Endoscope Circuit Board Terminal Arrangement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing connection structures for endoscopes, which use coaxial cables, face challenges in miniaturization and efficient cable connection due to increased terminal requirements and complex wiring processes, leading to weakened connections and increased time and effort for assembly.

Innovation Solution

The endoscope design features a bundle-wire cable with single-wire and coaxial cables, a bundle-wire shield, and a bundle-wire covering, with connecting terminals arranged in a common plane and at predetermined intervals on the circuit board, allowing for miniaturization and simplified connection procedures by aligning and connecting cables collectively on a single plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If coaxial cables are used to improve transmission characteristics, then transmission quality is improved, but the number of connecting terminals increases and miniaturization is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission characteristicsVSAvoidcircuit board width

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection structure by separating single-wire cable connections from coaxial cable connections. Single-wire cables connect to terminals in a first region while coaxial cables connect to terminals in a second region, allowing independent optimization of each connection type and reducing overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the connection regions for single-wire and coaxial cables into a unified terminal arrangement on the circuit board. By positioning these regions adjacently and using a common terminal structure, the design reduces the total area required compared to separate connection structures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If coaxial cables and single-wire cables are divided and connected above and below the circuit board, then connection is achieved, but wiring complexity increases and connection strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connectionVSAvoidwiring structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of dividing connections above and below the circuit board as in conventional designs, the patent inverts the approach by connecting all cables (both single-wire and coaxial) to the same side of the circuit board. This eliminates the need for complex through-board wiring and strengthens connection points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of coaxial cables is increased, then transmission capability is improved, but the number of connecting terminals increases and assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission capabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a universal terminal structure that can accommodate multiple coaxial cable connections in a compact arrangement. The terminals are configured to handle both single-wire and coaxial cable connections using a consistent connection methodology, reducing assembly time and improving productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8674231B2Endoscope

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

Provided is an endoscope in which the work of connecting cables to a circuit board in the distal end of an insertion part can be easily performed. When a bundle-wire cable obtained by bundling a plurality of single-wire cables and a plurality of coaxial cables are connected to a circuit board arranged at the distal end of an insertion part, terminals that connect cores of the single-wire cables, terminals that connect cores of the coaxial cables, terminals that connect shields of the coaxial cables, and terminals that connect the shield of the bundle-wire cable are arranged in tandem at predetermined intervals on the common plane of the circuit board.