Endoscope Imaging Apparatus Posture Keeping Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing imaging apparatus for endoscopes experiences difficulties in maintaining smooth relative rotation about the optical axis due to uneven contact between the coupler-side and casing-side slide surfaces, leading to potential misalignment and load application issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a posture keeping member, such as a coil spring or ball bearing, between the coupler and the imaging apparatus main body to maintain the desired posture and facilitate smooth rotation by generating a physical quantity, thereby preventing uneven contact and load application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a specific clearance is provided between the coupler-side slide surface and the casing-side slide surface to enable relative rotation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to uneven contact and load application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a larger clearance at the lower portion (where the imaging apparatus main body's weight causes contact) and a smaller clearance at the upper portion of the slide surfaces. This non-uniform clearance distribution compensates for the gravitational effect, ensuring that the coupler and imaging apparatus main body can rotate smoothly without creating excessive load or misalignment at the contact point.
2Manufacturing precision
If the coupler and imaging apparatus main body are connected with tight fit to maintain alignment, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to restricted rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by varying the clearance dimensions at different locations of the slide surfaces. The larger clearance at the lower portion allows smooth rotation under gravitational load, while the smaller clearance at the upper portion maintains sufficient alignment precision. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between tight fit for precision and loose fit for rotation.
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
Ensures smooth relative rotation of the coupler and imaging apparatus main body around the optical axis, maintaining alignment and reducing the risk of load-induced misalignment, while allowing for easy assembly and operation.
Implementation Method 1
the posture keeping member includes a coil spring
Implementation Method 2
the posture keeping member includes a ball bearing
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging apparatus for endoscope includes: a coupler configured to hold an endoscope for capturing an image of a subject, and emit the image of the subject; an imaging apparatus main body connected to the coupler so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the coupler around an optical axis of the endoscope, the imaging apparatus main body being configured to capture the image of the subject emitted from the endoscope; and a posture keeping member configured to maintain a posture of the imaging apparatus main body with respect to the optical axis of the endoscope by generating a desired physical quantity between the coupler and the imaging apparatus main body.