Endoscope Distal Barrel Wiring Layout for Compact Cable Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently connecting small electronic components like camera modules to the distal end barrel due to limited space and interference with bending operation wires, leading to complex and cumbersome cable connections.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a distal end barrel member with a resin material formed using MID technology, featuring a modular accommodation chamber, contact patterns, and wider wiring patterns on the cable connection surface to accommodate core wires, allowing for easier and more reliable electrical connections without increasing the barrel's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional distal end barrel with limited space is used, then the barrel diameter can be kept small, but the cable connection becomes complex and cumbersome due to interference with bending operation wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable connection surface that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis, creating a two-dimensional connection plane. This dimensional change allows multiple cables to be connected simultaneously without interference, resolving the complexity issue while maintaining ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If wiring patterns are made wider to accommodate core wires, then cable connection becomes easier, but the barrel diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension perpendicular to the optical axis to create a cable connection surface, allowing wiring patterns to be arranged in a two-dimensional plane rather than constrained to a linear path. This enables adequate wiring width for easy cable connection without increasing the longitudinal diameter of the barrel
3Area of stationary object
If contact patterns are formed close together to save space, then the barrel remains compact, but electrical connection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges contact patterns and wiring patterns on a two-dimensional cable connection surface perpendicular to the optical axis, allowing adequate spacing between electrical connections. This spatial arrangement maintains compactness along the optical axis while ensuring reliable electrical connections through proper pattern separation
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an imager unit loading region formed in a distal end barrel member formed of a resin material, a cable connection surface provided on a proximal end side, a wall provided to connect an opening of the imager unit loading region and an opening of the cable connection surface, a plurality of contact patterns formed on a wall surface of the imager unit loading region, and configured to be electrically connected to electric contacts of an imager unit, a plurality of wiring patterns formed on a front surface of the cable connection surface from the wall, and configured to electrically continue to the plurality of contact patterns, and a plurality of connection patterns formed on the cable connection surface with larger intervals than intervals of the plurality of wiring patterns formed on the wall, with core wires of cables being electrically connected to the plurality of connection patterns.