Endoscopic Camera Filter Wheel Mechanism for Compact Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter changers for endoscopic cameras are limited in the number of filter wheels that can be arranged in series due to the mechanical design, leading to inefficiencies in switching between observation modes and requiring multiple drive units, which increases the risk of mechanical failure and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A filter changing apparatus with a compact design that uses a single drive unit to rotate two or more filter wheels in parallel via a connecting wheel mechanism, allowing simultaneous and efficient switching between different filters by arranging the wheels sequentially along a common rotary axle with a binary transmission mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filter wheels are arranged in series one behind the other, then the number of available filters increases, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where multiple filter wheels are arranged one behind the other along a common rotary axle, with each filter wheel containing receptacles for optical filters. This nested arrangement allows multiple filters to be housed within a compact, layered structure, increasing the number of available filters while controlling device complexity through systematic organization.
2Productivity
If multiple drive units are used to control each filter wheel, then the switching speed improves, but the reliability decreases due to increased mechanical failure risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control of multiple filter wheels into a single drive unit that rotates the common rotary axle, causing all filter wheels to rotate simultaneously. This consolidation reduces the number of drive units from multiple independent motors to a single shared drive mechanism, thereby reducing mechanical failure risk while maintaining switching speed through coordinated rotation of all filters.
3Ease of manufacture
If filter wheels are arranged with sufficient spacing for independent drive, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a lateral arrangement of filter wheels to a longitudinal arrangement along the rotary axle, utilizing the axial dimension for spacing and manufacturing access. This dimensional change allows filter wheels to be positioned one behind the other with sufficient spacing for manufacturing operations, while the overall installation footprint is reduced due to the compact axial stacking configuration.
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
Enables rapid and precise switching between different observation modes with a compact size, reducing mechanical complexity and failure risk while minimizing installation space, and allowing for easy integration into camera heads or endoscopes.
Implementation Method 1
the first connecting wheel is designed as a gear having teeth distributed over the entire outer circumference thereof, wherein the first filter wheel has a portion comprising teeth distributed along the outer circumference thereof, and the first connecting wheel is arranged on the outer circumference of the first filter wheel and on the outer circumference of the second filter wheel such that the teeth of the portion of the first filter wheel can mesh with the teeth of the first connecting wheel for rotating the first connecting wheel, and the teeth of the first connecting wheel can mesh with the teeth of the first engagement level of the second filter wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a filter changing apparatus for an endoscopic camera, the filter changing apparatus having at least a first rotatable filter wheel, a second rotatable filter wheel and a rotatable first connecting wheel, the first filter wheel and the second filter wheel each having at least two receptacles for one optical filter each, the filter wheels having a common first rotary axle, the second filter wheel having a first engagement level with teeth distributed over the entire outer circumference thereof and the first connecting wheel being designed as a gear with teeth distributed over the entire outer circumference thereof, wherein the first filter wheel has a portion comprising teeth distributed along the outer circumference thereof, and the first connecting wheel is arranged on the outer circumference of the first filter wheel and on the outer circumference of the second filter wheel such that the teeth of the portion of the first filter wheel can mesh with the teeth of the first connecting wheel for rotating the first connecting wheel, and the teeth of the first connecting wheel can mesh with the teeth of the first engagement level of the second filter wheel so that when the first filter wheel is driven by means of the drive unit, at least one receptacle of each of the first filter wheel and the second filter wheel can be positioned in parallel in the optical passage. Furthermore, the invention relates to a camera head for an endoscope and to a retrofit kit for retrofitting a camera head and/or an endoscope.