Endoscope Optical System for Simultaneous Front and Side Viewing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope optical systems struggle to simultaneously acquire clear images of both front and side views, often requiring switching between optical paths, which reduces observation efficiency and makes it difficult to visualize the side view region effectively.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope optical system comprising a first lens group for front viewing, multiple second lens groups with negative lenses for side viewing, a third lens group shared for both views, and a synthesizing section with partially transmissive and reflective surfaces to combine rays from the first and second lens groups onto a single plane, allowing simultaneous acquisition of front and side view images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the optical path for front viewing and side viewing is switched separately to acquire images, then images with high visibility can be acquired, but it is not possible to simultaneously perform both front viewing and side viewing and observation efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the front viewing optical path and side viewing optical path into a single integrated optical system. The light from both viewing directions is merged and imaged onto the same imaging surface simultaneously, enabling both front and side views to be captured at the same time without switching, thereby improving observation efficiency while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device serves multiple functions by simultaneously capturing both front view images and side view images. The optical system is designed to handle multiple viewing directions with a single imaging sensor, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate imaging devices or switching mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If an image of the side view region is formed around an image of a front view region, then both views can be captured, but it is difficult to visually recognize the image of the side view region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging surface into distinct regions for front view images and side view images. By allocating specific areas on the imaging surface to each viewing direction, the side view images are separated from the front view images, making them visually distinguishable and easily recognizable without overlapping or confusion
3Productivity
If separate imaging devices are used for front viewing and side viewing, then both views can be acquired simultaneously, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the front viewing optical path and side viewing optical path into a single integrated optical system. The light from both viewing directions is merged and imaged onto the same imaging surface simultaneously, enabling both front and side views to be captured at the same time without switching, thereby improving observation efficiency while maintaining image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device serves multiple functions by simultaneously capturing both front view images and side view images. The optical system is designed to handle multiple viewing directions with a single imaging sensor, making the system multi-functional and eliminating the need for separate imaging devices or switching 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
Enables separate and simultaneous acquisition of high-quality front and side view images, improving observation efficiency by allowing both views to be seen simultaneously and reducing the size and cost of the endoscope optical system.
Implementation Method 1
a synthesizing section that has at least one planar synthesis surface, which transmits rays emitted from the first lens group and reflects rays emitted from the second lens groups
Implementation Method 2
a synthesizing section that has at least one planar synthesis surface, which transmits rays emitted from the first lens group and reflects rays emitted from the second lens groups
Data Source
AI summary
The endoscope optical system consists of: a first lens group that is used only for front viewing; a plurality of second lens groups that have a negative lens at a position closest to an object side and are used only for side viewing; a third lens group that is commonly used in front viewing and side viewing; and a synthesizing section that synthesizes the rays emitted from the first lens group and the rays emitted from the second lens groups and causes the synthesized rays to be incident into the third lens group. The rays emitted from the first lens group and the rays emitted from the second lens groups are imaged on a same plane.