Conductive Elastic Member for Endoscope Tube EMI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic endoscopes face issues with electromagnetic interference (EMI) due to impaired electrical conductivity at the connections between the corrugated tube and mesh-tube components, leading to extraneous emission noises, which are not effectively addressed by existing EMC measures.
Innovation Solution
The electronic endoscope incorporates a conductive elastic member with a fixing hole and a conductive corrugated tube connection member, where the laminated tube member's end portion is adhesively secured, featuring a conductive elastic member that elastically connects and applies a pressing force to ensure reliable electrical contact and prevent adhesive entry into gaps, thereby maintaining conductivity and reducing noise radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is used to secure the corrugated tube connection member and mesh-tube, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but electrical conductivity is impaired due to adhesive entry into gaps
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive elastic member is introduced as an intermediary component between the adhesive layer and the electrical connection interface. This elastic member prevents adhesive from directly contacting and impairing the electrical conductivity of the mesh-tube, while still allowing the adhesive to provide structural bonding. The elastic member thus mediates between the conflicting requirements of adhesive bonding and electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: an adhesive bonding zone for structural attachment, and a conductive contact zone for electrical connection. The conductive elastic member creates this segmentation by positioning itself to separate the adhesive application area from the electrical contact area, allowing each function to be optimized independently.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the corrugated tube and connection member are adhesively secured with concentric alignment, then structural stability is improved, but adhesive enters gaps between components causing conductivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive elastic member serves as a protective intermediary that allows concentric alignment for structural stability while preventing adhesive from reaching the electrical contact surfaces. It absorbs the adhesive and provides a compliant interface that maintains electrical continuity despite the presence of adhesive in the bonding gap.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connection structure have different properties: the adhesive layer provides structural bonding in the bonding zone, while the conductive elastic member provides electrical conductivity in the contact zone. This local differentiation of function allows the system to achieve both structural stability and electrical conductivity simultaneously.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional EMC measures are applied to the endoscope, then electromagnetic interference resistance is improved, but extraneous emission noises persist due to conductivity impairment at tube connections
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive elastic member acts as a sacrificial or replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and installed to solve the conductivity problem. By using a simple, inexpensive elastic conductive element rather than complex shielding structures, the patent provides an economical solution that effectively reduces extraneous emission noises while maintaining EMI resistance.
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
This configuration ensures reliable electrical connections, reduces extraneous emission noises, and enhances the electromagnetic shielding properties of the endoscope, addressing the conductivity issues and noise radiation effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive elastic member that is elastically deformable radially, electrically connects the electrical connection portion to the corrugated tube connection member, and has an urging force for contacting an outer surface of the conductive tube member with a predetermined pressing force
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible tube portion of an insertion portion of an electronic endoscope and a universal cable each includes a laminated tube member and a corrugated tube connection member. The laminated tube member includes a conductive tube member and an insulating cover covering the conductive tube member. The corrugated tube connection member includes a fixing hole where an end portion of the laminated tube member is inserted. The end portion of the laminated tube member is adhesively fixed. The end portion of the laminated tube member is an electrical connection portion, and the conductive tube member is exposed. The corrugated tube connection member includes a conductive elastic member in the fixing hole. The conductive elastic member electrically connects the electrical connection portion to the corrugated tube connection member. The conductive elastic member is elastically deformable radially and contacts an outer surface of the conductive tube member with a predetermined pressing force.