Endoscope Elevator Mechanism for Compact Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in cleaning the elevator mechanism due to the integral formation of the rotation shaft and elevator, which increases the size of the leading end section and requires more time and effort for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes a first rotation shaft portion that is rotatably supported in a bearing hole, allowing the elevator to be inserted separately, eliminating the need for an increased elevator accommodation space and facilitating cleaning by positioning the connection portion closer to the seal member, thus reducing the width of the elevator accommodation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator and rotation shaft are formed integrally, then cleaning operation is facilitated, but the width of the elevator accommodation space must be increased causing the leading end section to increase in size
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation shaft is divided into two separate components: the elevator (which rotates) and the rotation shaft (which remains stationary). This segmentation allows the elevator to be cleaned easily by removing it from the rotation shaft, while the stationary rotation shaft provides structural support without increasing the overall width of the leading end section.
Solution Approach 2:
A bearing is introduced as an intermediary component between the elevator and the rotation shaft. The bearing enables rotational motion of the elevator while maintaining a compact structure. This intermediary component allows the elevator to be separated for cleaning purposes while still transmitting rotational force effectively, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and compact size.
2Volume of moving object
If the elevator and rotation shaft are formed separately, then the leading end section size is reduced, but time and effort are required for cleaning operation of the elevator
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the rotation shaft into the elevator and the stationary rotation shaft, the elevator can be easily removed and cleaned separately. This segmentation reduces the time and effort required for cleaning compared to an integral design, while maintaining a compact leading end section width.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing acts as an intermediary that facilitates the separation between the elevator and rotation shaft, enabling quick removal and reattachment of the elevator for cleaning purposes. This reduces cleaning time while maintaining the compact structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the elevator accommodation space width is increased, then the elevator and rotation shaft can be inserted simultaneously, but the leading end section size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing serves as an intermediary component that enables the simultaneous insertion of the elevator and rotation shaft into a compact space. The bearing's structure allows both components to be positioned correctly without requiring an increased width of the elevator accommodation space, thus maintaining a compact leading end section while facilitating easy assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an endoscope capable of reducing time and effort required for cleaning operation of an elevator without causing a leading end section to increase in size. An elevator assembly 49 to be accommodated in the leading end section of the endoscope includes an assembly body 51, an elevator 50, and an elevation lever 52. The elevator 50 includes an elevator rotation shaft portion 62, the elevation lever 52 includes a lever rotation shaft portion 80, and the assembly body 51 includes a bearing hole 57 for supporting the rotation shaft portions 62 and 80. The elevator rotation shaft portion 62 is inserted into the bearing hole 57 from a recessed portion 53B of the assembly body 51, and the lever rotation shaft portion 80 is inserted into the bearing hole 57 from a side opposite to the recessed portion 53B, and then the shaft portions are coupled to each other.