Endoscope Grip Structure for Tactile Neutral Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes require visual confirmation to align indicators for returning the insertion part to a neutral position, which is difficult and prone to errors due to differences in shape and size of protruding portions.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design includes multiple finger rest protruding portions on the operation member, with specific protrusion amounts and symmetrical placement, allowing tactile alignment of the insertion part to a neutral position without visual confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If indicators are provided on the operation part and rotary knob to show the neutral position, then the neutral position can be indicated, but it becomes very difficult to align the indicators visually during observation without visual confirmation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the visual alignment mechanism with a tactile feedback mechanism. Instead of relying on visual indicators that are difficult to align during observation, the invention provides protruding portions on both the operation part and rotary knob that can be felt by the operator's finger. When the insertion part is in the neutral position, the protruding portions on the operation part and rotary knob are in contact with each other, providing tactile feedback that allows the operator to confirm the neutral position without visual confirmation.
2Shape
If the cover protruding portion is made thinner with smaller protrusion amount to differentiate from the knob protruding portion, then the shapes and sizes are different, but it becomes difficult to determine whether the fingertip touches the cover protruding portion only by feel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in the design of protruding portions. The cover protruding portion and knob protruding portion are designed with different shapes, sizes, and protrusion amounts. Specifically, the cover protruding portion has a different shape and size compared to the knob protruding portion, allowing the operator to easily distinguish between them by touch. This asymmetric design ensures that even with different protrusion amounts, the operator can accurately determine which protruding portion is being touched without visual confirmation.
3Shape
If the cover protruding portion and knob protruding portion have different shapes and sizes, then they are distinguishable, but there is a difference in level between both when returned to neutral position, making visual confirmation necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the protruding portions on the operation part and rotary knob provide tactile feedback to the operator. When the insertion part is in the neutral position, the protruding portions are in contact with each other, creating a detectable tactile sensation. This feedback allows the operator to confirm the neutral position through touch alone, eliminating the need for visual confirmation even when the protruding portions have different shapes and sizes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
Provided is an endoscope in which an operator can easily return an insertion part to a neutral position by rotationally moving the insertion part without visually confirming the endoscope. An endoscope (10) includes an insertion part (11) and an operation part (12). The operation part (12) is consecutively provided at the insertion part (11). A bendable portion (11b) is provided at a distal end portion of the insertion part (11) so as to be bendable. An operation part-side operation member (34) is provided at a distal end portion of the operation part (12) and has an operation part-side protruding portion (39). An insertion part-side operation member (33) is provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion part (11) and has an insertion part-side protruding portion (38) and finger rest protruding portions (41 to 43), and the insertion part-side protruding portion (38) and the operation part-side protruding portion (39) indicate a rotational movement position of the insertion part (11) with respect to the operation part (12).