Endoscope Light Guide Holder for Precise Low-Loss Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in optimizing the positioning and secure attachment of light guides relative to the circuit board, leading to inefficient light transmission and potential damage to the light source.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a holder with a light guide hole that matches the cross-section of the light source, allowing precise alignment and secure fitting of the light guide, preventing accidental displacement and ensuring optimal light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the light guide cross-section is made larger to match the light source, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but the light source requires a larger cross-section which may cause misalignment and assembly issues
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into functional components: a body portion for positioning, a spacer element for distance control, and an engaging device for secure mounting. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function independently, ensuring precise alignment without requiring the light source to have a larger cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary component between the light source and the light guide. It provides a standardized interface that decouples the alignment requirements from the physical dimensions of the light source, allowing the light guide to be positioned precisely regardless of the light source's exact cross-sectional size.
2Loss of energy
If the light guide hole cross-section is made larger to accommodate the light guide, then light incidence is optimized, but the holder structure becomes more complex and the light source may be damaged during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with localized functionality: the light guide hole has a specific cross-section optimized for the light guide, while the spacer element provides localized protection for the light source. This local optimization allows efficient light incidence without requiring the entire holder structure to be complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer element protrudes beforehand to prevent contact between the light guide hole and the light source during assembly. This protective feature is built into the holder structure in advance, preventing damage before it can occur during the assembly process.
3Loss of energy
If the light guide is positioned closer to the light source, then light transmission is improved, but the light source may be displaced or damaged during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer element is designed beforehand to define the precise distance between the light guide hole and the light source. This preliminary positioning action ensures optimal light transmission while simultaneously protecting the light source from displacement or damage during assembly, as the spacer physically prevents contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder with its spacer element acts as an intermediary that maintains a stable, predetermined distance between the light guide and light source. This intermediary structure ensures both optimal light transmission efficiency and light source stability during assembly and operation.
4Loss of energy
If multiple light guides are arranged to face the light source, then total light transmission is improved, but the alignment precision requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed with a universal light guide hole configuration that can accommodate multiple light guides. The standardized hole design and spacer element work together to maintain precise alignment for all light guides simultaneously, reducing the overall alignment precision requirement compared to individual positioning of each light guide.
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 configuration enables low-loss light incidence and secure attachment, facilitating mass production while protecting the light source from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide extending in the endoscope, which receives the light from the light source and guides it to an illumination device of the endoscope
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a circuit board on which a light source is arranged, a light guide extending in the endoscope, which receives the light from the light source and guides it to an illumination device of the endoscope, and a holder having a light guide hole for inserting the light guide, wherein the cross-section of the light guide corresponds to the cross-section of the light source for optimizing the light transmission.