Endoscope Control Wheels with Outer Bearing Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope control systems are costly and environmentally unfriendly due to the use of rigid materials and complex manufacturing processes, which affect the maneuverability and durability of the endoscope's bending operation.
Innovation Solution
A cost-effective and environmentally friendly endoscope control system is developed using plastic polymers for certain components, allowing for a more stable and efficient bending operation by utilizing a unique bearing arrangement between control wheels and a handle housing, reducing material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid materials and complex manufacturing processes are used for endoscope control system components, then manufacturing precision and structural strength are improved, but production cost and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid materials to plastic polymers for the control wheels and bearing surfaces. This parameter change maintains sufficient manufacturing precision while dramatically simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing environmental impact, as plastic polymers can be molded directly into complex shapes without complex machining operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material qualities to different parts of the control system. Specifically, plastic polymers are used for control wheels and bearing surfaces where smooth rotation and low friction are needed, while other structural components may use different materials. This localized material selection optimizes both manufacturing ease and functional performance
2Ease of manufacture
If plastic polymers are used for control wheel components, then production cost and environmental friendliness are improved, but structural strength and durability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction for the control wheels, combining plastic polymer materials with metal reinforcement elements or hybrid material layers. This composite approach maintains the cost and environmental advantages of plastic polymers while incorporating metal components to provide the necessary structural strength and durability for withstanding repeated rotational stresses
Solution Approach 2:
The control wheels are designed with optimized curved geometries and bearing surfaces that distribute mechanical stresses evenly throughout the plastic polymer structure. The spherical or cylindrical bearing surfaces ensure uniform load distribution, preventing stress concentration points that would compromise the strength of plastic materials
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex bearing arrangements are used for control wheels, then rotational stability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate bearing elements from traditional complex bearing arrangements. By using direct bearing surfaces formed integrally with the plastic polymer control wheels and handle housing, the design achieves rotational stability through simplified geometry rather than through multiple nested bearing components, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost
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 system enhances maneuverability and durability while reducing production costs and environmental impact, providing a reliable two-dimensional bending operation for endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
the inner bearing surface of the outer bearing element abutting the outer bearing surface of the second control wheel so that rotation of the second control wheel is at least partly borne on the outer bearing element
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including a control system including: a first control wheel connected to a first wire drum and to a first steering wire of the endoscope to control the bending operation in a first dimension, the first control wheel having a bearing surface; a second control wheel connected to a second wire drum and to a second steering wire to control the bending operation in a second dimension, the second control wheel having an outer bearing surface positioned farther from the axis of rotation than the bearing surface of the first control wheel; and an outer bearing element including an inner bearing surface positioned farther from the axis of rotation than the outer bearing surface of the second control wheel and abutting the outer bearing surface of the second control wheel so that rotation of the second control wheel is at least partly borne on the outer bearing element.