Endoscope Wire Sheath Swaging Connection Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connection methods between the wire protective sheath and the connection member for endoscopes, such as soldering, require high skill and can lead to corrosion issues and increased lead times, while also being prone to failures due to flux usage.

Innovation Solution

A connection structure utilizing a through-hole with swaging portions that deform upon pressure application to securely attach the wire protective sheath to the connection member, eliminating the need for soldering and flux, thereby simplifying the process and reducing the risk of corrosion-related failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering is used to connect the wire protective sheath to the connection member, then the connection achieves repetitive resistance, but the process requires high skill, increases lead time, and causes corrosion issues due to flux usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidconnection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical/thermal soldering process with a mechanical swaging process. The connection member includes a swaging portion that, when pressed, deforms to grip the wire protective sheath mechanically, eliminating the need for flux and soldering while achieving reliable connection without requiring high skill or increasing lead time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and eliminates the harmful flux substance from the connection process by replacing soldering with a mechanical swaging mechanism, thereby preventing corrosion issues while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If soldering is used to connect the wire protective sheath to the connection member, then the connection achieves repetitive resistance, but the lead time increases due to the complex process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidlead time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the multi-step soldering process (preparation, heating, flux application, soldering, cooling) with a single mechanical swaging operation, significantly reducing lead time while maintaining connection reliability through the deformable swaging portion that grips the sheath

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If soldering is used to connect the wire protective sheath to the connection member, then the connection achieves repetitive resistance, but corrosion-related failures occur due to flux usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection resistanceVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical/thermal soldering process with a mechanical swaging process, eliminating flux usage and its associated corrosion problems while achieving reliable mechanical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient and skill-independent connection with repetitive resistance, reducing lead times and preventing corrosion-related issues, as the connection is achieved through a simple swaging process without the use of flux.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one swaging portion is pressed to partially deform the through-hole, thereby connecting the connection member to the wire protective sheath

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10799094B2Connection structure for wire protective sheath, connection member, wire protective sheath structure, and connection method for wire protective sheath

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)

AI summary

Provided is a connection structure for connecting a connection member having an attaching portion attachable to an endoscope, to a wire protective sheath into which an endoscope operation wire is configured to be partially inserted for protection. The connection structure includes: a through-hole disposed in the connection member, the wire protective sheath being insertable into the through-hole; and at least one swaging portion located at a different position from that of the attaching portion to partially constitute a peripheral wall of the through-hole. While the wire protective sheath is inserted into the through-hole, the at least one swaging portion is pressed to partially deform the through-hole, thereby connecting the connection member to the wire protective sheath.