180 Degree Articulating Borescope Bending Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current articulating endoscopes have complex designs, large bending radii, limited 180-degree bending capability, and require two hands to operate, making them difficult to manufacture, expensive, and inconvenient for observing small areas.
Innovation Solution
The articulating digital endoscope features a novel bending part with joint plates, in-between discs, and a mechanical shutter cable system, allowing for 180-degree bending with a small radius, easy assembly, and one-handed operation, using pulling and pushing holes, and convex-concave structures for rotation and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If deformable metal tubes are used for bending, then the endoscope can be bent by hand, but the bending radius is too large and 180-degree bending cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope shaft is divided into multiple segments that can rotate relative to each other around a central axis. Each segment contains pulling cables that, when tensioned, cause that segment to rotate, enabling precise control of bending angle and radius without requiring large manual bending radii.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual bending mechanism is replaced with a cable-driven rotation system. Instead of bending the entire shaft by hand, individual segments are rotated using pulling cables that pass through guide holes and are tensioned to rotate segments relative to the central axis, achieving 180-degree bending with controlled radius.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex articulation structures are used, then the endoscope can articulate on the front end, but the design becomes complex, difficult to assemble and produce, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling cable system serves multiple functions: it controls rotation of individual segments, maintains segment positioning, and enables both bending and straightening operations through a single integrated mechanism. The guide holes and cable arrangement provide universal control across all segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The endoscope uses a flexible shaft construction where segments can rotate relative to each other while maintaining structural integrity. The flexible design allows articulation without requiring complex rigid joint mechanisms, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining versatility.
3Measurement precision
If two hands are needed to operate the endoscope, then control precision may be improved, but convenience is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple control functions are merged into a single handle assembly. The pulling cables for multiple segments are routed through the handle, allowing one-handed operation where a single operator can control the bending of multiple segments simultaneously or sequentially through the integrated cable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle acts as an intermediary that consolidates control of multiple pulling cables. By routing all cable controls through the handle, the system enables precise multi-segment control to be achieved from a single operational interface, maintaining precision while enabling one-handed use.
Data Source
AI summary
An articulating digital endoscope or borescope which can be bent up to 180 degrees and has a small bending radius, simple structure, and can be operated with one hand. The front end of the bending part is connected to a digital camera, the rear end of the bending part is connected to the main body and the handle of the endoscope. The bending part comprises the upper and lower connecting segments, a number of joint plates and in-between discs connected in sequence. There are concave and convex structures on both sides of the joint plates so that the joint plates can fit to each other and be rotated. A mechanical shutter release cable is used to connect the bending part, the endoscope main body and the handle. When the shutter button is pressed, the inner spring of the shutter pushes forward to bend the bending part.