Endoscope Voltage Stabilization via Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reduction in the diameter of power source cables in endoscope systems makes it challenging to maintain the distal end voltage within the recommended voltage value, leading to instability in driving the imager.
Innovation Solution
An imaging device with a camera unit and a control unit is designed to adjust the power source voltage by using a reference voltage generation circuit, a signal output circuit, and a voltage adjustment circuit, which calculates a control value based on measured voltage and reference voltage values to maintain the appropriate distal end voltage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the diameter of the power source cable is reduced to meet the demand for smaller endoscope diameter, then the endoscope diameter is reduced, but the distal end voltage becomes more susceptible to fluctuations caused by current consumption changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the distal end voltage is monitored and the power source voltage is adjusted based on the monitored voltage to maintain the distal end voltage within the recommended range. This closed-loop control compensates for voltage fluctuations caused by reduced cable diameter and current consumption changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the power source voltage parameter based on monitored conditions. By adjusting the power source voltage in response to detected voltage levels and current consumption, the system maintains stable distal end voltage despite cable and load variations.
2Reliability
If the power source voltage is adjusted to compensate for voltage drop, then the distal end voltage can be maintained within the recommended range, but the complexity of the power source control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback from distal end voltage monitoring to automatically adjust the power source voltage. This automated feedback loop eliminates the need for complex manual control mechanisms while maintaining voltage stability within the recommended range.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of the power source voltage based on monitored conditions at the distal end. The automatic control mechanism serves itself by detecting voltage deviations and correcting them without external intervention, simplifying the overall control architecture.
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated cable is used to monitor distal end voltage, then the distal end voltage can be accurately monitored, but the device complexity and cable diameter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing power source cable serve multiple functions: both power transmission and voltage monitoring. By utilizing the same cable for both purposes, the system achieves accurate voltage monitoring without adding dedicated monitoring cables, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the power transmission and voltage monitoring functions into a single cable system. By merging these functions, the invention eliminates the need for separate dedicated monitoring cables while maintaining measurement precision.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the operation of the imager by accurately adjusting the power source voltage, ensuring it remains within the recommended range despite fluctuations caused by cable length and current changes.
Implementation Method 1
a reference voltage generation circuit configured to generate a reference voltage
Implementation Method 2
a voltage adjustment circuit configured to adjust the power source voltage by controlling the voltage based on the measured values
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging device includes a camera unit and a control unit. A first power source voltage is transferred from the control unit to the camera unit by a power source line and is input into the camera unit as a second power source voltage. The camera unit is configured to output a video signal, a reference signal having a reference voltage, and a voltage signal in accordance with the second power source voltage to a video signal line. The control unit is configured to measure a voltage value of each of the reference signal and the voltage signal. The control unit is configured to calculate a control value of the first power source voltage by using the measured voltage value.