Endoscope Lens Frame Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope designs face challenges in preventing fogging of optical members at the distal end due to temperature differences, particularly when downsizing, as they require specific ring-shaped heaters that are difficult to assemble and space-constrained.
Innovation Solution
A lens frame unit with a heat-generating unit, temperature measurement unit, and a single electrical wiring board, where the heat-generating unit and temperature measurement unit are separated by a thermal barrier, allowing for flexible arrangement and easy assembly, preventing fogging by controlling temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ring-shaped heater is arranged behind the lens cover to prevent fogging, then fogging prevention is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The heater is divided into multiple heating elements arranged in a matrix pattern rather than a continuous ring shape. This segmentation allows each heating element to be independently positioned and connected to the wiring board, simplifying assembly while maintaining effective heat distribution across the lens cover surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater configuration transitions from a two-dimensional ring shape to a multi-dimensional matrix arrangement of discrete heating elements. This dimensional change enables flexible positioning on the wiring board and facilitates easier assembly while achieving comprehensive fogging prevention coverage.
2Volume of moving object
If the endoscope is downsized to improve portability, then compactness is improved, but space for arranging the heater is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring board is designed as a flexible substrate that can be configured in various shapes and sizes to fit within the constrained space of the downsized endoscope. This flexibility allows the heating elements to be arranged in a compact matrix pattern that achieves effective fogging prevention without requiring excessive space.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater design transitions from a planar ring configuration to a three-dimensional matrix arrangement of heating elements on a flexible wiring board. This enables more efficient space utilization within the compact endoscope housing while maintaining adequate heating coverage.
3Volume of moving object
If the heat-generating unit and temperature measurement unit are placed close together to save space, then compactness is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to thermal interference
Solution Approach 1:
A heat insulating structure is introduced as an intermediary between the heating elements and the temperature sensor. This mediator blocks thermal conduction from the heater to the sensor, preventing measurement errors while allowing both components to be positioned in close proximity on the flexible wiring board for compact arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat insulating structure is selectively positioned only in the regions where thermal interference would affect temperature measurement. This localized insulation approach maintains compact component arrangement while preserving measurement precision in the critical sensor area.
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
Enables effective prevention of fogging without spatial limitations, facilitating easier assembly and downsizing of endoscopes while ensuring accurate temperature measurement and heat distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-generating unit that generates heat
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer unit that covers at least part of the lens frame body
Implementation Method 3
a temperature measurement unit that measures temperature
Implementation Method 4
thermal resistance between closest positions of the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit is greater than thermal resistance between the heat-generating unit and the heat transfer unit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A lens frame unit includes a lens frame body that houses an optical member, a heat transfer unit that covers at least part of the lens frame body, a heat-generating unit that generates heat, a temperature measurement unit that measures temperature and a same single electrical wiring board on which the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are mounted. The heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are arranged on the electrical wiring board so as to be separated from each other, and the electrical wiring board is disposed such that the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit are in contact with the heat transfer unit. Thermal resistance between closest positions of the heat-generating unit and the temperature measurement unit is greater than thermal resistance between the heat-generating unit and the heat transfer unit, and between the temperature measurement unit and the heat transfer unit.