Quadrangular Endoscope Lens and Light Guide Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small-diameter endoscopes face challenges with stray light issues due to the placement of lighting members around circular lenses, leading to reduced space efficiency, instability in fixing optical components, and increased size, which hinders image quality and insertion capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a quadrangular lens and imaging element with a light-shielding member between the lens and lighting member, optimizing space usage and enhancing fixation strength by placing the lighting member outside the lens and extending along the center axis, while using a mold resin for improved alignment and light shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting member is placed around circular lens, then illumination is achieved, but space efficiency decreases and endoscope size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the lens shape from circular to quadrangular, which allows the lighting member to be positioned more efficiently in the available space. This asymmetric geometric change enables better space utilization while maintaining illumination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the lighting member outside the lens along the optical axis rather than around it, representing a dimensional repositioning from a radial arrangement to an axial arrangement. This dimensional change improves space efficiency while preserving illumination capability.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting member is placed around circular lens, then illumination is achieved, but fixing stability of optical components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The quadrangular shape of the lens provides better geometric compatibility with the imaging element, enabling more stable fixing. The angular geometry allows for more effective mechanical interlocking and alignment compared to a circular shape.
3Ease of operation
If light guide fiber bundle is hardened by low-viscosity adhesive, then flexible portion is formed, but outer periphery area increases and stray light occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lighting member from its traditional position around the lens and relocates it outside the lens along the optical axis. This separation removes the source of stray light generation while preserving the illumination function, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of stray light on image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-shielding member as an intermediary between the lens and the imaging element. This intermediary component blocks stray light from reaching the imaging element, preventing image quality deterioration while allowing the lighting member to maintain its illumination function.
4Quantity of substance
If multiple bare fiber strands are bundled with adhesive, then light guide fiber bundle is formed, but leaking light becomes stray light deteriorating image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the lighting member from its traditional position around the lens and relocates it outside the lens along the optical axis. This separation removes the source of stray light generation while preserving the illumination function, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of stray light on image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-shielding member as an intermediary between the lens and the imaging element. This intermediary component blocks stray light from reaching the imaging element, preventing image quality deterioration while allowing the lighting member to maintain its illumination function.
Data Source
AI summary
A lens having a quadrangular outer shape in a direction perpendicular to its center, an imaging element having a quadrangular outer shape in the direction perpendicular to the center axis, an element cover glass covering an imaging surface of the imaging element, a light guide placed outside at least one side of the lens and extending along the center axis, and a cylinder holder disposed between the lens and the light guide are disposed in a tip portion of an endoscope.