Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Insulation and Miniaturization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope image pickup units face challenges in miniaturization and electrical insulation, particularly in preventing high-frequency current and static electricity interference, which affects mechanical durability and optical performance.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup unit incorporates a metal barrel with a substrate barrel having insulation properties, featuring a metal PAD portion with a predetermined creepage distance from the metal barrel, a ground electrode, and a cable with a ground wire, ensuring electrical insulation and mechanical durability while allowing for miniaturization by eliminating the need for a reinforcing metal barrel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal barrel is used to hold the objective lens, then mechanical durability is improved, but electrical insulation deteriorates due to high-frequency current and static electricity interference
Solution Approach 1:
The metal barrel is segmented into multiple parts: an outer metal barrel and an inner metal PAD portion, separated by an insulating substrate barrel. This segmentation allows the outer metal barrel to provide mechanical durability while the insulating substrate barrel prevents electrical interference from reaching the image sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating substrate barrel is introduced as an intermediary between the metal barrel and the image sensor. This substrate barrel having insulation property blocks the transmission of high-frequency current and static electricity while allowing the metal barrel to maintain its mechanical strength.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If insulation measures are added to protect against electrical interference, then electrical insulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating substrate barrel serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical insulation, supports the image sensor, and structurally connects the metal barrel to the image sensor assembly. This merging of functions reduces overall device complexity while maintaining effective electrical protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate barrel is designed as a multi-functional component that combines insulation, mechanical support, and electrical connection functions. This universal component eliminates the need for separate insulating parts, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
3Strength
If a reinforcing metal barrel is used to ensure mechanical durability, then strength is improved, but miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating substrate barrel acts as a thin-walled protective structure that provides sufficient mechanical protection while occupying minimal space. This allows the distal end portion to be miniaturized while maintaining the necessary structural integrity through the collaborative design of metal and insulating components.
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 enhances the mechanical durability and optical performance of the image pickup unit, enabling miniaturization of the endoscope's distal end portion while effectively discharging external currents and static electricity, reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate barrel having a case shape, the substrate barrel being fitted to a proximal end side of the metal barrel, the substrate barrel being formed of a circuit formed product having insulation property
Implementation Method 2
a ground electrode that is one of the plurality of electrodes and electrically connected to the electric conductive member; and a cable including a ground wire connected to the ground electrode
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup unit includes: a metal barrel holding an objective lens; a substrate barrel formed of a circuit formed product having insulation property; an image sensor having a chip size package; plural electrodes formed in a penetrating manner from an inside of a substrate barrel to a proximal end side in an exposed manner, the plural electrodes being electrically connected to an image sensor in the substrate barrel; an electric conductive portion formed on an outer surface of the substrate barrel, having an insulation property with respect to the metal barrel, and having a predetermined creepage distance by which a current such as static electricity can be discharged; a ground electrode electrically connected to the electric conductive portion; and a cable provided with plural wires connected to a ground wire connected to the ground electrode and plural wires connected to the plural electrodes.