Ultrasonic Probe Housing Assembly for Damage-Free Disassembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic probes face challenges in preventing damage to components during assembly and ensuring easy accessibility and separation of internal components.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic probe design includes a first housing, a second housing, an acoustic module, and connectors that allow for easy assembly and disassembly without adhesives, using couplers and connectors to manage forces and positions, ensuring components are not directly connected to the acoustic module.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If components are directly connected during assembly, then assembly is simplified, but damage to the acoustic module occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoiddamage to acoustic module
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A connector is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing and the acoustic module. The connector includes a first coupling portion connected to the housing and a second coupling portion connected to the acoustic module, with a buffer portion that absorbs assembly forces. This mediator prevents direct connection that would cause damage while enabling the assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If components are firmly fixed, then reliability is improved, but accessibility and separation of internal components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent fixationVSAvoidaccessibility to internal components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is designed with detachable coupling portions that allow the assembly to transition between fixed and separable states. The first and second coupling portions can be firmly connected during operation to ensure reliability, but can be separated when maintenance or accessibility is needed, making the fixation dynamic rather than static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If adhesive members are used to couple housings, then structural integrity is improved, but ease of disassembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddisassembly of housings
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling mechanism is segmented into separate first and second coupling portions that can be independently connected and disconnected. This segmentation replaces the monolithic adhesive bond with modular mechanical couplings, maintaining structural integrity during use while enabling easy disassembly when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 prevents component damage during manufacturing and enhances user accessibility by allowing easy engagement and separation of internal components.

Implementation Method 1

a transducer and a lens portion, the transducer being capable of converting an ultrasonic signal and an electrical signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4309584B1Ultrasonic probe and method for manufacturing same
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD
  • EP4309584B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4309584B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP4309584B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.