a third support structure 44 for e.g, a display 10.

Fig. 1 further shows an instrument holder 11, which can be configured to support instruments typically used by the dental assistant, and a foot control 12 by which functions of the dental care unit 1 and/or devices or structures connecting or coupled to it can be controlled. Additionally, the dental care unit 1 is ar ranged into operational connection with a data network or an in dividual computer 13.

It should be noted that the dental care unit of Fig, 1 is only one example. Within the scope of the invention, the dental care unit can comprise e.g. more support structures or fewer support structures for different devices than included in the structure of Fig, 1. Also, for example the patient chair does not neces sarily need to be integrated with the dental care unit but it can be realized as a structure completely separate from the dental care unit. On the other hand, the frame structure can be arranged as an integral part of structures of a floor-mounted chair. Fur thermore, instead of a structure having considerable horizontal and vertical dimensions as shown in Fig, 1, the frame structure of the dental care unit can be as for its dimensions principally only a minor structure from which extend one or more than one support arm. Along with or in addition to a foot control, the arrangement can also include a graphical or other user interface. The structure of the dental care unit according to the invention is however realized such that via it are delivered or can be ar ranged to be delivered power, fluid and/or control signals needed for using the instruments and devices used in the dental care op- erations . Thus, physically this means delivering for example at least one of the following: water, compressed air, electricity, control signal.

Thus, in the context of this application, when mentioning a dental care unit it refers to a structure which includes an arrangement which enables supplying at least one of the above-mentioned or a corresponding variable to dental care instruments and/or a device used in connection with dental care work operations which are arranged in connection with the dental care unit.

The dental care unit of Fig. 1 is thus one example of a typical dental care unit according to prior art. The frame structure of the dental care unit of Fig. 1 comprises a single-piece cover part which entirely, or in practice entirely covers the frame structure of the dental care unit.

Figs. 2 to 6 show a gathering of solutions according to different embodiments of the invention for use in connection with the cover structure of the frame part of the dental care unit and, on the other hand, in structures underneath the cover structure.

Figs. 2 and 3 show one example of a cover structure 22 of the dental care unit according to the invention. The cover structure 22 is formed by a first cover part 22' and a second cover part 22' with a seam locus 23 being formed between them, which cover parts 22' , 22' ' together cover the vertically extending wall structure 21 of the frame part 2. An opening 52 is arranged to be formed between the first cover part 22 and the second cover part 22 which in the embodiment of Figs. 2 and 3 is substantially circular opening 52 and formed by semi-circular adjoining notches 52', 52' ' provided in the first and the second cover parts 22', 22' . In Fig. 2 the opening 52 in the cover structure 22 is closed with a closing disc 51. Such closing disc 51 can be arranged to close the opening 52 in an embodiment in which a verti- cally extending support part 41, as shown in Fig. 1, has not been adapted to extend through the cover structure 22 but the frame part 2 has only been provided with a means for mounting a verti cally extending support part 41 at a later stage.

The cover structure 22 is according to the invention arranged to comprise at least the first and the second cover parts 22', 22'', of which in the embodiment of Figs . 2 and 3 the second cover part 22' ' is arranged to be removably attached without having to dis assemble the entire cover structure 22. This solution provides a practical possibility to realize the frame part 2 of a dental care unit such that at least some of the structures and compo nents located within the frame part 2 are easily accessible from above. Naturally, such part of a cover structure is respectively smaller and lighter and thus easier to handle than the entire cover structure 22 as a whole would be.

Realizing the cover structure 22 in more than one cover part 22' , 22' ' provides, especially, a possibility to facilitate attaching the support structure 4 comprising the vertically extending support part 41 to the frame structure 2 of the dental care unit. Thanks to the inventon, the attaching arrangement of the support structure 4 can be realized such that, when needed, the support structure 4 is also later relatively easy to be changed to anoth er or to be retrofit to a dental care unit.

In Fig. 3, structures of the frame part 2 of the dental care unit are shown with the second cover part 22 removed, on the one hand to show a more detailed view of the sealing element 24 which is arranged in the seam locus 23, and on the other hand to show the support plate 53 which is located under the cover structure 22 and at a vertical distance below the cover structure 22, and structures arranged on it. These structures comprise in the em bodiment of Fig. 3 guiding holes 57 (in Figs 3 to 5, for clarity of the Figs, only one of these holes is referred to in each case) . In the guiding holes 57 can for example be arranged, as removably attached, attaching pins (not shown in Figures) inte grated into the second cover part 22' ' and orienting vertically downwards, for enabling removable attaching of the second cover part 22'' to the frame part 2.

Fig. 3 shows further a light arrangement comprising two lights 55, 55' . The light 55, 55' can comprise as a light source for example an RGB LED component by means of which light can be emitted in different colours.

Fig. 3 shows also a passage 56 arranged to the support plate 53, for not only the vertically extending support part 41 but also for the cabelings to be led through the support plate 53 or that support part 41. (For keeping the figures of the application clearer they do not show tubes or cables for which passages 56 are arranged to the frame part 2. )

The light arrangement can, instead of or in addition to lights 55, 55' arranged under the cover structure 22, comprise one or more than one light emitting component 555 integrated to the sealing element 24 (Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of the sealing element 24) .

In general, the number, structure and operating principle of com ponents of a light arrangement 55, 55' arranged under the cover structure 22 or of light emitting components 555 integrated into the sealing element 24 can vary within the scope of the invention. In some embodiments of the invention it is, however, pre ferred that the light arrangement 55, 55' and/or the one or more than one light emitting component 555 integrated into the sealing element 24 can be controlled via the control system of the dental care unit to produce for example light in at least two different colours and/or light which is pulsed in different ways. In such context, "pulsed in different ways" covers as one embodiment a pulse which in practice means producing light continuously.

In the embodiment of Figs 2 and 3, two separate sealing elements 24 arranged in the seam locus 23 and extending towards the outer peripheries of the cover structure 22 are arranged as for their part to limit the opening 52 provided for the vertical support part 41.

On the other hand, the sealing element 24 can in one embodiment of the invention be arranged to extend as a single and continuous element across the entire cover structure 22 such that it branch es into two at the opening 52 in the cover structure 22. In this embodiment, the sealing element 24 can thus close around the ver tical support part 41 which is positioned in the opening 52.

The shape of the contours of the norches 52' , 52'' of the cover parts arranged in the seam locus 23 between the first and the second cover parts 22', 22'', can in other embodiments of the in vention also be other than the semi-cirle shown in Figs 2 and 3.

In an extreme case the edges of the cover parts 22', 22'' in the seam locus 23 can even be linear over their entire length. In that case the dimensions of the support part 41, which extends vertically from the cover structure 22, in relation to the width of the seam locus 23 formed between the cover parts 22' , 22' ' and of the sealing element 24 arranged in the seam locus 23, are nat urally to be realized such that the vertically extending support part 41 fits into the seam locus 23 between the first and the second cover parts 22', 22''.

One preferred embodiment of the cover structure 22 can be thought to be formed of a structure in which at least one of the at least first and second cover parts 22', 22'' that belong to the cover structure 22 is provided with a cut-out or an opening 52 for re- ceiving the vertically extending support part 41 which connects with the area of the at least one seam locus 23 or with the seam locus 23 itself.

Said cut-out or opening 52 can be arranged to be formed by nnotches 52' , 52' ' which are provided in both the first and the second cover parts 22' , 22" and adjoining the seam locus 23.

The vertically extending support part 41, which is attached to the dental care unit, can be adapted to extend through the open ing 52 which is provided in the cover structure 22 in some of the above-described ways.

In the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, the sealing element 24 is realized in two parts and such that it does not ex tend to entirely surround the vertically extending support part 41. One solution is to realize the sealing element 24described in connection with the above-mentioned embodiments by cutting it, at the location of the substantially vertically extending support part 41, into two parts. This creates a structure which, while the sealing element 24 surrounds the vertically extending support part 41, considering installing the support structure 4 makes putting the structure together easier. Such a cut can alternatively be provided to the sealing element 24 only on one side of the location whereto the vertically extending support part 41 gets positioned.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the cover structure 22 comprises in at least one area of the seam locus 23 a form which is sloping downwards towards the outer periphery of the cover structure 22.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the periphery of the cover structure 22 extends in the at least one seam locus 23 hor- izontally beyond the vertically extending wall structure 21 of the frame part 2.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the cover structure 22 comprises in the at least one seam locus 23 on its outer pe riphery a portion extending substantially vertically downwards.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the cover structure 22 thus comprises in the seam locus 23 a substantially horizon tally extending surface, such as a surface sloping slightly down wards towards the outer periphery of the cover structure 22.

Figs 2 and 3 show how the surface of the cover structure 22 can at its outer periphery be bent to turn downwards and to extend a distance over the vertically extending wall structure 21 of the frame part 2. In this case also the sealing element 24 can be arranged to bend correspondingly and to extend beyond the bending point of the cover structure 22.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the cover structure

22 is divided into cover parts 22', 22 ' ' such that the seam locus

23 between the cover parts 22', 22' ' extends across the substan tially horizontal surface of the cover structure 22 to the men tioned vertical surfaces. In this case the cover structure 22 can comprise a seam locus 23 formed of one or more than one sealing element 24, wherein for example an arrangement described more in detail in the following enbles a light emitting seam locus 23 which extends across the substantially horizontal surface of the cover structure 22 and onto its opposite sides.

In the embodiment of Figs 2 and 3 the sealing arranged in the seam locus 23 is formed by two separate sealing elements 24, of which both extend from the opening 52 between the cover parts 22' , 22' ' onto the outer periphery of the cover parts 22', 22' ' . In one embodiment of the invention the sealing element 24 extends in the at least one seam locus 23 towards the outer periphery of the cover structure 22 as far as the cover structure 22 does.

In the embodiment of the invention of Figs 2 and 3 across the cover structure 22 extends one seam locus 23 and in connection therewith is fitted an arrangement consisting of two sealing elements 24, but the seam locus 23 can, however, also be arranged in the cover structure 22 in another manner. There may be more than one seam locus 23, wherein for example the second cover part 22' ' according to the accompanying figures can still be divided into two cover parts such that the seam locus formed between them extends onto the periphery of the cover structure 22 substantially perpendicularly from the seam locus 23 between the first and the second cover parts 22', 22' ' .

Fig. 4 shows one preferred embodiment of the structure of the sealing element 24. The sealing element 24 of Fig. 4 comprises two leakage grooves 26 which are adapted to collect liquid possibly dripping at the seam locus 23 of the cover parts 22', 22''. The number of the leakage grooves 26 can also be other than two. The leakage groove 26 is intended for protecting the structures and components under the cover structure 22 from gettinh wet and dirty.

When the forms of the cover structure 22 are realized as above- described, sloping downwards towards the outer periphery, the liquid possibly gotten into the leakage groove 26 can flow gravi tationally in the leakage groove 26 first to the edge of the cov er structure 22 and further outside the vertically extending cov er structure 21 of the frame part 2 of the dental care unit.

The profile of the sealing element 24 does not necessarily have to be same along its entire length, such as entirely according to Fig. 4. For example, if a solution consisting of two sealing ele- ments 24 as shown in Fig. 3 is used, which sealing elements 24 are connecting at their first ends to the opening 52 provided in the cover structure 22 or to the vertical support part 41 located in the opening 52, the ends of the sealing elements 24 can be closed at those first ends such that none of the leakage grooves 26 arranged in the sealing element 24 extend all the way to the opening 52. In this case each one or more than one leakage groove 26 extends in an open fashion particularly in the direction of the outer periphery of the cover structure 22, preferably beyond the vertical wall 21 of the frame part 2 as according to one of the above-described embodiments.

The cross-sectional profile of the sealing element 24 can thus comprise at least one leakage groove 26 on at least part of the length of the sealing element 24.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing element 24 or the sealing elements can be made of an elastic material and to imitate the form of the cover parts 22' , 22' ' at the seam lo cus 23, but the sealing element 24 can also be an elastic sealing strip which, when assembling the cover structure 22, positions according to the forms of the seam locus 23 between the cover parts 22' , 22" .

Figs 5 and 6 show an example of some preferred internal structures of the frame part 2 of the dental care unit. Compared to Fig. 1, the support arrangement 4 shown in Fig. 5 comprises only some of the corresponding structures .

Of the structures belonging to the frame part 2, below the support plate 53, Fig. 6 shows a support pillar 50 which carries the support plate 53, and a first connecting means 54 arranged into connection with the attaching arrangement of the support struc ture 4. Fig. 5 shows a second connecting means 54' which belongs to the attaching arrangement of the support structure 4 and is arranged above the support plate 53. The connecting means 54, 54' shown in Figs 5 and 6 have flanges on the upper and lower side of the support plate 53. Of these, according to one preferred embod iment of the invention, only the flange on the lower side is ar ranged to the structures of the frame part 2, when the support structure 4 comprising the vertical support part 41 is not at tached to the dental care unit. In other words, in such solution the second connecting means 54' ^' becomes part of the structure of the dental care unit only when a support structure comprising the vertical support part 41 is attached to the dental care unit.

The attaching structure for attaching the support structure 4 to the frame part 2 can be realized also in other ways than with a structure comprising two flanges as shown in Figs 5 and 6. It is for example possible to realize the attaching arrangement also such that engagement structures configured to match with the structures of the support structure 4 are already pre-arranged into connection with the frame part 2. In this case, engaging of the support structure 4 as part of the dental care unit can take place as kind of automatically when assembling the support structure 4.

The cover structures of the floor-mounted frame part of the dental care unit shown in Fig. 5 have been sectioned to illustrate a passage 56, which continues correspondingly in Fig. 6 inside the support pillar 50 and further through the support plate 53. The passage 56 is arranged in the structure for possible cabeling and tubes via which the instruments and/or devices supported by the support structure 4 and used via the dental care unit can be pro vided with the required physical variables and/or control sig nals, these being for example water, compressed air, and/or electricity .

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, a light arrangement 55, 55' , which is arranged in connection with structures under the cover structure 22 of the dental care unit, is arranged for illuminating the seam locus 23, that is in practice one or more than one sealing elements 24 arranged in the seam locus 23.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing element 24 is made in part or entirely of translucent material.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the sealing element 24 comprises at least one photoconductor which conducts light to the upper surface thereof, when illuminating the sealing element 24 by means of a light arrangement 55, 55' arranged for example in connection with structures under the cover structure 22.

The light arrangement 55, 55' can be any arrangement adapted compatible with the sealing element 24 but according to one example, the light arrangement 55, 55' comprises RGB LED components that, in as such known manner, can be controlled to produce light in different colours, at least two different colours, and/or light pulsed in different ways .

The arrangement for illuminating the seam locus 23 (that is one or more than one sealing elements 24) or for causing the seam lo cus 23 to emit light, can be realized also such that different parts of the seam locus 23 emit light in different ways . For ex ample, in one embodiment of the invention, some areas in the seam locus 23 do not emit any of the light generated under the cover structure 22 or in the sealing element 24, whereas in another em bodiment of the invention some areas in the seam locus 23 emit different colours .

The illumination of the seam locus 23, or more accurately the light emitted by it, can be utilized for many different purposes . It is for example possible to indicate by means of different il lumination whether the power in the dental care unit is on or off, or to remind that the suction line of the dental care unit needs washing. Furthermore, it is possible to indicate for exam ple the need to wash the instrument lines of the dental care unit, that such washing process is being performed or that such washing process is completed. Also a possible fault in the dental care unit may be informed.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the illumination of the seam locus is controlled by means of a control system of the dental care unit (Fig. 7) . The control can be arranged to be im plemented either directly from the control system or the illumi nation can be controlled via a user interface, for example a graphical user interface, of the dental care unit. The control can be partially based on identification of the person using the dental care unit, which recognition is transmitted to the control system.

The control system of the dental care unit can be arranged to output control signals for controlling at least one light emit ting component 555 or light arrangement 55, 55' arranged in the dental care unit to produce light in at least two different ways, such as to produce light in at least two different colours, pulsed and unpulsed light, and/or to produce light which is pulsed in at least to different ways.

The control system can further be configured to associate at least one operating mode of the dental care unit with a certain colour and/or a certain pulsing of the light. The control system can in such case be provided with a means to recognize at least one such operating mode of the dental care unit and to control at least one light emitting component or light arrangement to emit that particular colour and/or light pulsed in that particular way.

The control system can also be provided with means to receive a user identification signal and based thereon to identify the per- son logged in as a user of the dental care unit, and the control system can be configured to comprise a user profile which is ac tivated by said identification signal and which is provided with an option to choose the colour and/or pulsing of the light pro duced by at least one of the above-mentioned light emitting com ponent (555) or light arrangement (55, 55'). Thus, the emitted light can be controlled from the control system according to the user profile.

Other ways for using the illumination is for example a personali zation of the dental care unit, for example according to the col our of the patient chair used in connection with the dental care unit or other element used in the dental care unit.

Especially in environments such as training facilities, in which the same room or facility can have at least two or even dozens of dental care units, some solutions according to the preferred em bodiments of the invention can make it possible to get at one glance an overview of the functional status of the dental care units in the particular facility. One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises indeed at least two dental care units accord ing to the invention in one room or premises, in which the light emitting seam locus 23 extends across the substantially horizon tal surface of the cover structure 22 all the way to the opposite vertical surfaces of the cover structure 22.

It can also be considered to arrange a dedicated illumination for different users or user groups operating in the same dental care premises. Fig. 8 shows a situation in which the seam locuses of the cover structures of the dental care units arranged in a treatment room have three different illuminations that can indi cate for example the first portion of the dental care units is not in use, the second is being used by users of a user group 1 and the third by users of a user group 2. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, an arrangement is implemented in a dental care room or premises, in which at least two dental care units having an above-described cover structure are arranged to be visible simultaneously from at least one view ing direction, and in which dental care units the sealing ele ment, which is arranged into the seam locus of the cover struc ture, i) comprises at least one light emitting component or ii) is made of a translucent material or comprises translucent mate rial, wherein in connection with the structures of said frame part, under said cover structure, a light arrangement is provided for illuminating said sealing element. In such case, the cover structure preferably comprises at the seam locus a substantially horizontally extending portion, which at least at one outer pe riphery of the cover structure turns into a substantially verti cal portion, and that said sealing element comprises at least one light emitting component or translucent material both in the horizontal and the vertical portions of the cover structure.

Furthermore, even for an individual dental care unit, the colour of the light can be arranged to be set via the control system of the dental care unit to correspond to for example the background colour of the user interface of the dental care unit as determined in the user profile of the user.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the con trol system of the dental care unit is provided with means to identify the person logged in as a user of the dental care unit, the control system is configured to comprise a user profile in which is arranged an option to choose the light and/or pulsing and an option to bring the control system to control the at least one light emitting component or light arrangement to emit that particular light and/or light pulsed in that particular way.

On the other hand, in connection with the treatment operations, for example a blinking light can be used to indicate a situation where the personnel has a reason to come to the dental care unit or when the time reserved for the treatment of a patient or the time determined for a certain procedure is coming to an end.

According to one example the control system of the dental care unit is arranged to control the light arrangement and/or at least one light emitting component arranged in the sealing element to produce light in different colours or light blinking in different ways based on for example the operating mode of the dental care unit or the status of the instrument or device used via the den tal care unit.

The above-described and other functions of the light arrangement can thus be implemented by arranging the control system of the dental care unit to output control signals and by arranging the light arrangement and/or the at least light emitting component arranged in the sealing element to receive control signals from the control system of the dental care unit.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention the illu mination of the seam locus of the dental care unit provides a possibility to present information which partially corresponds to information which can be presented by for example a possible graphical user interface of the dental care unit, but in a way which can be easily noticed also from someplace other than right beside such user interface. This can be particularly useful in the embodiment of the invention concerning the dental care prem ises .