U.S. patent application number 10/607688 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-19 for optical apparatus and resin curing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Otsuka, Masahiro.
Application Number | 20040033465 10/607688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26591441 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040033465 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Otsuka, Masahiro |
February 19, 2004 |
Optical apparatus and resin curing apparatus
Abstract
The present invention provides a resin curing apparatus which
can cure light-cured resin in a small period of time after emitting
a light ray for curing resin, and a small and light optical
apparatus which can condense a parallel light ray incident upon an
entrance plane in an area narrower than that at the time of
incidence upon the entrance plane without attenuating optical
intensity. The resin curing apparatus of the present invention
includes a plurality of light emitting devices that are caused to
emit a light ray by a drive electric current larger than a rated
electric current while forcibly cooling each light emitting device
by a cooling fan, thereby obtaining a large quantity of light with
the high optical intensity capable of curing resin in a short
period of time.
Inventors: |
Otsuka, Masahiro;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Perry J. Hoffman
Michael Best & Friedrich, LLC
Suite 1900
401 N. Michigan Avenue
Chicago
IL
60611
US
|
Family ID: |
26591441 |
Appl. No.: |
10/607688 |
Filed: |
June 27, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10607688 |
Jun 27, 2003 |
|
|
|
09840603 |
Apr 23, 2001 |
|
|
|
6638063 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C 19/004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
433/29 |
International
Class: |
A61C 003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 2, 2000 |
JP |
2000-133706 |
May 10, 2000 |
JP |
2000-137200 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A resin curing apparatus comprising: a light source which is an
LED array including a plurality of LEDs each of which outputs a
light ray having a predetermined wavelength, said respective LEDs
being arranged in said LED array in such a manner that traveling
directions of light rays emitted by said respective LEDs become the
same direction, and driven by a drive electric current larger than
a rated electric current within a predetermined time period; a
guide member for guiding a light ray from said light source to a
predetermined position; and a cooling fan for forcibly cooling said
LED array and a drive motor of said cooling fan itself.
2. The resin curing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a
wavelength of a light ray emitted by each of said LEDs is 370 to
480 nm.
3. The resin curing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: an LED drive circuit capable of supplying a
predetermined drive electric current to each of said LEDs in said
LED array, wherein said cooling fan can also cool down said LED
drive circuit.
4. The resin curing apparatus according to claim 2, further
comprising: an LED drive circuit capable of supplying a
predetermined drive electric current to each of said LEDs in said
LED array, wherein said cooling fan can also cool down said LED
drive circuit.
5. The resin curing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
predetermined time period is controlled by a timer based on a ratio
of the drive electric current to the rated current.
6. The resin curing current apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
the predetermined time period is controlled by a timer based on a
ratio of the drive electric current to the rated current.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/840,603 filed Apr. 23, 2001 and is based
upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese
Patent Applications No. 2000-133706, filed May 2, 2000; and No.
2000-137200, filed May 10, 2000, the entire contents of both of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an optical apparatus for
condensing a parallel light ray incident upon an entrance plane in
an area narrower than that when the parallel light ray reaches the
entrance plane without attenuating optical intensity, and a resin
curing apparatus for emitting a light ray having a predetermined
wavelength for curing photo-cured resin, namely, light-cured resin
toward a curing target by using this optical apparatus. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a dental resin
curing apparatus which is used in the oral cavity and capable of
curing in a short period of time resin used for protecting a cut
part in a mouth cavity and moisture proof.
[0003] As a dental resin curing apparatus, there is known one
having a power supply device, LEDs, an optical fiber and a light
irradiation head as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent
Publication (Kokai) No. 4-30275.
[0004] The resin curing apparatus (resin curing light source
apparatus) disclosed in the above-mentioned patent application uses
a plurality of LEDs which emit a light ray having a wavelength of
455 nm for a light source, and supplies the light ray to the light
irradiation head through the optical fiber so that a predetermined
position in a mouth cavity (irradiation target) is irradiated with
the light ray from the light irradiation head.
[0005] Incidentally, according to the above-mentioned patent
application, there is the description that the LED as the light
source has approximately 20 LED chips with the optical output of
1200 .mu.W being arranged therein.
[0006] Further, Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 9-28719
discloses a polymerization apparatus which uses a battery as a
power supply and has a solid radiant ray emitter and an optical
transmission path being integrated with each other so that the
apparatus can be easily used.
[0007] In the resin curing apparatus, the wavelength of a light ray
emitted by the LED chip is 430 to 480 nm and blue because of the
curing characteristic of resin. However, as generally known, the
optical output of the LED emitting a blue light ray is a fraction
of that of, e.g., a red light ray (wavelength: 680 nm) or an orange
light ray (wavelength: 580 nm) to this day, and it requires several
tens seconds to completely cure the light-cured resin situated at a
predetermined position in the oral cavity.
[0008] Therefore, there is a problem that an uncomfortable posture
is demanded for a relatively long time to a patient who comes for a
treatment in his/her oral cavity and a treatment for a decayed
tooth in particular so that he/she does not close his/her
mouth.
[0009] Furthermore, there is a problem that a specific posture for
light emission is demanded to a doctor who is going to cure the
resin in such a manner that the doctor maintains the same posture
to emit the light ray having a predetermined wavelength so that a
part at which the resin is used is continuously irradiated with the
light ray until the resin is cured.
[0010] This makes the labor conditions (posture for treatment) for
doctors severe and increases recognition by patients that the
treatment time is long the dental treatment is painful.
[0011] Moreover, when a plurality of light emitting devices are
used to increase the optical intensity, a light ray or a parallel
light ray from each liqht emitting device must be condensed into a
dimension so that the light can be inserted into or approximate the
oral cavity. However, a technique for condensina the light or the
parallel light ray from each light emitting device in an area
narrower than that at the time of incidence upon an entrance plane
without attenuating the optical intensity is not currently
established.
[0012] Thus, both the condenser and the resin curing apparatus
become large in size and weight, and they are not necessarily easy
to be used for doctors. In addition, heat generation from the light
emitting device causes both a patient and a doctor to feel
thicknesses of these apparatuses.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a resin
curing apparatus capable of curing light-cured resin in a small
time after irradiation of a light ray for curing the resin.
[0014] Additionally, it is another object of the present invention
to provide an optical apparatus capable of condensing a parallel
light ray incident upon an entrance plane in an area narrower than
that at the time of incidence upon the entrance plane without
attenuating optical intensity.
[0015] According to the present invention is to provide a resin
curing apparatus comprising:
[0016] a light source having a plurality of light emitting devices
for emitting a light rays each having a predetermined
wavelength;
[0017] a condenser having a first surface on which the respective
light emitting devices of the light source are closely or
proximally arranged, a second surface which has a light outgoing
radiation area narrower than the first surface and causes a light
ray incident upon the first surface to outgo in a predetermined
direction, and a dioptric member which includes a material which is
filled between the first surface and the second surface, optically
transparent with respect to a wavelength of a light ray emitted by
each of the light emitting devices and condenses a light ray from
each of the light emitting devices of the light source in an area
narrower than that at the time of incidence upon the first surface
to be led to the second surface; and
[0018] a guide member for guiding a light ray condensed by the
condenser to a predetermined position.
[0019] According to the present invention is to provide a resin
curing apparatus comprising:
[0020] a light source having a plurality of light emitting devices,
the respective light emitting devices being arranged in such a
manner that traveling directions of light rays emitted by the
respective light emitting devices become the same direction, and
each of the light emitting device emitting a light ray having a
predetermined wavelength;
[0021] a condenser having a first curved surface on which the
respective light emitting devices of the light source are closely
or proximally arranged, a second curved surface which has a light
outgoing radiation area narrower than the first curved surface and
causes a light ray incident upon the first curved surface to outgo
in a predetermined direction, and a dioptric member which includes
a material which is filled between the first curved surface and the
second curved surface, optically transparent with respect to a
wavelength of a light ray emitted by each of the light emitting
devices and condenses a light ray from each of the light emitting
devices of the light source in an area narrower than that at the
time of incidence upon the first curved surface to be led to the
second curved surface; and
[0022] a guide member for guiding a light ray condensed by the
condenser to a predetermined position.
[0023] According to the present invention is to provide a resin
curing apparatus comprising:
[0024] a light source which is an LED array including a plurality
of LEDs each of which outputs a light ray having a predetermined
wavelength, the respective LEDs being arranged in the LED array in
such a manner that traveling directions of light rays emitted by
the respective LEDs become the same direction;
[0025] a guide member for guiding a light ray from the light source
to a predetermined position; and
[0026] a cooling fan for forcibly cooling the LED array and a drive
motor of the cooling fan itself.
[0027] According to the present invention is to provided an optical
apparatus comprising:
[0028] a first curved surface on which a light ray from a light
source including a number of light emitting devices can be
incident, the shape of the first curved surface being defined in
such a manner that at least one of the light emitting devices in
close contact with each other and the light emitting devices
arranged in contiguity with each other can be aligned along the
first curved surface;
[0029] a second curved surface which has a light outgoing radiation
area narrower than the first curved surface and causes a light ray
incident upon the first curved surface to outgo in a predetermined
direction; and
[0030] an optically transparent material which is filled between
the first curved surface and the second curved surface, optically
transparent with respect to a wavelength of a light ray emitted by
each of the light emitting devices, and condenses the light ray
from each of the light emitting devices of the light source to an
area narrower than that at the time of incidence upon the first
curved surface to be led to the second curved surface.
[0031] According to the present invention is to provide an optical
apparatus comprising:
[0032] a first curved surface having a predetermined curvature by
which a parallel ray can be incident upon the first curved
surface;
[0033] a second curved surface which has a light outgoing radiation
area narrower than the first curved surface and causes a light ray
incident upon the first curved surface to outgo in a predetermined
direction; and
[0034] an optically transparent material which is filled between
the first curved surface and the second curved surface, optically
transparent with respect to a wavelength of the parallel ray, and
condenses the parallel ray in an area narrower than that at the
time of incidence upon the first curved surface to be led to the
second curved surface.
[0035] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0036] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the
general description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic view for illustrating a resin curing
apparatus according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic view for illustrating an internal
structure of the resin curing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating the principle of
a condenser which converts a light ray emitted from each LED in an
LED array into an area narrower than that at the time of incidence
and increases the optical intensity for outgoing radiation in the
resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram depicting the conditions in
which the light emitted from each LED of the LED array is applied
to a light guide;
[0041] FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views for illustrating a
condenser applied to the resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1
and 2;
[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of an
LED drive circuit for causing each LED in the LED array to emit a
light ray with a drive electric current larger than a rated current
in the resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic view for illustrating arrangement of
LEDs in the LED array used as a light source in the resin curing
apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0044] FIG. 7 is a schematic view for illustrating an air flow for
cooling in the resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
and
[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a cooling unit that may be
used in place of the cooling unit shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] A preferred embodiment according to the present invention
will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic view for illustrating a resin curing
apparatus according to the present invention.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the resin curing apparatus 1 is
constituted by an apparatus main body 2, a light guide connection
portion 3 provided at an end of the apparatus main body 2, and a
power supply line 4 connected to the apparatus main body 2 through
a grip portion 2a of the apparatus main body 2. It is to be noted
that the light guide connection portion 3 includes a coupler 3a,
and a light guide (optical fiber assembly in which optical fibers
are assembled in a predetermined shape) 11 having an opening
cross-sectional shape is detachably formed. As a result, the light
guides 11 having different dimensions can be arbitrarily replaced
in accordance with uses or ages of patients.
[0049] Further, as will be described later with reference to FIG.
2, a power supply which takes out a predetermined voltage and
electric current from a commercial power source supplied through
the power supply line 4 is accommodated inside the grip portion 2a
of the apparatus main body 2. It is to be noted that a pair of
switches 5a (for the main power supply) and 5b (for LED light
emission) for energizing the power supply and turning on/off the
light source are provided at arbitrary positions of the grip
portion 2a. Incidentally, the pair of switches 5a and 5b may be a
pair of cooperative switches and may have a time limit function
that one is turned on when the other is turned on and one of them
is shut off after elapse of a predetermined time.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 2, in the vicinity of one end of the light
guide 11, there is provided a condenser 12 which condenses the
light emitted by respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n in an LED array
13 in an area having a diameter smaller than that defined by the
respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n with a predetermined gap or in
close contact with the light guide 11.
[0051] To each of the LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n of the LED array 13 is
connected an LED drive unit circuit 14 which has a predetermined
voltage transformed by the power supply 15 and to which a
predetermined LED drive electric current can be supplied. When the
switches 5a and 5b are turned on, an electric current with a
predetermined intensity is supplied to the LED drive unit circuit
14 with a predetermined voltage.
[0052] It is to be noted that the power supply 15 and the LED drive
unit circuit 14 are formed into predetermined shapes so that they
can be accommodated in the grip portion 2a of the apparatus main
body 2 shown in FIG. 1 for example, and they supply an appropriate
load to the grip portion 2a so that the apparatus main body 2 can
be easily used. Further, as will be described later with reference
to FIG. 5, when one of the switches 5a and 5b is turned on (5a in
this example), the remaining switch (5b in this example) is
simultaneously turned on. Since the switch 5b connected to the LED
drive unit circuit 14 side is connected to a timer (time limit
function) 14a which is shut off after elapse of a predetermined
time, energization to at least the LED drive unit circuit 14 side
can be interrupted when a predetermined time, for example, five
seconds pass after.
[0053] To the power supply 15 are connected a directcurrent drive
type or alternating-current drive type fan motor 16 and a cooling
fan 17 integrally formed with the fan motor 16. This fan 17 is
accommodated on the side of an exhaust port 2b which is on the side
apart from the fiber connection portion 3 of the apparatus main
body 2 shown in FIG. 1 for example. When the fan motor 16 is
rotated, the fan 17 sucks an air flow for cooling from an intake
port 2c provided at a substantially central portion of the
apparatus main body 2 in the longitudinal direction and cools down
the respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n in the LED array 13 and the
motor 16 to generate the air flow for cooling which goes through
the exhaust port. The operation of the respective LEDs 13a, . . . ,
13n is stabilized, and increase in a temperature prevents the
optical characteristic of the condenser 12 from fluctuating.
[0054] FIG. 3A is a schematic view for illustrating the principle
of the condenser which converts the light emitted from each LED in
the LED array in the resin, curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
into an area narrower than that at the time of incidence and
increases the optical intensity for outgoing radiation.
[0055] As shown in FIG. 3A, the light incident upon a part 12-1 at
which an entrance plane is orthogonal to the incident light
(indicated by an arrow) outgoes from the condenser 12 in which a
plurality of parallel flat plates are connected with each other as
it stands.
[0056] On the other hand, the light incident upon each of parts
12-2 and 12-3 at which each of the entrance plane is formed into a
parallelogram so that the entrance plane has a predetermined angle
with respect to the incident light is bent at a predetermined angle
at each of the parallelogram part 12-2 and 12-3 by the law of
refraction. Further, when the light outgoes from each of the
parallelogram part 12-2 and 12-3, it is returned to be parallel
with the incident right.
[0057] As a result, the light outgoing from the condenser 12 is
condensed in an area narrower than a cross-section area at the time
of incidence. Furthermore, the optical intensity is increased to be
higher than that at the time of incidence even if losses due to the
condenser are excluded.
[0058] It is to be noted that the degree of condensing by the
condenser 12 can be arbitrarily set in accordance with a material
and a thickness of the condenser 12.
[0059] FIG. 3B illustrates the conditions in which the light
emitted from each LED 13a of the LED array is applied to the light
guide 11. Since the light emitted from each LED 13a diverges as
shown in FIG. 3B, it cannot be applied in its entirety to the light
guide 11 if the LED 13a is spaced far from the light guide 11.
Further, the light cannot pass through the light guide 11 unless it
is applied to the guide 11 at an angle .theta.or incidence that
falls within a specific range since the light beams from the other
LEDs 13a must pass through the guide 11, too. Nonetheless, the
light beams emitted from all LEDs 13a are successfully applied to
the light guide 11. This is because condenser 12 converges the
light beams at a small region, thus guiding more beams to the light
guide 11 than an ordinary light-converging plate.
[0060] FIG. 4A is a schematic view for illustrating the condenser
applied to the resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 4A, the condenser 12 is constituted by a
first curved surface (entrance plane) 12a on which respective LEDs
13a, . . . , 13n in the LED array 13 are arranged in close contact
with each other or at predetermined intervals, a second curved
surface (outgoing radiation plane) 12b from which the light
incoming from the first curved surface 12a outgoes, and a
condensing member (main body) 12c which is transparent with respect
to a wavelength of the light emitted by each of the LEDs 13a, . . .
, 13n. The condenser 12 changes the optical path of the light
incident upon the first curved surface 12a by the main body 12c and
condenses the light on the second curved surface 12b narrower than
the first curved surface 12a. It is to be noted that the condensing
member (main body) 12c is formed of, e.g., optical glass, quartz
glass or acryl.
[0062] Moreover, as shown in the drawing, when the respective LEDs
13a, . . . , 13n in the LED array 13 are arranged along the first
curved surface 12a in such a manner that the light rays emitted by
the LEDs 13a, 13n have substantially the same direction, the first
curved surface 12a is given a predetermined curvature such that
most of the light rays from the respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n
are refracted toward the central side of the main body 12c.
[0063] On the other hand, as shown in the drawing, the second
curved surface 12b is given a curvature for enabling the second
curved surface 12b to function as a condenser lens (convex lens)
for causing the light which has passed through the main body 12c to
be efficiently incident upon the light guide 11 (coupling the light
which has passed through the condenser 12 with the light guide
11).
[0064] It is to be noted that on the first curved surface 12a are
formed a non-illustrated reflection preventing film (reflection
preventing coating) for suppressing reflection of the light from
the respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n on the first curved surface
12a to return to the outside of the condenser 12 and a similar
reflection preventing film (reflection preventing coating) for
suppressing reflection of the light which has passed through the
main body 12c on the second curved surface 12b to return to the
main body 12c, respectively.
[0065] According to this condenser 12, the parallel light ray
incident upon the entrance plane (first curved surface 12a) can be
condensed in an outgoing radiation plane (second curved surface
12b) narrower than that at the time of incidence upon the entrance
plane 12a without attenuating the optical intensity.
[0066] FIG. 4B is a schematic view for illustrating the condenser
shown in FIG. 4A.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 4B, the condenser 12 changes the optical
path of the light incident upon the first curved surface 12a by the
main body 12c and condenses the light on the second curved surface
12b narrower than the first curved surface 12a. It is to be noted
that the condensing member (main body) 12c is formed of, e.g.,
optical glass, quartz glass or acryl.
[0068] Moreover, as shown in the drawing, when the respective LEDs
13a, . . . , 13n in the LED array 13 are arranged along the first
curved surface 12a in such a manner that the light rays emitted by
the LEDs 13a, 13n have radially and directed to a center of the
second curved surface 12b.
[0069] On the other hand, as shown in the drawing, the second
curved surface 12b is given a curvature for enabling the second
curved surface 12b to function as a condenser lens (convex lens)
for causing the light which has passed through the main body 12c to
be efficiently incident upon the light guide 11 (coupling the light
which has passed through the condenser 12 with the light guide
11).
[0070] Need less to say, on the first curved surface 12a are formed
a non-illustrated reflection preventing film for suppressing
reflection of the light from the respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n
on the first curved surface 12a to return to the outside of the
condenser 12 and a similar reflection preventing film for
suppressing reflection of the light which has passed through the
main body 12c on the second curved surface 12b to return to the
main body 12c, respectively.
[0071] According to this condenser 12, the radially directed light
ray incident upon the entrance plane (first curved surface 12a) can
be condensed in an outgoing radiation plane (second curved surface
12b) narrower than that at the time of incidence upon the entrance
plane 12a without attenuating the optical intensity.
[0072] As a result, the dimension and the weight of the condenser
12 can be reduced, which improves the operability of treatment
(freedom of treatment) by doctors.
[0073] Moreover, since the optical intensity of the condensed light
is less attenuated, a number of LEDs required for the light source
is reduced, thereby decreasing the power consumption and the
calorific power. This is also advantageous to reduction in
dimension and weight of the condenser 12.
[0074] FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram for illustrating an
example of an LED drive unit 14.
[0075] An alternating-current voltage transformed into a
predetermined voltage by the power supply circuit 15 is rectified
by a bridge Z1, and the ripple is reduced by a smoothing portion
consisting of L0, C1 and C2. The resulting voltage is inputted to a
timer circuit 14a.
[0076] The direct-current voltage which has passed through the
timer 14a is supplied to each of LEDs 13a to 13n through a
protection resistance R0 and electric current limit resistances Ra
to Rn allocated to each of the LEDs 13a to 13n. It is to be noted
that the drive electric current supplied to each LED is controlled
at an electric current value which is twofold to threefold of a
rated electric current of each LED. At this time, the intensity of
the drive electric current flowing through each LED is defined as
50 to 70 mA in case of the LED having the rated electric current of
20 mA, for example.
[0077] The switch 5b controls the light emitting time of the
respective LEDs 13a to 13n in the LED array 13. When the switch 5a
is turned on, the switch 5b supplies the direct-current voltage
rectified by the bridge Z1 to the LED drive unit 14. Incidentally,
the timer circuit 14a is a switching circuit which limits the
energizing time for the respective LEDs 13a to 13n to a
predetermined time, for example, five seconds and protects each LED
which is emitting the light with the high brightness by a drive
electric current larger than the rated electric current. The timer
circuit 14a may be, for example, a logic circuit for turning on/off
the gate voltage (Ref) of transistors Ta to Tn connected to the
respective LEDs or a simple time limit switch.
[0078] When the switch 5a is turned on, energization to the power
supply circuit 15 shown in FIG. 2 is assured independently from the
operation of the timer circuit 14a, and the cooling fan 16 is
rotated. Consequently, the LEDs 13a to 13n which are emitting the
light with the high brightness are forcibly cooled down by the
drive electric current larger than the rated electric current.
[0079] FIG. 6 is a schematic view for illustrating arrangement of
the LEDs in the LED array used as a light source in the resin
curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 6, the respective LEDs 13a, 13n in the LED
array 13 are arranged by the closest packing in such a manner that
a largest part of the cylindrical or tapered outer peripheral
portion of each LED is brought into contact with the counterpart so
that line segments connecting the centers of the respective LEDs
13a, . . . , 13n form a substantial triangle (usually, a
equilateral triangle).
[0081] Further, an area in which the respective LEDs 13a, . . . ,
13n are arranged is defined as, for example, substantially a
circle. Incidentally, assuming that a diameter of each of the LEDs
13a, . . . , 13n is, for example, 3 mm, the size (diameter) of the
LED array 13 calculated from all the LEDs becomes approximately 25
mm.
[0082] It is to be noted that the wavelength of the light emitted
by each of the LEDs 13a to 13n is, for example, 350 nm to 480 nm,
and the LED emitting the light having the wavelength of 370 nm, 430
nm or 450 nm can be easily obtained in particular.
[0083] As a result, it is possible to provide the LED array 13
having the output optical intensity being a large output capable of
condensing the light by the condenser 12 and curing a predetermined
amount of light-cured resin put into, e.g., a mouth cavity in
several seconds, for example, five seconds.
[0084] FIG. 7 is a schematic view for illustrating an air flow for
cooling in a resin curing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 7, when the fan motor 16 accommodated on
the side of the exhaust port 2b on the side apart from the fiber
connection portion 3 of the apparatus main body 2, e.g., the
apparatus main body 2 depicted in FIG. 1 is rotated, the cooling
blast taken from the intake port 2c provided at substantially the
central portion of the apparatus main body 2 in the longitudinal
direction is sucked by the cooling fan 17 while cooling down the
respective LEDs 13a, . . . , 13n in the LED array 13 and the motor
16 and becomes the air flow for cooling which passes through the
exhaust port 2b. Consequently, even if the LED array 13 generates
heat more than usual by supply of the drive electric current higher
than the rated electric current, the apparatus main body 2 or the
LED array 13 is not undesirably heated, thereby enabling the stable
light emitting operation. Furthermore, increase in a temperature
can prevent the optical characteristic of the condenser from
fluctuating.
[0086] Incidentally, since the dimension and the weight of the
condenser 12 are small and attenuation of the optical intensity of
the condensed light is small, a number of LEDs required for the
light source is reduced. As a result, the calorific power is
reduced, and the dimension and the weight of the cooling fan 17 can
be also decreased.
[0087] FIG. 8 shows a cooling unit 18 that may replace the cooling
unit shown in FIG. 7, which includes the cooling fans 16 and 17. As
shown in FIG. 8, the cooling unit 18 has a metal plate or a heat
pipe that has high specific heat. The cooling unit of FIG. 8 may be
secured to the back of the substrate of the LED array 13, to
accumulate heat temporarily and then accomplish natural cooling.
The cooling unit 18 can be made of Cu, Al, Ag, Au, brass, Fe, or
the like.
[0088] As described above, in the resin curing apparatus according
to the present invention, a plurality of light emitting devices are
arranged in such a manner that the traveling directions of the
light rays emitted by the respective light emitting devices become
the same direction, and the condenser has the first curved surface
on which the respective light emitting devices are closely or
proximally arranged and the second curved surface which has a light
outgoing radiation area narrower than the first curved surface and
causes the light incident upon the first curved surface to outgo in
a predetermined direction, the condenser consisting of the dioptric
member having a material which is optically transparent with
respect to a wavelength of the light emitted by each light emitting
device being filled between the first curved surface and the second
curved surface. Since the condenser condenses the light emitted
from each light emitting device in an area narrower than that at
the time of incidence upon the first curved surface and leads the
light from the second curved surface to the light guide, it is
possible to provide the resin curing apparatus which has the high
optical intensity and can cure the dental resin in several seconds.
Moreover, since a plurality of light emitting devices are driven by
the drive electric current larger than the rated electric current
and forcibly cooled down by the cooling fan, a large quantity of
light can be obtained in a short period of time, thereby providing
the resin curing apparatus which has the high optical intensity and
can cure the dental resin in several seconds.
[0089] In addition, it is possible to provide the optical apparatus
which condenses the parallel light ray incident upon the entrance
plane in the area narrower than that at the time of incidence
without attenuating the optical intensity. Consequently, the light
source which is a factor of heat generation is reduced in size and
capacity.
[0090] Incidentally, it is possible to reduce the time in which a
patient who comes for a treatment in a mouth cavity, e.g., a
treatment for a decayed tooth is asked for an uncomfortable posture
so as not to close his/her mouth for a relatively long time.
Additionally, it is possible to shorten the time in which a doctor
who is in charge of a treatment in a mouth cavity must take a
specific light irradiation posture in such a manner that a part at
which the resin is placed is continuously irradiated with the
light.
[0091] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *