Endoscope Connection Instrument Narrowing Portion Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope cleaning and disinfecting technologies face challenges in ensuring effective cleaning and disinfection of the connection fittings between endoscopes and cleaning apparatuses, particularly in maintaining fluid flow stability and preventing leakage during the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope connection instrument features a cylindrical portion with a narrowing portion and grooves that securely attach to the endoscope fitting, ensuring a stable fluid flow and preventing leakage by maintaining contact with the fitting's inner edge, even when subjected to rattling or movement, while the endoscope cleaning/disinfecting apparatus uses a connector with a fluid supply system to deliver cleaning liquids effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connection part between cleaning tube and fitting maintains close contact state, then fluid flow stability is ensured and cleaning capability is stable, but the connection part is susceptible to rattling and movement that may cause leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The narrowing portion is formed with a tapered curved surface that gradually decreases in diameter from the proximal end toward the distal end. This curved geometry allows the narrowing portion to elastically deform and conform to the inner edge of the fitting, creating a stable seal that resists rattling and movement while maintaining fluid flow stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowing portion changes its diameter parameter gradually along its length, creating a tapered structure that can adapt to dimensional variations in the fitting. This parameter change allows the connection to maintain both seal integrity and fluid flow stability under varying conditions.
2Reliability
If a seal member is brought into close contact with the fitting, then leakage is prevented, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged with the narrowing portion itself, eliminating the need for a separate seal member. The tapered outer surface of the narrowing portion directly contacts the inner edge of the fitting to prevent leakage, simplifying the overall connection structure while maintaining reliable seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrowing portion serves dual functions: it provides structural connection and simultaneously creates the seal through its tapered geometry. The elastic deformation of the narrowing portion automatically adjusts to fit the opening, providing self-adjusting sealing without additional components.
3Productivity
If the connection part is subjected to load, then the cleaning process can be effective, but the close contact state may be compromised causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The tapered curved surface of the narrowing portion allows it to deform elastically under load, maintaining continuous contact with the fitting's inner edge. This curved geometry distributes the applied load along the contact surface, preventing leakage even when cleaning forces are applied.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is designed to be dynamically adaptable, allowing the narrowing portion to flex and adjust its contact pressure in response to varying loads during the cleaning process. This dynamic behavior maintains seal integrity while accommodating effective cleaning forces.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting pressing member includes: a first opening that opens inside a fitting of an endoscope; a second opening that is communicably connected to the first opening and is connectable to a fluid supply source; a cylindrical portion formed from the first opening to a predetermined position, the cylindrical portion covering a part of a hollow portion communicably connected to the first opening and the second opening; a narrowing portion including a side face whose outer diameter increases from the predetermined position toward the second opening, the narrowing portion covering the other part of the hollow portion; and a plurality of grooves formed over a predetermined area from the predetermined position in an outer surface of the narrowing portion.