Stereo Image Pickup Unit Miniaturization via Laminated Substrate Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stereo image pickup units for endoscopes face challenges in reducing the diameter and length of the distal end portion while maintaining effective parallax and preventing electronic component interference and crosstalk, which affects image quality and manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A stereo image pickup unit design featuring a pair of objective optical systems with a parallax, image pickup devices, and laminated substrates with specific surface sections for mounting electronic components, where non-mounting surfaces project inward to secure a parallax interval and reduce the overall length without increasing the diameter, and the image pickup sections are configured to be reversed 180 degrees for efficient component placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the distal end portion diameter is reduced to improve endoscope miniaturization, then the space for mounting electronic components is reduced, but this causes component crowding and increased crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the substrate in the axial direction (length dimension) by creating surface sections that project from the rear surface of the image pickup device. This allows electronic components to be mounted on these extended surface sections, effectively utilizing the length dimension to resolve the space constraint caused by reduced diameter, thereby preventing component crowding and crosstalk while maintaining miniaturization.
2Length of stationary object
If the distal end portion length is reduced to improve endoscope miniaturization, then the parallax interval is reduced, but this affects stereoscopic imaging quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the radial dimension (diameter direction) by creating surface sections that project outward from the image pickup device rear surface. This allows the electronic components to be positioned in the radial direction rather than requiring increased axial length, thereby maintaining the parallax interval and stereoscopic imaging quality while reducing the overall distal end portion length.
3Area of stationary object
If electronic components are mounted on the projection area of the image pickup chip to reduce diameter, then the diameter is reduced, but this causes component interference and crosstalk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the substrate into multiple surface sections, where some surface sections project from the rear surface of the image pickup device. This segmentation creates spatial separation between the image pickup chip projection area and the electronic component mounting areas, allowing components to be mounted on the extended surface sections without interfering with the image pickup chip, thereby preventing crosstalk while maintaining reduced diameter.
Data Source
AI summary
A stereo image pickup unit includes: first and second image pickup apparatuses including first and second image pickup devices and first and second mount boards, the image pickup apparatuses being formed in a same shape each other; and a holding frame for holding the first and second image pickup devices, the first and second mount boards including non-mounting surfaces perpendicular to rear surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices and projecting toward an outer side of projection surfaces of the first and second image pickup devices, the holding frame holding the first and second image pickup apparatuses such that the non-mounting surfaces are opposed to each other on a parallax direction inner side.