Endoscopic Camera Filter Changer with Rotating-Plate Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter changing devices for endoscopic cameras face issues with limited space for multiple filters, increased assembly effort, high friction leading to jamming and wear, and malfunctions due to overlapping support arms and complex mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A filter changing device with a rotating plate and pivotable filter holders, featuring a rotating plate with guide planes and guide elements that allow filters to be pivoted in and out efficiently, minimizing friction and ensuring precise movement through a shaped, circumferential contact surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple filters are arranged with pivot axes close to the inner wall of the housing to save space, then the quantity of filters that can be accommodated increases, but the device complexity increases and the risk of wear and malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter carriers are merged into a single rotating plate that holds all filters simultaneously. This eliminates the need for multiple separate pivot mechanisms and support arms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to accommodate multiple filters in a compact arrangement
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a support structure for all filter carriers, provides a unified rotation mechanism for switching filters, and maintains compact spacing through its rigid construction. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate components needed
2Quantity of substance
If multiple filters are arranged with pivot axes close to the inner wall of the housing to save space, then the quantity of filters that can be accommodated increases, but the reliability decreases due to increased wear and malfunction risk
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple filter carriers onto a single rotating plate, the invention reduces the number of separate pivot joints and moving parts that could wear or malfunction. The unified structure distributes mechanical stress more evenly and eliminates the complexity of multiple independent pivot mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the pivot axis from each individual filter carrier and consolidates it into a single central rotation mechanism. This removes the harmful effect of multiple closely-spaced pivot axes that caused wear and malfunction, while maintaining the compact spatial arrangement
3Productivity
If a non-circular guide track with multiple guide elements is used to enable sequential filter movement, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases and frictional forces cause jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the guide track concept and replaces it with a simple rotational movement of the plate. Instead of complex non-circular guide tracks with multiple guide elements, the system uses a single rotation axis that naturally guides the sequential presentation of filters, eliminating the source of frictional jamming while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having fixed carriers move along a complex guide track, the invention inverts the approach by having the carriers remain fixed on a rotating plate. This reversal simplifies the guidance mechanism from complex non-circular tracks to simple rotational movement, reducing friction and jamming risks
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filter changing device for an endoscopic camera, wherein a first rotary plate bearing with two recesses for the passage of a guide element each is arranged between a first housing part and a first plate surface of a rotary plate, the rotary plate is rotatable relative to at least the first housing part, at least two pivotable filter holders are each arranged rotatably on the first housing part by means of a rotation axis and each have a guide element aligned with the rotary plate, wherein the rotary plate has on its first plate surface at least one first guide plane with a shaped, circumferential contact surface on a circumference, so that when the rotary plate is rotated by a pressure force of the shaped,The associated filter holder can be pivoted into or out of the optical passage or positioned in an initial position free from the optical passage by means of a circumferential contact surface on at least one of the two guide elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera head and a retrofit kit for retrofitting a camera head and/or an endoscope.