Electro-Deformation Endoscope Bending Without Mechanical Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with adjustable directions have complex structures, increased mass, and size due to mechanical transmission modes, limiting their operability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
An electro-deformation bending endoscope with a handle portion and an insertion portion, featuring a straight tube and an electro-deformation bending tube made of electroactive polymer pieces, controlled by electrodes and a voltage generating unit to adjust bending angles without increasing the endoscope's mass or size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical transmission mode is adopted to control the tail end of the endoscope to rotate, then the endoscope can be bent in multiple directions, but the structure becomes complex and the mass and size of the endoscope body increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical transmission mode with an electroactive polymer (EAP) based bending actuator. The EAP actuator directly converts electrical signals into bending motion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical joints, gears, and transmission mechanisms. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-directional bending capability while dramatically simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from mechanical force transmission to electrical voltage control. By applying different voltages to the EAP actuator, the endoscope can be bent in different directions and to different degrees. This parameter change enables versatile bending control without the structural complexity of mechanical systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical transmission mode is adopted to control the tail end of the endoscope to rotate, then the endoscope can be bent in multiple directions, but the mass and size of the endoscope body increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical transmission components with lightweight electroactive polymer actuators. The EAP material itself provides the actuation function, eliminating the need for separate motors, gears, and linkages that would increase mass. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-directional bending capability while significantly reducing the overall mass of the endoscope.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical transmission mode is adopted to control the tail end of the endoscope to rotate, then the endoscope can be bent in multiple directions, but the size of the endoscope body increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical transmission components with compact electroactive polymer actuators. The EAP actuator integrates the actuation function directly into the endoscope body, eliminating the need for separate mechanical subsystems that would increase volume. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-directional bending capability while minimizing the overall size of the endoscope.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanical transmission mode is adopted to control the tail end of the endoscope to rotate, then the endoscope can be bent in multiple directions, but the endoscope is not facilitated to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission systems with electrically controlled EAP actuators. The bending direction and degree are controlled by simple electrical signals, which can be precisely and rapidly adjusted without the inertia and friction associated with mechanical systems. This substitution resolves the contradiction by maintaining multi-directional bending capability while significantly improving ease of operation.
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 endoscope achieves flexible bending and angle adjustment with a simple structure, maintaining a lightweight and compact design while providing effective control over the endoscope's mass and size.
Implementation Method 1
each of the electro-deformation pieces is made of an electro-deformation material; an insulating layer is provided between the electro-deformation pieces, and electrodes are provided at two ends of each electro-deformation piece
Implementation Method 2
the electro-deformation pieces are made of an electro-deformation material and deform once an electroactive polymer is subjected to electrical stimulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An electro-deformation bending endoscope belonging to the field of endoscopes includes a handle portion (1) and an insertion portion (2) provided below the handle portion (1); the insertion portion (2) includes a straight tube (21), and an electro-deformation bending tube (22) including at least two electro-deformation pieces (31), the electro-deformation pieces (31) are made of an electro-deformation material and deform once an electroactive polymer is subjected to electrical stimulation; and electrodes (33) are provided at two ends of each electro-deformation piece (31), and voltage is applied to the electrodes (33) to control the electro-deformation pieces (31) to bend, thereby bending a tail end of the endoscope, and adjusting a photographing angle of the endoscope. The device has a simple structure, and achieves a function of adjusting a bending angle of the endoscope without increasing a mass and a size of a body of the endoscope.