Endoscope Distal Barrel MID Wiring for Compact Cable Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently connecting electronic components within the distal end barrel member due to limited space and interference with bending operation wires, leading to complex and cumbersome cable connections.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a distal end barrel member with a resin material formed using MID technology, featuring an imager unit loading region, cable connection surface, contact patterns, and wiring patterns that allow for efficient electrical connections of the imager unit to core wires, reducing interference with bending operation wires and minimizing the barrel's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic components are connected using conventional cable connection methods in the distal end barrel member, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but the cable connections become complex and cumbersome, interfering with bending operation wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable connection surface, contact patterns, and wiring patterns into a single integrated distal end barrel member structure. The contact patterns are directly formed on the barrel member's inner surface, and the wiring patterns are formed on the outer surface, creating a unified connection system that eliminates the need for separate complex cable assembly procedures and reduces interference with bending operation wires.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the three-dimensional surface of the distal end barrel member by forming contact patterns on the inner surface and wiring patterns on the outer surface, effectively using both internal and external dimensions for electrical connections. This spatial arrangement optimizes the limited space within the distal end barrel member and simplifies the overall connection architecture.
2Ease of operation
If the distal end barrel member is made larger to accommodate conventional connection structures, then cable connections become easier, but the barrel's diameter increases, reducing endoscope flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating all electrical connection functions (cable connection surface, contact patterns, wiring patterns) within the localized distal end barrel member structure. This allows the connection interface to be optimized independently while keeping the overall barrel diameter small, maintaining endoscope flexibility without compromising connection ease.
3Manufacturing precision
If MID technology is used to form the distal end barrel member, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end barrel member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, forms the cable connection surface for electrical connections, and integrates both contact patterns and wiring patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining high manufacturing precision through MID technology.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an imager unit loading region provided on a distal end side of a distal end barrel member provided at a distal end portion of an insertion portion and 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 contact pattern formed on a wall surface, a wiring pattern formed on a front surface of the cable connection surface from the wall, and configured to electrically continue to the contact pattern, and a connection pattern formed on the cable connection surface, and configured to electrically continue to the wiring pattern, with a core wire of a cable being electrically connected to the connection pattern, in a space formed in the distal end portion by the cable connection surface.