RF Shielding Box With Protruding Plates For Endoscope Connectors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for mounting RF shielding boxes inside endoscope connectors are cumbersome and time-consuming, requiring regular fastening elements like screws, which complicates disassembly and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder-shaped RF shielding box with conically tapered ends and protruding rectangular plates that engage with internal mechanical structures within the connector, allowing for secure mounting without screws, enabling easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soldering joints are used to fix the shielding box, then the shielding box is securely fixed, but disassembling and assembling takes a lot of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixationVSAvoiddisassembly and assembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding box is divided into a box body and separate mounting plates, allowing the mounting plates to be independently attached to the connector housing. This segmentation enables the shielding box to be quickly removed and reinstalled without affecting the structural integrity of the connector, resolving the contradiction between secure fixation and quick assembly/disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plates are pre-attached to the connector housing with mounting elements (screws or clips) before the shielding box is installed. This preliminary action allows the shielding box to be quickly snapped into place without requiring time-consuming soldering or complex fastening operations, while still providing secure fixation during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If regular fastening elements like screws are used, then the shielding box is securely mounted, but the mounting process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidmounting structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is segmented into separate mounting plates that are attached to the connector housing, rather than using complex integrated fastening mechanisms. This simplification reduces the overall device complexity while maintaining secure mounting through the distributed attachment points provided by the mounting plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Mounting plates serve as intermediary elements between the shielding box and the connector housing. These plates provide a simplified interface that uses basic mounting elements (screws or clips) rather than complex fastening mechanisms, reducing device complexity while ensuring reliable mounting through the intermediate mounting plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If additional parts are used to mount the shielding box, then the shielding box can be mounted, but the mounting process becomes tedious

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting capabilityVSAvoidmounting process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting plates are pre-attached to the connector housing with all necessary mounting elements before the shielding box is installed. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for operators to handle multiple separate parts during assembly, making the mounting process simple and straightforward while maintaining manufacturing flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting plates combine multiple functions into a single component: they provide structural support, serve as attachment points for mounting elements, and facilitate the installation and removal of the shielding box. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts needed and simplifies the mounting operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4175528B1RF shielding box, medical instrument and method of fixing
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • EP4175528B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4175528B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4175528B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a RF shielding box (100) for use inside a connector (200) for a medical instrument (210), in particular an endoscope (212), wherein the shielding box (100) is cylinder-shaped having a base area (102) which is conically tapered from a first end (103) of the shielding box (100) to a second end (104) of the shielding box (100); wherein both a first end face (105) and a second end face (106) of the shielding box (100) are rectangular shaped; wherein both the first end face (105) and the second end face (106) of the shielding box (100) each comprise two rectangular shaped plates (120) protruding from the area of the first end face and the second end face, where the plates (120) are parallel to the first end face (105) or the second end face (106), respectively; and wherein the plates (120) of the first end face (105) and the second end face (106) of the shielding box (100) are parallel to each other, respectively; wherein the protruding parts of the plates (120) are adapted and installed such that the shielding box (100) can be mounted inside the connector (200).