Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope image pickup units face challenges in reducing the mounting area and size while maintaining reliable electrical connections, which hinders their miniaturization and flexibility for use in confined spaces.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup unit incorporates a rigid printed wiring board with a flexible printed wiring board and electronic components, where the connection terminal portions of the image pickup device are connected to pads on the rigid board, and the electric cables are routed through a metal film portion and guide groove to extend rearward, allowing for a compact design and reduced projection area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the image pickup device is mounted on a flexible printed wiring board with connection terminal portions on the back surface, then the mounting area of the substrate is reduced, but the device complexity and cable routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar mounting to three-dimensional routing by extending cables in the thickness direction through metal film portions. This dimensional change allows cables to pass through the substrate vertically rather than routing them laterally across the mounting surface, reducing both mounting area requirements and routing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metal film portions as intermediary structures that facilitate cable connection. These metal films serve as conductive pathways embedded within the substrate, mediating between the external cables and the internal circuit board traces, thereby simplifying the overall connection architecture.
2Area of stationary object
If the flexible printed wiring board is flexed to extend rearward along the optical axis, then the projection area of the image pickup unit is reduced, but the reliability of electrical connections may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wiring structure into distinct functional segments: a rigid substrate for stable electrical connections, flexible printed wiring boards for spatial adaptation, and metal film portions for cable integration. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining rigid substrate materials with flexible printed wiring board materials. This composite approach enables the assembly to maintain structural integrity for reliable connections while accommodating the flexibility needed for compact folding configurations.
3Volume of moving object
If electronic components are mounted on the flexible printed wiring board within the hidden area, then the device is miniaturized, but the ease of manufacture and assembly decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions electronic components on the flexible printed wiring board in advance during the manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary placement allows for optimized component arrangement in the limited hidden space and simplifies subsequent assembly operations, as components are already in their final positions.
Data Source
AI summary
An image pickup unit for an endoscope includes: an image pickup device including a plurality of connection terminal portions arrayed on a back face that is a surface opposite to a light-receiving surface; a planar rigid printed wiring board including a substrate connection portion and an electric cable connection portion; a flexible printed wiring board including a fixation portion connected to the image pickup device and the rigid printed wiring board, an extension portion extending from an outer periphery of the fixation portion, and a flexed portion provided at a boundary between the fixation portion and the extension portion; an electric cable connected to the electric cable connection portion of the rigid printed wiring board; and an electronic component mounted on the extension portion of the flexible printed wiring board.