Endoscope Insertion Section Resonance Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible tube insertion apparatuses face challenges in reducing friction during insertion, leading to increased vibration and difficulty in adhering to the internal wall of lumens, which hampers ease of insertion and can cause discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tube insertion apparatus equipped with a detection unit, vibrators, and a controller that calculates the external force applied and adjusts the vibrators to vibrate at the resonance frequency, reducing frictional forces and improving insertion ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vibration is increased to reduce friction, then ease of insertion is improved, but adhesion to the internal wall deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts vibration frequency based on real-time detection of insertion state and external force magnitude. The controller modifies vibration parameters adaptively to maintain optimal balance between reducing friction for ease of insertion and preserving sufficient adhesion for reliable positioning within the lumen.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration frequency is changed as a controllable parameter based on detected external force conditions. By adjusting the frequency parameter in response to insertion resistance and external forces, the system optimizes the trade-off between friction reduction and adhesion maintenance.
2Force
If vibration frequency is increased to reduce friction, then insertion force is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection unit continuously monitors insertion state and external force, providing feedback to the controller. Based on this feedback, the controller adjusts vibration frequency to an optimal level that reduces insertion force while avoiding excessive energy consumption associated with unnecessarily high vibration frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than applying maximum vibration frequency continuously, the system applies partial vibration action tailored to the actual insertion resistance. The vibration is intensified only when and where needed to overcome friction, reducing overall energy consumption while still achieving force reduction benefits.
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 apparatus effectively reduces frictional forces, allowing for smoother insertion with less force required, thereby enhancing the ease of insertion and minimizing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
one or more vibrators arranged in the insertion section generate vibration, and vibrate the insertion section by the generated vibration
Implementation Method 2
controls the vibrators in such a manner that the vibrators vibrate at the resonance frequency
Implementation Method 3
a detection unit that detects states of the insertion section, one or more vibrators arranged in the insertion section
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible tube insertion apparatus includes an insertion section inserted into a tube and a detection unit that detects states of the insertion section. The flexible tube insertion apparatus includes one or more vibrators that are arranged in the insertion section, generate vibration, and vibrate the insertion section by the generated vibration and a controller that calculates a magnitude of an external force applied to the insertion section from the tube based on the states of the insertion section detected by the detection unit, computes a resonance frequency of the vibration relative to the magnitude of the external force, and controls the vibrators in such a manner that the vibrators vibrate at the resonance frequency.