Endoscopic Camera Filter Changer With Single-Gear Arm Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter changing apparatuses for endoscopic cameras require multiple pivotable carrier arms, leading to increased complexity, installation space, wear, and risk of malfunction due to frictional forces and overlapping movements, limiting the number of filters that can be used efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A filter changing apparatus with at least two rotatable filter holder arms on a rotary shaft, driven by a single drive gear, allowing simultaneous and coordinated movement of all arms, minimizing friction and collision risks, and enabling quick, precise filter changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pivotable carrier arms are used to hold different filters, then the number of filters that can be introduced into the beam path increases, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter holder arms are merged into a single rotatable filter wheel structure, where all filters are mounted on one rotating component rather than separate pivotable carriers. This consolidation reduces the number of individual mechanical parts while maintaining the capability to hold multiple filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable filter wheel serves multiple functions: it holds multiple different filters, rotates to position them in the beam path, and provides a compact structural framework. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate carrier arms and their associated mounting structures.
2Area of stationary object
If pivotable carrier arms are arranged closer to the housing wall to save space, then the installation space is reduced, but the number of movable individual parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter holders are combined into a single rotatable wheel assembly, reducing the total number of movable parts. Instead of having separate pivotable carriers for each filter, all filters are mounted on one rotating component that moves as a single unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter wheel rotates in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, utilizing rotational movement rather than linear pivoting. This dimensional change allows for compact arrangement of multiple filters around the rotation axis without requiring additional axial space or complex overlapping pivot mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If a single rotatable drive gear is used to rotate multiple filter holder arms simultaneously, then the device complexity is reduced, but the requirement for precise coordinated movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single drive gear is merged with the filter wheel structure, where the drive gear's rotation directly drives the entire filter wheel assembly. This eliminates the need for multiple separate drive mechanisms and their associated coordination systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter wheel is segmented into multiple filter holder positions around its circumference, with each position accessible at different rotational angles. This segmentation allows precise positioning of individual filters while maintaining a simple unified drive mechanism.
4Adaptability or versatility
If pivotable carrier arms with guide elements are arranged in a groove, then multiple filters can be positioned sequentially, but frictional forces increase causing wear and malfunctions
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical pivot-and-guide element system is replaced with a rotational bearing system. Instead of carrier arms pivoting within grooves subject to friction, the filter wheel rotates on bearings that minimize friction and wear while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The static pivot points and guide elements are replaced with a dynamic rotational system. The continuous rotation of the filter wheel on bearings provides smooth, consistent movement without the sticking and wear associated with repeated pivoting actions in grooves.
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
The solution enables efficient, quick, and precise filter changes with reduced wear, minimizing installation space and complexity, ensuring a stable and long-lasting operation with easy scalability and automation.
Implementation Method 1
a filter gear is arranged around the rotary shaft and the rotatable drive gear is engageable with the filter gear, so that, when the rotatable drive gear is driven solely by engagement with the filter gears
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter changing apparatus for an endoscopic camera, wherein the filter changing apparatus has a housing having at least one first housing part, an optical passage along an optical axis, a rotatable drive gear, and at least two filter holder arms each having a filter receptacle for an optical filter having a filter center axis, wherein the at least two filter holder arms are each rotatably arranged on the first housing part by means of a rotary shaft having an axis of rotation, wherein the respective axis of rotation is spaced apart from the filter center axis of each filter holder arm and the axes of rotation are arranged in parallel with one another, wherein, on each filter holder arm, a filter gear is arranged around the respective rotary shaft, and the rotatable drive gear can engage in each filter gear, so that, when the rotatable drive gear is driven solely by engaging with the filter gears, the at least two filter holder arms can be simultaneously rotated and/or pivoted into and/or out of the optical passage. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera head and to a retrofit kit for retrofitting a camera head and/or an endoscope.