Optical Connector Alignment Mechanism for Endoscope
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endoscope systems face challenges in precisely connecting optical fibers, leading to difficulties in manufacturing, handling, and maintaining stable optical axis alignment, which results in high loss and potential damage during connection.
Innovation Solution
The endoscope apparatus employs a connector system with multiple engagement pairs having different starting positions, allowing for step-by-step precision alignment of optical axes, and incorporates holder alignment units that support the receptacle-side holders for parallel movement, ensuring accurate core alignment and low-loss optical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple plug connection operation is used to connect optical fibers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and optical axis alignment stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connection operation is divided into multiple stages through multiple engagement pairs with different engagement beginning positions. The first engagement pair provides rough alignment, while subsequent engagement pairs progressively refine the alignment precision, transforming a single-step simple operation into a multi-stage process that maintains ease of use while achieving high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement pairs are arranged to perform preliminary alignment actions in sequence. Before the final connection is made, earlier engagement pairs pre-position the optical components, ensuring that when the final engagement occurs, the optical axes are already closely aligned, reducing the need for high precision in the final connection step.
2Productivity
If multiple optical fibers are collectively connected, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The collective connection of multiple optical fibers is segmented into multiple engagement pairs, each handling specific alignment tasks. This segmentation allows simultaneous connection of multiple fibers while maintaining individual precision control through the sequential engagement mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple optical fiber connections are merged into a single connector assembly where all fibers are connected simultaneously through the multi-stage engagement process. This combining approach maintains productivity by connecting all fibers in one operation while the segmented engagement pairs ensure each fiber achieves proper alignment.
3Loss of energy
If high precision optical axis matching is pursued, then the loss of energy is reduced, but the device complexity and handling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The precision alignment function is segmented across multiple engagement pairs rather than requiring a single complex alignment mechanism. Each engagement pair contributes to reducing optical loss through progressive alignment, distributing the complexity across multiple simple, identical structures rather than one complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement pairs automatically perform the alignment function through their mechanical engagement sequence. The structure itself provides the alignment capability through its geometry and engagement sequence, eliminating the need for external alignment tools or complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining low optical loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
A medical equipment includes an optical connector that detachably connects a plug to a receptacle provided in an equipment main body to optically connect a plug-side optical fiber fixed to the plug and a receptacle-side optical fiber fixed to the receptacle. The plug and the receptacle have plural engagement pairs each having a protrusion that protrudes in an insertion direction of the plug and an engagement part that is adapted to be engaged with the protrusion. Engagement beginning positions of the engagement pairs where the protrusions and the engagement parts begin to engage are different along the insertion direction. Each engagement pair has a narrower engagement gap between the protrusion and the engagement part than that between the protrusion and the engagement part of any pair which begin to engage earlier as the plug is inserted than the protrusion and the engagement part of each engagement pair.