US 12,213,924 B2
Traverse dental chair and a sensor assembly for monitoring positions thereof
David Maynard, North Plains, OR (US)
Assigned to Engle Dental Systems, LLC, Hillsboro, OR (US)
Filed by Engle Dental Systems, LLC, Hillsboro, OR (US)
Filed on Sep. 26, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/372,875.
Application 18/372,875 is a continuation of application No. 16/573,415, filed on Sep. 17, 2019, granted, now 11,779,501.
Prior Publication US 2024/0009055 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61G 15/02 (2006.01); F15B 11/10 (2006.01); F15B 15/28 (2006.01); G01D 5/165 (2006.01)
CPC A61G 15/02 (2013.01) [F15B 11/10 (2013.01); F15B 15/2853 (2013.01); G01D 5/165 (2013.01); A61G 2203/36 (2013.01); A61G 2203/40 (2013.01); F15B 2211/6336 (2013.01); F15B 2211/7053 (2013.01); F15B 2211/7656 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dental chair, comprising:
a chair assembly configured to support a patient;
a traverse motion assembly coupled to the chair assembly, the traverse motion assembly configured to move the chair assembly in a forward-backward direction between a first position and a second position; and
a sensor assembly having:
a rod rotatably fixed to the traverse motion assembly, the rod defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein movement of the chair assembly in the forward-backward direction causes rotation of the rod;
a gear shaft coaxially coupled to the second end of the rod;
a detecting end coaxially coupled to the gear shaft; and
a potentiometer positioned proximate to the detecting end in a non-coaxial orientation with the detecting end, wherein the potentiometer is configured to obtain data indicative of rotational movement of the rod via the detecting end.
 
18. A method, comprising:
selecting a desired position of a dental chair with an interface of a controller of a control system;
determining, with a sensor assembly and a processor, a current position of the dental chair;
sending, with the processor, control signals to a forward direction valve assembly and a backward direction valve assembly of a hydraulic system, wherein the control signals cause the forward direction valve assembly and the backward direction valve assembly to adjustably open and close;
causing the dental chair to traverse along a forward-backward direction from the current position to the desired position based on the control signals to control movement of fluid from the respective valve assemblies into a cylinder assembly, wherein the dental chair moves in a forward direction when the forward direction valve assembly is opened, and the dental chair moves in a backward direction when the backward direction valve assembly is opened;
determining, with the sensor assembly and the processor, a distance of linear movement of the dental chair along the forward-backward direction, wherein the distance of linear movement is determined based on rotational movement of a rod based on data from a potentiometer received via a detecting end coaxially coupled to a gear shaft, the gear shaft coaxially coupled to an end of the rod, the potentiometer positioned proximate to the detecting end in a non-coaxial orientation with the detecting end, the rotational movement of the rod caused by traverse of the dental chair along the forward-backward direction; and
adjusting the desired position of the dental chair based on data generated by the sensor assembly.