Endoscope Link Unit V-Linear Shape Transition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insertion apparatuses, such as endoscopes, face challenges in maintaining a desired motion state of their bending sections without unintended release due to external forces, which affects the precision and reliability of operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a link unit with a first and second link that form a V-like shape when the moving unit is at a first position, allowing pivotal movement, and a linear shape when at a second position, coupled with a regulating portion to fix and hold the bending section, ensuring the bending section remains in a desired state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hardness adjustment wire and coil pipe mechanism is used to fix the bending section, then the bending state can be maintained, but the system becomes complex and the fixed state may be readily released by external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a movable member that moves along the longitudinal axis, a link unit with first and second links that can pivot, and a regulating portion. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving reliability while managing complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from a static wire-pulley system to a dynamic system where the movable member moves along the longitudinal axis and the link unit pivots between different configurations. The link unit dynamically changes from a V-like shape during motion to a linear shape during fixation, providing adaptive control that enhances stability without excessive complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the motion portion is allowed to move freely in response to operation input, then operational flexibility is improved, but unintended motion release due to external forces occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two states: a movable state where the link unit forms a V-like shape allowing free motion in response to operation input, and a fixed state where the link unit forms a linear shape that locks the motion portion against external forces. This dynamic transition enables both operational flexibility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism changes the geometric parameter of the link unit configuration - transitioning from a V-like shape with a specific apex angle during motion to a linear shape with 180-degree angle during fixation. This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical behavior, enabling the system to provide either freedom of motion or rigid fixation as needed.
3Reliability
If a toggle mechanism is used to amplify holding force, then the fixing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle mechanism is segmented into a movable member, a link unit with first and second links, and a regulating portion. This segmentation distributes the force amplification function across multiple simple components rather than requiring a single complex mechanism, achieving strong fixation while managing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The link unit dynamically transitions between V-like and linear configurations, with the pivotal movement at the link coupling position enabling the toggle action. This dynamic geometric transformation provides force amplification only when needed in the fixed state, while maintaining simplicity in the movable state.
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 enhances the ability to maintain the bending section in a fixed state, improving operational precision and reliability by preventing unintended bending motions, thus enhancing the overall performance of the endoscope.
Implementation Method 1
a coupling portion which couples the first link with the second link to allow their pivotal movement with respect to each other about the link coupling position
Implementation Method 2
a regulating portion which configured to regulate movement of the interlocking movement member along the longitudinal axis, and configured to fix and hold the motion portion when the first link and the second link of the link unit form the substantially linear shape
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion apparatus includes a moving unit moving between a first movement position in a state that a motion portion performs a motion and a second movement position in a state that the motion of the motion portion is regulated. A link unit oh the insertion apparatus includes a coupling portion which couples a first link with a second link in a state that the first link and the second link form a substantially V-like shape having a link coupling position as an apex when the moving unit is placed at the first movement position and in a state that the first link and the second link form a substantially linear shape that does not bend at the link coupling position when the moving unit is placed at the second movement position.