Optical Imaging Probe With Dynamic Pressure Bearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical imaging probes face issues with rotation transfer delay, torque loss, rotation unevenness, axis vibration, and limited 360-degree angle of view due to friction and mechanical design limitations in OCT endoscopes.
Innovation Solution
An optical imaging probe design featuring a tubular rotation shaft with dynamic pressure bearings that generate high lubricating oil film pressure, eliminating the need for flexible shafts or belts, and positioning the rotation driving source behind the optical fiber to prevent power cable interference, allowing for stable and continuous high-speed rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a flexible shaft extending through an optical sheath is used to transfer rotation, then the motor can be positioned at the rear, but friction between the flexible shaft and optical sheath causes rotation transfer delay, torque loss, and rotation unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the flexible shaft from the system by using a rigid rotation shaft instead. This removes the source of friction with the optical sheath, thereby eliminating rotation transfer delay, torque loss, and rotation unevenness while maintaining the ability to position the motor at the rear
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the flexible shaft mechanical transmission system with a rigid rotation shaft system. This substitution eliminates the elastic deformation and friction issues inherent in flexible shafts, providing stable rotation transfer without the harmful effects of friction-based mechanical systems
2Power
If a belt is used to transfer rotation from motor to lens unit, then rotation can be transmitted, but elastic deformation of the belt causes rotation transfer delay and torque loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the belt-based mechanical transmission system with a rigid rotation shaft system. This substitution eliminates the elastic deformation inherent in belts, thereby preventing rotation transfer delay and torque loss while maintaining effective rotation transmission from the motor to the lens unit
3Ease of manufacture
If the motor body is positioned more front than the reflection mirror, then the motor can be directly coupled to the rotation shaft, but the power supply cable may block the reflected light and limit the angle of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by routing the power supply cable through a different dimensional path - specifically, through the hollow interior of the rotation shaft rather than along its exterior. This allows the motor body to be positioned optimally for direct coupling while the cable passes through the central axis, preventing it from blocking the reflected light path and maintaining the full 360-degree angle of view
4Productivity
If the motor is rotated continuously at high speed, then productivity is improved, but deviation of lubricating oil film pressure causes rotation unevenness, axis vibration, and jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies hydrodynamic lubrication principles by introducing a lubricating oil supply mechanism to the bearing portion of the rotation shaft. The lubricating oil forms a stable oil film that reduces friction and prevents pressure deviation during high-speed rotation, thereby eliminating rotation unevenness, axis vibration, and jitter while enabling continuous high-speed operation
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 configuration reduces rotation transfer delay, torque loss, and axis vibration, enabling a stable 360-degree observation image with reduced optical transmission loss and improved imaging range.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing member supporting the tubular rotation shaft in a rotatable manner, and the bearing member configures a dynamic pressure bearing adapted to generate a high lubricating oil film pressure locally at multiple positions in the circumference direction
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an optical imaging probe that is able to obtain a stable observation image by a dynamic pressure bearing. An optical imaging probe for guiding rearward a light entering a front end includes: a rotation driving source adapted to drive and rotate a rotor; a tubular rotation shaft inserted and fixed over an axial direction in a rotation center side of the rotor; an optical fiber inserted in the tubular rotation shaft, the front end of which a light is able to enter; and a bearing member supporting the tubular rotation shaft in a rotatable manner, and the bearing member configures a dynamic pressure bearing adapted to generate a high lubricating oil film pressure locally at multiple positions in a circumference direction.