End Effector Assembly via Nested Self-Aligning Limiting Features
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current end effector instruments for minimally invasive surgery have complex structures and high production costs, with inefficient and inaccurate manual assembly processes, which hinder their efficiency and effectiveness in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design of an end effector instrument featuring a disintegrated structure with an accommodation pipe composed of inner and outer pipes, facilitating easy assembly through a limiting convex and concave mechanism, and an assembly device with an assembly box and tool to streamline the connection between the end effector device and the delivery device, enhancing assembly efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual assembly of end effector device and delivery device is used, then flexibility is maintained, but assembly efficiency and accuracy are low
Solution Approach 1:
The end effector device is designed with self-aligning features including a limiting convex on the accommodation portion that automatically engages with a limiting recess on the delivery device. The outer pipe of the accommodation portion fits snugly over the delivery device, providing self-positioning and self-alignment during assembly, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures while maintaining assembly flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The accommodation portion采用 nested structure with an outer pipe that fits over the delivery device, creating a nested configuration. The effector portion is accommodated within the accommodation portion, which itself is nested over the delivery device. This nested design simplifies the assembly process by providing inherent alignment and positioning, improving assembly efficiency without requiring complex external fixtures or procedures.
2Manufacturing precision
If integrated design of end effector device and delivery device is used, then assembly accuracy is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument is divided into separate modules: the delivery device and the end effector device with accommodation portion. These modules are manufactured independently using standard production processes, then connected through simple limiting convex-recess features. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately at lower cost while the connection features ensure high assembly accuracy when the modules are joined.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting convex and limiting recess act as intermediary connection features between the accommodation portion and the delivery device. These simple geometric features serve as the interface that ensures precise alignment and connection without requiring complex integrated manufacturing. The intermediary connection features enable accurate assembly while keeping individual component manufacturing simple and cost-effective.
3Reliability
If complex structure is used to ensure connection reliability, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection reliability function is extracted from the overall device structure and implemented through dedicated limiting features (convex and recess). Instead of relying on complex structural interlocking throughout the device, the critical connection function is isolated to specific geometric features on the accommodation portion and delivery device. This extraction simplifies the overall structure while ensuring reliable connection through the dedicated limiting features.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex locking mechanism that actively secures the connection, the design uses a limiting convex that passively engages with a limiting recess. The reliability comes from the geometric constraint that prevents disengagement, rather than from active locking elements. This inverted approach simplifies the structure while maintaining connection reliability through the limiting geometry.
Data Source
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AI summary
Some embodiments of the present disclosure may provide an end effector instrument. The end effector instrument may include: an end effector device, the end effector device comprising an effector portion configured to perform a specified operation, and a delivery device connected to the end effector device, the delivery device being configured to deliver the end effector device to a target region where the specified operation is to be performed. The delivery device may include an operation portion. The operation portion may be configured to drive the effector portion to perform the specified operation.