Endoscope Connecting Member Cable Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic endoscopes face issues with signal cable peeling and breakage due to strong pushing and pulling, which can lead to damage of the solid state imaging element and increased distal portion diameter, causing patient burden and limitations in image quality.
Innovation Solution
A flexible substrate and signal cable configuration with a connecting member that includes a channel-like portion to secure the signal cable and flexible substrate, using multiple resins for sealing and protection, allowing the solid state imaging element to be exposed and reducing the distal portion diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the signal cable is soldered to the flexible substrate and covered with shield tape and epoxy adhesive material, then peeling is prevented, but the distal portion diameter increases and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection structure into separate functional components: a rigid support plate for mechanical strength, a flexible substrate for electrical connection, and a simplified sealing structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function efficiently without requiring a large overall diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the complex multi-layer tape and adhesive structure and implements it through a simpler resin-based sealing structure that fills the housing space, thereby reducing the overall diameter while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the circuit substrate is secured to the connection barrel by fixation screw, then the substrate does not move, but the manufacturing process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing function into the housing structure itself, where the rigid support plate is integrated with the housing and provides both structural support and fixation functionality, eliminating the need for separate fixation screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure is designed to automatically provide fixation through its rigid support plate that naturally holds the circuit substrate in position through mechanical interference and friction, without requiring additional active fixing components.
3Reliability
If forces are transmitted to the flexible substrate when the signal cable is pushed and pulled, then the cable remains connected, but peeling or breakage occurs at low resistance parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a resin-based sealing structure that acts as a cushioning element, absorbing and distributing the forces applied to the signal cable before they reach the vulnerable solder joints and connection points, thereby preventing peeling and breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid support plate and resin sealing structure serve as intermediary elements between the signal cable and the flexible substrate, isolating the connection points from direct mechanical stress and protecting them from force transmission.
4Reliability
If the solid state imaging element is housed in the reinforcing frame, then the element is protected, but the distal portion diameter increases causing patient burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thin resin-based sealing structure instead of a bulky reinforcing frame, providing protection through a compact sealed housing that maintains element safety while minimizing diameter.
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
Prevents peeling and breakage of signal cables and imaging components, allowing for smaller distal portion diameter and reduced patient burden while maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The imaging device is constituted of a solid state imaging element such as a CCD for photoelectrically converting an optical image formed by the optical system into an imaging signal
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
An end portion of a signal cable (37) is fixed to the inside of a rear end (40e) of a connecting member (40) by a first adhesive material (42). A flange (26a) of a lens barrel (26) is engaged to a pair of claws (40d) of the connecting member (40). The signal cable (37) is connected to the lens barrel (26) through the connecting member (40) so that the signal cable (37) is not peeled from a flexible substrate (35) . The connecting member (40) does not cover a CCD (29) and a first tip (35a) of the flexible substrate (35). The diameter of a distal portion (14) of an electronic endoscope (10) can be made smaller by eliminating the thickness of the connecting member (40) and the thickness of the adhesive material (42) filled between the connecting member (40) and the CCD (29).