Endoscope Elevating Base Locking Mechanism for Tool Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes cannot maintain the lead-out direction of treatment tools at a desired position, as they either fail to stop the elevating base at intermediate positions or rely on frictional resistance which is insufficient for tools with high rigidity, leading to deviation of the lead-out direction.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design incorporating an elevating base, an elevating operation lever, a bearing member, a coupling member, and a locking mechanism with protrusions and holes, allowing the elevating operation lever to be locked at specific positions, enabling precise control of the treatment tool's direction through a mechanism that uses a rail and protrusions to maintain the desired orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a guide wire is fixed to stop the elevating base and elevating operation lever only when the elevating base is at the elevated position, then the elevating base can be fixed at the elevated position, but it cannot be fixed at other positions such as intermediate positions between the elevated position and the fallen position
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire is divided into multiple segments: a first guide wire portion that engages with the elevating base and a second guide wire portion that engages with the elevating operation lever. This segmentation allows independent positioning and fixing at different locations along the arc, enabling both elevated position fixation and intermediate position fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire acts as an intermediary element that transmits and maintains the positional relationship between the elevating base and the elevating operation lever. By fixing the guide wire at specific points, the positional relationship is preserved, enabling reliable fixation at both elevated and intermediate positions.
2Ease of operation
If frictional resistance is used to temporarily stop the elevating operation lever when the user releases their hand, then the lever can be temporarily stopped, but the frictional resistance is insufficient when treatment tools with high rigidity are used, causing the lead-out direction to deviate
Solution Approach 1:
The guide wire is preliminarily fixed at specific positions on the elevating base and elevating operation lever before the user releases their hand. This preliminary fixation creates a mechanical constraint that prevents subsequent movement, ensuring position maintaining reliability even when high-rigidity treatment tools are used.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction-based temporary stopping mechanism is replaced with a mechanical fixation system using the guide wire. Instead of relying on frictional resistance between the lever and housing, the system uses the guide wire's geometric constraint to maintain position, providing reliable fixation independent of friction.
3Ease of operation
If the elevating operation lever is pressed by a finger or the like, then the lever can be moved, but the reaction force from the treatment tool causes the lever to move, preventing stable positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the elevating base and elevating operation lever is segmented through the guide wire mechanism. The guide wire allows controlled movement during operation while providing rigid constraint when fixed, separating the operational phase from the positioning phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide wire fixation applies preliminary anti-action to counteract the reaction force from treatment tools. By establishing the mechanical constraint before the reaction force acts, the system prevents unwanted movement and maintains position stability.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevating base provided to be movable between an elevated position and a fallen position is provided at a distal end of an insertion part of the endoscope. As an elevating operation lever rotates in a first direction, the elevating operation lever causes the elevating base to move to the elevated position, and as the elevating operation lever rotates in a second direction, the elevating operation lever causes the elevating base to move to the fallen position. The elevating operation lever is coupled to a bearing member via a rotation ring. The rotation ring has a protrusion, and the bearing member has a plurality of holes and a rail to configure a locking mechanism.