Flexible Substrate Cable Overlap for Endoscope Image Pickup Unit Diameter Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image pickup units in endoscopes face challenges in reducing the diameter of the insertion portion while maintaining the functionality of movable lens drive and position detection mechanisms, which is essential for minimizing the endoscope's diameter.
Innovation Solution
The image pickup unit incorporates a flexible substrate, a movable lens drive cable, and an image pickup cable, with the flexible substrate and cables disposed on a substrate to reduce the overall diameter by overlapping them with the image pickup device, thereby preventing an increase in diameter and allowing for efficient power supply and signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable lens drive portion and position detection portion are provided in the insertion portion of an endoscope, then the functionality for focusing and position detection is improved, but the diameter of the insertion portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate and cables are disposed on the substrate in an overlapping arrangement, with components nested within the existing structural space of the image pickup unit. This nesting approach allows the movable lens drive portion and position detection portion to be integrated without increasing the overall diameter of the insertion portion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging components in a radial direction that would increase diameter, the patent utilizes the axial dimension by disposing the flexible substrate and cables in an overlapping manner along the optical axis direction. This dimensional reorganization maintains a compact circular cross-section while accommodating all necessary functional components.
2Reliability
If multiple cables and substrates are provided for power supply and signal transmission, then the electrical connectivity is improved, but the overall diameter of the image pickup unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible substrate integrates multiple functions into a single structural element. The substrate simultaneously serves as a mechanical support structure and an electrical connection medium, with cables disposed on its surface. This merging of structural and electrical functions eliminates the need for separate cable bundles, maintaining reliable electrical connectivity while preventing diameter increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is designed as a multi-functional component that provides mechanical support, electrical connection, and structural integrity simultaneously. By making the substrate universal in its functions, the patent eliminates redundant components and achieves reliable power supply and signal transmission without increasing the diameter of the image pickup unit.
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 configuration effectively decreases the diameter of the image pickup unit and endoscope, enabling easier insertion while maintaining the necessary electrical connections and functionality, thus addressing the challenge of minimizing the endoscope's size.
Implementation Method 1
when a current is supplied to the electromagnetic coil, the current acts on a magnetic field generated by the magnet, and the movable frame, that is, the movable lens moves back and forth in the optical axis direction according to Fleming's left-hand rule
Implementation Method 2
a position detection mechanism in which a position detection portion being a Hall effect device or the like facing a magnet provided on an outer periphery of the movable frame in a radial direction is provided inside or outside the lens frame. The position detection portion detects a magnetic field of the facing magnet and detects a position of the movable frame inside the lens frame in the optical axis direction
Data Source
AI summary
The image pickup unit includes an image pickup device, a substrate, a movable lens drive member, a flexible substrate and a movable lens drive cable, and an image pickup cable. The flexible substrate, the movable lens drive cable, and the image pickup cable are disposed on the substrate.