Fiber Optic Lens Cleaning with Coupling-Triggered Gas Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic lenses in imaging systems become dusty or contaminated when uncoupled, leading to interference with data transmission and potential degradation due to human error in manual cleaning.
Innovation Solution
An automatic lens cleaning system using bellows, nozzles, and gas flow or vibratory motors to clean fiber optic lenses automatically when the system is coupled, ensuring lenses are clean before data transmission resumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cleaning of fiber optic lenses is performed, then lenses can be cleaned, but human error leads to inconsistent cleaning quality and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-cleaning through an automated mechanism that activates when the patient table is coupled to the imaging device. The bellows compresses to force gas through nozzles that direct gas flow across the lens surfaces, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring consistent cleaning quality while saving time.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning action is performed in advance before data transmission begins, ensuring the lenses are clean and ready for operation. The system automatically detects when coupling occurs and activates cleaning before the imaging procedure starts, preventing contamination issues from arising.
2Ease of operation
If fiber optic lenses are left uncoupled for cleaning access, then lenses can be cleaned, but dust and contaminants accumulate on the lens surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs cleaning in advance before the next coupling operation, ensuring lenses remain free of contaminants. By detecting the coupling event and activating cleaning beforehand, the system prevents dust accumulation from affecting data transmission without requiring lenses to be accessed during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated cleaning mechanism uses the coupling action itself to trigger cleaning, eliminating the need for separate manual cleaning operations. The bellows and nozzle system automatically directs gas flow across lens surfaces whenever the patient table is coupled, maintaining lens cleanliness without requiring additional access or intervention.
3Reliability
If specialized technicians perform lens cleaning, then cleaning quality is maintained, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs its own cleaning through an integrated automated mechanism that activates during the coupling process. The bellows compresses to force gas through nozzles positioned to direct gas flow across the lens surfaces, eliminating the need for specialized technicians and reducing operational complexity while maintaining consistent cleaning quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated gas flow system. Instead of requiring physical contact and manual wiping by technicians, the system uses compressed gas delivered through nozzles to clean the lenses, simplifying the cleaning process and eliminating the need for specialized training while maintaining effective cleaning.
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
Maintains reliable communication by consistently cleaning lenses without human intervention, saving time and reducing the need for specialized technicians.
Implementation Method 1
at least one nozzle is configured to direct a flow of gas towards at least one of the first lens or the second lens
Implementation Method 2
vibratory motors to clean fiber optic lenses automatically
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for an automatic lens cleaning system incorporated into a system. The system includes an imaging device, a reversibly coupled table configured to reversibly couple to the imaging device, a communication interface including a first lens of the imaging device and a second lens of the reversibly coupled table, and the automatic lens cleaning system. The automatic lens cleaning system includes a bellow positioned at a coupling interface between the imaging device and the reversibly coupled table, and at least one nozzle fluidly coupled to the bellow and configured to direct a flow of gas towards at least one of the first lens or the second lens.