Endoscope Magnet Coupling Axial Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing oblique-viewing endoscopes with magnet coupling designs face challenges in maintaining the posture of the inner sheath and image pickup unit while rotating, leading to increased diameter of the operation unit, which complicates assembly and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a magnet coupling system with a first magnet inside the sealed space and a second magnet outside, connected by a partition wall, allowing for rotational torque transmission while maintaining the posture of the shaft member and image pickup unit, and includes a signal line insertion mechanism to improve torque transmission and reduce slip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If concentric magnet coupling is used to maintain inner sheath posture during rotation, then rotational stability is improved, but operation unit diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional radial magnet arrangement to an axial magnet arrangement. The first magnet is disposed axially on the inner sheath, and the second magnet is disposed axially on the operation unit body, with magnetic attraction acting in the axial direction to maintain posture stability during rotation, thereby reducing the radial diameter requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a partition wall with an insertion hole that serves as an intermediary structure. The first magnet is inserted through this hole, and a signal line passes through the same hole, allowing the magnet to be positioned axially without requiring large radial space, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and diameter.
2Reliability
If magnet coupling is used to transmit torque contactlessly, then transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnet coupling structure with the partition wall structure. The first magnet is integrated into the partition wall assembly, and the signal line routing is combined with the magnet insertion path, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining contactless torque transmission reliability.
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 prevents an increase in the operation part's diameter, enhances torque transmission, and reduces slip, thereby improving the oblique-viewing endoscope's functionality and assembly efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a magnet coupling which includes a first magnet provided in the sealed space and a second magnet provided outside the sealed space with the partition wall interposed therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes: a protection sheath that forms an insertion unit; a pipe-like case that is connected to a proximal end side of the protection sheath; a distal end optical system that is provided at a distal end of the protection sheath and that defines a distal end side of a sealed space formed in the protection sheath and the case; a partition wall that is provided in the case, is perpendicular to an insertion axis of the insertion unit, and defines a proximal end side of the sealed space; a shaft member that is inserted into the protection sheath and that is rotatable relative to the protection sheath in a direction around the insertion axis; an image pickup unit that is provided at a distal end of the shaft member and that picks up an image of light passing through the distal end optical system; and a magnet coupling which includes a first magnet provided in the sealed space and a second magnet provided outside the sealed space with the partition wall interposed therebetween and of which the first magnet is connected to a proximal end side of the shaft member. The magnet coupling and the case are rotatable relative to each other in the direction around the axis.