JP3522409B2 - Occlusal force meter - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an occlusal force meter for measuring an occlusal force applied to an occlusal surface of a tooth by occlusion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an occlusal force meter for measuring an occlusal force, an occlusal force measuring device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 57-170704 and an occlusal force measuring device disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2-25379. Etc. are known.

In all of the conventional occlusal force meters, the occlusal force is directly detected by the occlusal force detecting section using a force-electrical converter, and the detection signal obtained from the occlusal force detecting section is transmitted to the main body section. The occlusal force measurement value was obtained by processing the detection signal in the main body part while it was given, and the occlusal force measurement value was displayed on the display attached to the main body part.

[0004]

By the way, in the occlusal force meter of this type, it is necessary to make the portion (bite) to be bitten by the teeth as thin as possible in order to measure the accurate occlusal force and to improve the usability. desirable.

However, since a force-electric transducer (load cell) for detecting a large force such as an occlusal force is usually considerably thick, the person to be measured is
Since a thick bite part is put in the mouth and bites, it is inconvenient and there is a problem that the occlusal force cannot be measured accurately and accurately.

The present invention has solved the problems existing in such conventional techniques, is excellent in usability, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide an occlusal force meter that can accurately and accurately measure occlusal force.

[0007]

Means and Embodiments for Solving the Problems The present invention relates to an occlusal force detection unit 2 for detecting an occlusal force, and a detection signal obtained from the occlusal force detection unit 2 to display an occlusal force measurement value on a display. In the occlusal force meter 1 integrally provided with the main body portion 3 shown in 4, the pressure medium liquid L is sealed inside, and the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 are provided on the upper surface and / or the lower surface of the one end 5f, Pressure detector 9 arranged at the other end 5r
The pressure transmitting portion (second pressure transmitting portion) 5 that transmits the occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 and the rear ends of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 are joined to The upper arm 1 is configured to be capable of relative displacement
1 and the tip side of the lower arm portion 12 are located between the teeth T ... and the diaphragm portions 7 and 8, and the occlusal force is applied to the outer surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 through the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd. It is characterized in that it has an occlusal force detection unit 2 including a first pressure transmission unit 10 applied perpendicularly to the surfaces of the diaphragm units 7 and 8.

In this case, according to a preferred embodiment, the first pressure transmitting portion 10 is such that all or part of the upper arm portion 11 and / or the lower arm portion 12 is formed of a spring material, and the upper arm portion 11 and The rear ends of the lower arm portion 12 may be fixed to each other, or the rear ends of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 may be connected to each other by a rotatable hinge portion 13.

Further, the occlusal force detecting portion 2 and the main body portion 3 are flexibly connected via an elastic connecting portion 14. At this time, an extension portion 15 is integrally provided at a rear end of one of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 formed of a spring material, and the rear end of the extension portion 15 is coupled to the main body portion 3 to thereby extend the extension portion. 15 can be used as the elastic connecting portion 14. Furthermore, a flexible protective case 16 that covers the occlusal force detection unit 2 is provided. The protective case 16 is preferably made of vinyl chloride.

As a result, when the position (the bite portion) where the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 are provided is bitten by the teeth T, the occlusal force is generated by the presence of the first pressure transmitting portion 10 through the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd. Are evenly applied in a direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8. Specifically, the first pressure transmission unit 10
Is configured such that the rear ends of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 are coupled to each other so that the tips can be displaced relative to each other.
Since u and Fd are provided, the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd are relatively displaced in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8. Therefore, when the first pressure transmission unit 10 does not exist,
That is, in the case of only the pressure receiving plate contacting the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8, the occlusal force is not uniformly applied to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 in the direction perpendicular to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 depending on the positions and angles of the teeth T, and the measurement state. The first pressure transmitting portion 10 causes adverse effects.
With the function of, such an adverse effect is eliminated, and accurate measurement is always performed.

On the other hand, the occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 is transmitted via the pressure medium liquid L to the pressure detector 9 arranged at the other end 5r of the pressure transmitting portion 5, and the pressure detector concerned. The bite force is detected by 9. Then, in the main body 3, the detection signal obtained from the pressure detector 9 is processed,
The occlusal force measurement value is obtained, and the occlusal force measurement value is displayed by the display device 4.

In this case, since the pressure detector 9 does not exist at the positions of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 on which the person to be measured bites, the occlusal force detecting portion 2 serving as the bite portion can be made extremely thin. Therefore, it becomes easier to bite, the usability is improved, and the occlusal force can be measured accurately and accurately.

Since the occlusal force detecting portion 2 and the main body portion 3 are coupled via the elastic connecting portion 14, the occlusal force detecting portion 2 and the main body portion 3 are elastically bendable, and the usability is improved and In particular, the upper arm portion 1 formed of a spring material
1 or the lower arm portion 12 is integrally provided with an extension portion 15 at the rear end thereof, and the rear end of the extension portion 15 is coupled to the main body portion 3 to use the extension portion 15 as the elastic connecting portion 14. Simplification and cost reduction,
It becomes difficult for the occlusal force detection unit 2 and the main body unit 3 to be broken (broken). Further, a flexible protective case 1 for covering the occlusal force detection unit 2
6 ensures waterproofness, and especially if it is made of vinyl chloride, the tooth type attached to the protective case 16
For example, it is possible to easily restore the original state by immersing it in hot water.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the external structure of the occlusal force meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The occlusal force meter 1 comprises a body 3 and an occlusal force detector 2 which are integrated. The main body portion 3 has a housing portion 18 that also functions as a grip that can be held by hand, and the housing portion 18 contains an electronic circuit, a battery, and the like. On the other hand, the housing part 1
On the upper surface of 8, an indicator 4 for digitally displaying the measured value of the occlusal force, a power key (function key) 19 and the like are provided. Then, the occlusal force detection unit 2 is integrally provided at the front end of the housing unit 18 via the elastic connection unit 14.

Next, the occlusal force detection unit 2 forming the essential part of the present invention
The configuration of the elastic connecting portion 14 will be described with reference to FIGS.

The occlusal force detection unit 2 has a pressure receiving tank unit 21 at its tip.
Built in. The pressure receiving tank portion 21 is made of stainless steel for spring and formed in a flat shape having an inner hollow, and an opening portion 22 is provided at the rear end. The upper surface and the lower surface of the pressure receiving tank portion 21 are formed thin so that they function as diaphragm portions 7 and 8, respectively. Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tip ends of the pressure transmission pipe 23 and the auxiliary pipe 24 and the tip end of the mounting plate 25 are inserted into the opening 22 and fixed by brazing or the like. As a result, the opening 22 is closed. The tip of the auxiliary pipe 24 is closed.

On the other hand, a pressure detector 9 is arranged at a rear position separated from the pressure receiving tank portion 21. The pressure detector 9 is configured by connecting a coupler 27 to the detector body 26 and providing a pressurizing chamber 28 inside. The rear end of the pressure transmission pipe 23 is connected to the pressure detector 9, and the inside of the pressure transmission pipe 23 is connected to the pressurizing chamber 2.
Connect to 8. Reference numeral 30 is an auxiliary pipe communicating with the pressurizing chamber 28, and its tip is closed. With such a configuration, the pressure receiving tank portion 21, the pressurizing chamber 28, the pressure transmission pipe 23,
The auxiliary pipes 24 and 30 are internally communicated and hermetically sealed, so that the pressure medium liquid L such as propylene glycol is sealed inside. The pressure transmission pipe 23 and the auxiliary pipes 24 and 30 are thin pipes that minimize the amount of liquid. Also,
The auxiliary pipes 24 and 30 are used when enclosing the pressure medium liquid L.

As a result, the occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 is transmitted to the pressure detector 9 via the pressure medium liquid L and is taken out by the pressure detector 9 as an electric signal. As the pressure detector 9, a metal diaphragm type pressure sensor can be used. The configuration from the pressure receiving tank portion 21 to the pressure detector 9 is the second pressure transmitting portion 5.

On the other hand, the base plate 31 is brought into contact with the lower diaphragm portion 8, and the rear end of the base plate 31 is fixed to the mounting plate 25. As a result, the contact surface of the base plate 31 with respect to the diaphragm portion 8 becomes the pressure acting surface Fd, and the mounting plate 25 and the base plate 31 form the lower arm portion 12.

On the other hand, a circular pressure receiving plate 32 is brought into contact with the upper diaphragm portion 7, and the pressure receiving plate 32 is further provided.
The tip end side of the lever plate 33 is brought into contact with the upper part. The lever plate 33 is made wide with stainless steel for spring (spring material). Then, the intermediate portion of the lever plate 33 and the other end of the mounting plate 25 are fixed by the welded portion 34 as shown in FIG. As a result, the contact surface of the pressure receiving plate 32 with respect to the diaphragm portion 7 becomes the pressure acting surface Fu, and the front side (pressure receiving plate 32 side) of the pressure receiving plate 32 and the lever plate 33 in front of the welded portion 34 constitutes the upper arm portion 11. In this case, the surface of the lever plate 33 facing the diaphragm portion 7 is bent at an appropriate position so as to be parallel to the diaphragm portion 7. The position of the occlusal force detection part 2 where the diaphragm parts 7 and 8 exist is the bite part 6.

Therefore, the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12
The rear ends of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 are relatively displaced while the rear ends thereof are coupled to each other, and the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 are located between the tooth T ... First pressure transmitting portion for applying an occlusal force at right angles to the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 through the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd which are brought into contact with the outer surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 when bitten by 10
Make up. Since the lever plate 33 that constitutes the upper arm 11 has a certain elasticity, this elastic force affects the occlusal force as an error, so that the main body 3 performs signal processing of the detection signal (zero adjustment). The error is canceled by.

On the other hand, the lever plate 33 located on the rear side of the welded portion 34 becomes the extension portion 15. The extension part 15 is formed by bending the front half as the detector mounting part 35, and
The latter half is used as a flexible elastic connecting portion 14. Then, the pressure detector 9 is attached and fixed to the detector attaching portion 35, and the rear end of the extension portion 15 is fixed inside the tip of the housing portion 18 with screws 36.

Numeral 16 is a flexible protective case made of vinyl chloride and has a rear end opened. Occlusal force detector 2
The internal mechanism of is completely covered by the protective case 16. The position corresponding to the elastic connecting portion 14 in the protective case 16 is formed in a bellows shape (accordion shape) so that it can be expanded and contracted according to the bending of the extension portion 15.

Next, a method of using the occlusal force meter 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the person to be measured holds the housing portion 18 by hand, and the detachable (disposable) disposable cap 17
The bite part 6 covered with is put in the mouth. Then, after positioning, when the bite portion 6 is fully bitten by the teeth T at the position shown in FIG. 1, the occlusal force at this time is transmitted through the first pressure transmission portion 10 to the diaphragm of the second pressure transmission portion 5. It is transmitted to the parts 7 and 8. At this time, the first pressure transmission unit 10 is connected to the upper arm unit 1.
Since the tip is configured to be relatively displaceable by connecting the rear ends of 1 and the lower arm portion 12, the occlusal force is applied in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 via the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd. It is applied evenly and always gives an accurate measurement.

On the other hand, the occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portions 7 and 8 is further applied to the pressure medium liquid L in the pressure receiving tank portion 21.
Granted to. Then, the pressure transmission pipe 23 and the pressurizing chamber 28
Through the pressure medium liquid L in the detector body 2 of the pressure detector 9
The occlusal force transmitted to 6 is converted into an electric signal (detection signal) by the detector body 26. Further, the detection signal obtained from the detector main body 26 is subjected to processing such as correction and analog-digital conversion by a signal processing unit (not shown) in the main body unit 3, and after being converted into an occlusal force measurement value, the display unit 4 Displayed by.

Next, a modified embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates with reference to FIG. 6 to 8 are modified examples of the first pressure transmission unit 10, and FIGS.
Shows modified examples of the elastic connecting portion 14, respectively.

First, FIG. 6 shows a modification of the lever plate 33 shown in FIG. In the modified example, when the lever plate 33 is constructed, the pressure plate 5 on the front side formed separately is formed.
1 and the leaf spring plate 52 on the rear side are combined. With such a configuration, the pressure plate 51
The material, thickness, shape and the like of the plate spring plate 52 and the plate spring plate 52 can be easily made different. For example, the pressure plate 51 is made of a rigid material and is brought into contact with the pressure receiving plate 32. It can be supported by the leaf spring plate 52 having a proper elasticity fixed to the mounting plate 25 side.

Further, FIG. 7 shows a guided block 53 having a constant thickness on the pressure receiving plate 32 which is in contact with the diaphragm portion 7.
And a guide member 54 integrally provided with a guide slit 55 for guiding the guided block 53 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the diaphragm portion 7. The pressure acting surface Fd which contacts is integrally provided. Also with such a configuration, the pressure acting surfaces Fu and Fd can be relatively displaced in the direction perpendicular to the surfaces of the diaphragm portions 7 and 8. If the pressure receiving plate 32 is formed to have a constant thickness, the guided block 53 can be omitted.

Further, in FIG. 8, the rear ends of the upper arm portion 11 and the lower arm portion 12 are joined by a rotatable hinge portion 13. That is, the bearing bracket portion 56 provided at the rear end of the mounting plate 25 and the bearing portion provided at the rear end of the lever plate 33 are rotatably coupled by the shaft portion 57, which is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. Although the structure becomes complicated, there is an advantage that the elastic force of the lever plate 33 does not affect the measured value. The lever plate 33 does not need to have elasticity.

On the other hand, in FIG. 9, the lever plate 33 and the elastic connecting portion 14 (and the detector mounting portion 35) are separately formed. Therefore, the extension portion 15 is made shorter than that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the pressure detector 9 is attached to the rear end of the extension portion 15, and the elastic connection portion 14 and the detector attachment portion 3 are provided.
The front end of the connecting plate 58 integrally formed with 5 was attached to the pressure detector 9, and the rear end of the connecting plate 58 was fixed to the housing portion 18. Thereby, the elastic connecting portion 14
The material, thickness, shape, etc. of the lever plate 33 can be easily changed.

Further, FIG. 10 shows that the elastic connecting portion 14 is constructed by using a connecting member 59 made of elastic plastic instead of the connecting plate 58 in the modified embodiment shown in FIG. 9, and the front end of the connecting member 59. The pressure detector 9 is held by the accommodating portion 60 provided in the. Therefore, in this case, the housing portion 60 also serves as the protective case 16 described above.

The embodiment has been described in detail above.
The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.
For example, although the diaphragm portion is provided on both the upper surface and the lower surface, either one may be provided. Further, the mounting plate forming the lower arm may have elasticity. In addition, the detailed configuration, shape, material and the like can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, the occlusal force detecting section for detecting the occlusal force and the main body section for processing the detection signal obtained from the occlusal force detecting section to display the occlusal force measurement value on the display are integrated. In the occlusal force meter equipped with, the pressure medium liquid is sealed inside, and the diaphragm part is provided on the upper surface and / or the lower surface of one end, and the pressure detector arranged at the other end,
A pressure transmitting portion (second pressure transmitting portion) that transmits an occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portion and a rear end of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion are joined to each other by coupling the rear ends thereof, Located between the teeth and the diaphragm on the tip side of the upper arm and the lower arm, the occlusal force is applied at a right angle to the surface of the diaphragm through the pressure acting surface that is in contact with the outer surface of the diaphragm. Since the occlusal force detection unit including the first pressure transmission unit is provided, the following remarkable effects are obtained.

Since the occlusal force is uniformly applied to the surface of the diaphragm in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the diaphragm by the first pressure transmitting unit, the occlusal force is not affected by the position and angle of the tooth, the measurement state, etc., and is always accurate. A measurement can be made.

Since the occlusal force detection unit serving as the occluded part can be made extremely thin by the second pressure transmission unit, it is easy to bite and the usability is improved, and in addition, accurate and accurate measurement of the occlusal force is required. You can

By attaching a protective case that covers the occlusal force detection portion, the waterproof property is enhanced, and moreover, dirt and dust are prevented from adhering, which results in hygiene.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an occlusal force detection unit in an occlusal force meter according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view in which a protective case and a housing part of an occlusal force detection unit in the occlusal force meter are broken away,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a first pressure transmission unit in an occlusal force detection unit of the occlusal force meter,

4 is a partial cross-sectional plan view of the first pressure transmitting portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an external plan view of the occlusal force meter,

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a first pressure transmitting portion according to a modified embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view of a first pressure transmitting portion according to another modified embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view of a first pressure transmitting portion according to another modified embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of an elastic connecting portion according to a modified embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 10 is a sectional side view of an elastic connecting portion according to another modified embodiment of the present invention,

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bite force meter 2 Occlusal force detector 3 main body 4 display 5 Pressure transmission part (second pressure transmission part) 5f One end 5r The other end 7 Diaphragm part 8 Diaphragm part 9 Pressure detector 10 First pressure transmitter 11 Upper arm 12 Lower arm 13 Hinge part 14 Elastic connection 15 Extension 16 protective case L Pressure medium liquid Fu Pressure acting surface Fd Pressure acting surface T ... Tooth

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-3-168144 (JP, A) Actually open 3-98818 (JP, U) Actually open 49-125783 (JP, U) Actually open 58- 136121 (JP, U) Jitsuhei 2-25379 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61B 5/103-5/11

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. An occlusal force meter integrally comprising an occlusal force detection unit for detecting occlusal force and a main body unit for processing a detection signal obtained from the occlusal force detection unit to display an occlusal force measurement value on a display, A pressure medium liquid is sealed inside, and a diaphragm portion is provided on the upper surface and / or lower surface of one end portion, and the occlusal force applied to the diaphragm portion is transmitted to the pressure detector arranged at the other end portion. By combining the pressure transmitting portion (second pressure transmitting portion) and the rear ends of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, the tip can be relatively displaced, and at the tip side of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion, An occlusal force including a first pressure transmitting portion that is located between the tooth and the diaphragm portion and that applies the occlusal force at a right angle to the surface of the diaphragm portion via the pressure acting surface that is in contact with the outer surface of the diaphragm portion. Characterized by having a detection unit An occlusal dynamometer. 2. The upper arm part and / or the lower arm part is wholly or partly formed of a spring material, and the rear ends of the upper arm part and the lower arm part are fixed to each other. The occlusal force meter according to 1. 3. The occlusal force meter according to claim 1, wherein the rear ends of the upper arm portion and the lower arm portion are connected to each other by a rotatable hinge portion. 4. The occlusal force meter according to claim 1, wherein the occlusal force detecting portion and the main body portion are flexibly coupled via an elastic connecting portion. 5. An extension part is integrally provided at a rear end of one of the upper arm part and the lower arm part formed of a spring material, and the rear end of the extension part is coupled to a main body part to elastically extend the extension part. The occlusal force meter according to claim 2 or 4, which is used as a connecting portion. 6. The occlusal force meter according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible protective case that covers the occlusal force detection portion. 7. The occlusal force meter according to claim 6, wherein the protective case is made of vinyl chloride.