Flat Endoscope Connector with Horizontal Component Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of optical and electrical connectors in endoscope systems complicates manufacturing and maintenance, making it difficult to assemble and maintain both the connectors and the light source devices, especially when the connectors are designed in vertical or integrated forms.
Innovation Solution
A connector design with a flat, horizontal housing that lines up the light guide, wireless communication unit, and wireless power receiving unit in a horizontal direction, simplifying the integration and maintenance by separating the clean and unclean connecting caps and optimizing the placement of components for easier access and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If optical connector and electrical connector are integrated with each other, then the connector structure becomes more compact and space-saving, but the manufacturing and maintenance complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate optical connector and electrical connector components that can be manufactured and maintained independently, yet still achieve integrated functionality when assembled together in the connection portion of the light source device
Solution Approach 2:
The optical connector and electrical connector are combined within the connection portion of the light source device, allowing both functions to be integrated in a compact space while maintaining separate component structures for ease of manufacture and maintenance
2Area of stationary object
If connector components are arranged in vertical direction, then the horizontal space is reduced, but the alignment and connection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector components are arranged in the depth direction (vertical direction in connection posture) rather than horizontal arrangement, reducing the horizontal connection area while maintaining ease of alignment through precise positioning structures in the connection portion
3Volume of stationary object
If connector housing is made compact, then the overall device size is reduced, but the internal component placement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide part and communication unit are nested within the connector housing in a compact arrangement, with the communication unit positioned in the depth direction behind the light guide part, achieving space-efficient design while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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
This design enhances the manufacturability and maintainability of the endoscope system by reducing the complexity of internal structures and allowing for easier alignment and connection of components, improving the operational efficiency and usability of the endoscope system.
Implementation Method 1
the optical connector is provided with a light guide part (a light guide, an optical fiber, or the like) that guides illumination light generated by the light source device
Implementation Method 2
a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the light source device
Implementation Method 3
a wireless power receiving unit that wirelessly receives power supplied from the light source device
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided a connector of which manufacture and maintenance are easy and an endoscope system. A connector is a connector for an endoscope that is connected to a light source device. The connector includes a light guide part that guides illumination light, a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the light source device, a wireless power receiving unit that wirelessly receives power supplied from the light source device, and a housing that is formed in a flat shape in which a horizontal length is longer than a vertical length in a connection posture where the connector is connected to the light source device. The light guide part, the wireless communication unit, and the wireless power receiving unit are provided on a front surface of the housing, which faces the light source device, so as to be lined up in a horizontal direction.