Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Actuator Segmentation for Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image pickup units in endoscopes face challenges in efficiently replacing worn or damaged components, particularly the actuator and driving wire, which affects the unit's ability to perform focusing and zooming functions due to complex assembly and the need for replacing the entire image pickup unit when components deteriorate.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a movable lens system with a bar-like contact member and a tubular guide member, allowing for the actuator's easy removal and replacement by peeling or cutting sections, enabling the driving wire to be exposed and separated from the guide tube, thus allowing for independent replacement of worn parts without affecting the entire image pickup unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the actuator and driving wire are integrated into the image pickup unit, then the focusing and zooming functions are maintained, but the complexity of replacing worn components increases and the entire unit must be replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The image pickup unit is segmented into distinct replaceable components: the actuator (including contact member and cover member), the driving wire, and the guide member. This allows the actuator and driving wire to be replaced independently without replacing the entire image pickup unit, while maintaining the integrated focusing and zooming functions through the preserved connection between these components and the moving lens mechanism.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the actuator components are firmly attached to prevent dust entry, then protection is improved, but the ease of replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed with dynamic attachment characteristics: it can be firmly attached to prevent dust entry during normal operation, yet can be easily removed when replacement is needed. The peeling section with slits transforms the static attachment into a dynamic one, allowing the cover to transition between secured and removable states, thus balancing protection and maintainability.
3Strength
If the contact member outer diameter is larger, then the actuator structure is more robust, but the ease of removal and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact member exhibits local quality variation in its diameter along its length. The outer diameter is larger at portions that require structural strength and stability during operation, while the diameter is reduced at the removal portion to facilitate easy extraction through the guide member's hole. This localized diameter variation allows the contact member to simultaneously achieve robustness where needed and ease of replacement where required.
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 solution allows for the easy replacement of worn components, maintaining the image pickup unit's functionality and preventing dust entry, thereby extending the unit's lifespan without the need to replace the entire image sensor, thus reducing costs and maintenance complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring disposed to be compressed between the projecting section and the protrusion section and configured to urge the moving lens unit in the rearward direction
Implementation Method 2
a tubular guide tube fixed to the holding rod and having a bore through which the rod is inserted, the rod being guided by the guide tube to move linearly in a front-back direction
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup unit includes a fixed frame configured to hold an objective lens, a moving frame movable in a first direction along a photographing optical axis and a second direction, and provided with a moving lens, an urging member configured to urge the moving frame in the second direction, an actuator including a contact member provided to be separable from the moving frame and advanced and retracted by pushing and pulling of a driving wire, the actuator moving the moving frame in the first direction when the contact member moves in the first direction; and a guide member through which the contact member is inserted to be linearly guided and a cover member configuring the actuator, a distal end portion of the cover member being connected to a proximal end portion of the guide member, and the cover member covering the driving wire.