Endoscope Connector EMC Design via Spatial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope connectors face challenges with electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) due to radiation noise leakage between electrical connector portions, leading to increased noise levels that are not effectively mitigated without increasing the electric power supply, which is undesirable for medical devices.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope connector design features the image pickup and magnification change connector portions oriented in different directions, with shielding members to prevent radiation noise transfer between them, and external cladding members to confine and reduce noise within the connector body, thereby implementing EMC measures without increasing power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connector portions are arranged on the same side of the endoscope connector, then ease of operation is improved, but electromagnetic compatibility deteriorates due to radiation noise transfer between connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope connector is divided into multiple sides, with different electrical connector portions arranged on different sides (first side and second side). This spatial segmentation separates the connectors that would otherwise be placed on the same side, reducing electromagnetic interference while maintaining operational ease through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A shielding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the first electrical connector portion and the second electrical connector portion. This shielding member blocks radiation noise from transferring between connectors on different sides, effectively mitigating electromagnetic compatibility issues while allowing connectors to be positioned for ease of operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding members are added to prevent radiation noise transfer, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding member is integrated with the connector structure itself, merging the shielding function with the existing connector components rather than adding completely separate shielding elements. This reduces overall device complexity while still providing effective radiation noise prevention between connector portions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If connectors are positioned on different sides of the connector body, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but ease of operation may deteriorate due to different connection directions
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design accepts asymmetric positioning of different connector portions on different sides of the connector body. This asymmetric arrangement prioritizes electromagnetic compatibility over connection direction consistency, using shielding members to compensate for the operational inconvenience of different connection directions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An endoscope according to an aspect of the invention includes an image pickup connector portion (233) projecting from one end side (26f) of an endoscope connector (25) and connected to a first electrical contact (341) of a video processor (34), and a magnification change connector portion (213) projecting from the other end side (26s) of the endoscope connector (25) opposite to the one end side (26f) and connected to a second electrical contact (442) of a magnification control device (40).