JP3949799B2 - Connection device for endoscope and light source device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connection device between an endoscope and a light source device for connecting a light guide and an electrical contact between the endoscope and the light source device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, an endoscope-side connector includes an incident end of an illumination light guide and an electrical contact for transmitting an electrical signal, and a light source with a built-in light source that emits illumination light to be supplied to the light guide The connector receiver of the apparatus is provided with an electrical contact that is electrically connected to the electrical contact on the endoscope side, so that the connector on the endoscope side is manually inserted into the connector receiver on the light source apparatus side and connected. It has become.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there is always a connection play in such a connection mechanism. Therefore, when the connector is inserted into the connector holder by hand, the connection state varies each time, and the brightness of the illumination light irradiated to the subject fluctuates due to the displacement of the incident end face of the light guide, or the electrical contact In some cases, contact failure occurs in a part of the signal, and signal transmission between the endoscope and the light source device may not be performed well.
[0004]
Accordingly, the present invention provides a connection device between an endoscope and a light source device, in which there is no variation in the insertion and connection state of the connector of the endoscope with respect to the connector receiver of the light source device, and a good connection state can always be obtained. For the purpose.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the endoscope and light source device connecting apparatus according to the present invention has an endoscope-side connector with an electrical contact for transmitting an electrical signal to the incident end of the illumination light guide. And a connector receiver of a light source device incorporating a light source that emits illumination light to be supplied to the light guide is provided with an electrical contact that is electrically connected to an electrical contact on the endoscope side. Thus, in the connection device between the endoscope and the light source device in which the connector is inserted into the connector receiver and connected, the connection mechanism between the connector and the connector receiver is completely connected to the light source device. Connection guidance means for guiding the power to the power is provided, and an operation button for starting the operation of the connection guidance means is provided on the connector.
[0006]
The connection guiding means may be configured to pull the shaft protruding from the connector side into the connector receiving side and fix the shaft so as not to come out in the axial direction of the shaft. The electrical contact on the light source device side may be guided to a state connected to the electrical contact on the endoscope side.
[0007]
Further, a connection completion detecting means for detecting that the connection between the connector and the connector receiver is completed is provided, and the electrical contact on the light source device side corresponding to a detection signal output from the connection completion detecting means The circuit leading to may be energized.
[0008]
Further, the operation button may start an operation of returning the connection state between the connector and the connector receiver from a complete connection state to a disconnection state, in which case the connector connection guiding means disconnects the connector. In conjunction with the operation of returning to the state, the energization to the circuit leading to the electrical contact on the light source device side may be stopped.
[0009]
Further, a connection release display means for displaying that when the connection state between the connector and the connector receiver is released may be provided.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a connection portion between a connector 1 provided in the endoscope and a connector receiver 5 provided in the endoscope light source device 2. In this embodiment, the endoscope is an electronic endoscope in which an observation image is picked up by a solid-state image sensor, and the light source device 2 also serves as a video processor.
[0011]
The connector 1 is detachably connected to the connector receiver 5. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the connector 1 is connected to the connector receiver 5 (however, the connection has not been completed). 21 is a frame of the light source device 2, and 22 is a cover.
[0012]
The connector 1 is connected to an operation portion of an endoscope (not shown) through a flexible connecting tube 11 through which an illumination light guide fiber 13 and an electric signal line 16 are inserted.
[0013]
An elongated cylindrical light guide support cylinder 12 through which the incident end of the light guide fiber 13 passes is projected at the end of the connector 1, and the incident end face 13a of the light guide fiber 13 is disposed at the projected end. ing.
[0014]
In addition, an endoscope-side electrical connector in which a plurality of electrical contacts are arranged in a thick cylindrical fitting connection cylinder 14 projecting from the connector 1 in parallel with the light guide support cylinder 12 and separated by an insulating material. 15 is arranged, and a lead wire 16 passed through the endoscope is connected to each electrical contact.
[0015]
The lead wire 16 is used to transmit, for example, an imaging signal and a driving signal input / output to / from a solid-state imaging device that captures an endoscopic observation image, or a control signal for controlling the illumination state of the subject.
[0016]
In order to fix the connector 1 in a state where it is connected to the connector receiver 5, a retaining shaft 18 whose base is fixed to the connector 1 with screws is provided between the light guide support tube 12 and the fitting connection tube 14. It is arranged to project in parallel. A through hole is formed in the axial position of the retaining shaft 18.
[0017]
The light guide support cylinder 12 and the fitting connection cylinder 14 are loosely inserted into receiving holes 50a and 50b formed on the connector receiver 5 side, and the retaining shaft 18 is pulled into a retaining stopper 70 described later, It is fixed on the light source device 2 side so as not to come out in the axial direction.
[0018]
An operation button 17 is disposed on the wall surface of the connector 1, and transmission rods 17 a and 17 b that are moved in the axial direction by the operation button 17 are disposed in the connector 1. Reference numeral 17 c denotes a return spring for the operation button 17.
[0019]
The first transmission rod 17a is supported by a bearing so as to be slidable in the axial direction, and is arranged to be slid by being directly pressed by the operation button 17.
[0020]
The second transmission rod 17b arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first transmission rod 17a is inserted and supported in the vicinity of the tip portion in the retaining shaft 18, and supported by a bearing so as to be slidable in the axial direction. It is connected to the first transmission rod 17a via a cam joint 17d.
[0021]
As a result, when the operation button 17 is pressed, the second transmission rod 17b moves in the direction of retracting into the connector 1 via the first transmission rod 17a, and when the operation button 17 is released, the return spring 17c is attached. The second transmission rod 17b is moved in a direction protruding from the tip of the retaining shaft 18 by the force.
[0022]
The light source device 2 includes a light source lamp 23 made of, for example, a xenon lamp. Illumination light emitted from the light source device 2 is converged on the incident end face 13 a of the light guide fiber 13 by the converging lens 24 and incident on the light guide fiber 13. To do.
[0023]
Reference numeral 51 denotes a light source device side electrical connector, which has a plurality of electrical contacts arranged with an insulating material and is formed in a shape and size that fits perfectly into the fitting connection cylinder 14.
[0024]
Each electrical contact of the light source device side electrical connector 51 is connected to an electronic circuit (not shown) in the light source device 2 and is arranged at a position corresponding to the electrical contact of the endoscope side electrical connector 15. Reference numerals 51 a and 14 a denote a protrusion and a groove that are engaged when the light source device side electrical connector 51 is inserted into the fitting connection cylinder 14 and are positioned in the rotational direction.
[0025]
Positioning of the connected state of the connector 1 and the connector receiver 5 is performed by engagement of the light source device side electrical connector 51 and the fitting connection cylinder 14 and is not affected by other members. Therefore, if the light source device side electrical connector 51 is inserted into the fitting connection cylinder 14, all the electrical contacts are reliably brought into contact with each other.
[0026]
The light guide support cylinder 12 is also positioned by the engagement of the light source device side electrical connector 51 and the fitting connection cylinder 14, and the incident end face 13 a of the light guide fiber 13 is converged by the illumination light emitted from the light source lamp 23. Led to.
[0027]
The support plate 52 to which the light source device side electrical connector 51 is attached is slidably supported by a pair of stays 53 protruding from the inside of the frame 21, and is a screw rod 54 that is rotationally driven by a first motor 55. Are screwed together.
[0028]
Accordingly, when the screw rod 54 is rotationally driven by the first motor 55, the support plate 52 slides along the stay 53, thereby inserting / removing the light source device side electric connector 51 into the fitting connection cylinder 14. Can be made.
[0029]
During the operation, the reflection plate 56 fixed to the side surface of the support plate 52 is detected by the two photosensors 57 and 58 arranged with a space therebetween, whereby “insertion completion” and “removal completion”. Is detected, and energization of the first motor 55 is stopped.
[0030]
FIG. 2 shows the retainer fixing part 70 in an enlarged manner. Engagement with a rotating cylinder 72 supported by a bearing so as to be rotatable about an extension line of the axis of the retaining shaft 18 is engaged with a protrusion 18a projecting laterally from the tip of the retaining shaft 18. A groove 71 is formed and is driven to rotate by the second motor 73.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3, the engagement groove 71 is formed in the axial direction on the inlet side and obliquely in the circumferential direction on the back side. Accordingly, when the protrusion 18 a of the retaining shaft 18 is engaged with the engaging groove 71 and the rotating cylinder 72 is rotated, the protrusion 18 a enters the oblique portion of the engaging groove 71, and the retaining shaft 18. Is locked to the light source device 2 side. However, the lock is a lock in the axial direction of the retaining shaft 18 and has a degree of freedom of movement by play in a direction perpendicular thereto.
[0032]
As described above, the switch 76 is disposed so as to face the end face of the second transmission rod 17b that moves in the axial direction, and the tip of the second transmission rod 17b is moved in and out of the protruding end of the retaining shaft 18. As a result, the switch 76 is turned on / off, and the switch is triggered to start the rotation of the second motor 73.
[0033]
Further, the reflecting plate 79 fixed to the end surface of the rotating cylinder 72 is detected by a pair of photosensors 77 and 78 arranged at intervals as shown schematically in FIG. “Unlocking completion” is detected, and power supply to the second motor 73 is stopped.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described. The control of the operation order of each unit is performed by a control unit (not shown) provided in the light source device 2. The control unit may use a microprocessor.
[0035]
When the endoscope is connected to the light source device 2, the connector 1 is inserted into the connector receiver 5 while the operation button 17 is pressed, and the hand is released from the connector 1 and the operation button 17 while being lightly inserted.
[0036]
Then, the switch 76 is turned on by being pushed by the second transmission rod 17b protruding from the retaining shaft 18 by the urging force of the return spring 17c. As a result, the rotary cylinder 72 is rotationally driven by the second motor 73, and the projection 18 a protruding from the tip of the retaining shaft 18 is locked to the engagement groove 71 of the engagement groove 71. The connector receiver 5 will not come out.
[0037]
Next, the screw rod 54 is rotationally driven by the first motor 55, and the light source device side electrical connector 51 is inserted into the fitting connection cylinder 14 on the connector 1 side. Thereby, the positional relationship of the connection state between the connector receiver 5 and the connector 1 (the positional relationship in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction) is corrected to the correct state, and the electrical contact of the light source device side electrical connector 51 and the endoscope side The electrical contact of the electrical connector 15 is connected.
[0038]
At the same time, the incident end face 13a of the light guide fiber 13 is set at the convergence position of the illumination light. When the completion of the connection is detected by the photosensor 58, the electronic circuit or the like in the light source device 2 leading to the electrical contact of the light source device side electrical connector 51 is energized.
[0039]
When removing the endoscope from the light source device 2, the operation button 17 provided on the connector 1 is pushed. Then, when the switch 76 is turned off, a warning message such as “Caution to escape” is displayed on a television monitor (not shown).
[0040]
Subsequently, an operation of detaching the connector 1 from the connector receiver 5 is started. First, energization of the electronic circuit and the like in the light source device 2 leading to the electrical contact of the light source device side electrical connector 51 is stopped.
[0041]
Next, the screw rod 54 is reversed by the first motor 55, and the light source device side electrical connector 51 is extracted from the fitting connection cylinder 14, and then the rotation cylinder 72 is reversed by the second motor 73 and removed. The protrusion 18a of the stopping shaft 18 is disengaged from the engaging groove 71, and the connection state between the connector 1 and the connector receiver 5 is released.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the light source device is provided with connection guiding means for guiding the connection mechanism between the connector and the connector receiver by power until a complete connection state is established, and the operation for causing the connector to start the operation of the connection guiding means. By providing the button, there is no variation in the connection state of the connector with respect to the connector receptacle, and it is possible to stably obtain a good connection state without fluctuations in the brightness of the illumination light or poor contact of the electrical contacts. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged side sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a partial plan sectional view showing a shape of an engagement groove according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the photosensor according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connector 2 Light source device 5 Connector receptacle 13 Light guide fiber 14 Fitting connection pipe | tube 15 Endoscope side electric connector 17 Operation button 18 Retaining prevention shaft 18a Protrusion 51 Light source device side electric connector 54 Screw rod 55 First motor 70 Detachment Stop fixing portion 71 Engaging groove 73 Second motor 76 Switch

Claims (7)

The connector on the endoscope side includes an incident end of an illumination light guide and an electrical contact for transmitting an electrical signal, and a light source incorporating a light source that emits illumination light to be supplied to the light guide The connector receiver of the device is provided with an electrical contact that is electrically connected to the electrical contact on the endoscope side, and the endoscope and the light source device are configured such that the connector is inserted into and connected to the connector receiver. In the connection device of
The light source device is provided with connection guiding means for guiding the connection mechanism between the connector and the connector receiver by power until the connection mechanism is completely connected, and the operation button for causing the connector to start the operation of the connection guiding means A connection device between an endoscope and a light source device, characterized by comprising: 2. The connection device between an endoscope and a light source device according to claim 1, wherein the connection guiding means pulls the shaft protruding from the connector side into the connector receiving side and fixes the shaft so as not to come out in the axial direction of the shaft. . The connection device between the endoscope and the light source device according to claim 1, wherein the connection guiding means guides the electrical contact on the light source device side to a state connected to the electrical contact on the endoscope side. Connection completion detection means for detecting the completion of connection between the connector and the connector receiver is provided, and communicates with an electrical contact on the light source device side in response to a detection signal output from the connection completion detection means. The connection device between the endoscope and the light source device according to claim 1, wherein the circuit is energized. 5. The connection device between an endoscope and a light source device according to claim 1, wherein the operation button starts an operation of returning a connection state between the connector and the connector receiver from a completely connected state to a detached state. . 6. The connection device between an endoscope and a light source device according to claim 5, wherein energization to a circuit leading to an electrical contact on the light source device side is stopped in conjunction with an operation in which the connector connection guiding means returns the connector to a detached state. . The connection device between the endoscope and the light source device according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a connection release display means for displaying when the connection state between the connector and the connector receiver is released.

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