Endoscope Self-Locking Gear Lever for Wear-Free Position Holding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Endoscopes lack a self-locking mechanism, requiring operators to continuously hold the toggle handle, which is inconvenient and prone to wear or damage.
Innovation Solution
A self-locking device for endoscopes featuring a connecting assembly with a driven gear and toggle lever, and a fitting assembly with a driving gear, allowing for engagement and disengagement without external force through a lever structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a brake type self-locking part is used, then the endoscope can be locked, but the self-locking part is easily worn or damaged resulting in low device usage
Solution Approach 1:
The driven gear automatically engages with the driving gear through the toggle lever mechanism, enabling self-locking without external force or brake components. The system serves itself by using the gear engagement and lever geometry to maintain the locked position, eliminating the need for wear-prone brake parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the brake-type mechanical self-locking system with a gear-based mechanical engagement system. The driven gear and driving gear interact through tooth engagement, substituting the friction-based brake mechanism with a positive engagement mechanism that is more durable and less prone to wear.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the operator continuously holds the toggle handle, then the endoscope position can be maintained, but it is inconvenient and requires constant manual operation
Solution Approach 1:
The toggle lever is pre-configured in two stable positions (engaged and disengaged) that automatically maintain the endoscope position once set. The operator performs the action of moving the lever to the desired position, and the mechanism preliminarily establishes the locked state that maintains position stability without requiring continuous manual input.
Solution Approach 2:
The toggle lever mechanism provides two stable dynamic states: engaged and disengaged. The system transitions between these states through the lever movement, and once in a stable state, it maintains position stability dynamically without requiring continuous external force or manual operation.
3Reliability
If a brake type self-locking mechanism is used, then locking function is achieved, but the mechanism suffers from wear and damage reducing device lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The gear-based self-locking mechanism uses the inherent geometry of the driven gear and driving gear engagement to maintain the locked state. The system serves itself by utilizing the mechanical advantage of the lever and gear teeth to hold position without requiring additional brake components that would subject to wear and material loss.
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 self-locking without continuous manual operation, extending the device's lifespan by avoiding wear and tear on the self-locking parts.
Implementation Method 1
a driven gear and a toggle lever, where the driven gear and the toggle lever are fitted with each other through pins; and a fitting assembly, including a driving gear, where the driving gear is engaged with the driven gear through the toggle lever
Implementation Method 2
Through the design of a lever structure, the self-locking device switches the driven gear and the driving gear between engaged and disengaged states without resorting to an external force of a part
Data Source
AI summary
A self-locking device of an endoscope includes a connecting assembly and a fitting assembly. The connecting assembly includes a driven gear and a toggle lever, and the driven gear and the toggle lever are fitted with each other through pins. The fitting assembly includes a driving gear, and the driving gear is engaged with the driven gear through the toggle lever. The self-locking device realizes self-locking with a desired effect through the engagement of the driven gear and the driving gear. Through the design of a lever structure, the self-locking device switches the driven gear and the driving gear between engaged and disengaged states without resorting to an external force of a part, which avoids the use of the part and extends the service life of the device.