Endoscope Light Source Drive Unit Switching Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscope light source devices require a wide range of current values to adjust light quantity effectively, but existing technologies struggle to provide seamless transitions between different current ranges without causing unnatural brightness changes or power supply issues during drive unit switching.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with multiple drive units capable of outputting currents in different ranges, where the control unit switches between these units based on current instruction values, ensuring smooth transitions and preventing simultaneous power supply during switching by incorporating a predetermined stop time period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single drive unit is used to output current to the semiconductor light source, then the device structure is simple, but the current output range is limited and cannot satisfy wide light quantity adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is divided into a first drive unit and a second drive unit, each capable of outputting current within its own range. The first drive unit handles lower current values while the second drive unit handles higher current values, together covering a wide overall current range without requiring a single complex high-range drive unit
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple drive units with different current ranges are used, then the current output range is extended, but brightness discontinuity occurs during drive unit switching
Solution Approach 1:
The first drive unit and second drive unit are designed to have overlapping current output ranges, ensuring that both units can output the same current value within the overlap region. This homogenization of output characteristics allows seamless switching between drive units without brightness discontinuity
Solution Approach 2:
Before switching from the first drive unit to the second drive unit, the system prepares by adjusting the current output in the overlapping range so that both drive units can provide the same current level. This preliminary adjustment ensures that when switching occurs, the brightness remains continuous
3Measurement precision
If drive units are switched frequently to adjust current range, then the current precision is improved, but power supply instability and brightness fluctuations occur
Solution Approach 1:
A control circuit acts as an intermediary between the first and second drive units, coordinating their operation and managing the switching process. The control circuit ensures that switching occurs only when appropriate, preventing frequent unnecessary switches that would cause power supply instability and brightness fluctuations
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 the light source device to supply currents over a wide range, maintaining consistent brightness and preventing power supply issues during drive unit switching, thus enhancing the imaging quality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor light source such as a light emitting diode (LED) that can emit a large quantity of light by applying a large current has been used
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device includes a semiconductor light source that radiates light at a light quantity according to an applied current, a circuit that determines a current instruction value based on control information, first and second drive units, each of the units that is connected to the semiconductor light source and the circuit, and is capable of outputting, to the semiconductor light source, a current having magnitude corresponding to the current instruction value. The control information is set based on brightness of an image captured by an imaging element. When one of the first and second drive units is switched to the other, the circuit causes the other to start the current output after an elapse of a predetermined stop time period having a length at a predetermined ratio or less to a frame rate on the imaging element since a stop of the current output from the one.