Endoscope Antifogging Unit Thermal Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endoscope antifogging systems face challenges in maintaining accurate temperature measurement due to heat transfer issues between the heat generator and temperature sensor, leading to decreased measurement accuracy and potential fogging on optical members during medical procedures.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope antifogging unit incorporates a heat generator and temperature sensor mounted on a wiring board with a suppressing portion that reduces heat transfer between the heat generator and measurement wiring, enhancing measurement accuracy by optimizing the placement and thermal conductivity of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the heat generator and temperature sensor are disposed in close proximity to enable compact design, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat transfer from the heat generator to the temperature sensor increases, degrading measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-resistant member is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat generator and the temperature sensor. This member has low thermal conductivity, acting as a thermal barrier that blocks heat transfer from the heat generator to the temperature sensor, thereby enabling close proximity placement without compromising measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The wiring board is constructed as a composite structure combining a base layer with low thermal conductivity and a wiring layer with high thermal conductivity. This composite design allows the base layer to provide thermal isolation while the wiring layer maintains electrical connections, resolving the contradiction between compact placement and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Use of energy by moving object

If the heat generator is positioned close to the optical member for effective heating, then the heating efficiency is improved, but the heat transfer to the temperature sensor increases, degrading measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-resistant member serves as a thermal intermediary that allows the heat generator to be positioned close to the optical member for efficient heating, while simultaneously blocking heat transfer to the temperature sensor. This enables the heat generator to operate at high efficiency without compromising measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the measurement wiring is disposed in close proximity to the heat generator for compact wiring layout, then the device complexity is reduced, but the heat transfer to the measurement wiring increases, affecting measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring layout complexityVSAvoidtemperature measurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-resistant member acts as a thermal barrier positioned between the heat generator and the measurement wiring. This intermediary blocks heat transfer to the measurement wiring while allowing the wiring to be disposed in close proximity for compact layout, thus maintaining both low device complexity and high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively suppresses heat transfer, improving the measurement accuracy of the temperature sensor and preventing fogging on optical members, ensuring clear imaging during endoscope procedures.

Implementation Method 1

a heat generator configured to heat the inside by heat generation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a suppressing portion disposed in either a first heat transfer path extending from the heat generator to the measurement wiring or a second heat transfer path extending from the heat-generation wiring to the temperature sensor, and wherein the suppressing portion configured to suppress heat transfer from the heat generator to the measurement wiring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature in the inside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTemperature sensing:

Data Source

PatentUS10285576B2Endoscope antifogging unit and endoscope system

Publication Date: 2019.05.14 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

In a state in which a heat generator and a temperature sensor are disposed on a wiring board, a measurement wiring is disposed in a vicinity of the heat generator, or the temperature sensor is disposed in a vicinity of a heat-generation wiring. A suppressing portion is disposed in either a first heat transfer path extending from the heat generator to the measurement wiring or a second heat transfer path extending from the heat-generation wiring to the temperature sensor. The suppressing portion suppresses heat transfer from the heat generator to the measurement wiring in the first heat transfer path, or suppresses heat transfer from the heat-generation wiring to the temperature sensor in the second heat transfer path.