Cleaning Tool for Insertion Device with Coaxial Discharge Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning tools for elongated insertion devices, such as endoscopes, face challenges in effectively and efficiently cleaning the distal end portion due to limitations in fluid distribution and positioning, leading to incomplete removal of stains and potential clogging issues in the flow passages.
Innovation Solution
The proposed cleaning tool features a dual fluid supply conduit system with branching flow passages and strategically positioned discharge ports in cap components that allow parallel or coaxial fluid discharge, enabling simultaneous cleaning of multiple surfaces without interference and facilitating the inspection and removal of clogs in the flow passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single fluid supply conduit is used for cleaning, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning coverage and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply conduit is divided into multiple independent conduits (first fluid supply conduit and second fluid supply conduit), each capable of delivering cleaning fluid through separate branching parts and discharge ports. This segmentation enables simultaneous multi-directional cleaning, improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fluid supply conduits and their associated discharge ports are integrated into a single cap component that attaches to the insertion device. This merging allows coordinated operation of multiple fluid delivery systems from one unified structure, achieving comprehensive cleaning coverage without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If discharge ports are positioned in different directions, then multiple surfaces can be cleaned simultaneously, but fluid flow interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Each discharge port is positioned at a specific location on the cap component with its own dedicated flow passage and branching structure. This local differentiation ensures that fluid discharged from each port maintains its own flow characteristics and directionality, enabling simultaneous cleaning of multiple surfaces while preventing fluid flow interference through spatial separation and localized flow control.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cleaning tool structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture increases, but positioning precision and cleaning effectiveness decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The cap component is designed as a universal attachment that integrates multiple discharge ports, flow passages, and positioning features into a single modular unit. This multi-functional design allows the same cap structure to achieve both precise positioning of multiple discharge ports and ease of manufacture through standardized assembly processes, eliminating the need for separate positioning mechanisms for each port.
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning tool for insertion device includes a first fluid supply conduit, a second fluid supply conduit, a first cap component, and a second cap component, wherein a first discharge port and a third discharge port are disposed at positions where a discharging direction of fluid discharged from the first discharge port and a discharging direction of fluid discharged from the third discharge port are parallel or coaxial to each other in a vertical direction of a distal end portion of an insertion device, and a second discharge port and a fourth discharge port are disposed at positions where a discharging direction of fluid discharged from the second discharge port and a discharging direction of fluid discharged from the fourth discharge port are parallel or coaxial to each other in a lateral direction of the distal end portion of the insertion device.