Endoscope Leak Tester Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak testers for endoscopes face challenges in accurately determining leaks due to temperature-induced pressure changes, which can lead to false positives or negatives, especially when the endoscope's temperature differs from the ambient temperature.
Innovation Solution
A leak tester system that includes a connection portion, an air feeding portion, an internal pressure measurement portion, a temperature measurement portion, and a constant temperature portion, which maintains the endoscope's surface temperature within a predetermined range during the leak determination process, using far-infrared radiation or heated atmospheric air to control the temperature and minimize the impact of thermal expansion or contraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pressurized air is injected into the object for leak determination, then leak detection capability is improved, but temperature-induced pressure changes cause measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
A temperature control unit is introduced as an intermediary device between the environment and the examination object. This unit actively regulates the object's temperature to match ambient temperature, thereby eliminating thermal expansion/contraction effects that cause false leak detection results. The temperature control unit acts as a mediator that isolates the measurement system from harmful thermal fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the temperature parameter of the examination object to match the ambient temperature before and during leak determination. By changing the temperature parameter of the object to be equal to the ambient temperature, the system eliminates thermal pressure variations inside the object, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring complex measurement corrections.
2Measurement precision
If the object is allowed to stand for a fixed time period for leak determination, then thermal equilibrium is achieved, but testing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control unit performs preliminary temperature adjustment of the examination object before the leak determination process begins. By pre-adjusting the object's temperature to match ambient temperature, the system achieves thermal equilibrium immediately without requiring a prolonged standing period, thereby eliminating unnecessary waiting time while ensuring accurate measurement conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing the object to naturally reach thermal equilibrium over an extended period, the system actively and rapidly adjusts the temperature using the control unit. This rushing through the thermal equilibration process achieves the same equilibrium state in minimal time, significantly reducing the overall testing duration while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Reliability
If ambient temperature fluctuations occur, then thermal contraction or expansion of pressurized air causes false leak determination, but controlling temperature requires additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature control unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to regulate temperature during leak determination and to maintain the object at ambient temperature for subsequent cleaning/disinfection processes. By making the temperature control equipment universal, the system reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high reliability in leak detection.
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 approach allows for precise and rapid leak determination by isolating the endoscope's temperature from ambient temperature fluctuations, ensuring accurate results without the need for lengthy temperature stabilization, thus enhancing the reliability and speed of the leak testing process.
Implementation Method 1
using far-infrared radiation or heated atmospheric air to control the temperature
Implementation Method 2
a temperature measurement portion configured to measure a surface temperature of the object
Implementation Method 3
an internal pressure measurement portion configured to measure an internal pressure of the object
Data Source
AI summary
When an air supply conduit is connected to an empty space portion inside an endoscope and air is fed to the empty space portion to perform a leak determination based on a change in the internal pressure of the endoscope which is caused by the air, a surface temperature of the endoscope that is measured by a temperature measurement portion is maintained at a temperature at the time that the leak determination starts, through energy supply control that irradiates far infrared rays onto a surface of the endoscope from a far-infrared ray irradiation portion.