Stereo Image Capture Apparatus with Cam-Driven Viewing Direction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stereo image capture apparatuses face challenges in rotating the viewing direction without rotating the image sensors and base, leading to loss of orientation and difficulty in guiding medical instruments.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with rotatable viewing direction devices coupled to objectives via cam mechanisms, allowing simultaneous rotation and translational movement to maintain constant object distance and imaging scale, enabling rotation of the viewing direction on a conical envelope without rotating the image sensors or base.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the viewing direction is rotated by rotating the entire endoscope assembly, then the viewing direction changes, but the image sensors and base rotate causing loss of orientation

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The endoscope is divided into separate functional modules: viewing direction devices that can rotate independently from the image sensors and base. This segmentation allows the viewing direction to change without rotating the entire assembly, thus preserving orientation information of the image sensors and base.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new degree of freedom by allowing the viewing direction devices to rotate about their own axes independently from the base rotation. This additional rotational dimension enables viewing direction change without affecting the orientation of image sensors and base, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and orientation preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the viewing direction devices are rotated simultaneously, then the viewing direction rotates on a conical envelope, but the object distance and imaging scale change

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanisms are pre-configured to couple the rotation of viewing direction devices with compensating translational movements of the objectives. This preliminary mechanical coupling ensures that as the viewing direction rotates, the object distance remains constant, thereby maintaining consistent imaging scale throughout the rotation range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Cam mechanisms serve as intermediary elements that translate the rotational motion of viewing direction devices into coordinated translational movement of objectives. This intermediary mechanism ensures smooth coordination between rotation and translation, maintaining constant object distance and imaging scale while achieving wide viewing direction rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the objectives are moved translationally to maintain constant object distance, then imaging scale remains consistent, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex electronic or computational methods for maintaining constant object distance with elegant mechanical cam mechanisms. These cam mechanisms automatically coordinate the translational movement of objectives with the rotation of viewing direction devices, achieving imaging scale consistency through pure mechanics rather than complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Facilitates precise rotation of the viewing direction without affecting the image sensors or base, maintaining spatial perception and improving instrument guidance by keeping the object distance and imaging scale consistent.

Implementation Method 1

a cam mechanism is provided and embodied to couple a rotation of the first viewing direction device to a translational movement of the first objective or of part of the first objective

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam mechanism: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS11546573B2Apparatus for capturing a stereo image

Publication Date: 2023.01.03

AI summary

An apparatus for capturing a stereo image includes a first objective for producing a first image, a second eye objective for producing a second eye image, a first viewing direction device rotatable about a first axis assigned the first objective, and a second viewing direction device rotatable about a second axis assigned the second objective. The viewing direction of the apparatus is rotatable by simultaneous rotation of the first and second viewing direction devices. The first objective or part is movable in a translational fashion. A cam mechanism is provided and embodied to couple a rotation of the first viewing direction device to a translational movement of the first objective or part.