Endoscope Articulation Section Rivet Assembly Tooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope articulation section systems face challenges with torque resistance due to clearance issues between rivet bodies and joining ring holes, and maintaining precise dimensions during assembly is difficult, leading to uncertainties in rivet head clearance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for loading articulation hinges (rivets) into flexible endoscope sections using a cam assembly tooling mandrel and loading pin, where the rivet is inserted into inner holes and aligned with outer holes through a rotating cam, allowing for precise alignment and fixation without requiring alignment of numerous moving components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rivets are inserted into joining ring holes to create articulation sections, then the articulation sections can be interconnected to form a flexible structure, but clearance between the rivet body and joining ring holes adversely affects torque resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming recesses in the joining rings that precisely receive the rivet heads, and by using a mandrel with a cam feature that pre-aligns the rivet holes before rivet insertion. This ensures that the rivets are positioned with minimal clearance before the actual joining operation, thereby improving torque resistance while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel with the cam feature serves as an intermediary device that facilitates precise alignment of the rivet holes in multiple articulation sections. The cam feature translates linear movement into rotational movement, enabling synchronized alignment of multiple holes without requiring complex multi-axis positioning, thus reducing clearance issues.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rivet cylindrical body dimensions are controlled during assembly, then consistent clearance can be maintained, but maintaining precise control over the dimensions is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rivet design incorporates a cylindrical body with a specific diameter that is designed to fit within the pre-formed recesses in the joining rings. The geometry of the recesses and the rivet body are matched so that the rivet self-aligns and self-positions during insertion, eliminating the need for complex dimensional control mechanisms and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining precision.
3Strength
If welding is used to attach the rivet to the articulation section, then a single head can be located outside the frame, but the pressing force can deform the ring and cause clearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming recesses in the joining rings that are specifically designed to accommodate the rivet heads. These recesses are created before the welding operation, providing a predetermined geometry that prevents ring deformation during the welding pressing process. The recesses act as stress-absorbing features that maintain the ring's overall shape while allowing localized deformation within the recess boundaries.
4Manufacturing precision
If a linear cam feature is used to align fastener holes, then consistent clearance can be guaranteed, but numerous moving components must be aligned while in motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the linear cam feature with a rotational cam feature that uses curved surfaces to achieve the same alignment function. The rotational cam translates rotational movement into the necessary linear displacement for hole alignment, reducing the number of moving components that need to be simultaneously aligned. The curved surface of the rotational cam provides a mechanical advantage that amplifies the alignment precision while simplifying the overall mechanism.
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
This method ensures consistent and precise alignment of rivets, enhancing torque resistance and assembly precision, thereby improving the reliability and performance of endoscope articulation sections.
Implementation Method 1
a cam assembly tooling mandrel and loading pin, the loading pin having a cam surface configured to contact with a head of a rivet... The loading pin is rotated relative to the first and second articulation sections, to press the cam surface of the loading pin against the head of the rivet to move the rivet shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes providing a first articulation section with a connection edge with an inner rivet receiving hole and an opposite edge and a second articulation section having a connection edge with an outer rivet receiving hole and an opposite edge. The first articulation section is placed on a cam assembly loading pin with a cam surface. A rivet shaft of a rivet is placed into the inner rivet receiving hole with the head of the rivet facing the cam surface. The second articulation section is placed adjacent to the first articulation section with the outer rivet receiving hole aligned with the inner rivet receiving hole. The loading pin is rotated to press the cam surface against the rivet head to move the rivet shaft through the outer rivet receiving hole. The rivet is fixed to the second articulation section. A device is disclosed to practice the method.