Endoscope Universal Cord with Variable Curvature for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscopes face challenges in compact storage due to the large space required for folding their universal cords, which are prone to breakage when bent at small radii, leading to increased storage and shipping costs.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates a universal cord with a first bending region having a smaller minimum radius of curvature than adjacent regions, allowing for a two-fold configuration that reduces storage space, and a manufacturing method involving separate tube portions with varying curvatures to facilitate compact folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the universal cord is folded in a compact manner to reduce storage space, then the storage space is reduced, but the universal cord is prone to breakage due to small bending radius
Solution Approach 1:
The universal cord is designed with different minimum radii of curvature in different regions. The first region has a smaller minimum radius of curvature (first value) than the second region (second value), allowing compact folding in the first region while maintaining larger bending radius in the second region to prevent breakage. This local differentiation of geometric properties resolves the contradiction between compact storage and breakage resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If the universal cord is made with uniform structure throughout, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the storage space requirement increases due to inability to fold compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The universal cord is divided into multiple regions (first region and second region) with different structural characteristics, specifically different minimum radii of curvature. This segmentation allows each region to serve a specific function: the first region for compact folding and the second region for maintaining integrity. The segmented design achieves compact storage while remaining manufacturable through standardized production processes for each region.
3Volume of moving object
If the universal cord is designed with varying radii of curvature in different regions, then the storage space is reduced through compact folding, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The universal cord incorporates local quality variations by assigning different minimum radii of curvature to different regions. The first region has a smaller minimum radius of curvature enabling compact folding, while the second region has a larger minimum radius of curvature preventing breakage. This localized structural differentiation achieves compact storage without excessive overall complexity, as only specific regions require specialized design.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope includes an insertion portion, an operation portion located proximally relative to the insertion portion, and a universal cord including a first end connected to the operation portion, a second end including a connector, and a first bending region located between the first end and the second end. A minimum radius of curvature of the first bending region is a first value. The universal cord has a second region adjacent to the first bending region. A minimum radius of curvature of the second region is a second value. The first value is smaller than the second value.