Alternating Strength Check Valve for Endoscope Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope channel switching apparatuses face challenges in maintaining airtightness and preventing curl-back deformation due to uniform strength in check valve parts, leading to reduced durability and frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating low-strength and high-strength parts alternately in the check valve unit, with varying thickness and strength levels, to prevent curl-back deformation and ensure sealing between the piston and cylinder during switching between gas and water supply states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a uniform strength check valve part is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but curl-back deformation occurs reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve part is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thick part and a thin part with different strength levels. The thin part is positioned at the distal end that contacts the cylinder inner circumference, allowing it to flexibly adapt to the cylindrical surface while the thick part provides structural support and prevents overall deformation. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction by enhancing durability through strategic weakness rather than uniform strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve part is segmented into distinct regions with different thicknesses - a thick part and a thin part - rather than being uniformly structured. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function: the thin part for flexible sealing contact and the thick part for structural integrity, thereby preventing curl-back deformation without requiring complex additional components.
2Reliability
If the check valve part repeatedly contacts the cylinder inner circumference, then sealing is maintained, but curl-back deformation increases frequency of replacement
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the thin part at the distal end that contacts the cylinder, the design allows this specific region to flexibly conform to the cylindrical surface during repeated contact cycles, maintaining sealing reliability. The thick part remains structurally stable, preventing cumulative deformation and extending service life despite repeated operational cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-uniform thickness design acts as a preemptive measure against curl-back deformation. The thin part is pre-configured to be more compliant, absorbing the mechanical stress of repeated contact with the cylinder inner circumference before deformation can propagate to the entire check valve structure, thereby extending operational lifespan.
3Reliability
If the check valve part is made entirely of thin material for flexibility, then sealing contact is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve part features a thin part at the distal end for flexible sealing contact with the cylinder inner circumference, while the proximal end has a thick part for structural support. This local differentiation allows the thin region to conform to the cylindrical surface for reliable sealing, while the thick region maintains overall structural integrity and prevents deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is segmented into functional zones: a thin distal part for sealing and a thick proximal part for structural strength. This segmentation enables each zone to optimize its performance - the thin part achieves flexible sealing contact while the thick part provides the necessary structural strength to prevent collapse or deformation under pressure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The alternating low-strength and high-strength parts effectively prevent curl-back deformation, enhance durability, and maintain sealing integrity, reducing the frequency of check valve part replacements and improving the endoscope's operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a low-strength part 165 and a high-strength part 167 which are provided on a side of an upper end part 163b of the check valve part 163 and which have respectively different strengths
Implementation Method 2
The check valve part 163 opens and closes in accordance with internal pressure inside the cylinder 111, and is brought into tight contact with an inner circumference of the cylinder 111
Data Source
AI summary
A check valve unit includes a low-strength part and a high-strength part which are provided in the side of a head part of the check valve unit moving and have strength levels which differ from each other. The low-strength part and high-strength part are arranged alternately in circumferential directions of the check valve unit.