Endoscope Sensor Holder Integral Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of small-sized components in endoscopes, such as the alignment between the imaging lens and the solid-state image pick-up element, is challenging due to the high precision required and the difficulty in achieving accurate positioning without specialized tools or advanced skills.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope design featuring a sensor holder with an integrally configured fitting part and extending wall parts that cover the solid-state image pick-up element, allowing for precise alignment and fixation of the imaging lens, enabling high-accuracy alignment between the imaging lens and the solid-state image pick-up element without the need for specialized jigs or advanced skills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the image pick-up device is reduced by using small-sized solid-state image pick-up elements and small-sized lens barrels, then the miniaturization of the endoscope is achieved, but the assembly difficulty increases and high-accuracy control is required for fine adjustment during alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is divided into functionally distinct parts: a fitting part for coupling to the lens barrel and extending wall parts for positioning the image pick-up element. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member acts as an intermediary component between the lens barrel and the image pick-up element. It provides a standardized interface (fitting part) and positioning structure (extending wall parts) that mediates the alignment process, eliminating the need for specialized jigs or microscopes during assembly.
2Volume of moving object
If small-sized solid-state image pick-up elements are used to reduce the diameter of the image pick-up device, then miniaturization is achieved, but high-accuracy control is required for fine adjustment of position during alignment between the imaging lens and the image pick-up element
Solution Approach 1:
The extending wall parts are pre-configured on the holding member to establish the correct position and orientation of the image pick-up element relative to the lens barrel. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex fine adjustments during final assembly, as the components are pre-aligned through the standardized interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member's extending wall parts are designed to automatically position the image pick-up element in the correct alignment with the lens barrel through its integral structure. The component serves itself by providing built-in positioning features that ensure high-accuracy alignment without requiring external specialized tools or operator skill.
3Area of stationary object
If the solid-state image pick-up element and lens barrel are made small-sized in radial direction, then the diameter of the image pick-up device is reduced, but specialized tools such as jigs and microscopes are required for positioning and mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it holds the image pick-up element, provides a standardized fitting interface for the lens barrel, and incorporates extending wall parts for automatic positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized assembly tools, jigs, or microscopes, as the holding member itself provides all necessary alignment and fixation functions.
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 design facilitates easy and accurate alignment of the imaging lens and solid-state image pick-up element, enhancing the assembly process while maintaining a minimized diameter of the image pick-up device, ensuring high manufacturing efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a solid-state image pick-up element that photoelectrically converts imaging light incident on an image reception surface via the imaging lens
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an image pick-up device at a distal end part of an insertion part capable of being inserted into a body cavity. The image pick-up device includes a lens barrel that holds an imaging lens; an image sensor having a rectangular shape as an outer peripheral shape of the image reception surface on which imaging light incident via the imaging lens; and a sensor holder that holds the image sensor in a state where the image reception surface intersects a longitudinal direction of the insertion part. The sensor holder has a fitting part fitted to the lens barrel, and an extending wall part that extends in the longitudinal direction of the insertion part from the fitting part to cover at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the image sensor, and the fitting part and the extending wall part are integrally configured.