Ultrasonic Probe Connector Assembly for Damage-Free Housing Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic probes face challenges in preventing damage to components during assembly and ensuring easy engagement and disengagement of internal components for improved accessibility.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic probe design includes a first housing, a second housing, an acoustic module, connectors, and couplers, allowing for secure coupling without adhesives, with connectors and couplers facilitating easy assembly and disassembly by applying forces in specific directions to engage and disengage components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive members are used to couple housings, then assembly strength is improved, but component damage risk and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is divided into separate engagement elements (protrusions and recesses) that distribute mechanical stress across multiple contact points, eliminating the need for adhesive members while reducing component damage risk through controlled stress distribution
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the first and second housings, providing a controlled interface that transmits assembly forces without directly stressing the acoustic module or lens assembly, thereby preventing component damage while maintaining assembly strength
2Strength
If adhesive members are used to assemble components, then assembly strength is improved, but accessibility to internal components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism employs reversible engagement elements that can be easily inserted and removed, transforming the static bonded connection into a dynamic, reconfigurable connection that maintains strength during operation while enabling easy access for maintenance and component replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive members are extracted from the assembly system and replaced with a mechanical coupling mechanism, removing the permanent bonding element that would otherwise prevent access to internal components while preserving the necessary assembly strength through engineered mechanical interfaces
3Strength
If rigid connection between housings is used, then assembly strength is improved, but impact resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates compliant or shock-absorbing features that anticipate and mitigate impact forces before they reach the acoustic module and lens assembly, providing beforehand protection against impact damage while maintaining rigid connection strength for normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism utilizes materials or structural features with variable mechanical properties that provide rigidity under normal operating conditions but exhibit increased compliance or energy absorption capabilities when subjected to impact forces, thereby adapting to different loading scenarios
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
This design effectively prevents component damage during manufacturing and enhances user accessibility by allowing easy engagement and disengagement of internal components, improving the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer and a lens portion, the transducer being capable of converting an ultrasonic signal and an electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, an ultrasonic probe may be provided, the ultrasonic probe including a first housing, a second housing coupled to the first housing, an acoustic module at least partially arranged in the first housing and including a transducer and a lens portion, the transducer being capable of converting an ultrasonic signal and an electrical signal, and the lens portion being capable of changing a path of the ultrasonic signal, a first connector connected to an inner surface of the first housing, and a second connector at least partially arranged in the second housing and connected to the first connector, wherein the first connector is configured to connect the second connector and the first housing to each other, such that the first housing is coupled to the second housing.