Electric Endoscope Grounding via Conductive Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic endoscopes face issues with high-frequency leak currents and static electricity affecting the solid-state image sensing device due to conductive components, particularly when used with high-frequency treatment devices, leading to noise interference in the observation image.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a ground metal member between the distal end hard portion and the operation portion, along with a conductive connecting portion that ensures electrical conductivity between the observation optical system's frame member and the ground metal member, preventing currents from flowing through the image sensing device by routing them to the ground processor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the distal end portion main body is made of transparent insulating material to reduce cost and diameter, then manufacturing cost is reduced and outer diameter is decreased, but electrical connection to ground metal structure member cannot be established causing leak current to flow through the solid-state image sensing device
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive adhesive is introduced as an intermediary substance between the insulating distal end portion main body and the ground metal structure member. This adhesive serves as a mediator that enables electrical connection where direct contact would be impossible due to the insulating material, thus resolving the contradiction between using insulating material for cost/diameter reduction and maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical conductivity parameter of the distal end portion is changed by applying a conductive adhesive layer. This transforms the overall electrical characteristic from insulating to conductive at the critical interface, allowing the main body to remain insulating (for cost and diameter benefits) while achieving the required electrical connection for reliability.
2Reliability
If conductive components are used in the observation optical system, then electrical connection for grounding is achieved, but high-frequency leak current and static electricity can flow through the solid-state image sensing device causing noise interference
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of leak current and static electricity is extracted and redirected away from the solid-state image sensing device. By establishing a dedicated grounding path through the conductive adhesive and ground metal structure member, the harmful electrical charges are diverted to flow through the grounding path instead of through the sensitive image sensing device, thus eliminating noise interference while maintaining electrical grounding.
Solution Approach 2:
The potentially harmful leak current and static electricity are converted into a beneficial grounding current. By providing a controlled conductive path, these electrical charges are safely directed to ground through the adhesive and metal structure, transforming what would be harmful interference into a harmless grounding current that actually protects the image sensing device.
3Reliability
If a conductive adhesive is applied between the distal end portion main body and the ground metal structure member, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection function is merged with the bonding function by using a conductive adhesive that simultaneously provides both mechanical adhesion and electrical conductivity. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate bonding and electrical connection steps, reducing assembly complexity while achieving reliable electrical conductivity between the insulating main body and ground metal structure member.
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
This configuration effectively prevents noise interference by ensuring all conductive components have the same potential as the ground, reducing the risk of high-frequency leak currents and static electricity affecting the image sensing device, while maintaining a reduced outer diameter of the insertion portion.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive connecting portion that allows the frame member of the observation optical system to become electrically conductive with respect to the ground metal member
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic endoscope includes an insertion portion including an insulative distal end hard portion main body at a distal end thereof, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion and including a connector connection electrically connected to a ground portion, a ground metal member provided between the main body and the operation portion, forming a structure of the insertion portion, and being electrically conductive to the ground portion through the connector connection, an observation optical system including an optical element and a frame member having conductive properties and holding the optical element, and being extended from the distal end of the insertion portion toward the operation portion, and a conductive connecting portion allowing the frame member of the observation optical system to become electrically conductive with respect to the ground metal member.