Endoscope Fluid Control Device with Acoustic Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope fluid control devices often suffer from erroneous connections between gas feeding and suction tubes, leading to unintended fluid flow into the body cavity, which can be hazardous and require additional components to prevent.
Innovation Solution
A fluid control device with a cylindrical structure featuring coupling members for gas and suction tubes and an operation member with a shaft that includes a sounding body near ventilation ports, generating a warning sound when fluid flows in an opposite direction to its intended path, preventing incorrect connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve body portion is added to prevent erroneous connections between gas feeding and suction tubes, then connection safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs acoustic feedback through a whistle mechanism that generates audible warnings when fluid flows in the wrong direction. The whistle is positioned to detect reverse flow of gas through the suction tube or liquid through the gas feeding tube, providing immediate auditory feedback to the operator about incorrect connections without requiring complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical valve body portions with a simpler acoustic detection system. Instead of using mechanical means to prevent erroneous connections, the system uses acoustic principles (whistle sound generation) to alert operators of incorrect connections, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining safety.
2Reliability
If additional valve components are added to eliminate erroneous connections, then connection safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic feedback mechanism provides immediate, intuitive warning signals that guide operators during connection procedures. The whistle sound serves as a clear indicator of incorrect connections, allowing operators to quickly identify and correct errors without navigating complex valve mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-checking through the whistle mechanism that automatically detects erroneous connections without requiring additional operational steps from the user. The acoustic warning system serves itself to identify and alert about connection errors, reducing the operational burden on the user.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a valve body portion is added to prevent fluid flow in wrong directions, then harmful effects are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The whistle provides real-time acoustic feedback that alerts operators to potentially harmful reverse flow conditions before significant damage can occur. By detecting gas flowing through the suction tube or liquid through the gas feeding tube, the system warns of harmful effects without requiring complex preventive valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical valve body portions with a simpler acoustic detection system using a whistle. This replacement reduces the mechanical components needed to prevent harmful effects while maintaining the ability to detect and alert about dangerous reverse flow conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A gas feeding/suction valve includes: a cylinder including a conduit opening communicable with a fluid conduit of an endoscope; two coupling members provided at different positions from the conduit opening of the cylinder and connected to respective fluid sources; and an operation member provided inside the cylinder and including a shaft slidably disposed in a space forming respective fluid paths through which openings of the two coupling members and the conduit opening communicate with each other, and the cylinder includes a sounding body provided near at least one of two ventilation ports, through which the fluid paths communicate with an outside of the cylinder, and configured to generate a warning sound when a fluid flows in a direction opposite to a direction in which a fluid generated from the fluid source is supposed to flow.