Endoscope Wire Coupling via Engagement Guide Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face challenges in efficiently coupling and detaching the distal end part of a wire with the treatment tool erection pedestal due to the small size of the wire tip, requiring substantial time and effort, and the process is cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope design incorporates an engaging part with an engagement guide path and deformation generating part that guides the engaging part into a housing part using a biasing force, allowing for easy coupling and decoupling by manipulating the wire through an introduction and delivery port system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the wire tip is made small to fit the narrow guide pipe, then the endoscope can be miniaturized and navigate narrow body cavities, but the coupling and detaching process requires substantial time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
An engagement guide part is introduced as an intermediary component between the wire engaging part and the housing part. This guide part includes a guide path that directs the engaging part to the housing opening and a deformation generating part that applies biasing force, automatically guiding the small wire tip into correct engagement without requiring manual manipulation time
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement guide part utilizes the biasing force from the deformation generating part to automatically guide and engage the wire tip with the housing part. The system performs the coupling action itself through the guide path and biasing mechanism, eliminating the need for operator intervention and reducing coupling/detaching time despite the small wire size
2Manufacturing precision
If manual coupling of the wire tip to the erection pedestal is performed, then precise positioning is achieved, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement guide part serves as a mediator that automatically positions the engaging part into the housing part through its guide path. This eliminates the need for manual positioning operations while maintaining precise alignment, as the guide path structurally ensures correct positioning of the wire tip relative to the erection pedestal
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation generating part pre-applies biasing force to the engaging part before engagement, pushing it along the guide path toward the housing opening. This preliminary action ensures the engaging part is already positioned and oriented correctly before it reaches the housing part, achieving precise positioning automatically without manual intervention
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 design significantly reduces the effort required for coupling and detaching the wire with the treatment tool erection pedestal, enhancing operational efficiency and simplifying the process.
Implementation Method 1
an engagement guide part that guides the engaging part delivered from the delivery port, to the opening of the housing part
Data Source
AI summary
According to a endoscope, an engaging part delivered from a delivery port advances while being guided to an opening of a housing part by an engagement guide path. Then, as the engaging part comes into contact with a deformation generating part, the engaging part is moved in a direction from a bottom surface of the housing part toward the opening, and thereby, the wire is elastically deformed. Then, in a case where the engaging part that advances within the engagement guide path has passed by the deformation generating part, the engaging part is housed in the housing part from the opening by a restoring force of the wire.