Endoscope Cleaning Apparatus Position Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatuses lack detection of a chemical bottle position short of the locking position, leading to potential chemical leakage due to the complexity and increased manufacturing costs of using multiple limit switches.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating two limit switches and a stepped portion on the chemical bottle to detect the locking, completely-inserted, and initial insertion positions, with a control section issuing warnings for improper bottle placement, preventing chemical leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple limit switches are added to detect the initial insertion position, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detection function is segmented between the limit switch and the stepped portion structure. The limit switch only needs to detect one position (the second position), while the stepped portion structure provides passive mechanical indication of bottle insertion state, dividing the detection task into simpler components
Solution Approach 2:
The stepped portion acts as an intermediary mechanical element that translates bottle insertion position into detectable states. Instead of using multiple electronic sensors, the patent introduces a mechanical intermediary structure that works with a single limit switch to achieve multi-position detection
2Measurement precision
If multiple limit switches are added to detect the initial insertion position, then detection capability is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stepped portion is a simple, inexpensive mechanical feature molded directly into the chemical bottle, requiring no additional components. This replaces the need for multiple expensive limit switches with a low-cost structural feature that can be manufactured alongside the bottle itself
Solution Approach 2:
The detection function is extracted from the apparatus and transferred to the chemical bottle itself through the stepped portion structure. This eliminates the need for the apparatus to contain multiple detection devices, reducing manufacturing costs
3Reliability
If the chemical bottle is left inserted at a position short of the locking position, then chemical may leak into the apparatus, but adding detection increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback about bottle insertion status through the control section when the limit switch detects the second position. This feedback mechanism enables the apparatus to monitor and respond to improper bottle placement, improving reliability without requiring complex mechanical prevention structures
Solution Approach 2:
The control section can issue warnings or take preliminary actions when improper insertion is detected, preventing leakage before it occurs. The stepped portion structure is designed in advance to provide detectable positions that enable preventive control
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus according to the present invention includes a chemical bottle 100, an insertion portion 80, a chemical receiving portion 62, a blade portion, a first limit switch 81 and a second limit switch 82. When the chemical bottle 100 is moved to a first position, the first limit switch 81 changes from off to on to detect the first position, when the chemical bottle 100 is inserted to a second position at which an inner face of the chemical receiving portion 62 and a spout portion are aligned to each other, the second limit switch 82 changes from off to on to detect the second position, and when the chemical bottle 100 is inserted to a third position at which a stopper portion is opened, the first limit switch 81 is released by a stepped portion 103 from pressing by the chemical bottle 100, and thereby changes from on to off to detect the third position.