Endoscope Cleaning Nozzle With Converging Flow for Viewing Windows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope cleaning nozzles fail to effectively concentrate cleaning fluid flow onto the viewing window, leading to inadequate cleaning of the viewing window due to fluid divergence after exiting the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a fluid spray nozzle with a fluid channel having a flattened or slit-like cross section and a fluid splitting element that converges the fluid flow onto the viewing window, ensuring precise targeting and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional cleaning nozzle with a straight fluid outlet is used, then the structure is simple, but the fluid flow diverges after exiting the nozzle resulting in poor cleaning effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel is segmented into multiple sections: an inlet section, a flattened cross-section section, and an outlet section. This segmentation allows the fluid flow to be controlled and directed more effectively, preventing divergence and improving cleaning effectiveness on the viewing window.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid channel cross-section is changed from a conventional circular shape to a flattened shape with dimensions in a specific ratio. This dimensional change allows the fluid to exit in a more controlled, less divergent stream, improving cleaning effectiveness without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Reliability
If guiding elements are added to the cleaning nozzle to direct fluid flow, then cleaning direction is improved, but the fluid flow still diverges after leaving the nozzle area
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid channel is pre-shaped with a flattened cross-section before the fluid exits the nozzle. This preliminary shaping of the fluid pathway ensures that the fluid maintains a more coherent, less divergent flow pattern as it leaves the nozzle, improving cleaning effectiveness without requiring additional guiding elements.
3Reliability
If more cleaning fluid is sprayed to improve cleaning coverage, then cleaning effectiveness increases, but fluid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The parameters of the fluid channel cross-section are changed to a flattened shape with specific dimension ratios. This parameter change allows the fluid to be sprayed more efficiently with reduced dispersion, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while reducing overall fluid consumption.
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 converging fluid flow effectively cleans the viewing window with minimal fluid usage, maintaining high image quality by ensuring the fluid is accurately directed onto the viewing window.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid/liquid channel (11) has a flattened or slit-like cross section... the fluid/liquid spray nozzle (9), especially the fluid/liquid channel (11), comprises at least one fluid/liquid splitting element (22) arranged in the fluid/liquid spray nozzle (9)... providing a converging fluid/liquid flow (flow constriction) out of the nozzle (downstream the nozzle) onto the viewing window (8)
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including an insertion tube for insertion into a patient's body cavity and a tip at the distal end of the insertion tube, the tip including a tip housing encapsulating an optical inspection device, a viewing window for or of the optical inspection device and a fluid spray nozzle having an outer wall providing a fluid channel surrounded by the outer wall for spraying a fluid onto the viewing window, the fluid spray nozzle having at least one fluid splitting element arranged in the fluid channel for providing a converging fluid flow out of the nozzle onto the viewing window.