Eccentric Fitting Protrusion for Endoscope Elevator Load Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
As multifunctional treatment tools with increased diameters are used, the load applied to the fitting shaft and hole in existing endoscope elevating mechanisms increases, posing a challenge in maintaining the endoscope's diameter and load-bearing capacity.
Innovation Solution
The treatment tool elevating mechanism incorporates a rotary shaft portion with a fitting protruding portion that has a center of gravity eccentric to the rotation axis, allowing for enhanced load-bearing capacity without increasing the endoscope's diameter, by using a fitting recessed portion and protruding portion that are non-rotatable relative to each other, and a sealing portion to prevent fluid intrusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the fitting shaft is enlarged to improve load bearing capacity, then the load bearing capacity is improved, but the diameter of the endoscope increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the fitting protruding portion to the rotary shaft portion and creates an eccentric fit with the fitting recessed portion. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the load-bearing interface to be positioned away from the center, enabling the fitting shaft to maintain a small diameter while the eccentric offset provides the necessary mechanical advantage and load bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetry by making the fitting protruding portion eccentric relative to the rotation axis. The fitting protruding portion is positioned at a distance from the center, creating an asymmetric configuration that improves load bearing capacity without requiring an enlarged fitting shaft diameter. The asymmetric fit creates a lever arm effect that enhances mechanical strength.
2Strength
If the fitting shaft diameter is increased to handle larger treatment tools, then the load bearing capacity is improved, but the insertion burden on the patient increases
Solution Approach 1:
By repositioning the fitting interface to an eccentric location on the rotary shaft portion, the patent achieves high load bearing capacity with a compact shaft diameter. This allows the endoscope to maintain a small overall diameter for patient comfort while the eccentric fitting mechanism provides the necessary strength to handle large-diameter multifunctional treatment tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric eccentric fitting configuration allows the fitting protruding portion to be positioned optimally for load bearing while keeping the shaft diameter minimal. This asymmetric design enables the system to handle large treatment tools without increasing the insertion diameter, thereby reducing patient burden.
3Reliability
If a non-rotatable fitting connection is used to ensure reliable force transmission, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an asymmetric eccentric fitting connection where the fitting protruding portion fits into the fitting recessed portion in a non-rotatable manner. This simple asymmetric geometry inherently prevents rotation while transmitting force, achieving reliable rotational force transmission without complex locking mechanisms or additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The eccentric fitting protruding portion and recessed portion are designed to automatically engage in a non-rotatable configuration through their geometric asymmetry. The design is self-locking in terms of rotational prevention, eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms or complex assembly procedures, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable force transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a treatment tool elevating mechanism and an ultrasonic endoscope capable of restraining an increase in diameter of an endoscope and bearing a load.The treatment tool elevating mechanism includes: a rotary shaft portion that is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; an elevator that is connected to one end of the rotary shaft portion so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft portion; and an elevating lever that is connected to the other end of the rotary shaft portion so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft portion, in which a rotational force is applied to the elevating lever, and the rotational force is transmitted to the elevator through the rotary shaft portion, at least one fitted member of the elevating lever or the elevator has a fitting recessed portion that is open in a direction of the rotary shaft portion, the rotary shaft portion has a fitting protruding portion that is fitted into the fitting recessed portion so as to be non-rotatable relative to the fitting recessed portion, and the fitting protruding portion has a center of gravity at a position eccentric from the rotation axis in a cross-section perpendicular to the rotation axis.