Rivet-Less Endoscope Bending Section for Smaller Diameter Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional endoscope bending sections with rivets or rivet-less structures face challenges in reducing diameter, leading to decreased housing space for internal components and increased assembly time, while maintaining stability and performance.
Innovation Solution
A rivet-less structure with tubular bending pieces featuring grooves on the inner and outer circumferences to accommodate wires, allowing for reduced diameter and improved assembly, while maintaining housing space for internal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rivets are used to couple bending pieces, then the bending section can be assembled stably, but the diameter of the bending section cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rivets from the bending section structure. Instead of using rivets to couple bending pieces, the patent uses a rivet-less design where bending pieces are coupled through interference fit between tapered outer circumferential surfaces and corresponding inner circumferential surfaces, eliminating the need for separate fastening components and reducing overall diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention integrates the coupling function directly into the bending piece structures themselves. The tapered surfaces of adjacent bending pieces are designed to mate with each other, combining the structural support and coupling functions into a single integrated design rather than using separate rivet components.
2Length of stationary object
If the bending section diameter is reduced, then the endoscope can be made smaller, but the housing space for internal components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different structural characteristics to different parts of the bending section. The wire receiver portions have sufficient thickness to accommodate wires, while other portions are optimized for minimal diameter. This localized differentiation allows the overall diameter to be reduced without compromising the functionality of critical components.
3Reliability
If rivets are used to couple bending pieces, then the bending section structure is stable, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the riveting process entirely from the assembly procedure. By removing the need for rivets and riveting operations, the assembly process is simplified and time is reduced while maintaining structural stability through the tapered interference fit design.
4Adaptability or versatility
If annular thick portions are used as wire receivers, then wires can be accommodated, but the bending section diameter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention provides wire receiver functionality only where needed, rather than using thick annular portions throughout. The wire receivers are localized features with sufficient thickness only in the specific regions where wires need to be accommodated, while other regions maintain minimal thickness to reduce overall diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A bending section of an endoscope includes a first bending piece and a second bending piece in each of which a hole is formed, the first bending piece includes a first groove communicating with the hole and formed toward an outer side of a radial direction, the second bending piece is disposed adjacent to the first bending piece and includes a second groove formed from an outer circumference of the second bending piece toward the hole, and the wire is disposed in the first groove and the second groove.