Electronic Endoscope Adjustable Housing for Image Pickup Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic endoscopes are limited in their ability to replace image pickup apparatus with different specifications, such as those having varying pixel counts or lens systems, due to fixed housing configurations, requiring separate purchase of new endoscopes when specifications change.
Innovation Solution
The electronic endoscope features a distal end member with a housing portion and an adjusting member that allows for the easy replacement of image pickup apparatus by adjusting the clearance between the image pickup apparatus and the distal end member, accommodating different shapes and specifications through a stepped through hole and external shape adjusting member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the housing portion is fixed to match the external shape of the original image pickup apparatus, then the original image pickup apparatus can be securely held, but the endoscope cannot accommodate image pickup apparatus with different specifications or shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the housing portion adjustable through a threaded adjusting member. The housing portion can change its internal dimensions by rotating the adjusting member, which moves the housing portion axially to adjust the clearance with the image pickup apparatus. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same housing to accommodate image pickup apparatus with different external shapes and sizes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stepped through hole is designed for a specific image pickup apparatus shape, then that apparatus is securely fixed, but replacement with different shaped apparatus is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded adjusting member enables dynamic adjustment of the housing portion's internal dimensions. By rotating the adjusting member, the housing portion moves axially to reduce or eliminate clearance with the image pickup apparatus. This allows the same stepped through hole design to securely fit different shaped apparatus through precise adjustment, maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the internal dimensions of the housing portion through mechanical adjustment. The adjusting member changes the positional parameter (clearance distance) between the housing portion and the image pickup apparatus, allowing the same housing structure to accommodate various apparatus shapes while maintaining secure fixation.
3Ease of operation
If the image pickup apparatus is firmly fixed in the housing portion, then stable operation is ensured, but replacement and adjustment become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded adjusting member provides a dynamic fixation mechanism. During replacement, the adjusting member can be rotated to create clearance, allowing easy removal and installation of different image pickup apparatus. Once installed, the same adjusting member is rotated in the opposite direction to eliminate clearance and firmly secure the apparatus, ensuring operational stability. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of replacement and operational reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electronic endoscope which enables the image pickup apparatus of the electronic endoscope to be easily replaced with image pickup apparatuses of different specifications. The electronic endoscope according to the present invention is configured by including a distal end member which is provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion of the electronic endoscope, and which includes an image pickup apparatus mounting hole as a housing portion for housing an image pickup apparatus; and an outer shape adjusting member as an adjusting member which is provided between the image pickup apparatus and the image pickup apparatus mounting hole, and which fixes the image pickup apparatus in the image pickup apparatus mounting hole.