Endoscope Coil Pipe Retaining Member Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes with flexible tube portions face challenges in securely fixing the distal end portions of bending wires and coil pipes, leading to potential entanglement and assembly complexity, requiring skilled techniques and increased man-hours.
Innovation Solution
A coil pipe retaining member with specific holes and recessed portions is used to securely retain the distal end portions of coil pipes, allowing the bending wires to pass through, reducing the risk of entanglement and simplifying assembly by fixing the coil pipes without requiring advanced skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the distal end portions of bending wires and coil pipes are fixed by brazing or soldering, then the fixation is secure, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires skilled techniques with increased man-hours
Solution Approach 1:
A coil pipe retaining member is introduced as an intermediary component between the bending wires and coil pipes on one side, and the pipe sleeve on the other side. This retaining member includes retaining portions that engage with the distal end portions of the bending wires and coil pipes, and engaging portions that connect to the pipe sleeve. This intermediary structure replaces the need for complex brazing or soldering operations, allowing for simple snap-fit or mechanical engagement assembly while maintaining secure fixation.
2Reliability
If the distal end portions of bending wires and coil pipes are fixed by brazing or soldering, then the fixation is secure, but the assembly time increases due to skilled techniques being required
Solution Approach 1:
The coil pipe retaining member serves as a pre-fabricated intermediary component that consolidates multiple fixation functions into a single part. This retaining member can be manufactured separately and then quickly installed by simple mechanical engagement, eliminating the time-consuming skilled brazing or soldering operations while maintaining secure fixation of multiple bending wires and coil pipes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil pipe retaining member is designed and prepared in advance with predetermined retaining portions and engaging portions. The retaining portions are pre-configured to match the distal end portions of the bending wires and coil pipes, and the engaging portions are pre-designed to connect with the pipe sleeve. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid assembly without requiring skilled technicians to perform complex fixation operations during assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bending wires and coil pipes are assembled together, then the bending function is achieved, but entanglement occurs between the components
Solution Approach 1:
The coil pipe retaining member acts as an organizing intermediary structure that separates and orders multiple bending wires and coil pipes. The retaining portions are arranged in a structured manner that prevents the wires and pipes from crossing or tangling with each other. By providing individual retaining slots or positions for each component, the retaining member maintains spatial separation while allowing all components to function together for bending operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The coil pipe retaining member divides the assembly space into distinct segments or zones, with each bending wire and coil pipe assigned to a specific retaining portion. This segmentation prevents the components from interfering with each other and reduces entanglement. The retaining member effectively partitions the complex multi-component assembly into manageable, organized sections that maintain their respective functions without chaos.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: a bending portion; a flexible tube portion provided on a proximal end side with respect to the bending portion; a plurality of bending wires inserted through the flexible tube portion and configured to bend the bending portion; a plurality of coil pipes through which the bending wires are respectively inserted; a connecting member provided on a distal end side of the flexible tube portion; and a coil pipe retaining member provided on a distal end side with respect to the connecting member, and including a plurality of holes for bending wires which respectively allow the bending wires to pass through, the coil pipe retaining member being configured to retain distal end portions of the plurality of coil pipes.