Line Tube Adapter Assembly With Internal Cable Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line tube adapters often damage transmission lines during assembly due to the shell and line tube being tightly fitted, leading to disordered and twisted lines that affect communication connections between industrial or medical equipment and external devices.

Innovation Solution

A line tube adapter assembly with a housing, connector, and line storage device, where the transmission line is accommodated in a bending and folding manner within the line storage device to prevent damage during assembly, and a threaded connection between the line tube and housing enhances the self-locking effect, preventing separation over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the shell and line tube are tightly fitted and fixed by stamping, then the connection strength is improved, but the transmission line is easily damaged due to strong squeezing force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidtransmission line integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the adapter structure into three main segments: the shell, the line tube, and the transmission line. By segmenting the structure, the patent can apply different treatment to each part - the shell and line tube are fitted together, while the transmission line is separately managed through routing channels and bending radius control, preventing it from being damaged by the fitting process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary structures including routing channels within the shell and line tube, as well as specific fitting structures that mediate between the shell and line tube. These intermediaries guide and protect the transmission line during the fitting process, ensuring it is not directly squeezed by the stamping force while still achieving strong connection between the shell and line tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the transmission line is made overlong to accommodate connections, then the adaptability is improved, but the line becomes disordered and vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection adaptabilityVSAvoidtransmission line protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates curved routing channels within the shell and line tube structures. These curved paths allow the transmission line to bend naturally following the contours of the adapter, accommodating the need for line length and adaptability while preventing disordered arrangement. The curved routing ensures the transmission line maintains proper bending radius and remains organized throughout the adapter assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If bonding is used to secure the connection, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates due to permanent attachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoiddisassembly capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates pre-designed fitting structures including threaded connections, bayonet couplings, or other mechanical interlocking mechanisms between the shell and line tube. These preliminary structural designs enable secure connection during manufacturing through simple mechanical assembly operations, while simultaneously allowing for easy disassembly and repair by reversing the same mechanical operations, eliminating the need for bonding processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4007086B1Line tube adapter assembly and endoscope
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 AUTEL INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY CORP LTD
  • EP4007086B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4007086B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4007086B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A line tube adapter assembly and an endoscope. The line tube adapter assembly comprises: a housing 100 formed with an accommodation cavity 111; a connector 200 comprising a base 210 and a transmission line 220, the base 200 being accommodated in the accommodation cavity 111, and the transmission line 220 being connected to one end of the base 210; a line storage device 300 ac¬commodated in the accommodation cavity 111, the line storage de¬vice 300 being formed with an accommodation space 310, and the accommodation space 310 being configured to accommodate part of the transmission line 222; and a line tube 400 arranged at the end of the line storage device 300 away from the base 210, the line tube 400 being connected to the housing 100. The line tube adapter assembly comprises the line storage device 300, and the overlong transmission line 220 can be accommodated in the accommodation space 310 of the line storage device 300 in a bending and folding manner, so that the overlong transmission line 220 is prevented from being accom¬modated in the housing 100 disorderly, and the transmission line 220 is further prevented from being extruded and damaged in a matching process of the housing 100 and the line tube 400.