Endoscope Imaging Module Layout for Easier Miniature Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of endoscope imaging assemblies is challenging due to their small size, leading to difficulties in welding, high defect rates, and low production efficiency, particularly with electronic wires or flexible circuit boards, which also result in unstable structures and poor reliability.
Innovation Solution
The imaging assembly incorporates a first rigid circuit board connected to a camera and light source, with a second rigid circuit board at an angle to the first, and a flexible board, allowing for stable soldering and reduced size, while the flexible board conforms to the endoscope's curvature, facilitating assembly and signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the imaging assembly size is reduced to ensure smooth passage through narrow body cavities, then the harm to the patient is reduced, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult with higher defect rates
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into a rigid board portion and a flexible board portion. The rigid board provides stable mounting surfaces for the camera and light source component, while the flexible board allows the imaging assembly to conform to narrow body cavities. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling small overall size while maintaining manufacturability through distinct functional zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the circuit board have different mechanical properties: the rigid board portion provides structural stability for component mounting, while the flexible board portion provides adaptability to curved paths. This local differentiation of material properties allows the imaging assembly to be small enough for patient safety while remaining manufacturable with standard welding processes on the rigid portion.
2Volume of moving object
If electronic wires or flexible circuit boards are used for signal output, then the imaging assembly can be made smaller, but the welding becomes difficult with high defect rates and low production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, allowing standard welding processes to be applied to the rigid board where stability is achieved, while the flexible board provides the necessary size reduction. This segmentation enables efficient production on the rigid portion while maintaining compact overall dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board transitions from entirely flexible to a composite structure with rigid and flexible portions. This parameter change in material rigidity at different locations enables reliable welding on the rigid portion (improving productivity) while maintaining the small size needed for medical applications.
3Volume of moving object
If electronic wires or flexible circuit boards are used for signal output, then the imaging assembly size is reduced, but the structural stability becomes poor with low reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is divided into rigid and flexible portions, with the rigid board providing stable mounting surfaces for the camera and light source component. This segmentation ensures that critical components are mounted on a stable platform while the overall assembly remains compact.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board uses a composite structure combining rigid and flexible materials. The rigid portion ensures structural stability and reliable component mounting, while the flexible portion enables size reduction. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between small size and structural reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an imaging assembly and an endoscope. The imaging assembly comprises an image capture module and a second circuit board, wherein the image capture module comprises a camera, a light source component and a first circuit board. The first circuit board comprises a first rigid board, and both the camera and the light source componentare electrically connected to the first rigid board. The second circuit board comprises a second rigid board and a flexible board. One end of the second rigid board is electrically connected to the first rigid board, the second rigid board is arranged at an angle with the first rigid board, and the other end of the second rigid board is electrically connected to the flexible board. The imaging assembly reduces manufacturing process difficulty and increases production efficiency and product yield.