Inclined Surface Variable Spectroscopy Element for Endoscope Wiring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing variable spectroscopy elements face challenges in forming sensor electrodes and wiring patterns on optical substrates with level differences, leading to complications in manufacturing and increased susceptibility to wire breakages due to interference between wires and optical substrates, especially in small endoscope applications.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using inclined surfaces on the optical substrates for sensor electrodes and wiring patterns, allowing for a single coating process and reducing interference by providing sufficient distance between wiring pads and patterns, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and preventing wire breakages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If level differences are provided on optical substrates to secure space for wires, then wire interference is avoided, but coating formation on vertical surfaces becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal level differences to inclined surfaces that bridge the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The inclination angle allows coating materials to be deposited from a single direction while still providing the necessary vertical clearance for wire routing, thus solving both the reliability of wire connections and the ease of coating formation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the geometric parameter of the substrate surface from flat or vertically stepped to inclined at a specific angle, the patent enables coating deposition from a single direction. This parameter change maintains the functional clearance for wires while making the surface accessible to coating equipment, resolving the manufacturing difficulty.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple deposition processes are used to form coatings on vertical surfaces, then complete coating coverage is achieved, but manufacturing process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface design allows coating material to be deposited from a single direction by utilizing the intermediate angle between horizontal and vertical. This eliminates the need for multiple deposition processes while ensuring complete coating coverage on all surfaces, including what would otherwise be vertical faces.
3Volume of moving object
If optical substrates are made extremely small for endoscope applications, then miniaturization is achieved, but wire matching and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surfaces provide a gradual transition that creates natural clearance zones for wire routing. Even in miniaturized substrates, this geometric feature ensures sufficient space for wires to be routed without interference, eliminating the need for precise phase matching during assembly and reducing assembly difficulty despite the small size.
4Area of stationary object
If wires are routed close to optical substrates to save space, then compact design is achieved, but wire breakage susceptibility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surfaces create localized clearance zones specifically where wires need to be routed. This local geometric modification provides sufficient space for wire integrity while maintaining the overall compact design of the device, as the clearance is only where needed rather than throughout the entire structure.
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 approach enables easy assembly and precise control of the distance between optical substrates, improving the transmittance characteristics and reducing electrical resistance, while preventing wire interference and breakages, even in small endoscope applications.
Implementation Method 1
sensor electrodes of electrostatic capacitance sensors disposed on the opposing surfaces of the two optical substrates and is capable of detecting the distance between the optical substrates using the electrostatic capacitance sensor
Implementation Method 2
two optical substrates that oppose each other at a distance therebetween and that include reflection films on opposing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Sensor electrodes and wiring patterns can be formed with fewer processes, and easy assembly without interference between the wires and optical substrates is realized. Provided is a variable spectroscopy element (1) that includes two optical substrates (3a, 3b) that oppose each other at a distance therebetween and that include reflection films (2) on the opposing surfaces; actuators (3c) that change the distance between the optical substrates; sensors (6) having electrode portions (6a, 6b) that detect the distance between the optical substrates on the opposing surfaces; inclined surfaces (5) that are provided on at least one of the optical substrates (3a (3b)), in the outer peripheral parts of the opposing surfaces, and gradually increase the distance from the other optical substrate (3b (3a)) radially outward and in the plate-thickness direction; and connecting patterns (6e, 6f) that are provided on the inclined surfaces (5) and connect wiring patterns (6c (6d)) that connect to the electrode portions (6a (6b)) of the sensor (6) and connecting patterns (6e, (6f)) that are disposed radially outward with respect to the wiring patterns (6c, (6d)) and connect to wires (7) that output signals from the electrode portions (6a, (6b)) to external parts.