Endoscope Connector Coil Overlap for Higher Contactless Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope devices face challenges in coping with increased power consumption without upsizing the connector portion, as the coupling strength between power transmitting and receiving coils is limited, leading to potential power insufficiency.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope device employs a configuration where the power transmitting and receiving coils overlap partially in the axial direction, using solenoid-shaped coils to enable contactless power supply, allowing for increased power transmission without enlarging the connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the power transmitting coil and power receiving coil are arranged to abut with their axial end surfaces, then contactless power supply is enabled, but the coupling strength is limited and power may be insufficient when power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar abutting arrangement to a three-dimensional overlapping arrangement where the power transmitting coil and power receiving coil are positioned at different axial positions. This spatial reconfiguration in the axial dimension enables greater magnetic flux linkage and coupling strength without increasing the connector's radial size, thereby resolving the contradiction between power transmission capacity and coupling reliability.
2Power
If the connector portion is upsized to accommodate higher power requirements, then power transmission capacity increases, but the connector size becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the axial dimension to increase power transmission capacity. By overlapping the coils in the axial direction rather than increasing the radial dimensions of the connector, the design achieves higher power capability while maintaining a compact connector footprint, thus resolving the contradiction between power capacity and connector size.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmitting coil and power receiving coil are arranged in a nested overlapping configuration where one coil is positioned within the magnetic field region of the other along the axial direction. This nesting arrangement maximizes the use of available space and enables high power transmission through enhanced magnetic coupling without requiring a larger connector structure.
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 effectively addresses the power increase issue by enabling efficient power supply without the need to upsizing the connector, ensuring reliable operation with enhanced power capacity.
Implementation Method 1
contactless power supply from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil is enabled
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an endoscope device capable of coping with an increase in power without upsizing a connector portion.The endoscope device includes a processor unit including a power transmitting coil and a control board, and a scope unit including a power receiving coil and an endoscope. While the processor unit and the scope unit are in a joined state to each other, the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil at least partially overlap each other in an axial direction, and contactless power supply from the power transmitting coil to the power receiving coil is enabled.