Endoscope Insertion Portion Alternating Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope insertion portions face challenges in maintaining a thin diameter while preventing the channel tube from meandering, which can lead to buckling and compromised accessory insertion capability when the channel assembly is arranged close to the image pick-up assembly.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope insertion portion is designed with a distal end forming portion and a bending portion featuring rotatable cylindrical parts, where the central axis of the second bending part is offset from the image pick-up assembly to the channel assembly, allowing the channel assembly to remain straight even when made thinner, thereby preventing meandering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the channel assembly is arranged as close to the image pick-up assembly as possible to make the insertion portion thinner, then the insertion capability is improved, but the channel tube may meander and buckle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies alternating arrangement of image pick-up assembly and channel assembly in the axial direction, creating a zigzag pattern that maintains channel tube straightness while reducing overall insertion portion thickness. This dimensional reorganization allows both assemblies to be positioned closer without causing meandering.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion portion is divided into multiple sections with alternating arrangements of image pick-up assembly and channel assembly. This segmentation allows each assembly to be positioned optimally while maintaining overall structural integrity and preventing channel tube buckling.
2Volume of moving object
If the channel assembly is arranged close to the image pick-up assembly, then the insertion portion diameter is reduced, but the accessory insertion capability is deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging assemblies alternately in the axial direction rather than placing them side-by-side, the patent reduces the insertion portion diameter while maintaining adequate space for accessory insertion through the channel tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different spatial arrangements for different sections of the insertion portion, with alternating assembly positions that locally optimize both diameter reduction and accessory insertion capability in different axial regions.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An endoscope insertion portion characterized by includes an image pick-up assembly (68) extending in an axial direction in the endoscope insertion portion, and including an image pick-up unit (42) and an image pick-up cable (44) provided in order from the distal end portion of the image pick-up assembly (68) to the proximal end side of the image pick-up assembly (68) wherein an outer diameter of the image pick-up unit (42) is larger than an outer diameter of the image pick-up cable (44), and a channel assembly (84) extending in the axial direction in the endoscope insertion portion, arranged side by side with the image pick-up assembly (68), and including a channel pipe (72) and a channel tube (78) provided in order from a distal end portion of the channel assembly (84) to the proximal end side of the channel assembly (84) wherein the channel pipe (72) includes a pipe main portion (74) formed by a distal end side part of the channel pipe (72), the channel tube (78) includes a tube main portion (80) formed by a proximal end side part of the channel tube (78), the channel assembly (84) includes a thin outer diameter portion (86) formed by at least the pipe main portion (74) of the channel pipe (72), and a thick outer diameter portion (88) formed by at least the tube main portion (80) of the channel tube (78) and including an outer diameter larger than an outer diameter of a thin outer diameter portion (86), and a distal end portion of the thick outer diameter portion (88) is arranged on more proximal end side than a proximal end portion of the image pick-up unit (42).