JP3665538B2 - Endoscope operation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an operating device for an endoscope.
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
For endoscopes that can bend the tip of the insertion section that is inserted into a body cavity, etc., the bending operation mechanism is locked to maintain the bending section in the desired bending state, and the locking force can be adjusted. There is. However, in the conventional endoscope of the same type, the bending operation mechanism has to be disassembled in order to adjust the locking force, which is troublesome.
[0003]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obtain an endoscope operating device that can easily adjust a locking force in a bending operation mechanism from an opening portion of a bending operation knob without the need for disassembly or the like.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention has an insertion portion that is inserted into an observation target, and is provided so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis in an endoscope that can bend the bending portion at the distal end of the insertion portion. A bending operation knob that bends the bending portion by operation and has a hollow shape and an open portion at a part thereof; on the inside of the bending operation knobScrewed and supported via a screw centered on the operation center axisA first brake member; a lock operation member capable of relative rotation with respect to the bending operation knob; and a forward and reverse relative rotation of the lock operation member to move forward and backward in the direction of the operation center axis of the bending operation knob. A second brake member that contacts or separates from the brake member to restrict or freely rotate the lock operation knob; andA first brake member having a turning operation portion formed so as to face the opening portion of the bending operation knob, and the first brake member is relative to the bending operation knob via the turning operation portion. When rotated, the first brake member is moved in the direction of the operation center axis according to the threaded portion to change the initial distance from the second brake member; and the bending operation knob is substantially orthogonal to the operation center axis A bottomed cylindrical body having an end face that is formed on one end face of the tubular bending operation knob, and the first and second brake members are substantially flush with the end face of the bending operation knob. Closing the open area;It is characterized by. According to this endoscope operation device, the lock force can be adjusted without removing the lock mechanism from the bending operation knob, so that it can be easily locked without taking time and effort.of powerAdjustments can be made.Moreover, since each brake member is arrange | positioned so that an open part may be obstruct | occluded substantially flush with the end surface of a bending operation knob, the possibility of the erroneous operation regarding lock force adjustment can be decreased.
[0005]
  The present invention also includes an insertion portion that is inserted into an observation target, and is an endoscope that is capable of bending the bending portion at the distal end of the insertion portion so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis. A bending operation knob that bends the bending portion by a moving operation and has a hollow shape and an open portion at a part thereof; the bending operation knob is movable in the operation center axis direction and is centered on the operation center axis A first brake member supported to rotate integrally in the rotation direction; a lock operation member capable of relative rotation with respect to the bending operation knob; a bending operation knob by forward and reverse relative rotation of the lock operation member A second brake member that moves forward and backward in the direction of the operation center axis and restricts or freely rotates the lock operation knob by contacting and separating from the first brake member; separate from the first brake member Screw into the screw provided in the bending operation knob and rotate A locking force adjustment ring that moves in the direction of the operation center axis with respect to the bending operation knob when operated; and a rotation operation portion formed on the locking force adjustment ring so as to face the opening of the bending operation knob. When the lock force adjustment ring is rotated through the rotation operation portion, the lock force adjustment ring is moved in the operation center axis direction according to the screw portion, and the first force is adjusted according to the movement of the lock force adjustment ring. The brake member moves in the direction of the operation center axis and the initial distance from the second brake member changes; and the bending operation knob is a bottomed cylindrical body having an end surface substantially orthogonal to the operation center axis. The opening portion is formed on one end surface of the cylindrical bending operation knob, and the first and second brake members and the lock force adjusting ring close the opening portion substantially flush with the end surface of the bending operation knob. It is characterized by; Also with this configuration, the lock force can be adjusted without removing the lock mechanism from the bending operation knob, so that the lock adjustment can be easily performed without taking time and effort. In addition, it is possible to reduce the risk of erroneous operation related to the lock force adjustment.It is preferable that the lock force adjusting ring also functions as a member that prevents the first brake member from coming off in the opening portion direction.
[0006]
  FirstIt is preferable that the rotation operation part formed on one brake member or the lock force adjusting ring is a hole formed on the surface facing the opening part of the bending operation knob, since there is no risk of erroneous operation.
[0007]
  In the above-described endoscope operation device, it is preferable that the first and second brake members be detachable from the hollow bending operation knob through the opening portion because the work can be easily performed when assembling and disassembling. . The lock operation member is provided at a position facing the opening portion of the bending operation knob.Rotation operation part provided on the first brake member or the lock force adjustment ringIs preferably operable through the open area not covered by the lock operating member.
[0008]
For example, a pair of bending operation knobs can be provided adjacent to each other in the operation center axis direction. In this case, if the opening portions of the pair of bending operation knobs are opened in opposite directions so as to be non-opposing, the respective locking forces can be easily adjusted.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an operating device for a medical endoscope. First, the overall structure of the endoscope and the outline of the operation device will be described, and then the characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
[0010]
The endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 has an operation unit 11 and an insertion unit 12, and the distal end of the insertion unit 12 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions in accordance with the operation of the bending operation device 13 provided in the operation unit 11. The curved portion 12a is formed.
[0011]
An observation window (object window) and an illumination window (not shown) are provided at the distal end of the curved portion 12a. An image obtained through the observation window can be observed from an eyepiece unit 15 provided in the vicinity of the operation unit 11. Illumination light is sent from the light source device 17 connected to the connector 14 to the illumination window at the distal end of the curved portion 12a through the light guide flexible tube. A forceps port 18 for inserting a treatment tool is provided between the operation unit 11 and the insertion unit 12, and the treatment tool inserted from the forceps port 18 protrudes from the distal end of the bending portion 12a.
[0012]
FIG. 2 shows a cross section near the bending operation device 13. The bending operation device 13 includes a left / right bending mechanism 13LR for bending the bending portion 12a in the left / right direction and an up / down bending mechanism 13UD for bending the bending portion 12a in the up / down direction. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 each represent a member that is integrally rotated in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD for easy understanding of the operation of each part. In FIG. 3, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the left and right bending mechanism 13LR is hatched, and in FIG. 4, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is hatched. Yes. First, the bending mechanism for the left-right direction will be described.
[0013]
A substrate 11b is fixed in the housing 11a of the operation unit 11, and the rotation base shaft 20 is fixed on the substrate 11b. The rotation base shaft 20 protrudes upward through a through hole 11c formed in the housing 11a. The through hole 11c is closed by a lid 11d disposed between a fixed base 50 and a housing 11a, which will be described later.
[0014]
On the outer side of the rotation base shaft 20, an operation shaft body 21 constituting a left / right bending mechanism 13LR is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 21 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 21 a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and a disk-shaped portion located at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 21 a. A plurality of circular holes 21c are formed in the disc-like portion 21b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 5). Further, a flange portion 21d protrudes upward from the outer edge of the disc-like portion 21b, and a male screw 21e is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 21d.
[0015]
A bending operation knob 23 which is a plastic molded product is fixed to the operation shaft body 21. The bending operation knob 23 has four finger hooks 23a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 23 b and a small-diameter opening 23 c are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the bending operation knob 23, respectively. The small-diameter opening 23 c is fitted into the disc-like portion 21 b of the operation shaft body 21. In the bending operation knob 23, a plurality of convex portions 23d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 23c. By welding the convex portions 23d in the circular holes 21c, the bending operation knob 23 is operated by the operation shaft. Fixed to the body 21.
[0016]
A pulley 24 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 21. A pair of operation wires 25 and 26 are fixed to the pulley 24, and one of the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 is wound around the pulley 24 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 24, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 24. It is. The operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 are respectively connected to a node ring constituting the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is moved in the left-right direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26. Curved. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21 is rotated in the L direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent leftward, and the combined body is rotated in the R direction. The bending portion 12a is bent to the right.
[0017]
Next, the vertical bending mechanism will be described. On the outer side of the cylindrical portion 21a of the operation shaft body 21, an operation shaft body 31 constituting the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 31 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the cylindrical portion 21a so as to be rotatable. The cylindrical portion 31a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 and a circle positioned at the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 31a. It has a plate-like portion 31b. A plurality of circular holes 31c are formed in the disc-shaped portion 31b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0018]
A bending operation knob 33, which is a plastic molded product, is fixed to the operation shaft body 31. The bending operation knob 33 has five finger hook portions 33a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 33 b and a small-diameter opening 33 c are respectively formed on the lower surface and the upper surface of the bending operation knob 33, and the small-diameter opening 33 c is fitted into the disc-shaped portion 31 b of the operation shaft body 31. In the bending operation knob 33, a plurality of convex portions 33d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 33c. By welding the convex portions 33d in the circular hole 31c, the bending operation knob 33 is operated by the operation shaft. The body 31 is fixed. In the bending operation knob 33, an annular inner frame 33e made of a metal material is fixed inside the large diameter opening 33b. The annular inner frame 33e has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface.
[0019]
A pulley 34 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 31. A pair of operation wires 35, 36 are fixed to the pulley 34, and one of the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 is wound around the pulley 34 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 34, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 34. It is. The operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 are respectively connected to the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is bent in the vertical direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 is rotated in the U direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent upward, and when the combined body is rotated in the D direction, the bending is performed. The portion 12a is bent downward.
[0020]
The left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD can restrict the turning operation of the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 by the lock mechanism, respectively, and can make the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12 in a desired bending state. First, the lock mechanism of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR will be described.
[0021]
A lock shaft body 41 having a cylindrical portion 41 a and a disc-like portion 41 b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided at the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 41a is rotatably fitted to the rotation base shaft 20, and a lock operation knob 42 is fixed on the disk-like portion 41b via a fixing nut 43. The lock operation knob 42 is externally attached. When the rotation operation is performed, the lock shaft body 41 is also rotated integrally. A retaining member 44 that prevents the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 from falling off is attached to the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. As shown in FIG. 9, a non-circular hole 44c is formed in the center of the retaining member 44, and the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20 is formed in a non-circular cross-sectional shape that can be inserted into the non-circular hole 44c. By fitting the non-circular portions, the retaining member 44 is supported in a state in which the rotation is restricted with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. The retaining member 44 is further fixed by the fixing screw 20a so as not to drop in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42, the rotation restricting projection 41c projecting on the disk-like portion 41b is prevented from being displaced in the circumferential direction. The member 44 can be rotated within a range in contact with a pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44 a provided on the member 44. The retaining member 44 is further formed with a pair of click recesses 44b at positions opposed to the respective rotation restricting surfaces 44a in the radial direction, and the rotation restricting projections 41c abut against the respective turn restricting surfaces 44a. In the rotation restricting position of the lock operation knob 42, the click spring 45 fixed to the lock operation knob 42 engages with the click recess 44 b at the radially opposing position, and the lock operation knob 42 has a click feeling. give.
[0023]
A male screw 41d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41a, and a female screw 46a of the movement lock member 46 is screwed into the male screw 41d. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the rotation base shaft 20 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 22, and the non-circular cross-sectional portion 22 cannot rotate relative to the movement lock member 46. By fitting the coupled rotation restricting body 47, the movement lock member 46 is restricted from rotating with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 is rotated, the moving lock member 46 does not rotate along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 41d and the female screw 46a. Moved up and down.
[0024]
When the movable lock member 46 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41, the friction engagement portion 46 b fixed to the movable lock member 46 is fixed to the fixed lock member 48. It contacts / separates with respect to the friction engagement part 48a. The friction engagement portions 46b and 48a are made of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as cork or silicon rubber. The fixed lock member 48 is coupled to the operation shaft body 21 by screwing the female screw 48b with the male screw 21e, and is rotated together with the operation shaft body 21 when the bending operation knob 23 is rotated. When the movement lock member 46 moves upward and the friction engagement portion 46b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 48a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 is restricted, and the pulley 24 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the left-right direction is restricted, and the bending state is maintained. Specifically, when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 46 moves upward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 48 to perform a bending operation. When the knob 23 is restricted from rotating and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 46 moves downward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 48 and bend. The operation knob 23 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation knob 42 is locked with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 23 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 23 is locked at the other click position. Is allowed to rotate. The former rotation position of the lock operation knob 42 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Each of the movement lock member 46 and the fixed lock member 48 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 46b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 48 rotated together with the bending operation knob 23. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 48a.
[0025]
On the other hand, it is also possible to rotate only the fixed lock member 48 in a state where the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21 is restricted, and in this case, depending on the screwing relationship between the female screw 48b and the male screw 21e, The vertical position of the fixed lock member 48 with respect to the movement lock member 46 can be adjusted. When the vertical position of the fixed lock member 48 changes, the frictional force between the frictional engagement portion 46b and the frictional engagement portion 48a when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position changes. The lock strength with respect to 23 can be adjusted. For example, even when the bending portion 12a is in a bent state, the lock to the bending operation knob 23 is released according to an external force applied to the bending portion 12a. It is also possible to set the frictional force between the joint portions 48a. The frictional force can be easily adjusted by rotating the fixed lock member 48 and changing its vertical position.
[0026]
Next, the lock mechanism of the up / down bending mechanism 13UD will be described. A fixed base 50 formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided outside the operation shaft body 31. The fixed pedestal 50 has its lower end fixed to the substrate 11b together with the pivot base 20, and in the space between the fixed pedestal 50 and the pivot base 20, operation shaft bodies 21, 31 and pulleys 24, 34 are provided. It is supported. On the other hand, a lock shaft 51 is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50. The lock shaft 51 includes a cylindrical portion 51a and a disc-like portion 51b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and the cylindrical portion 51a is rotatable with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50 and is axially (vertical) (Direction) so as not to move. A plurality of circular holes 51c are formed in the disc-like portion 51b at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the lock operation lever 52 is fixed by fitting and projecting the convex portions 52a into the circular holes 51c. That is, the lock operation lever 52 is supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed base 50 (the rotation base shaft 20) together with the lock shaft body 51. Unlike the hollow lock operation knob 42 described above, the lock operation lever 52 is formed in a lever shape extending in the radial direction with respect to the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 in order to facilitate the rotation operation. Has been.
[0027]
A combined body of the lock shaft body 51 and the lock operation lever 52 is locked at two rotation positions by a rotation restriction mechanism (not shown) provided between the cylindrical portion 51a of the lock shaft body 51 and the fixed base 50, At each rotation position, the click spring 55 acts as a stopper that generates a click feeling.
[0028]
A male screw 51d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51a, and a female screw 56a of the movement lock member 56 is screwed into the male screw 51d. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed base 50 has an upper end portion formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 54, and a rotation restricting body 57 fixed to the movement lock member 56 is against the non-circular cross-sectional portion 54. By fitting, the movement lock member 56 is restricted from rotating with respect to the fixed base 50 and the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51 is rotated, the moving lock member 56 is not rotated along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 51d and the female screw 56a. Moved up and down. The rotation restricting body 57 may be fixed as a separate member from the movement locking member 56, or a portion corresponding to the rotation restricting body 57 may be formed integrally with the movement locking member 56.
[0029]
When the movable lock member 56 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51, the friction engagement portion 56 b formed in a part of the movable lock member 56 becomes the fixed lock member 58. It contacts / separates with respect to the fixed friction engagement part 58a. The fixed lock member 58 is engaged with the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33 so as to rotate integrally in the circumferential direction, and is rotated together when the bending operation knob 33 is rotated. When the movement lock member 56 moves downward and the friction engagement portion 56b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 58a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 31 and the bending operation knob 33 is restricted, and the pulley 34 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the vertical direction is restricted and kept at a specific bending position. Specifically, when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 56 moves downward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 58 to perform the bending operation. When the knob 33 is restricted in rotation and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 56 moves upward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 58 and bend. The operation knob 33 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation lever 52 is locked with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 33 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 33 is locked at the other click position. Is allowed to rotate. The former rotation position of the lock operation lever 52 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Note that each of the movement lock member 56 and the fixed lock member 58 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 56b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 58 rotated together with the bending operation knob 33. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 58a.
[0030]
On the other hand, the fixed lock member 58 is fitted to the inner frame 33e so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A female screw is formed in the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33, and a lock adjusting nut 60 having a male screw screwed into the female screw supports the fixed lock member 58 from below. When the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated while restricting the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft 31, the vertical position of the lock adjustment nut 60 is adjusted with respect to the inner frame 33 e, and accordingly. The vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 with respect to the movement lock member 56 can be adjusted. When the vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 is changed, the frictional force between the frictional engagement portion 56b and the frictional engagement portion 58a when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated to the lock position is changed. Can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the lock adjustment nut 60, it is possible to set the half-lock state as described above with respect to the vertical bending mechanism 13UD.
[0031]
The constituent members of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD having the lock mechanism as described above are finally assembled to the operation unit 11 via the rotation base shaft 20. The vertical bending mechanism 13UD is positioned between the operation shaft body 21 (disk-shaped portion 21b) and the pulley 24 constituting the left / right bending mechanism 13LR, and the vertical position is determined. Is provided with an intermediate retaining member 61 that engages with the upper end of the operating shaft 21. The intermediate retaining member 61 holds the entire vertical bending mechanism 13UD and the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. In addition, the above-described retaining member 44 holds the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 positioned above the bending operation knob 23 so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. That is, the entire bending operation device 13 is held with respect to the rotation base shaft 20 in a state in which the bending operation device 13 is prevented from coming off.
[0032]
The bending operation device 13 is provided with a sealing material made of an elastic O-ring or the like in order to keep the inside watertight and prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering. In terms of function, the sealing material seals the inside of the housing 11a (reference S1), seals the bending operation knob 23 (S2), seals the bending operation knob 33 (S3), It is divided into one that seals the inside of the lock operation knob 42 (same S4) and one that seals between the operation shaft bodies 21 and 31 (same S5). For example, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized with a chemical solution, the portion exposed to the outside is surely sterilized, but the chemical solution in each of the operation knobs 23, 33 and 42 formed in the hollow and the housing 11a of the operation unit 11 is used. Is prevented by the sealing materials S1 to S5.
[0033]
[Description of features of the present invention]
As described above, in the left and right bending mechanism 13LR, the friction engagement portion 46b of the movement lock member (second brake member) 46 provided in the hollow bending operation knob 23 is fixed lock member (first brake member). When the bending operation knob 23 is prevented from rotating by frictional engagement with the frictional engagement portion 48 a of 48, the lock is released, and when the movement lock member 46 is separated from the fixed lock member 48, the lock is released. The movement lock member 46 is operated by a combined body (lock operation member) of a lock operation knob 42 and a lock shaft body 41 that are rotated coaxially with the bending operation knob 23. When the bending operation knob 23 is locked by this locking mechanism, the bending portion 12a is fixed in a fixed bending state in the left-right direction.
[0034]
In addition, as described above, the locking force by the locking mechanism changes the position of the fixed lock member 48 in the vertical direction in FIG. 2, that is, the position in the direction along the axis of the rotation base axis (operation center axis) 20 to move. It can be adjusted by changing the initial distance from the lock member 46. The fixed lock member 48 has a female screw 48 b screwed into a male screw 21 e of the operation shaft 21 integrated with the bending operation knob 23, and rotates the fixed lock member 48 while restricting the rotation of the bending operation knob 23. When moved, the fixed lock member 48 is moved along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 by the relationship between the female screw 48b and the male screw 21e.
[0035]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, 12, and 14, the bending operation knob 23 includes a pair of opposed wall surfaces (end surfaces) 23 f and 23 g that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the rotation base shaft (operation center axis) 20. And a bottomed cylindrical body in which the pair of opposed wall surfaces 23f and 23g are connected by a connection wall surface 23h extending in the vertical direction, and the inside thereof is a hollow portion 23i. In the bending operation knob 23, a circular small-diameter opening 23 c centering on the rotation base shaft 20 is formed in the lower opposing wall surface 23 g of the pair of opposing wall surfaces. The operation shaft body 21 is formed in the small-diameter opening 23 c. Is closed. On the other hand, the opposing wall surface 23f, which is the upper end surface of the bottomed cylindrical bending operation knob 23, is opened upward except for the portion constituting the finger hook portion 23a, and is large in communication with the hollow portion 23i. A diameter opening (open portion) 23b is formed. The large-diameter opening 23b has a circular shape centered on the pivot base 20 (see FIG. 10).
[0036]
A part of the fixed lock member 48 is exposed to the external appearance of the bending operation knob 23 through the large-diameter opening 23b, and the external appearance exposed portion has a bending operation knob at a position opposite to the radial direction across the rotation base shaft 20. A pair of rotation operation holes (rotation operation portions) 48c cut out inwardly of 23 are formed. Therefore, even when the lock mechanism is attached to the bending operation knob 23, it is fixed by fitting a tool for rotation operation into the pair of rotation operation holes 48c exposed from the large-diameter opening 23b. The lock member 48 can be rotated relative to the bending operation knob 23. That is, the locking force can be adjusted even from the assembled state of the left and right bending mechanism 13LR without removing the locking mechanism from the bending operation knob 23.
[0037]
In the left and right bending mechanism 13LR of the present embodiment, the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41, which are lock operation members for operating the movement lock member 46, are further arranged at positions facing the large-diameter opening 23b of the bending operation knob 23. Although the combined body is provided, the fixed lock member 48 can be operated from the outside even when the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 are attached. Specifically, in this lock operation member, the fixing nut 43 for coupling the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 is located on the outermost side in the radial direction around the rotation base shaft 20. The inner diameter size of the large-diameter opening 23b of the operation knob 23 is larger than the outer-diameter size of the fixing nut 43, and in the same radial direction between the outer edge portion of the fixing nut 43 and the inner edge portion of the large-diameter opening 23b, the reference numeral in FIG. An annular gap indicated by T1 is secured. Since the pair of rotation operation holes 48c of the fixed lock member 48 faces the large-diameter opening 23b so as to be located in the annular gap T1, the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 are attached to the bending operation knob 23. Even if it is in a wet state, it is not covered by these and can be operated from the outside through the large-diameter opening 23b.
[0038]
For example, a squeeze wrench 75 shown in FIG. 10 is used to adjust the locking force in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR. The crimping wrench 75 has a pair of engaging protrusions 75 b protruding from the annular portion 75 a, and the pair of engaging protrusions 75 b can be engaged with the pair of rotation operation holes 48 c formed in the fixed lock member 48. It is provided with various positional relationships. Further, the inner diameter of the annular portion 75a is formed larger than the outer diameter of the fixing nut 43 so as not to interfere with the lock operation member. When adjusting the locking force, the annular portion 75a of the crab wrench 75 is applied to the opposing wall surface 23f on the upper side of the bending operation knob 23, and the pair of engaging projections 75b are engaged with the pair of rotation operation holes 48c of the fixed lock member 48. (See FIG. 10). In this engaged state, when the squeeze wrench 75 is rotated while holding the bending operation knob 23 so as not to rotate, a rotation operation force is applied to the fixed lock member 48 via the engagement protrusion 75b and the rotation operation hole 48c. . Then, due to the relationship between the female screw 48 b and the male screw 21 e, the fixed lock member 48 is moved in the direction along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 while rotating with respect to the bending operation knob 23. As described above, the locking force on the bending operation knob 23 when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position is adjusted by the movement of the fixed lock member 48 in the axial direction. When the fixed lock member 48 is rotated to the rotation position where a desired locking force can be obtained, the crab wrench 75 is removed. After the squeeze wrench 75 is removed, if the bending operation knob 23 is rotated, the fixed lock member 48 is rotated integrally with the bending operation knob 23, so that the locking force set without requiring a special operation is set. The left and right bending mechanism 13LR can be used.
[0039]
Thus, in the left and right bending mechanism 13LR, the large diameter opening 23b is formed in the bending operation knob 23, and the fixed lock member 48, which is a member for adjusting the locking force through the large diameter opening 23b, is configured to be rotatable. When adjusting the lock force, it is not necessary to remove the lock mechanism from the bending operation knob 23 or reassemble it, and the adjustment work can be easily performed.
[0040]
Seal members S2 and S4 are disposed in each part of the lock mechanism including the outer edge of the fixed lock member 48 and the inner edge of the large-diameter opening 23b, so that the large-diameter opening 23b does not allow fluid to flow. Is blocked. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the bending operation knob 23b, and even if the endoscope 10 is immersed in the chemical liquid, the chemical liquid can be prevented from entering the bending operation knob 23.
[0041]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 12, the movable lock member 46 and the fixed lock member 48 face the large-diameter opening 23 b with the outer surfaces thereof being substantially flush with the opposing wall surface 23 f of the bending operation knob 23. Further, the operation portion for rotating the fixed lock member 48 is a pair of rotation operation holes 48 c cut out inward of the bending operation knob 23. In other words, the fixed lock member 48 does not have a portion that protrudes greatly outward from the bending operation knob 23, and there is a possibility that the lock force may change due to an inadvertent rotation operation in a normal use state of the endoscope. Absent.
[0042]
Next, the up / down bending operation mechanism 13UD will be described. In the up / down bending operation mechanism 13UD, the movement lock member (second brake member) 56 disposed inside the bending operation knob 33 formed in the hollow moves in a direction along the axis of the fixed base (operation center axis) 50. The bending operation knob 33 is locked or unlocked by the friction engagement portion 56b coming in contact with and separating from the friction engagement portion 58a of the fixed lock member (first brake member) 58. The central axis of the fixed base 50 coincides with the central axis of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0043]
The lock force adjustment mechanism of the up / down bending operation mechanism 13UD is slightly different from the fixed lock member 48 of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR. The bending operation knob 33 is provided with five rotation restricting projections 33j (see FIG. 6) projecting inwardly of the hollow portion 33i. The rotation restricting projections 33j are formed on the fixed lock member 58. The rotation restricting recess 58b is fitted (see FIGS. 2 and 13). Although only one rotation restricting recess 58b is shown in the drawing, five rotation restricting recesses 58b are provided corresponding to the rotation restricting protrusions 33j. In the fitted state of the rotation restricting convex portion 33j and the rotation restricting concave portion 58b, the fixed lock member 58 can move in the direction along the axis of the fixed base shaft 20 with respect to the bending operation knob 33, and the fixed base shaft 20 is the center. It is supported so that relative rotation is impossible in the rotating direction. That is, when the bending operation knob 33 is rotated, the fixed lock member 58 is also rotated integrally. However, the fixed lock member 58 can be moved in the vertical direction with respect to the bending operation knob 33.
[0044]
The fixed lock member 58 is further formed with an annular cutout 58c at the outer edge facing the large-diameter opening 33b of the bending operation knob 33. The cutout 58c has an annular lock made of a member different from the fixed lock member 58. Adjustment nut 60 is fitted. The lock adjusting nut 60 can be rotated about the rotation base shaft 20 with respect to the fixed lock member 58, and the notch 58c is transmitted so as to transmit the moving force in the direction along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20. To fit. Further, a male screw 60a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lock adjusting nut 60, and the male screw 60a is screwed into a female screw 33k formed on the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33 (see FIG. 13). Is rotated in the direction along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 according to the screws 60a and 33k. When the lock adjustment nut 60 is moved in the axial direction, the position of the fixed lock member 58 in the same direction is adjusted. For example, when the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated in a predetermined direction and moved upward in FIG. 2, the fixed lock member 58 is pressed and moved upward in the same figure. Then, since the initial interval between the friction engagement portion 58a of the fixed lock member 58 and the friction engagement portion 56b of the movement lock member 56 is narrowed, the lock force when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position is increased. . Conversely, when the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated in the opposite direction and moved downward in FIG. 2, the movement restricting position of the fixed lock member 58 in the opening direction of the large-diameter opening 23b (downward in FIG. 2) is lowered. Therefore, the initial interval between the friction engagement portions 58a and 56b is widened. Therefore, the lock force when the lock operation knob 42 is turned to the lock position is weakened.
[0045]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 and 13 to 15, the bending operation knob 33 has a pair of opposing wall surfaces (end surfaces) 33 f and 33 g that extend in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the rotation base shaft 20. Furthermore, it is a bottomed cylindrical body which connected this pair of opposing wall surface 33f, 33g with the connection wall surface 33h extended in an up-down direction, The inside becomes the hollow-shaped part 33i. In the bending operation knob 33, a circular small-diameter opening 33c centering on the rotation base shaft 20 is formed in the upper opposing wall surface 33f of the pair of opposing wall surfaces. The operation shaft body 31 is formed in the small-diameter opening 33c. It is plugged and blocked. On the other hand, the opposing wall surface 33g, which is the lower end surface of the bottomed cylindrical bending operation knob 33, is opened downward except for the portion constituting the finger hook portion 33a, and communicates the hollow portion 33i with the outside. A large-diameter opening (open portion) 33b is formed. The large-diameter opening 33b has a circular shape centered on the pivot base 20 (see FIG. 11).
[0046]
Each of the fixed lock member 58 and the lock adjustment nut 60 faces the external appearance of the bending operation knob 33 through the large-diameter opening 33 b, and in particular, the external diameter exposed portion of the lock adjustment nut 60 has a diameter sandwiching the rotating base shaft 20. A pair of rotation operation holes (rotation operation portions) 60b cut out inward of the bending operation knob 33 are formed at opposite positions in the direction. Therefore, even when the lock mechanism is attached to the bending operation knob 33, the lock operation tool 60 is fitted into the pair of rotation operation holes 60b exposed from the large-diameter opening 33b. The adjustment nut 60 can be rotated relative to the bending operation knob 23. As described above, by rotating the lock adjustment nut 60, the locking force for the bending operation knob 33 can be adjusted via the fixed lock member 58. That is, the locking force can be adjusted even from the assembled state of the up / down bending mechanism 13UD without removing the locking mechanism from the bending operation knob 33.
[0047]
In the vertical bending mechanism 13UD, a combined body of a lock operation lever 52 and a lock shaft body 51, which is a lock operation member for operating the movement lock member 56, is provided at a position facing the large-diameter opening 33b of the bending operation knob 33. However, the lock adjustment nut 60 can be rotated from the outside even when the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft 51 are attached. Specifically, in this lock operation member, the disk-shaped base portion 52b of the lock operation lever 52 is arranged in the radial direction around the rotation base shaft 20 except for the radially extending portion 52c of the lock operation lever 52. It is located on the outermost side (see FIG. 11). The inner diameter size of the large-diameter opening 33b of the bending operation knob 33 is larger than the outer diameter size of the disk-shaped base 52b, and the same radiation is provided between the outer edge of the disk-shaped base 52b and the inner edge of the large-diameter opening 33b. In the direction, an annular gap indicated by T2 in FIG. 11 is secured. The lock adjustment nut 60 faces the large-diameter opening 33b so as to be positioned in the annular gap T2. Therefore, even when the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51 are attached to the bending operation knob 33, the pair of rotation operation holes 60 b of the lock adjustment nut 60 are not covered by the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51. Instead, it can be operated from the outside through the large-diameter opening 33b.
[0048]
In the up / down bending mechanism 13UD, the pair of rotation operation holes 60b of the lock adjusting nut 60 faces the housing 11a side of the endoscope. Therefore, for example, a lock ring wrench 76 having a semi-ring shape as shown in FIG. Adjust the force. The crimping wrench 76 has a pair of engaging projections 76b projecting from the semi-annular portion 76a, and the pair of engaging projections 76b are provided in a positional relationship that can engage with the pair of rotation operation holes 60b. . When adjusting the locking force, the semi-annular portion 76a of the swag wrench 76 is inserted into the gap between the endoscope housing 11a and the up-and-down bending mechanism 13UD, and then the pair of operation protrusions 76b are operated to rotate the pair of lock adjustment nuts 60. Engage with the hole 60b (see FIG. 11). In this engaged state, when the squeeze wrench 76 is rotated while holding the bending operation knob 33 so as not to rotate, a rotation operation force is applied to the lock adjustment nut 60 via the engagement protrusion 76b and the rotation operation hole 60b. . Then, due to the relationship between the male screw 60 a and the female screw 33 k, the lock adjustment nut 60 is moved in the direction along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 while rotating with respect to the bending operation knob 33, and according to the movement of the lock adjustment nut 60. The fixed lock member 58 is linearly moved in the coaxial line direction. Thereby, the lock force with respect to the bending operation knob 33 when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated to the lock position can be adjusted. When the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated to the rotation position where a desired locking force can be obtained, the crab wrench 76 is removed. After the squeeze wrench 76 is removed, if the bending operation knob 33 is rotated, the fixed lock member 58 is rotated integrally with the bending operation knob 33, so that the locking force set without requiring a special operation is set. The vertical bending mechanism 13UD can be used.
[0049]
As described above, also in the vertical bending mechanism 13UD, the large diameter opening 33b is formed in the bending operation knob 33, and the lock adjusting nut 60, which is a member for adjusting the locking force, can be operated through the large diameter opening 33b. When adjusting the locking force, it is not necessary to remove the lock mechanism from the bending operation knob 33 or reassemble it, and the adjustment operation can be easily performed.
[0050]
A seal material S3 is disposed in each part of the lock mechanism including the space between the outer edge of the fixed lock member 58 and the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33 so that the large-diameter opening 33b does not allow fluid to flow. It is blocked. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the bending operation knob 33b, and it is possible to prevent the chemical liquid from entering the bending operation knob 33 particularly when the endoscope 10 is sterilized with the chemical liquid.
[0051]
  As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4 and FIG. 13 to FIG.56The fixed lock member 58 and the lock adjustment nut 60 face the large-diameter opening 33b with their outer surfaces substantially flush with the opposing wall surface 33g of the bending operation knob 33, and further rotate the lock adjustment nut 60. The operation part for this is a pair of rotation operation holes 60b cut out inward of the bending operation knob 33. That is, the fixed lock member constituting the lock force adjusting mechanism58The lock adjustment nut 60 does not have a portion that protrudes greatly outward from the bending operation knob 33, and there is no possibility that the lock force may be changed by inadvertently rotating the endoscope in a normal use state of the endoscope. .
[0052]
In the bending operation device 13, the bending operation knob 23 of the left / right bending mechanism 13 </ b> LR and the bending operation knob 33 of the up / down bending mechanism 13 </ b> UD are provided adjacent to each other along the axis of the common rotation base shaft 20. The large-diameter opening 23b of 23 is opened upward, and the large-diameter opening 33b of the bending operation knob 33 is opened downward. In this way, the large diameter openings 23b and 33b of the respective bending operation knobs 23 and 33 are opened in opposite directions so as not to face each other. Can be miniaturized. In other words, according to the same configuration, the bending operation knob 23 and the bending operation knob 33 do not need to insert a locking force adjusting tool between the opposing wall surfaces 23g and 33f, so that the distance between them can be made closer. In particular, the bending operation device 13 can be formed in a small size in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0053]
The overall assembly / disassembly structure of the bending operation device 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 14 to 17. When disassembling from the assembled state of FIG. 2, the fixing nut 43 is first removed, the lock operation knob 42 is removed from the lock shaft body 41, and the fixing screw 20a is exposed. Since the large-diameter opening 23b of the bending operation knob 23 is opened toward the axial end portion of the rotation base shaft 20, the large screw 23a is removed from the rotation base shaft 20 after the fixing screw 20a is removed. The locking mechanism on the left and right bending mechanism 13LR side can be removed upward through the diameter opening 23b. When the lock mechanism is removed, in order to release the screwing of the female screw 48b on the fixed lock member 48 side and the male screw 21e on the bending operation knob 23 side, the whole lock mechanism is rotated and pulled upward in FIG. . At this time, the sealing material S2 is pulled out together with the lock mechanism. The lock mechanism after removal can be disassembled into each component by releasing the screwing of the male screw 41d of the lock shaft body 41 and the female screw 46a of the movement lock member 46.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation restricting body 47 is a member having a U-shaped cross section, and after removing the lock mechanism of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR, It can be removed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the dynamic base shaft 20. Similar to the rotation restricting body 47, the intermediate retaining member 61 can also be extracted in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotation base shaft 20. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the rotation restricting body 47 is removed from the rotation base shaft 20 and the intermediate retaining member 61 is mounted.
[0055]
When the intermediate retaining member 61 is removed from the rotation base shaft 20 in the state of FIG. 14, components below the intermediate retaining member 61 can be disassembled. First, the bending operation member on the left and right bending mechanism 13LR side after extracting the lock mechanism through the large-diameter opening 23b, that is, the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21 is pulled out upward in the drawing. At this time, the sealing material S5 is also pulled out together. The lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 21 a of the operation shaft body 21 transmits a force in the rotation direction about the rotation base shaft 20 to the pulley 24, but is inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20. It is possible to fit.
[0056]
When the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft 21 is extracted, the state shown in FIG. 15 is obtained, and the vertical bending mechanism 13UD can be subsequently disassembled. In the vertical bending mechanism 13UD, first, the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 is removed. At the time of the removal, for example, the bending operation is performed so that the male screw formed on the outer surface of the lock adjusting nut 60 and the female screw formed on the inner surface of the inner frame 33e are released while fixing the lock adjusting nut 60 so as not to rotate. The knob 33 is rotated. When the screw is disengaged, the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 are extracted upward in FIG. The large-diameter opening 33b of the bending operation knob 33 is opened downward in FIG. 15, and the movable lock member 46 and the fixed lock member 58 supported by the fixed base 50 can pass through the large-diameter opening 33b. Since this is possible, there is no interference with the lock mechanism when the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 are extracted. The lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 31 a of the operation shaft body 31 transmits a force in the rotation direction about the rotation base shaft 20 to the pulley 34, but is inserted and removed in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20. It is possible to fit.
[0057]
FIG. 16 shows a state in which the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 are removed. From the state of the figure, the components of the lock mechanism of the up-and-down bending mechanism 13UD can be sequentially disassembled. First, the movable lock member 56 is pulled upward in the figure while rotating so that the male screw 51d and the female screw 56a of the lock shaft 51 are released. When the movement lock member 56 is pulled out, the fixed lock member 58 and the lock adjustment nut 60 can be removed.
[0058]
The lock shaft 51 and the lock operation lever 52 are restricted from moving in the axial end direction of the fixed base 50 by the retaining member 62, and the rotatable range is determined by the lock operation lever rotation restricting member 63. The retaining member 62 and the lock operation lever rotation restricting member 63 can be inserted / removed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the fixed base 50. When the movable locking member 56 is pulled out in the direction of the shaft end of the fixed base 50, the upper locking member 62 is exposed. When the locking member 62 is removed from the fixed base 50, the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft 51 are also fixed. Can be extracted in the direction of the shaft end. Further, when the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft 51 are extracted, the lower lock operation lever rotation restricting member 63 is exposed, and the lock operation lever rotation restricting member 63 can be detached from the fixed base 50.
[0059]
In short, when the bending operation device 13 is disassembled, a lock mechanism for restricting the rotation of the bending operation knob 23, the bending operation knob 23 supported on the shaft end side of the rotation base shaft 20, and the rotation base shaft 20. The bending operation knob 33 supported on the base (housing 11a) side and the lock mechanism for restricting the rotation of the bending operation knob 33 are removed from the rotation base shaft 20 and the fixed base 50 in this order.
[0060]
After the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is also removed (see FIG. 17), the lid 11d is removed from the housing 11a constituting the endoscope body as necessary, and the lid 11d is further removed, and then the fixed base 50 is removed from the substrate 11b. And the pivot base 20 can be removed.
[0061]
The assembling of the bending operation device 13 may be performed in the reverse order of the above disassembly. Although detailed description of the assembly procedure is omitted in order to avoid duplication of explanation, contrary to disassembly, the locking mechanism for the bending operation knob 33, the bending operation knob 33, the bending operation knob 23, and the bending operation knob 23 Are assembled to the rotation base 20 and the fixed base 50 in this order.
[0062]
As described above, the large-diameter openings 23b and 33b, which are open portions formed in the bending operation knobs 23 and 33, are opened to enable the lock force adjustment mechanism to be operated from the outside in the assembled state of the bending operation device 13. When the bending operation device 13 is assembled and disassembled, it is used as an opening portion for attaching and detaching the lock mechanism to the hollow bending operation knobs 23 and 33. That is, the bending operation device 13 according to the present embodiment can easily adjust the locking force of the locking mechanism through the large-diameter openings 23b and 33b in the assembled state. In addition, when assembling and disassembling, the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 themselves are not divided, and the lock mechanism is attached to and detached from the hollow portions 23i and 33i through the large-diameter openings 23b and 33b. Yes.
[0063]
  As is clear from the above description of the embodiment, in the endoscope operating device of the present invention, the bending operation knob is formed so as to be hollow and partly open, and the locking force for the bending operation knob is reduced. Since the locking force adjustment mechanism for adjustment can be operated from the opening part of the bending operation knob, the locking force can be adjusted while the bending operation mechanism is in the assembled state. Can be made unnecessary.Further, the locking force adjusting members (fixed locking member 48, fixed locking member 58, lock adjusting nut 60, etc.) are arranged on the end surface of the bending operation knob so as not to protrude largely outward from the opening portion of the bending operation knob. Since it is formed substantially flush, there is no risk that the locking force will change due to inadvertent operation during normal use of the endoscope.
[0064]
However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the pair of bending operation knobs 23 and 33 are provided adjacent to the operation center axis direction, but the present invention is applied to an endoscope operation apparatus having one bending operation knob or three or more bending operation knobs. be able to. Further, in the embodiment, a pair of the rotation operation holes 48c or 60b at the radially opposing positions are provided as the rotation operation part constituting the lock force adjusting mechanism. However, the number and positions of the rotation operation holes are as follows. Is optional. Moreover, it is also possible to take forms other than a hole like an embodiment as a rotation operation part of a locking force adjustment mechanism.
[0065]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an endoscope operating device capable of easily adjusting the locking force in the bending operation mechanism from the opening portion of the bending operation knob without the trouble of disassembly and the like. be able to.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall structure of an endoscope having an operating device according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bending operation device of the endoscope of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a member that is integrally rotated by a left-right bending mechanism as a member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a member that is integrally rotated by a vertical bending mechanism as a single member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line VV in FIG. 2;
6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG.
7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2;
8 is a plan view of the vicinity of a retaining member as seen from the direction of arrow VIII in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a single shape of the retaining member of FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bending operation device.
FIG. 11 is a view of the bending operation device as viewed from the bottom side, excluding the members in the endoscope housing.
12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the left / right bending mechanism in FIG. 2. FIG.
13 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of a vertical bending mechanism in FIG.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an assembly / disassembly procedure of the endoscope operating device.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an assembly / disassembly procedure of the endoscope operating device.
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining an assembly / disassembly procedure of the endoscope operating device.
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an assembly / disassembly procedure of the endoscope operating device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Endoscope
11 Operation unit
11a housing
11b substrate
11c Through hole
11d lid
12 Insertion part
12a Curved part
13 Bending operation device
13LR left and right bending mechanism
13UD Vertical bending mechanism
14 Connector
15 Eyepiece
17 Light source device
18 Forceps opening
20 Rotating base axis (Operation center axis)
20a Fixing screw
21 Operation shaft
21a Tubular part
21b Disc-shaped part
21c round hole
21d Flange
21e Male thread
22 Non-circular cross section
23 Bending operation knob
23a Finger hook
23b Large diameter opening (open part)
23c Small diameter opening
23d Convex
23f 23g Opposite wall
23h Connection wall
23i Hollow part
24 pulley
25 Operation wire
26 Operation wire
31 Operation shaft
31a Tubular part
31b Disc-shaped part
31c round hole
33 Bending operation knob
33a Finger hook
33b Large diameter opening
33c Small diameter opening
33d Convex
33e Inner frame
33f 33g Opposite wall
33h Connection wall
33i Hollow part
33j Rotation restriction convex part
33k female thread
34 pulley
35 Operation wire
36 Operation wire
41 Lock shaft (lock operation member)
41 Lock shaft
41a Tubular part
41b Disc-shaped part
41c Rotation restricting protrusion
41d male thread
42 Lock operation knob (lock operation member)
43 Fixing nut
44 retaining member
44a Rotation restriction surface
44b Click recess
44c non-circular hole
45 click spring
46 Movement lock member (second brake member)
46a Female thread
46b Friction engagement part
47 Rotation regulator
48 Fixed lock member (first brake member)
48a Friction engagement part
48b Female thread
48c Rotation operation hole (Rotation operation part)
50 Fixed base (operation center axis)
51 Lock shaft (lock operation member)
51a Tubular part
51b Disc-shaped part
51c round hole
51d male thread
52 Lock operation lever (lock operation member)
52a Convex
52b Disc base
52c extension
54 Non-circular cross section
55 Click spring
56 Movement lock member (second brake member)
56a Female thread
57 Rotation regulator
56b Friction engagement part
58 Fixed lock member (first brake member)
58a Friction engagement part
58b Rotation restriction recess
58c Notch
60 Lock adjusting nut (Locking force adjusting ring)
60a male thread
60b Rotation operation hole (Rotation operation part)
61 Intermediate retaining member
62 retaining member
63 Locking lever rotation restricting member
75 76 Kanime Wrench
75a Annular part
75b 76b engagement protrusion
76a Semi-annular part

Claims (7)

In an endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target and capable of bending the bending portion at the distal end of the insertion portion,
A bending operation knob which is provided so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis and which bends the bending portion by the turning operation;
A first brake member screwed and supported on the inner side of the bending operation knob via a screw portion centered on the operation center axis ;
A lock operation member capable of rotating relative to the bending operation knob;
The forward and reverse relative rotation of the lock operation member moves forward and backward in the direction of the operation center axis of the bending operation knob, and the rotation of the lock operation knob is restricted or free by contacting and separating from the first brake member. A second brake member that performs; and
A rotation operation part formed on the first brake member so as to face the opening part of the bending operation knob;
Have
When the first brake member is rotated relative to the bending operation knob via the rotation operation portion, the first brake member is moved in the operation center axis direction according to the screw portion, and the second brake member The initial interval between and changes; and
The bending operation knob is a bottomed cylindrical body having an end surface substantially orthogonal to the operation center axis, and the open portion is formed on one end surface of the cylindrical bending operation knob. The second brake member has its opening portion closed substantially flush with the end surface of the bending operation knob;
An endoscope operation device characterized by the above. In an endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target and capable of bending the bending portion at the distal end of the insertion portion,
A bending operation knob that is provided so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis and that bends the bending portion by the rotation operation;
A first brake member which is movable in the operation center axis direction with respect to the bending operation knob and is supported so as to rotate integrally in a rotation direction around the operation center axis;
A lock operation member capable of rotating relative to the bending operation knob;
The forward and reverse relative rotation of the lock operation member moves forward and backward in the direction of the operation center axis of the bending operation knob, and the rotation of the lock operation knob is restricted or free by contacting and separating from the first brake member. A second brake member to perform;
A locking force adjusting ring that is separated from the first brake member and is screwed with a screw portion provided in the bending operation knob, and moves in the operation central axis direction with respect to the bending operation knob; and
A turning operation part formed on the locking force adjusting ring facing the opening part;
Have
When the locking force adjusting ring is rotated via the rotating operation portion, the locking force adjusting ring is moved in the operation center axis direction according to the screw portion, and the first brake is moved according to the movement of the locking force adjusting ring. The member moves in the direction of the operation center axis to change the initial distance from the second brake member; and
The bending operation knob is a bottomed cylindrical body having an end surface substantially orthogonal to the operation center axis, and the opening portion is formed on one end surface of the cylindrical bending operation knob. The second brake member and the locking force adjusting ring close the opening part substantially flush with the end face of the bending operation knob;
An endoscope operation device characterized by the above. The endoscope operating device according to claim 2, wherein the lock force adjusting ring prevents the first brake member from coming off in the opening portion direction. The endoscope operation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotation operation unit includes a hole formed in a surface facing the opening part. The endoscope operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second brake members are detachable from a hollow bending operation knob through the opening portion. . The endoscope operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lock operation member is provided at a position facing an opening portion of the bending operation knob.
The endoscope operation device, wherein the rotation operation unit can be operated through an open region that is not covered by the lock operation member. The endoscope operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bending operation knob is provided with a pair adjacent to the operation center axis direction.
An endoscope operating device in which the opening portions of the pair of bending operation knobs are opened in opposite directions so as not to face each other.

Images