Endoscope Cable Mounting Structure with Spacer for Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes face challenges in sterilization methods like autoclave sterilization, which can damage electronic components due to steam exposure, and existing sealing techniques may not effectively prevent moisture ingress around cable joints and electronic components.
Innovation Solution
A cable mounting structure with a spacer dividing cables into groups, arrayed along a mounting board, and sealed with a resin that covers the joint between the mounting board and cables, preventing steam ingress and reducing stress on cable joints, while the spacer's design prevents sealing resin from entering the space between cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If autoclave sterilization is used to sterilize the endoscope, then sterilization is achieved, but steam enters the cable joints and electronic components causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable group is divided into multiple cables, and the spacer divides these cables into two groups arranged on opposite sides. This segmentation allows the sealing resin to effectively cover and seal each cable joint area with electronic components, preventing steam ingress while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
A spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the cables and the sealing resin. The spacer creates a structured arrangement that enables the sealing resin to properly cover the cable joints and electronic components, acting as a mediator that facilitates effective sealing without directly contacting the cables.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing resin is applied to cover cable joints and electronic components, then protection against steam ingress is improved, but the sealing resin may enter the space between cables causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer divides the cables into two separate groups arranged on opposite sides, creating distinct spaces that prevent sealing resin from entering between cables. This segmentation strategy ensures that the sealing resin remains contained in the intended sealing areas while avoiding contamination of cable spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging cables in a single plane where resin could easily penetrate, the spacer arranges cables in three-dimensional space with groups on opposite sides. This dimensional change creates physical barriers that prevent resin intrusion into cable spaces while maintaining effective sealing coverage.
3Volume of moving object
If cables are closely arranged to reduce device size, then compactness is improved, but stress concentration at cable joints increases reducing durability
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer divides cables into two groups arranged on opposite sides rather than densely packing them together. This segmentation distributes the mechanical stress more evenly across the cable joints and reduces stress concentration, improving durability while maintaining a compact overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
By arranging cable groups on opposite sides in three-dimensional space rather than in a single crowded plane, the spacer creates better stress distribution pathways. This dimensional arrangement reduces mechanical stress concentration at individual cable joints while maintaining compact device dimensions.
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 enhances the durability of the endoscope's imaging device by reducing stress on cable joints and preventing moisture ingress, thus protecting electronic components during sterilization and maintaining the device's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging element configured to generate an electric signal by receiving light and performing photoelectric conversion on the light
Implementation Method 2
a resin seal in which a joint between the mounting board and the at least two cables and a mounting board side of the spacer is covered and sealed with a sealing resin
Data Source
AI summary
A cable mounting structure includes: a clustered cable including at least two cables covered with an integration coat; a spacer configured to divide the at least two cables that are exposed by removing the integration coat at one end of the clustered cable into two groups and array the two groups of the cables along a upper surface and a lower surface of the spacer; a mounting board including a upper-side cable joint electrode to which a cable arrayed on the upper surface of the spacer is joined and a lower-side cable joint electrode to which a cable arrayed on the lower surface of the spacer is joined; and a resin seal in which a joint between the mounting board and the at least two cables and a mounting board side of the spacer is covered and sealed with a sealing resin.