Endoscope Cover Fixing Device with Parallel Protrusions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope cover fixing devices often damage the endoscope's image or light guide due to excessive pressure, and they are complex and costly to manufacture, with dimensional variations in covers making it difficult to achieve a secure fit.
Innovation Solution
A deformable endoscope cover fixing device with parallel protrusion portions that exert a constant radial pressure on the endoscope, preventing excessive force and using a contact surface distance-maintaining mechanism to ensure a reliable fit without damaging the endoscope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamps with high pressing force are used to fix the cover, then the cover is securely fixed to the endoscope, but the image guide or light guide may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force parameter is changed from high force to constant moderate force. The fixing device maintains a constant pressing force that is sufficient to secure the cover but controlled to prevent damage to the endoscope's image guide or light guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device is designed with a structure that inherently limits the maximum pressing force applied to the endoscope. The parallel protrusion portions and contact surface distance-maintaining mechanism prevent excessive force from being transmitted to the endoscope, cushioning it against potential damage before it can occur.
2Reliability
If components that enhance cover rigidity and increase friction force are employed, then close engagement and fixing of the cover is achieved, but the complexity of machining and assembly increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing function is segmented from the cover and endoscope themselves, implemented by a separate fixing device with protrusion portions that apply force at specific contact points. This avoids the need to complicate the cover or endoscope structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device acts as an intermediary component between the cover and endoscope, providing the necessary friction and engagement force without requiring modifications to the cover or endoscope structures. This mediator approach simplifies the overall system while achieving reliable fixing.
3Ease of operation
If conventional clamps exert significant pressing force to lock the cover and endoscope, then the cover is securely fixed, but the pressing force may damage the optical fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing force parameter is optimized to a constant moderate level that achieves sufficient fixing security while remaining below the damage threshold for optical fibers. The design ensures the force is maintained within this safe range throughout the fixing operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device structure incorporates inherent force limitation mechanisms that prevent excessive pressing force from being applied to the endoscope and optical fibers, cushioning them against damage before it can occur during the fixing operation.
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 device reliably fixes the cover to the endoscope without causing damage, dispersing pressure along the length of the endoscope to prevent damage to the image or light guide, while maintaining a constant pressing force during the fixing operation.
Implementation Method 1
a bent section deformable in the direction in which the bend amount thereof increases
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~5(b)
AI summary
An endoscope cover fixing device to reliably fix a cover to an endoscope without associated damage. The endoscope cover fixing device includes a fixing device main body and a pair of fixing protrusion portions. The fixing device main body includes a curved portion and insert holes, and is deformable in the direction in which the bend amount increases. The pair of fixing protrusion portions, which have contact surfaces, are provided to protrude from a concave surface side of the fixing device main body and are disposed in two opposing regions of the concave surface. The contact surfaces are disposed in parallel with a fixed distance therebetween. During deformation of the fixing device main body, the pair of fixing protrusion portions move in parallel in opposing directions. As a result, the contact surfaces contact opposing positions on the outer circumferential surface of the endoscope by way of the cover.