Endoscope Positioning Mechanism Using Nested Tubular Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope designs face challenges in efficiently positioning the plate member and tubular unit relative to each other, affecting the operability and graspability of the bending operation and treatment instrument insertion portions, leading to potential wear and increased thickness of the main body member.
Innovation Solution
A positioning mechanism that includes a plate member with a through hole and a tubular unit with a protruding portion, positioned relative to each other to dispose the protruding portion around the periphery of the through hole, ensuring the tubular unit extends from the obverse surface to the reverse surface through lengthwise and thickness-direction recesses, preventing interference and wear, and maintaining a compact operation portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the plate member and tubular unit are positioned using a conventional positioning mechanism, then the structural strength is ensured, but the main body member thickness increases and component wear occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular unit is positioned such that its protruding portion is disposed around the periphery of the through hole of the plate member, creating a nested configuration where components fit within each other's spatial envelope. This nesting approach allows the tubular unit to extend from the obverse surface to the reverse surface through recesses without increasing the overall thickness of the main body member, while still ensuring structural strength through proper component positioning and connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning mechanism utilizes the thickness direction of the plate member by extending the tubular unit from the obverse surface to the reverse surface through lengthwise and thickness-direction recesses. This dimensional approach allows the tubular unit to be positioned in the thickness direction without increasing the main body member thickness, as the tubular unit fits within the existing spatial envelope by utilizing the through hole and recesses.
2Reliability
If the tubular unit and plate member are positioned with sufficient clearance, then wear between components is prevented, but the operation portion thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding portion of the tubular unit is disposed around the periphery of the through hole of the plate member, creating a nested arrangement that provides clearance between components. This nested configuration prevents direct contact and wear between the tubular unit and plate member while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the clearance is achieved through the concentric arrangement rather than by increasing the thickness of the operation portion.
3Ease of operation
If the bending operation portion and treatment instrument insertion portion are positioned for optimal operability, then graspability is improved, but the plate member and tubular unit positioning becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the through hole in the plate member, the protruding portion of the tubular unit, and the recesses for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be independently positioned and connected, simplifying the overall positioning mechanism while enabling optimal positioning of the bending operation portion and treatment instrument insertion portion for improved graspability and operability.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes a plate member to which a member be operated to bend a bendable portion is fixed and which includes a through hole, and a tubular unit formed in a tubular shape to make a fluid flow and including a coupling portion which functions as a protruding portion disposed so as to be protruded from an outer surface. The endoscope further includes a positioning mechanism which positions the plate member and the tubular unit relative to each other so as to dispose the protruding portion around a periphery of the through hole including the through hole.