Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Light Shielding Air Gap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup units for endoscopes face challenges in preventing electrostatic destruction of image sensors and effective light shielding due to the use of metal holding members, which also hinder downsizing and increase the risk of unnecessary light detection.
Innovation Solution
An image pickup unit with a dioptric system that includes a metal thin film light shielding member positioned to create an air gap from the image sensor, preventing electrostatic contact and shielding harmful light, while maintaining the necessary rigidity and preventing upsizing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a metal holding member is used to shield unnecessary light, then light shielding ability is improved, but the risk of electrostatic destruction to the image sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary material (resin or rubber) between the metal light shielding member and the image sensor. This intermediary serves as both an electrostatic protector and a mechanical support, preventing direct contact while maintaining the light shielding function. The intermediary material has lower dielectric constant than metal, reducing electrostatic field strength and protecting the sensitive image sensor from electrostatic damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin film or shell structures for the light shielding member, which can be made of metal with intermediary coating or flexible materials. These thin film structures provide adequate light shielding while minimizing the amount of metal in direct proximity to the sensor, thereby reducing electrostatic risk. The flexible nature allows close positioning without rigid contact.
2Strength
If a thick holding member is used to secure rigidity, then structural stability is improved, but the size of the image pickup unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material structures combining metal light shielding members with resin or rubber intermediaries. The metal provides rigidity and light shielding, while the resin/rubber adds structural support and flexibility. This composite approach achieves sufficient rigidity with thinner overall structures, preventing package size increase despite the addition of multiple material layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric configuration of the holding member and light shielding structure in three-dimensional space. By strategically positioning components and using air gaps effectively, the design achieves necessary rigidity without increasing the overall package volume. The structural support is distributed across multiple dimensions rather than requiring uniform thickness increases.
3Length of moving object
If the distal end portion is downsized, then insertion portion diameter is reduced, but the space for housing the image pickup unit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested or integrated structure designs where the light shielding member, holding member, and image sensor are closely integrated. The light shielding member is positioned within the holding structure, and air gaps are utilized efficiently to minimize overall volume. This nesting approach allows the image pickup unit to fit within smaller distal end portions while maintaining all necessary functional 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
The solution effectively shields unnecessary light, reduces the risk of electrostatic damage, and allows for a compact design without increasing the outer diameter of the endoscope distal end portion, enabling high-quality video acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
a light shielding member which is placed to be opposed to and cover at least surfaces around a longitudinal direction, except for a joining surface of the dioptric system to the image sensor so that an air gap apart from the image sensor by a predetermined distance is provided, and shields incidence of a harmful light onto the light receiving element
Implementation Method 2
the possibility of occurrence of electrostatic destruction to the solid image pickup device becomes extremely high... an air gap apart from the image sensor by a predetermined distance is provided
Data Source
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AI summary
An image pickup unit 40 for an endoscope of the present invention includes a dioptric system 44 (45) that reflects a luminous flux of an optical image incident on an optical lens group 43 and performs optical path conversion, an image sensor 46 in a bare state that is joined to the dioptric system 44, and includes a light receiving element 46a that forms the optical image, and a light shielding member 50 that is placed to be opposed to and cover at least surfaces around a longitudinal direction except for a joining surface of the dioptric system 44 to the image sensor 46, so that an air gap 51 apart from the image sensor 46 by a predetermined distance is provided, shields incidence of a harmful light onto the light receiving element 46a, and is formed from a metal thin film, prevents upsizing, is structured to prevent a possibility of electrostatic destruction to the image sensor, shields an unnecessary light to the light receiving element of the image sensor and can acquire a favorable video.