Magnetic Releasable Coupling for Endoscopic Motor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of motor components in endoscopic instruments, specifically the connection of a coupling half to a drive disc, is cumbersome and requires significant manual skill, making it difficult to attach a motor for driving a tool at the distal end of the instrument.
Innovation Solution
A releasable coupling with two coupling halves that align and engage via magnetic forces, allowing for easy connection and disconnection, utilizing permanent magnets to position the engagement means correctly without manual alignment, and utilizing magnetic repulsion or attraction forces for torque transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a positive-fit coupling is used to connect the motor shaft to the drive disc, then reliable torque transmission is achieved, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and requires significant manual skill
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual alignment process with a magnetic field-based alignment system. Permanent magnets are arranged on both coupling halves to generate magnetic forces that automatically align the coupling halves with each other when brought close, eliminating the need for manual alignment skills while maintaining the positive-fit connection for reliable torque transmission
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling halves are designed to self-align through magnetic attraction forces between corresponding permanent magnets. When the coupling halves are brought close together, the magnetic forces automatically position the engagement means in the correct angular relationship, allowing the coupling to assemble itself without requiring manual alignment intervention
2Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment of coupling halves is required for engagement, then precise angular positioning is achieved, but the assembly time and skill requirement increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual alignment operations with an automatic magnetic alignment system. Permanent magnets arranged on both coupling halves create magnetic forces that automatically position the coupling halves in the correct angular relationship, achieving precise angular positioning without requiring manual alignment time or skill
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic forces as an intermediary mechanism to achieve angular positioning. The permanent magnets act as mediators that transmit alignment information between the two coupling halves, automatically establishing the correct angular relationship without requiring direct manual intervention
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
Enables a quick and simple attachment of the motor to the endoscopic instrument, reducing the complexity and skill required for assembly while ensuring reliable torque transmission.
Implementation Method 1
at least one permanent magnet is arranged on at least one coupling half in a manner such that when the coupling halves approach one another, these are rotated into a defined angular position relative to one another with respect to the rotation axis of the coupling, by way of the magnetic force which is produced by the permanent magnet
Implementation Method 2
utilizing magnetic repulsion or attraction forces for torque transmission
Data Source
AI summary
A releasable coupling for the transmission of a rotation movement. This coupling includes a first and a second coupling half which include engagement structures which correspond to one another and which can positively engage with one another. At least one permanent magnet is arranged on at least one coupling half in a manner such that with the approach of the coupling halves to one another, these with respect to a rotation axis are rotated into a defined angular position relative to one another, by way of the magnetic force which is produced by the permanent magnet.