Linear Member Transfer Device Stabilizing Coming-Out Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope cleaning brush transfer apparatuses experience unstable coming-out force due to restoring force of the cleaning brush, leading to inconsistent sending and drawing operations, as the cleaning brush expands and winds with varying diameters and positions.
Innovation Solution
A linear member transfer apparatus featuring a nozzle with an inclined outlet port, a compression spring mechanism, and a roller system that stabilizes the coming-out force by restricting the expansion of the cleaning brush within a housing portion, ensuring consistent sending and drawing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the cleaning brush is drawn into the housing portion to wind and house the cleaning brush, then the cleaning brush is stored in a compact form, but the coming-out force becomes unstable due to varying winding diameter and position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the cleaning brush from expanded to compressed by applying external force through the pressing member. This compression maintains a constant winding diameter and position, stabilizing the coming-out force. The pressing member applies continuous force to keep the cleaning brush in a controlled compressed state during storage and transfer operations.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning brush is allowed to expand and wind freely in the housing portion, then the cleaning brush can be easily stored, but the winding diameter and distance from winding position to transfer portion become non-constant
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member acts as an intermediary between the cleaning brush and the housing portion. It mediates the interaction by applying controlled compression force, ensuring the cleaning brush winds at a consistent position and diameter while still allowing easy storage operation. The pressing member translates the simple storage action into a controlled winding process with consistent parameters.
3Reliability
If the cleaning brush is compressed to stabilize coming-out force, then stable sending out is achieved, but additional mechanism complexity is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member is designed to be automatically actuated by the transfer portion during the drawing operation. As the transfer portion moves to draw the cleaning brush, it naturally activates the pressing member to compress the brush. This self-service mechanism achieves stable compression without requiring separate control systems or additional complex actuation mechanisms.
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
The apparatus provides a stable coming-out force for the cleaning brush, allowing for reliable and consistent insertion and removal from the endoscope channel, reducing variability in winding diameter and position, thus enhancing the operational stability of the transfer process.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring mechanism... that stabilizes the coming-out force by restricting the expansion of the cleaning brush
Implementation Method 2
a roller system that stabilizes the coming-out force... ensuring consistent sending and drawing operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear member transfer apparatus 1 includes: a linear member housing portion 42 having a bottomed cylindrical shape and including: a bottom portion 42c; an opening 42a; a side wall 42b; a restriction portion 42e that is a diaphragm disposed on a position at a predetermined distance P from the bottom portion 42c and that has an inner diameter We smaller than an inner diameter Wc of the bottom portion 42c; a first chamber 42d configured to house a linear member in a wound state; and a second chamber 42f configured to house the linear member in an extended state; a transfer portion 43b configured to transfer the linear member; and a guide 43a.