Endoscope Flexible Tube Connection Mouth Ring Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing flexible endoscope tubes require time-consuming processes like braze welding and adhesive bonding, and the methods to attach connection mouth rings are not efficient in preventing helical tube displacement, which affects the stability and length consistency of the tubes.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a flexible tube structure with a helical tube, a braid tube, and an outer tube, where a connection mouth ring is plastically deformed and fixed to prevent helical tube displacement, using a core bar to secure the braid and outer tubes without the need for adhesive curing time, and employing laser welding to maintain the tube's dimensions and prevent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive bonding is used to fix the connection mouth ring, then the attachment is simple, but the drying time is long

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoiddrying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces adhesive bonding (chemical process) with mechanical clamping using connection mouth rings. The mouth rings are tightened around the flexible tube to secure it mechanically, eliminating the need for adhesive drying time while maintaining attachment simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the attachment mechanism from chemical bonding parameters (adhesive strength, drying time) to mechanical parameters (clamping force, friction). By adjusting the tightening force of the connection mouth rings, the attachment can be secured without time-consuming chemical processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If braze welding is used to fix the connection mouth ring, then the attachment is strong, but the flux cleaning process is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces braze welding (thermal process) with mechanical clamping. The connection mouth rings are tightened around the flexible tube to secure it mechanically, eliminating the need for flux cleaning and complex thermal processing while maintaining sufficient attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the complex braze welding process and flux cleaning step from the manufacturing sequence. By using simple mechanical clamping with connection mouth rings, the process is simplified without compromising the structural integrity or attachment strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the flexible tube is cut at any part to attach the connection mouth ring, then the stable total length is achieved, but the manufacturing precision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetotal length stabilityVSAvoidlength consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the flexible tube to a target length and then using connection mouth rings to secure it. The mouth rings are tightened around the tube at predetermined positions, ensuring the tube maintains its stable total length without requiring precision cutting, thereby achieving both length stability and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 method allows for a stable and efficient attachment of connection mouth rings to the end of flexible endoscope tubes, ensuring consistent length and preventing helical tube displacement, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing time and material costs.

Implementation Method 1

The connection mouth ring is plastically deformed and fixed to an end of the flexible tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8317684B2Endoscope and attaching method of connection mouth ring to end of endoscopic flexible tube

Publication Date: 2012.11.27 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

An endoscope includes a flexible tube having a helical tube in which a thin strip plate is helically wound, a braid tube covering the outside of the helical tube, and a flexible outer tube covering the outside of the braid tube, a connection mouth ring plastically deformed and fixed to an end of the flexible tube, and a helical tube displacement preventing portion which prevents displacement of the strip plate of the helical tube at the end of the flexible tube to which the connection mouth ring is fixed, when the connection mouth ring is fixed to the end of the flexible tube.