Endoscope Bending Wire Pin Fixing for Brazing-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope manufacturing processes, particularly for single-use endoscopes, face challenges with high manufacturing costs and labor-intensive brazing methods, which are not suitable for mass production and are complicated by the need for precise assembly operations due to narrow diameters.
Innovation Solution
A bending portion for endoscopes featuring a wire locking pin system that securely fixes the bending wire using a simple swaging operation, eliminating the need for brazing and reducing assembly complexity, thereby lowering costs and enabling mass production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If brazing is used to fix the bending wire to the bending piece, then the structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal joining process (brazing) with a mechanical joining system consisting of a pin, hole, and retaining structure. The pin is inserted through a hole in the bending piece and retains the bending wire through mechanical interference, eliminating the need for complex brazing equipment and processes while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (pin, hole, retaining structure) that can be easily manufactured and assembled, replacing expensive and time-consuming brazing operations. This approach is particularly suitable for mass production of disposable endoscopes where cost and manufacturing speed are critical.
2Reliability
If brazing is used to fix the bending wire, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pin-and-hole retention system replaces the slow brazing process, enabling rapid assembly without thermal processing. The pin can be quickly inserted and secured, dramatically increasing production speed while maintaining connection reliability through proper mechanical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The hole and retaining structure are pre-formed in the bending piece during manufacturing, so that during assembly only the pin needs to be inserted. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex assembly operations and enables high-speed production.
3Strength
If brazing is used for fixing, then the structural integrity is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex thermal brazing processes with simple mechanical operations. The pin can be inserted through the pre-formed hole and secured using basic tools, making the manufacturing process accessible to facilities without specialized brazing equipment and significantly simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow.
Data Source
AI summary
A bending portion of an endoscope according to the disclosure includes: a plurality of bending pieces rotatably coupled to each other by a coupling fastener; a wire configured to transmit a traction operating force to a first bending piece included in the plurality of bending pieces; and a pin located in a first hole in the first bending piece, the pin connecting the wire to the first bending piece, a first end portion of the pin protruding from an outer circumference of the first bending piece, a second end portion of the pin protruding from an inner circumference of the first bending piece, a third portion of the pin contacts a surface of the first hole. A first width dimension of the first end portion is larger than an opening dimension of the first hole, the wire is attached to the second end portion.