Video Endoscope Heating Foil Rattle Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video endoscope assembly methods require a shrink tube for precise alignment and electrical insulation, limiting installation space for other components and increasing complexity.
Innovation Solution
Replace the shrink tube with a heating foil positioned between the inner and fiber tubes, which serves as both a rattle protector and electrical insulator, allowing for a smaller diameter and more space for optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a shrink tube is used for precise alignment and electrical insulation, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity and diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating foil is positioned to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation between the inner cladding tube and fiber tube, prevents rattling through friction, and enables heating for fog prevention. This consolidation eliminates the need for a separate shrink tube, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining alignment precision through the inherent friction fit of the tightly toleranced inner tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating foil serves as a multi-functional component: electrical insulator, rattle protection element, and heating source. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of parts needed (eliminating the shrink tube) while maintaining all necessary functions for proper operation and alignment.
2Reliability
If a shrink tube is used for alignment and insulation, then electrical insulation is improved, but installation space for optical components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heating foil combines electrical insulation with heating functionality in a single thin layer. This eliminates the need for a separate shrink tube, freeing up internal volume within the fiber tube for additional optical components such as optical fibers or lenses, while maintaining adequate electrical insulation between conductive parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating foil is implemented as a thin flexible film that provides electrical insulation without occupying significant volume. This thin-film approach allows adequate insulation while maximizing the available space for optical components within the constrained diameter of the fiber tube.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a shrink tube is used for rattle protection, then stability is improved, but diameter and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating foil is positioned to contact both the inner cladding tube and fiber tube, creating friction that prevents rattling. This single component simultaneously provides rattle protection, electrical insulation, and heating capability, eliminating the need for a separate shrink tube and reducing the overall diameter of the assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin flexible heating foil provides rattle protection through friction contact without adding significant diameter. Its flexible nature allows it to conform to the cylindrical geometry and maintain contact pressure for effective rattle prevention while occupying minimal radial space.
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
Simplifies assembly, reduces diameter, and provides additional space for optical fibers or optics while ensuring effective heating and insulation, eliminating the need for a shrink tube.
Implementation Method 1
The heating foil provides electrical resistance heating, which is preferably located near the window in the endoscope shaft.
Implementation Method 2
The contact of the heating foil with the fiber tube, which is usually made of metal, ensures good heat transfer through the fiber tube to the window
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a video endoscope (E) having an outer casing tube (1). A fibre tube (4) for an inner casing tube (6) is mounted in the outer casing tube (1), an inner casing tube (6) for an image-forming unit is mounted in the fibre tube (4) and a heating film (7) preferably surrounding the inner casing tube (6) is mounted between the fibre tube (4) and the inner casing tube (6).