Endoscope Connector Coil Mounting for Sterilization Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector devices for endoscopes face instability and decreased efficiency due to deformation from high-temperature and high-pressure steam sterilization, causing misalignment of power reception coils and affecting the endoscope's operation.
Innovation Solution
A connector device with a hollow exterior case and a metal inner case, where the power reception unit is securely positioned on the inner case wall, using a highly heat-resistant sintered ferrite core and thermosetting adhesive, and sealed with O-rings to maintain alignment and withstand sterilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the power reception coil is disposed in the exterior case of the connector device, then the connector device can be compact and easy to manufacture, but the position of the power reception coil deviates after repeated sterilization, causing feeding efficiency to decrease and operation to become unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The connector device is divided into an exterior case and an inner case, with the power reception coil disposed on the inner case. This segmentation allows the inner case to be separately designed with precise positioning features that maintain coil alignment during sterilization, while the exterior case provides the overall housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner case is accommodated inside the exterior case, creating a nested structure. The inner case serves as a protective housing for the power reception coil, isolating it from the thermal stress of sterilization processes. This nested arrangement allows the coil to be positioned on the inner case surface, which is spaced apart from the exterior case, thereby maintaining alignment stability.
2Device complexity
If the power reception coil is disposed close to the surface connected to the processor device, then the connector device structure is simplified, but repeated high-temperature sterilization causes the exterior case to deform and the coil position to deviate
Solution Approach 1:
The inner case acts as an intermediary between the exterior case and the power reception coil. It provides a stable mounting surface for the coil that is thermally isolated from the exterior case during sterilization. The inner case wall part is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the exterior case side wall, creating a thermal buffer that prevents deformation-induced misalignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner case is made of a material with different thermal properties than the exterior case, specifically designed to resist deformation during sterilization. This local quality differentiation ensures that the coil mounting surface maintains its dimensional stability and positioning accuracy even when the exterior case undergoes thermal cycling.
3Reliability
If the connector device is exposed to high-temperature and high-pressure steam sterilization repeatedly, then sterilization is effective, but the exterior case shape deforms and power reception coil alignment is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The inner case is designed beforehand to cushion the power reception coil from the thermal stress of sterilization. By spacing the inner case away from the exterior case and providing a dedicated mounting surface for the coil, the design anticipates and prevents the deformation issues that would otherwise occur during repeated sterilization cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal parameters of the system are changed by introducing the inner case as a thermal barrier. This creates a temperature gradient between the exterior case (exposed to sterilization heat) and the inner case (protected from extreme temperatures), thereby preventing the exterior case deformation that leads to coil misalignment.
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
The solution ensures stable operation of the endoscope by preventing power reception coil misalignment and maintaining efficiency during repeated sterilization cycles, while also reducing thermal stress and condensation issues.
Implementation Method 1
a power reception unit to which power is supplied from a power feed unit of the processor device in a contactless manner
Implementation Method 2
the core is composed of a sintered ferrite core
Implementation Method 3
the power reception unit is adhered to the inner case wall part by a thermosetting adhesive material
Data Source
AI summary
A connector device for an endoscope that can stably operate an endoscope is provided. A connector device (10) includes a hollow exterior case (20), a shield case (22) accommodated in the exterior case (20), and a power reception unit (24) to which power is supplied from a power feed unit (216) of a processor device (200) in a contactless manner. The exterior case (20) has a side wall part (32D) that faces the power feed unit (216). The shield case (22) has an inner case wall part (23) that is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part (32D). The power reception unit (24) is disposed on the inner case wall part (23).