Integrated Endoscope Plug Sealing Component
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope sealing caps are difficult to clean due to undercuts, and the attachment methods like cables, wires, or chains often tear or get lost, preventing effective cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A sealing component integrated with the endoscope cable, featuring a blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening and a fastening portion that securely attaches to the cable, allowing for easy cleaning and secure sealing without the risk of loss, with options for loose or firm fit and clamping mechanisms for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cap is used to seal the endoscope plug, then the sealing function is provided, but the cap and attachment (cable/wire/chain) are difficult to clean due to undercuts and may tear or get lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component is merged with the endoscope plug to form an integrated unit. The body part of the sealing component is directly connected to the plug body, eliminating the need for separate caps and attachment elements like cables, wires, or chains. This integration removes the undercuts and connection points that made cleaning difficult, while maintaining the sealing function through the blind hole-like insertion opening and sealing member.
2Reliability
If a separate cap with cable/wire/chain attachment is used, then the sealing function is provided, but the attachment may tear or get lost during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component and endoscope plug are merged into a single integrated structure. The body part is directly formed as part of the plug body, eliminating separate attachment elements like cables, wires, or chains that could tear or get lost. The sealing member is integrated within the body part, ensuring the sealing function remains reliable without compromising attachment stability.
3Reliability
If a separate cap is used for sealing, then the sealing function is provided, but the cap may get lost during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing component is integrated directly with the endoscope plug body, forming a permanent unified structure. The body part with the blind hole-like insertion opening is directly connected to the plug, eliminating the need for separate caps that could get lost during cleaning. The sealing member is embedded within the integrated structure, ensuring the sealing capability is retained throughout the cleaning process.
4Reliability
If a sealing member is added to the endoscope plug insertion opening, then the sealing performance is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is integrated within the body part of the sealing component, which itself is integrated with the endoscope plug. This merging approach consolidates multiple functions (sealing, structural support, plug connection) into a single unified structure, improving sealing performance without significantly increasing overall structural complexity compared to separate cap-and-attachment systems.
Data Source
AI summary
According to the present invention, there is provided a sealing component for an endoscope plug at an end of which a plug connection end to be sealed is arranged. The sealing component comprises: a body part having a blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening into which the plug connection end of the endoscope plug is sealingly insertable, and a fastening portion for the fastening at an endoscope cable of the endoscope whose endoscope plug comprises the plug connection end sealingly insertable into the blind hole-like endoscope plug insertion opening.