Endoscope Elevator Lever Tool-Free Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes require tools and screws for attaching and detaching the elevator operation lever, making the process cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring angle knobs for bending the insertion part, a lock lever for rotational movement, and an elevator operation lever with a coupling part that engages with a rotational movement member, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the elevator operation lever is fixed to the operating part by a method requiring tools and screws, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the attachment and detachment process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator operation lever is divided into separate components: a lever body and a coupling part with engaging members. This segmentation allows the lever to be quickly attached to and detached from the operating part without tools, while the engaging members ensure secure connection during use.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupling part with engaging members (protrusions) and corresponding engaging holes acts as an intermediary mechanism between the elevator operation lever and the operating part. This intermediary structure enables tool-free attachment while maintaining reliable connection, resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and quick detachment.
2Strength
If the elevator operation lever is fixed using screws and tools, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of assembly and disassembly is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism transitions from a static screwed connection to a dynamic engaging/disengaging system. The engaging members can be easily inserted into and removed from engaging holes, allowing quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity through proper engagement geometry and material design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part serves as an intermediary that provides both mechanical strength for structural integrity and a simple engaging interface for ease of assembly. The engaging members and holes create a robust connection that maintains strength while enabling tool-free attachment.
3Reliability
If a traditional screwed connection is used for the elevator operation lever, then the connection is stable and secure, but the operational efficiency during procedure setup is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging members and engaging holes are pre-configured in specific positions and orientations on the coupling part. This preliminary arrangement allows the elevator operation lever to be quickly attached to the operating part in a single motion, significantly improving operational efficiency during procedure setup while ensuring stable connection through the pre-designed engagement geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling part with pre-configured engaging members acts as an intermediary that enables rapid attachment while maintaining connection stability. The pre-designed engagement structure ensures reliable connection without requiring time-consuming screwing operations, thus improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an elevator operation lever that displaces an elevation angle of a treatment tool elevator for elevating a treatment tool provided in a distal end of an insertion part, the elevator operation lever including a coupling part coupled to a rotational movement member that moves rotationally about the same shaft as a rotational movement shaft of an angle knob, and being coupled to the rotational movement member as an engaging member is provided in any one of the rotational movement member or the coupling part and engages with an engaging hole provided in the other one of the rotational movement member or the coupling part.