Optical Scanning Endoscope Fiber Driving Unit MID Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual soldering of lead wires onto the piezoelectric actuators in optical scanning endoscopes is inefficient due to the small diameter of the fiber driving unit, leading to low yield rates and the need for redundant space, making it difficult to automate the process.
Innovation Solution
A fiber driving unit with a Molded Interconnect Device (MID) component that includes a cylindrical mounting member with formed wiring patterns on its surface, allowing for efficient electrical connection of actuators and reducing the need for extra wiring length, thereby improving assembly efficiency and downsizing the optical fiber tip end portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual soldering is used to connect lead wires to piezoelectric actuators, then electrical connection is achieved, but assembly efficiency is lowered and manufacturing yield rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting member and wiring structure into a single integrated MID component. The wiring patterns are formed directly on the mounting member's surface, combining what were previously separate elements (mounting structure and wiring) into one unified component that eliminates manual soldering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical soldering process with an automated wire bonding process. The wire bonding machine automatically connects lead wires to the wiring patterns on the MID component, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated equipment to improve efficiency and yield.
2Volume of moving object
If lead wires are soldered onto the outer periphery of the cylindrical fiber driving unit, then electrical connection is established, but redundant space is required and diameter cannot be downsized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional peripheral wiring arrangement on the cylindrical surface to a two-dimensional planar wiring pattern on the MID component's surface. This dimensional change allows wiring patterns to be arranged in a compact plane, eliminating the need for redundant radial space and enabling diameter downsizing.
Solution Approach 2:
The MID component serves as an intermediary structure between the piezoelectric actuators and the lead wires. Instead of directly soldering to the actuators on the cylindrical surface, the wiring patterns on the MID component provide an intermediate connection layer that enables compact, automated wire bonding while reducing the overall diameter.
3Productivity
If automated wire bonding is implemented, then assembly efficiency is improved, but the mounting member structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mounting member and wiring structure into a single integrated MID component. By merging these elements, the overall device complexity is reduced despite the automated bonding process, as there are fewer separate components to assemble and manage.
Solution Approach 2:
The MID component performs multiple functions: it mounts the piezoelectric actuators, provides the wiring patterns for electrical connection, and serves as the structural interface for automated wire bonding. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device structure while enabling automated assembly.
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
The solution enhances the efficiency of the soldering operation and reduces the diameter of the optical fiber tip end portion by allowing linear wiring arrangement without extra length considerations, improving manufacturing yield and reducing space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber driving unit arranged in vicinity of the emitting end of the optical fiber and including a plurality of piezoelectric actuators, the tip end of the optical fiber being configured to bend by feeding driving signals to electrodes provided on the surface of the piezoelectric actuators
Data Source
AI summary
An optical scanning endoscope with an optical fiber, and a fiber driving unit with a plurality of actuators which bend side surfaces of the optical fiber by applying a pressing force. A mounting member is a substantially cylindrical molded interconnect device (MID) component which supports the fiber driving unit. A control circuit supplies driving signals to each of the actuators to control the bending amount and direction of the optical fiber. A wiring member electrically connects wiring patterns on the mounting member with the control circuit. The mounting member has a planar surface section at one proximal-end-surface side of the cylindrical outer-peripheral surface. The wiring patterns include at least first patterns having one end portion disposed on the planar surface section to form soldering lands. The other end portions are electrically connected to the actuators on the proximal-end surface of the mounting member. The wiring member is connected to the soldering lands.