Industrial Endoscope Fluid Injection Nozzles for Movable Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial endoscopes have a limited movable range due to the bending of their distal ends, restricting their observable range, and underwater observations are hindered by murky or opaque conditions, making it difficult to inspect pumps and other underwater machinery effectively.
Innovation Solution
An industrial endoscope with a flexible holding member and nozzles that inject a fluid to move the imaging device, expanding its range and allowing for better positioning, and an underwater observation device that purifies or neutralizes liquids to improve visibility, using a water purification member and thrust balancers to facilitate clearer imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the distal end of the endoscope is bent to change the position of the imaging device, then the observable range is improved, but the movable range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydraulic principles by using fluid injection through nozzles to move the imaging device. The fluid pressure propels the imaging device along the flexible holding member, enabling movement beyond the limited bending range while maintaining the ability to observe various areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device is made dynamically movable through fluid injection rather than being statically limited to bending positions. The flexible holding member allows dynamic repositioning of the imaging device to various locations along its length, expanding both movable and observable ranges.
2Length of moving object
If fluid is injected to move the imaging device, then the movable range is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The endoscope is segmented into distinct functional components: the flexible holding member, the imaging device, and multiple nozzles positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows independent control of movement and imaging functions while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible holding member serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables fluid injection for movement, and allows bending for navigation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby managing device complexity while expanding movable range.
3Illumination intensity
If water purification member is used to purify liquid, then the visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water purification member is integrated with the imaging device and fluid injection system into a unified underwater observation apparatus. This merging of functions (purification, imaging, and fluid injection) reduces overall system complexity while improving visibility through purified water injection.
4Measurement precision
If thrust balancer is used to balance thrust, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thrust balancer provides counter-thrust to balance the force generated by fluid injection. This allows precise positioning of the imaging device by neutralizing unwanted movement, improving positioning accuracy while using a relatively simple counterbalancing mechanism.
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 endoscope's fluid injection mechanism enhances its movable range and visibility in tight spaces, while the underwater device's liquid purification and thrust systems enable effective remote control and inspection of underwater targets despite opaque conditions.
Implementation Method 1
one or a plurality of nozzles fixed to the holding member and which injects a fluid
Implementation Method 2
an underwater observation device that purifies or neutralizes liquids to improve visibility, using a water purification member
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are various devices, systems and methods for observing pumps and the like.Provided is an industrial endoscope including an imaging device, a flexible holding member configured to hold the imaging device, and one or a plurality of nozzles fixed to the holding member and which injects a fluid.