Endoscope Wire Fixation Mechanism for Reliable Elevation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscopes face issues with reliably fixing the elevation operation wire due to separate collet and nut components, leading to complex operations and potential wire detachment during elevation, resulting in inadequate fixation force and risk of wire falling off.
Innovation Solution
An endoscope with a wire fixation mechanism that includes a wire catch, catch guide, and sliding lever to securely lock and unlock the elevation operation wire, utilizing a locking target portion with a larger outer shape than the wire, and a fixation portion with a conical guide surface to ensure stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the collet and nut are configured as separate components to fix the wire, then the wire can be fixed using a conventional mechanism, but the operation for fixation becomes complicated and the wire may detach during elevation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the collet and nut into a single integrated wire fixation mechanism. The wire fixation mechanism includes a wire catch that integrates the functions of both collet and nut, allowing the wire to be fixed by a single component rather than requiring separate collet and nut assembly. This integration simplifies the fixation operation while maintaining reliable wire securing.
2Reliability
If the collet fastening force is insufficient or the wire fixation end is gripped at a halfway position, then the wire fixation structure is simple, but the wire may fall off during elevation operation
Solution Approach 1:
The wire catch is divided into multiple functional portions: a locking portion that secures the wire in place, a fixation portion that provides gripping force, and a conical guide surface that ensures proper wire positioning. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring reliable wire fixation while keeping the overall structure manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the wire catch have different structural characteristics optimized for their specific functions. The locking portion has a specific geometry for securing, the fixation portion has enhanced gripping surfaces, and the conical guide surface provides gradual wire alignment. This local differentiation ensures that each area of the wire catch contributes to reliable wire fixation.
3Reliability
If a locking target portion with larger outer shape is used, then the wire can be reliably locked in the locking hole, but the wire main body must be thinner creating potential handling issues
Solution Approach 1:
The wire structure is designed with asymmetric dimensions: the locking target portion has a larger outer shape optimized for secure engagement with the locking hole, while the wire main body has a smaller diameter for flexibility. The wire catch correspondingly has asymmetric features including a locking hole sized for the locking target portion and a fixation portion sized for the thinner wire main body. This asymmetric design allows reliable locking while maintaining handling ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A wire fixation mechanism (78) includes a wire catch (100), a catch guide (102), and a sliding lever (80), a wire (38) includes a locking target portion (39) at a proximal end thereof, and the wire catch (100) includes a locking hole (137) into which the locking target portion (39) is insertable and at which the locking target portion (39) is lockable and a fixing member (106) that fixes a locked state between the locking target portion (39) and the locking hole (137).