Endoscope Eyepiece Window Sealing via Injection-Molded Fixing Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing and sealing the viewing window in observation instruments, such as endoscopes, are complex and prone to errors, requiring screw connections and adhesive bonding, which can lead to thermal loading and moisture ingress, and often necessitate additional desiccant elements for moisture absorption.
Innovation Solution
The viewing window and window mount are encapsulated with a fixing body made of injection-moldable material, eliminating the need for manual screw connections and adhesive bonding, and incorporating a securing element that simplifies assembly and enhances sealing, potentially eliminating the need for desiccant bodies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screw connections and adhesive bonding are used to secure the viewing window, then the viewing window can be fixed in the viewing window mount, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple securing methods (screw connection, adhesive bonding, and sealing) into a single integrated fixing body made of injection-moldable material. This fixing body is formed in one piece and incorporates all necessary functions: mechanical attachment via screws, adhesive bonding surfaces, and sealing elements, thereby simplifying the assembly process while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the viewing window, enables screw attachment to the mounting structure, creates adhesive bonding connections, and provides sealing against moisture and dirt. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components for each function.
2Reliability
If screw connections and adhesive bonding are used to secure the viewing window, then the viewing window can be fixed, but additional sealing elements such as O-rings are required to achieve complete seal
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the fixing body itself. The injection-moldable material forms an integrated sealing structure that combines the mechanical fixing and sealing functions in one component, eliminating the need for separate O-rings or other sealing elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing body is made of injection-moldable material that combines the properties of structural integrity and sealing capability in a single material system, allowing both mechanical support and moisture barrier functions to be achieved without additional materials.
3Strength
If welding or soldering is used to connect the window to the window mount, then the connection is strong, but thermal loading of the components increases which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal joining methods (welding or soldering) with a mechanical and chemical bonding system using the injection-moldable fixing body. The fixing body attaches through screw connections and adhesive bonding, which do not involve high temperatures, thereby avoiding thermal loading of the optical components while maintaining strong connection.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If desiccant ring is added to take up moisture that gets into the eyepiece, then moisture protection is improved, but the assembly becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the moisture protection function from a separate desiccant component and integrates it into the fixing body structure. The fixing body itself provides the sealing barrier that prevents moisture ingress, eliminating the need for separate desiccant rings or other moisture-absorbing components.
Data Source
AI summary
An endoscope including: a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end; an objective lens arranged at the distal end of the shaft; a main body arranged at the proximal end of the shaft, and an eyepiece arranged at and/or in the main body, wherein a proximal end of the eyepiece is closed off by an eyepiece window that is secured in an eyepiece window mount, wherein the eyepiece window and the eyepiece window mount are at least partially encapsulated with a fixing body made of injection-moldable material, the fixing body fixes the eyepiece window sealingly in the eyepiece window mount; an eyepiece cup is arranged at the proximal end of the shaft; and the eyepiece cup and the fixing body are integrally formed.