Endoscope Power Transmission Connector for Precise Bending Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently receiving power from an external source and maintaining precision and stability in bending control, particularly during emergency situations, and there is a need for a novel connector structure that effectively arranges various lines within the endoscope.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope incorporates a connector with a power transmission part that includes a power receiving part, a rotating structure, and a chain-slider assembly to transmit power to the bendable section, featuring a main frame, sliders, and sliding rails to ensure stable and precise bending control, while efficiently arranging control signal, light guide, and air tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic bending control using a power source is implemented, then the doctor can focus on emergency situations rather than manually operating the knob, but control precision and stability problems occur due to absence of appropriate power receiving structure
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional components: a power receiving unit with electrical contacts, a mechanical coupling unit with gear structures, and a signal transmission unit. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve both automatic operation and reliable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary device between the external power source and the bending control mechanism. It receives electrical power and mechanical signals from the external device, then transmits them to the bending section through structured mechanical and electrical pathways, ensuring both automation and precision.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a connector structure is designed to receive power from external source, then power transmission efficiency improves, but the arrangement of various lines (control signal lines, light guide cables, air tubes) within the connector becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lines and components are nested within the connector structure. Control signal lines, light guide cables, and air tubes are arranged in a nested configuration where smaller components are positioned within or alongside larger structural elements, maximizing space utilization while maintaining organized routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to organize multiple lines. By distributing components across different spatial dimensions and levels within the connector housing, the design accommodates power transmission pathways, signal lines, and fluid tubes without excessive complexity.
3Measurement precision
If manual operation of control knob is required during emergency situations, then the doctor can control bending motion, but the doctor can only focus on operating the knob and cannot overcome the emergency situation effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic bending control system is pre-configured and ready to operate without manual intervention during emergencies. The connector's power receiving structure and control mechanisms are designed to automatically execute bending commands, eliminating the time delay associated with manual knob operation while maintaining precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the bending control mechanism automatically responds to control signals without requiring continuous manual input from the doctor. The connector facilitates this self-service capability by providing integrated power reception and transmission pathways that operate autonomously once activated.
Data Source
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AI summary
One aspect of the present invention relates to an endoscope having a power transmission unit and, more specifically, to an endoscope having a power transmission unit, which can transmit the power received from an external device in order to bend a bending section. According to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is an endoscope having a power transmission unit with a new structure enabling power from the outside to be efficiently accommodated and transmitted to a bending section, while control precision and stability are maintained.