Endoscope Connection Tool Detection Hole Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope connection tools face challenges in accurately determining if they are correctly fitted to the pipe sleeve due to variations in fluid flow rates caused by elongated conduit structures, leading to inconsistencies in fluid delivery during treatments like cleaning and disinfecting.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope connection tool features a cylindrical portion with an inflow port, a discharge port, a flow path, a detection hole, a holding portion, an urging member, and a cover portion that moves to open or close the detection hole based on the fitting status, allowing for precise determination of correct engagement by altering the fluid flow path and detecting any deviations in flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the conduit of the endoscope is made elongated to reach the treatment area, then the endoscope can access deeper anatomical structures, but the flow resistance of the fluid increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow rate measurement devices with a detection hole that allows visual or instrumental detection of fluid flow characteristics. The detection hole enables observation of fluid behavior (bubbling, flow rate) without complex mechanical sensors, thus reducing measurement complexity while maintaining accuracy in determining correct fitting despite high flow resistance in elongated conduits.
2Measurement precision
If the flow rate measurement system is added to detect correct fitting, then the accuracy of connection status determination improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential detection function from a complex flow rate measurement system and implements it through a simple detection hole. Instead of using complex sensors and electronics to measure flow rate, the invention extracts the key information (fluid flow presence and characteristics) through a simple opening that allows direct observation or simple detection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection hole acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the fluid flow system and the observation/detection system. It allows the fluid flow characteristics to be detected without direct contact with complex measurement devices, serving as a simple interface that translates internal fluid dynamics into observable external signs for determining correct fitting status.
3Measurement precision
If the cover portion is designed to move between open and closed positions based on fitting status, then the detection accuracy improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion is designed to move automatically based on the fitting status without requiring external control mechanisms. When the endoscope is correctly fitted, the cover portion is pushed to the closed position by the fitting action itself; when incorrectly fitted, it remains open. This self-service mechanism provides accurate detection while minimizing added complexity, as the system uses the fitting action itself to drive the detection indicator.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope connection tool includes a cylindrical portion having an inflow port connected to a fluid delivery apparatus, a discharge port discharging a fluid from the inflow port, and a flow path connecting the inflow port and the discharge port, a detection hole opened in an outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, and communicating with the flow path, a holding portion engaging with a pipe sleeve of an endoscope, and thereby holding the discharge port in a position facing an opening portion of the pipe sleeve, an urging member placed at the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, and extending and contracting in a direction along the flow path, and a cover portion that is placed at the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion, moves to advance and retreat between a first position and a second position along the flow path by being interlocked with the urging member.