Endoscope Distal Nodal Ring Wire Fixing Groove
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope designs with bending portions face challenges in efficiently and accurately fixing pulling wires, leading to complexities in manufacturing and increased costs due to the need for additional components like connection members and wire fixing portions, which also widen the diameter of the insertion portion.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a tubular member with a distal end member featuring a small and large diameter portion, accommodating grooves, and relief portions to securely hold and weld the pulling wires, eliminating the need for external connection members and allowing for precise welding without jigs, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing the insertion portion's diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connection members and wire fixing portions are used to fix pulling wires, then the pulling wires can be securely fixed, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the wire fixing function directly into the nodal ring structure by forming a groove on the inner circumferential face of the nodal ring. This eliminates the need for separate connection members and wire fixing portions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable wire fixation. The groove structure combines the functions of wire positioning and securing within a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the wire fixing function from separate components and incorporates it directly into the nodal ring. By forming a groove directly on the nodal ring's inner circumferential face, the design removes unnecessary intermediate components (connection members, wire fixing portions) while preserving the essential wire fixation capability.
2Reliability
If connection members and wire fixing portions are used to fix pulling wires, then the pulling wires can be securely fixed, but the insertion portion diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the wire fixing function into the nodal ring groove structure, the patent eliminates additional components that would increase the insertion portion diameter. The integrated design allows wires to be fixed within the existing nodal ring space without requiring additional radial clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes unnecessary connection members and wire fixing portions that would occupy space and increase the insertion portion diameter. The wire fixing function is extracted and implemented directly in the nodal ring groove, optimizing the use of available space.
3Reliability
If traditional wire fixing methods are used, then wires can be fixed, but manufacturing precision and welding accuracy decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming a groove on the inner circumferential face of the nodal ring before wire insertion. This groove serves as a precise guide that automatically positions the wire at the optimal location for welding, eliminating the need for complex positioning jigs and ensuring high welding accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional feature (groove) on the nodal ring's inner circumferential face that provides precise wire positioning in the radial direction. This dimensional change creates a self-aligning structure that guides wire placement accurately without requiring additional positioning mechanisms.
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 enables efficient and accurate welding of pulling wires, reducing manufacturing costs and minimizing the endoscope's insertion diameter, while ensuring high-precision bending operations with reduced internal space requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the first end portion side of the wire being joined at a predetermined position on a distal end of the tubular member by welding
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope is provided with: a wire; a distal end nodal ring, in which the wire is arranged immediately below a first through hole including openings at predetermined positions on the inner circumferential face and an outer circumferential face of the distal end nodal ring; a distal end member including a small diameter portion arranged to be fitted in a distal end side inner circumferential face of the distal end nodal ring and a large diameter portion provided on a distal end side of the small diameter portion, the large diameter portion having a diameter larger than a diameter of the small diameter portion; an accommodating portion formed on an outer circumferential face side of the small diameter portion, the first end portion of the wire being accommodated in the accommodating portion; and a relief portion formed by the accommodating portion extending to the large diameter portion.