Filter Changing Device for Endoscopic Camera
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter change devices for endoscopic cameras are inefficient due to increased cost, assembly effort, and risk of wear, as they require multiple movable parts and a limited number of filters due to spatial constraints.
Innovation Solution
A filter change device with a base plate, a rotating filter plate, and at least two swiveling filter holders, featuring a guide groove with a concentrically and non-concentrically trained section, allowing precise and efficient swiveling of filters into and out of the optical passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple filters are arranged in a limited space with pivot axes close to the housing wall, then the number of filters is limited, but the device can still function within compact dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter holders are combined into a single rotating carrier element that pivots as one unit. This merging of multiple individual pivot mechanisms into a single rotating carrier reduces the number of moving parts while maintaining the capability to hold and position multiple filters in the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating carrier serves multiple functions: it holds multiple filters, provides the pivoting motion for all filters simultaneously, and enables selection between different filters through rotation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pivot mechanisms for each filter.
2Volume of stationary object
If the pivot axis is arranged closer to the housing wall to save space, then the housing space is utilized more efficiently, but the risk of wear and malfunctions increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple pivot axes into a single rotation axis for the entire carrier, the patent reduces the number of pivot points that are subject to wear. The single rotation axis is positioned optimally within the housing, balancing space utilization with reliability by avoiding excessive proximity to housing walls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple guide elements are arranged directly in the groove to enable filter pivoting, then filter changing is enabled, but frictional forces increase leading to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the guide elements from direct contact with the rotating carrier groove. Instead of having guide elements in the groove, the carrier has protrusions that engage with recesses in the filter holders, eliminating frictional wear between guide elements and the groove while maintaining filter pivoting capability.
4Measurement precision
If a support arm with guide element is used to pivot filters, then filter positioning is achieved, but the frictional forces and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple support arms are merged into a single rotating carrier structure. The carrier itself provides the support and positioning function for multiple filters simultaneously through its rotation, eliminating the need for individual support arms for each filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide elements are extracted from the support arm mechanism. Instead of using guide elements in grooves, the patent uses direct geometric engagement between carrier protrusions and holder recesses, eliminating friction-based guidance while maintaining precise positioning.
5Quantity of substance
If pivot arms are arranged to overlap to accommodate multiple filters, then more filters can be held, but the space along the optical axis increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of filters along the optical axis to a radial arrangement on a rotating carrier. Multiple filters are positioned around the circumference of the carrier, utilizing the radial dimension rather than extending along the optical axis, thereby maintaining a compact length while holding multiple filters.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filter changing device for an endoscopic camera, a camera head, and a retrofit kit for a camera head and/or endoscope. The filter changing device comprises a base plate, a filter plate rotatable relative to the base plate, an optical passage with an optical axis, and at least two pivotable filter holders, each with at least one optical filter. The filter plate has a guide groove with a circumferential guide track. The filter holders are each rotatable and have a guide element arranged at least partially in the guide groove. The guide groove has a section concentric with the optical axis and a section not concentric with the optical axis. When at least one guide element is arranged in the concentric section, the respective filter holder is free of the optical passage.The non-concentric section has a first subsection with a maximally spaced guide groove position, which is located further from the optical axis than the concentric section. When the respective guide element is positioned in the maximally spaced guide groove position, the respective filter holder is pivoted into the optical path.