JP4253619B2 - Connector, connector device and ultrasonic endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connector, a connector device, and an ultrasonic endoscope device, and more particularly to a connector, a connector device, and an ultrasonic endoscope device that prevent bending of each pin in a connector having a plurality of pins.

  Conventionally, an electronic ultrasonic endoscope has been widely used in the medical field. The electronic ultrasonic endoscope has an insertion portion having an imaging device and an ultrasonic probe at a distal end portion, and an operation portion, and is connected to an observation device. The observation apparatus includes a scanning unit that scans a site to be observed by the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic probe, generates a display image and displays the tomographic image obtained by scanning on the monitor. The surgeon or the like can perform treatment using an endoscope or the like by viewing the display image.

The connection between the electronic ultrasonic endoscope and the observation device so far is performed by connecting a connection cable integrally provided to the electronic ultrasonic endoscope to the observation device (for example, Patent Document 1). Since some observation devices are commercially available as general-purpose devices that can be connected to a normal ultrasonic tomography device that is not an ultrasonic endoscope, the hospital that is the user uses the observation device that has been used so far. For example, a new observation device may be purchased, that is, changed.
JP 2001-170054

  However, when the observation apparatus to which the electronic ultrasonic endoscope or the like is connected is changed to another observation apparatus, for example, by replacement, for example, the electronic ultrasonic endoscope that can be connected to the previous observation apparatus is changed. Because the connector type and shape of the connection cable are different, it may not be possible to connect to the observation device after the change. However, for users of hospitals and the like, it is necessary to change, for example, to purchase an electronic ultrasound endoscope that can be connected to the observation device after the change, with the change of the observation device. An electronic ultrasonic endoscope is expensive and unfavorable because it imposes a large economic burden.

  Therefore, in order to avoid such problems, the electronic ultrasonic endoscope has been designed so that the connection cable that has been provided integrally with the electronic ultrasonic endoscope can be attached to and detached from the endoscope body. A configuration in which the main body of the mirror and the connection cable are configured separately is also conceivable. With such a configuration, even if the observation device is changed, the user only has to change the connection cable that can be connected to the changed observation device, and does not have to replace the main body of the electronic ultrasonic endoscope. Also good.

  However, in an electronic ultrasonic endoscope device, in order to perform electronic scanning with an ultrasonic transducer, signals for individually driving a large number of transducers from an observation device are transmitted from the electronic ultrasonic endoscope. Must be supplied to the body. Therefore, in the connection portion between the connection cable and the observation device, or in the connection portion between the connection cable and the electronic ultrasonic endoscope main body, a plurality of pins corresponding to individual drive signals and a plurality of contact members corresponding to each pin Is required. Specifically, for example, in the case of a connection portion between a connection cable and an electronic ultrasonic endoscope main body, when both are to be connected by a connector, one connector is provided with a plurality of male pins, and the other This connector is provided with a plurality of female contact members.

  However, in hospitals etc., when the electronic ultrasonic endoscope and the connection cable are handled in the operating room etc., some pins of the male connector are inadvertently touched by the user and some pins are bent, There is a possibility that the distance between the pins may be short or the pins may touch each other. Alternatively, even when the user does not directly touch the connector pins themselves, when handling the connection cable, the male connector provided at the end of the connection cable is accidentally applied to an object such as a surrounding wall. In other words, some pins may be bent. If a bent pin occurs, it may cause a malfunction.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a connector that can prevent bending of pins of a connector for connection , and can prevent erroneous mounting with respect to combinations of various types of connectors. An object is to provide an apparatus .

The connector device of the present invention is provided with a base member provided with a plurality of conductive pins, a side wall member provided so as to surround the plurality of pins, and a slidable member provided in the side wall member. A protective member having a plurality of holes through which the pins can be inserted, and biasing the protective member to a position where the plurality of pins do not protrude from the plurality of holes or slightly protrude in the side wall member. A male connector having a biasing means, and a plurality of contact members capable of electrically connecting each of the plurality of pins, and a female connector member slidably fitted to the side wall member A female connector, wherein the male connector has a guide protrusion or a guide notch, and the female connector has a guide notch or the guide notch corresponding to the guide protrusion. The male connector and the female connector so that the side wall member of the male connector and the female connector member of the female connector are slidably fitted to each other. Each is provided with a fitting direction determining means .

Provided a connector device that does not be able to touch the pin directly even if there is contact from the outside, or that the pin does not bend even if touched , and that can prevent erroneous mounting for various types of connector combinations Can

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an ultrasonic endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as an endoscope) 2 including an ultrasonic transducer that is an ultrasonic transducer, illumination light, and the like. A light source unit (not shown), and a signal processing unit that drives an image pickup device (not shown) and performs various signal processing of electric signals transmitted from the image pickup device to generate a video signal for an endoscopic observation image. An endoscope observation apparatus 3 that performs the above operation and a signal processing unit that generates an image signal for an ultrasonic tomographic image by performing various signal processing of an electric signal transmitted from the driving of the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic transducer. The system mainly includes an observation device 4 and a monitor 5 that displays an observation image based on video signals generated by the ultrasonic observation device 4 and the endoscope observation device 3.

  The endoscope 2 includes an elongated insertion portion 11 that is inserted into a body cavity, an operation portion 12 that is located on the proximal end side of the insertion portion 11, and a universal cord 13 that extends from a side portion of the operation portion 12. It is mainly composed of.

  An endoscope connector 14 connected to the endoscope observation apparatus 3 is provided at the proximal end portion of the universal cord 13. An illumination connector 14a connected to a light source unit (not shown) is provided at the distal end portion of the endoscope connector 14. An endoscope observation device connector 14b to which an electric cord (not shown) that is electrically connected to the signal processing unit is detachably connected is provided on a side portion of the endoscope connector 14. Further, a connection cable connector 14c to which a connector 15a at one end of a connection cable 15 for connection to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 is detachably connected is provided on a side portion of the endoscope connector 14. The other end of the connection cable 15 is provided with a connector 15 b that is detachably connected to the connection cable connector 4 a of the observation device 4. Therefore, the connection cable 15 configured separately from the main body of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 can be attached to and detached from each of the observation device 4 and the main body of the ultrasonic endoscope 2.

  The insertion portion 11 includes a distal end hard portion 6 formed of a hard member in order from the distal end side, a bendable bending portion 7 provided continuously to the proximal end side of the distal end hard portion 6, and a proximal end of the bending portion 7. The flexible tube portion 8 has a small diameter, a long length, and a flexible tube portion 8 that are connected to the side and reach the distal end side of the operation portion 12. On the distal end side of the distal end rigid portion 6, an observation optical unit that performs endoscopic observation using an optical image and an endoscope observation unit 20 that includes an illumination optical unit and a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves are arranged. And an ultrasonic observation unit 30 for forming an ultrasonic scanning surface.

  The operation unit 12 includes an angle knob 16 for controlling the bending of the bending portion 7, an air / water supply button 17a for performing air supply and water supply operations, a suction button 17b for performing suction operations, and a treatment to be introduced into the body cavity. A treatment instrument insertion port 18 or the like serving as an instrument entrance is provided. Various operation switches 19 are provided for switching display images to be displayed on the monitor 5 and for giving instructions such as freeze and release. Reference numeral 9 denotes a mouthpiece placed in the oral cavity of the patient.

  FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining a state where the connection cable connector 14c of the endoscope connector 14 and the connector 15a of the connection cable 15 are connected. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state where the connector 15a is attached to the connection cable connector 14c.

  2, by attaching the connector 15a of the connection cable 15 to the connection cable connector 14c in the direction indicated by the arrow C, the connection cable 15 is connected to the endoscope connector 14 as shown in FIG. Can do. As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 14c for the connection cable of the endoscope connector 14 is disposed on the distal end side of the endoscope observation apparatus connector 14b, that is, on the operation unit 12 side. When the connector 15a of the connection cable 15 is attached to the connection cable connector 14c, the connection cable connector 14c is so projected that the connector 15a protrudes from the side surface of the main body of the endoscope connector 14 in a substantially orthogonal direction. Is provided.

  The structure of the two connectors for connecting the connector 15b at the other end of the connection cable 15 and the connector 4a of the ultrasonic observation apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as the observation apparatus) 4 is the structure of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c. Since the connector can be the same as or different from the structure, the description thereof will be omitted, and only the structure for connecting the connector 15a and the connector for connection cable 14c will be described below.

  Accordingly, the observation apparatus 4 is supplied with a drive signal to the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic endoscope 2 through the connection cable 2 and receives the received echo signal through the connection cable 15.

  Next, the structures of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a front view of the endoscope connector 14 as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the connector 15a of the connection cable 15 as seen from the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector 15a. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connection cable connector 14c.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the connector 15 a, a plurality of connection lines 51 in the connection cable 15 are respectively connected to a plurality of conductive wires provided in a female connector member 53 via a female connector base member 52. The contact piece 54 which is a contact member is electrically connected. A female connector member 53 made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin is fixed to a female connector base member 52. The female connector member 53 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and as shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of holes 53a are formed in a matrix shape on the tip surface portion. Contact pieces 54 are respectively disposed in the plurality of holes 53a.

  The connector base member 52 and the female connector member 53 are inserted and fixed in a housing member 55 made of metal such as stainless steel. The housing member 55 has a cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the hole 53a, the inner peripheral side is rectangular, the outer peripheral side has a circular concave portion, and the rectangular parallelepiped on the inner peripheral side has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A female connector member 53 is disposed. Fingers 55b for noise suppression are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 55.

  On the inner peripheral surface of the housing member 55, as shown in FIG. 7, there are four guide groove portions 55a parallel to the axial direction of the hole 53a from the distal end side toward the proximal end side. Guide groove members 55b formed in the respective plane portions are provided. As will be described later, only one of the four guide groove portions 55a is different from the shape of the other guide groove portions. This is for determining the fitting direction when connecting to the male connector on the cable connecting connector 14c side, and constitutes a fitting direction determining means together with a guide projection 73f of the male connector described later.

  A cylindrical frame member 56 made of stainless steel or the like so as to cover the outer periphery of the housing member 55 can be coaxially rotated with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 55 so as not to fall off to the connection cable 15 side. It is provided as such. The frame member 56 has a cam groove (not shown) formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof, and a protrusion formed on the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 55 engages with the cam groove, so that the frame member 56 has a predetermined direction and a predetermined range. It can be turned inside. The frame member 56 has a flange portion 56a formed on the tip end side of the connector 15a. Further, two guide cutout portions 56b are formed in part of the flange portion 56a. In the description of the connector 15a, the distal end side means the connection cable connector 14c side when the connector 15a is connected to the connection cable connector 14c, and the proximal end side is opposite to the distal end side. This is the connection cable 15 side. A cover member 57 made of an engineering plastic or the like is provided on the outer peripheral side of the frame member 56 so as to cover the outer periphery of the frame member 56 and to be fixed to the frame member 56.

  Therefore, as will be described later, the cover member 57 and the frame member 56 can be rotated around the axis of the connection cable 15 when the connector 15a is connected to or disconnected from the connection cable connector 14c.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a reinforcing annular plate member 58 is provided on the front end surface of the housing member 55. The outer peripheral side of the plate member 58 is a circle that substantially matches the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the housing member 55, and the inner peripheral side is a rectangle that substantially matches the shape of the inner peripheral surface of the recess of the housing member 55. Further, the rectangle has four cutout portions 58a so as to avoid each of the guide groove portions 55a described above.

Therefore, the connector 15a has a first fitting space S1 between the female connector member 53 and the housing member 55, and a second fitting space S2 between the housing member 55 and the frame member 56. Is formed.
As described above, the connector 15a constitutes a female connector.

Next, the structure of the connection cable connector 14c will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, in the connection cable connector 14 c, a plurality of connection lines 71 in the universal cord 13 are provided in the male connector member 73 via the connector base member 72 in the cover member 70. The plurality of contact pins (hereinafter referred to as pins) 74 are electrically connected. The male connector unit 73 is fixed to the male connector base member 72. The male connector unit 73 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a plurality of conductive pins 74 project from the male connector base member 72 and the like, as will be described later.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the male connector unit 73. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the male connector unit 73 connects a box-shaped frame member 73a, a slide member 73b slidably inserted into the box-shaped frame member 73a, and the slide member 73b. A spring member 73c is included as an urging means for urging the distal end side of the cable connector 14c. In the description of the connection cable connector 14c, the distal end side means the connector 15a side when the connection cable connector 14c is connected to the connector 15a, and the proximal end side is opposite to the distal end side. This is the connection line 71 side. The box-shaped frame member 73a, the slide member 73b, and the male connector base member 72 are each made of an insulating material such as synthetic resin.

  The box-shaped frame member 73a has a box shape in which an inner peripheral surface thereof has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape in a direction perpendicular to the connection direction of the connection cable connector 14c to the connector 15a. The box-shaped frame member 73a has four side wall portions 73d, and two of the four side wall portions 73d have a sliding guide slit portion 73e, and the slit is formed in the sliding direction of the sliding member 73b. It is formed so that it may become parallel to. The box-shaped frame member 73a constitutes a side wall member having a plurality of side walls. Therefore, the slide member 73b can slide against the urging force of the spring member 73c along the slit forming direction of the slit portion 73e. Further, guide protrusions 73f are formed on the outer peripheral sides of the four side wall portions 73d along the connecting direction of the connection cable connector 14c to the connector 15a.

  The slide member 73b is a rectangular parallelepiped member, and has a substantially rectangular shape that matches the shape of the inner peripheral side of the box-shaped frame member 73a. As shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of holes 73g through which the plurality of pins 74 can be inserted independently along the connecting direction of the connection cable connector 14c to the connector 15a are formed in the slide member 73b in a matrix. Has been. Therefore, the plurality of pins 74 are surrounded by the side wall portion 73d.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 10, the slide member 73b has two plate-like extension parts 73h inserted in the slit part 73e mentioned above on the base end side. A slide guide hole 73i is formed in each extending portion 73h. Guide pins 72a projecting from the male connector base member 72 are inserted into the respective slide guide holes 73i. A coil spring 73c, which is a spring member, is inserted into the guide pin 72a of the guide pin 72a inside the coil spring 73c, and both ends of each coil spring 73c are connected to the male connector base member 72 and the extending portion 73h. It is provided so as to be sandwiched between them. Therefore, the coil spring 73c constitutes an urging means for urging the slide member 73b toward the distal end side in the side wall portion 73d.

  Accordingly, the slide member 73b is urged from the proximal end side to the distal end side of the box-shaped frame member 73a by the coil spring 73c. However, as will be described later, the slide member 73b is moved from the distal end side to the proximal end side. When pushed, the extension portion 73h moves while sliding in the slit portion 73e toward the male connector base member 72 while resisting the biasing force of the coil spring 73c.

  When the slide member 73b is in contact with the distal end side of the slit portion 73e, as shown in FIG. 10, the plurality of pins 74 are buried in the plurality of holes 73g, respectively. On the other hand, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, when the slide member 73b is pressed and moved from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the slit portion 73e, the plurality of pins 74 protrude from the plurality of holes 73g, respectively. . When the slide member 73b is not pressed from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the slit portion 73e, the coil spring 73c is located in a position where the plurality of pins 74 do not protrude from the plurality of holes 73g in the side wall portion 73d. The slide member 73b is biased. Therefore, the slide member 73 b constitutes a protection member for the plurality of pins 74.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the male connector unit 73 is provided in a cylindrical frame member 75 made of metal such as stainless steel. Two guide pins 76 project from the outer peripheral surface of the frame member 75. The two guide pins 76, each of which is a guide protrusion, are provided at positions corresponding to the two guide notches 56 b of the frame member 56. Specifically, in order to connect the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c, when the front end surface of the connector 15a and the front end surface of the connection cable connector 14c are aligned, the two guide pins 76 are connected to the flange portion 56a. It avoids so that it may not hit, and it protrudes in the position which passes along the two guide notch parts 56b. Thereby, the incorrect mounting | wearing of connectors can be prevented.

  Further, one of the four guide projections 73f provided on the outer peripheral side of the four side wall portions 73d is different in shape from the other three guide projections 73f. The shape of the four guide groove portions 55a of the connector 15a is also formed in accordance with the shape of the guide projection portion 73f. Specifically, in the present embodiment, only one of the four guide groove portions 55a of the connector 15a is formed to be larger in width than the other guide groove portions 55a. Only one of the portions 73f is formed wider than the other guide projections 73f. As a result, when the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c are connected, the direction in which the male connector member 73 is connected to the female connector member 53 is not mistaken. That is, only one guide protrusion 73f having a different shape matches only the corresponding guide groove 55a, that is, only one guide protrusion 73f having a different shape only matches the guide groove 55a. Since the fitting is performed, the male connector member 73 is not inserted into the female connector member 53 in the wrong direction. Therefore, the four guide protrusions 73f and the four guide groove portions 55a configured as described above constitute an orientation determining unit that determines the fitting direction of the male connector member 73 and the female connector member 53.

Note that an O-ring is provided between the members such as the male connector member 73, the frame member 75, the cover member 70, etc. to maintain airtightness.
As described above, the connection cable connector 14c constitutes a male connector.

  Next, the connection between the connector 15a configured as described above and the connection cable connector 14c and the operation thereof will be described.

  When the connector 15a is attached to the connection cable connector 14c, the user can use the two guide pins 76 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the frame member 75 of the male connector unit 73 to cut the two guides on the distal end surface of the connector 15a. While aligning so as to pass through the notch portion 56b, the respective tip surfaces of the connector 15a and the connector for connection cable 14c are aligned. At this time, the shape of the four guide protrusions 73f matches the shape of the four guide groove portions 55a, so that the connector 15a can be attached to the connection cable connector 14c.

  When the connector 15a is attached to the connection cable connector 14c, the outer peripheral portion of the female connector member 53 of the connector 15a is fitted into and slides on the inner peripheral portion of the box-shaped frame member 73a, and the coil spring 73c. The distal end portion of the female connector member 53 moves the slide member 73b to the proximal end side while resisting the urging force. As the slide member 73b moves to the proximal end side, the plurality of pins 74 protrude from the distal end surface of the slide member 73b. At this time, the plurality of pins 74 protruding from the distal end surface of the slide member 73b are inserted into the plurality of holes 53a of the female connector member 53 and contact the plurality of contact pieces 54, respectively. The contact piece 54 is electrically connected.

  When the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c are connected, the four side wall portions 73d are fitted in the first fitting space S1 of the connector 15a, and the frame member 75 is placed in the second fitting space S2. Will fit.

  Then, when the male connector member 73 is fitted in the state where it is connected to the female connector member 53, the cover member 57 is rotated around the axis of the connector 15a. By rotating the cover member 57 around the axis of the connector 15a, when the connector 15a is viewed from the front end side, the two guide pins 76 are not positioned at the two guide cutout portions 56b, but at the flange portion 56a. It is a position and it hides in the base end side of the flange part 56a. Therefore, the connector 15a is prevented from being disconnected from the connection cable connector 14c after the connector 15a is attached to the connection cable connector 14c.

  When the connector 15a is removed from the connection cable connector 14c, the cover member 57 is rotated around the axis of the connector 15a, and when the connector 15a is viewed from the distal end side, the two guide pins 76 are 2 If it comes to the position of the two guide notch parts 56b, the connector 15a can be extracted from the connector 14c for connection cables.

  As described above, when the connector 15a is not attached to the connection cable connector 14c, the slide member 73b is housed in the hole 53a so as to protect the plurality of pins 74. Therefore, there is no possibility that the user may inadvertently touch some of the plurality of pins of the connector 15c or hit a surrounding wall or the like to bend some of the pins.

  In the above description, when the slide member 73b is not pressed from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the slit portion 73e, the coil spring 73c has a plurality of pins 74 in the side wall portion 73d. Although the slide member 73b is urged to a position that does not protrude from 73g, even if the plurality of pins 74 are in positions that slightly protrude from the plurality of holes 73g of the slide member 73b in the box-shaped frame member 73a, respectively. Good. Even if a person or the like touches, the above-described effect can be obtained even if the plurality of pins 74 are slightly protruded from the plurality of holes 73g of the slide member 73b as long as a part of the plurality of pins is not bent. This is because it can be demonstrated.

  In the above description, the male connector is formed on the endoscope connector 14 and the connection cable connectors 14 c and 4 a of the observation device 4, and the female connector is formed on the connectors 15 a and 15 b on both ends of the connection cable 15. However, by reversing these, the male connector is formed on the connectors 15a and 15b at both ends of the connection cable 15, and the female connector g is connected to the endoscope connector 14 and the connection cable connector 14c of the observation device 4. 4a may be formed.

  Further, when the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c are connected, all or part of the connection lines are connected to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 3 or the endoscope connector 14 or to the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 and the internal connection. Depending on the operating state of the levers provided on both of the endoscope connectors 14, it is possible to control the supply of electric power or electric signals or the supply of electric power and electric signals from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. You may do it.

  FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a part of the configuration of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus that can control the supply of electric power or an electric signal supplied from the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 to the ultrasonic endoscope 2. . FIG. 11 shows an example in which levers are provided on both the ultrasound observation apparatus 4 and the endoscope connector 14.

In the connection cable connector 4a of the ultrasonic observation apparatus 4 and the connection cable connector 14c of the endoscope connector 4, all or part of the internal connection lines are electrically connected and disconnected. Lever 101 and 102 for switching are provided. The levers 101 and 102 can be operated by the user so as to change the direction of the levers by hand, and depending on the direction of the operated levers 101 and 102, all or part of the internal connection lines are electrically connected. Switch the connected state between connected and disconnected.
For example, when the levers 101 and 102 are operated, the contact members provided in the connection cable connectors 4a and 14c corresponding to the respective connection lines move, and the disconnected connection lines are brought into a conductive state or non-connected. The connection state and the non-connection state of all or part of the connection line are switched by making the connection state.

  With this configuration, power or signal supply control from the ultrasound observation apparatus 3 to the endoscope 2 via the endoscope connector 14 can be reliably performed under the will of the user. .

  By the way, in the above description, the positional relationship between the two guide pins 76 and the two guide notches 56b is used so that the connector 15a is not erroneously attached to the connection cable connector 14c. With only the positional relationship of the part 56b, there is a possibility that a function for preventing erroneous mounting cannot be performed for a combination of connections between the various types of ultrasonic observation apparatuses 4 and the ultrasonic endoscope 2.

  Thus, not only the positional relationship between the two guide pins 76 and the two guide notches 56b but also the combination of the orientations of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73 may be used to prevent erroneous mounting. . 12 to 19 are diagrams for explaining various combinations of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c.

  12 and 13 show the positions of the two guide pins and the two guide notches on the respective front end surfaces of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c according to the first combination, and the female connector member. 53 is a view showing the orientation of each of 53 and a male connector unit 73. FIG. In FIG. 12, two guide pins 111a and 111b are provided at positions corresponding to the guide notches 121a and 121b in FIG. 13, and the guide protrusions 112a to 112d of the male connector member 73 are the guide groove portions in FIG. It is provided at a position corresponding to 122a to 122d. Furthermore, only the guide protrusion 112d is formed to be wider than the other guide protrusions, and correspondingly, only the guide groove 122d is formed to be wider than the other guide grooves. .

  Therefore, not only the positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches, but also the misfit prevention is achieved by the combination of the fitting direction of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73.

  Similarly, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show the positions of the two guide pins and the two guide notches on the front end surfaces of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c according to the second combination, and the female FIG. 6 is a view showing the directions of a side connector member 53 and a male connector unit 73.

  Since the positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches is different from the first combination, the connector of FIG. 13 cannot be connected to the connector for the connection cable of FIG. The 15 connectors cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG.

  Similarly, FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 show the positions of the two guide pins and the two guide notches on the front end surfaces of the connector 15a and the connection cable connector 14c according to the third combination, and the female FIG. 6 is a view showing the directions of a side connector member 53 and a male connector unit 73.

  The first combination has the same positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches, but the fitting direction of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73 is different. The connector of FIG. 13 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG. 16, and similarly, the connector of FIG. 17 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG.

  Furthermore, since the positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches is different from the second combination, the connector of FIG. 15 cannot be connected to the connector for the connection cable of FIG. The connector of FIG. 17 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG.

  Similarly, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 show the positions of the two guide pins and the two guide cutouts on the front end surfaces of the connector 15a and the connector for the connection cable 14c according to the fourth combination, and the female It is a figure which shows the direction of each fitting of the side connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73. FIG.

  The first combination is different in the positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide cutouts and in the direction of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73, so that the connection cable connector of FIG. The connector of FIG. 13 cannot be connected, and similarly, the connector of FIG. 19 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG.

  Furthermore, the second combination has the same positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches, but the fitting directions of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73 are different. Therefore, the connector of FIG. 15 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG. 18, and similarly, the connector of FIG. 19 cannot be connected to the connection cable connector of FIG.

  Furthermore, in the third combination, the fitting directions of the female connector member 53 and the male connector unit 73 are the same, but the positional relationship between the two guide pins and the two guide notches is different. Therefore, the connector of FIG. 17 cannot be connected to the connector for connection cable of FIG. 18, and similarly, the connector of FIG. 19 cannot be connected to the connector for connection cable of FIG.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a connector that prevents the pins of the connecting connector from being bent.

  In addition, as described above, since the connection cable and the ultrasonic endoscope can be separated from each other, only the connection cable needs to be replaced even if the connection cable has a failure such as disconnection. Furthermore, since the connection cable and the electronic ultrasonic endoscope main body are separated from each other, the connection cable and the electronic ultrasonic endoscope main body can be separately provided for inspection during manufacturing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The connector of the present invention can be applied not only to an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus but also to general electric devices and electronic devices that perform electrical connection using a male connector and a female connector.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the ultrasonic endoscope apparatus concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a side view for demonstrating the state to which the connector for connection cables of the endoscope connector concerning embodiment of this invention and the connector of a connection cable are connected. It is a side view which shows the state with which the connector concerning embodiment of this invention was mounted | worn with the connector for connection cables. FIG. 3 is a front view of the endoscope connector as seen from a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2. It is the front view of the connector of a connection cable seen from the direction shown by the arrow B of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the VI-VI line of FIG. It is a perspective view of the connector concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view of the connector for connection cables concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a perspective view of the male connector unit concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing along the XX line of FIG. Configuration showing a part of the configuration of an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus that can control the supply of electric power or an electric signal supplied from the ultrasonic observation apparatus to the ultrasonic endoscope according to the embodiment of the present invention FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector for connection cables which concerns on a 1st combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector which concerns on a 1st combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector for connection cables which concerns on a 2nd combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector which concerns on a 2nd combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector for connection cables which concerns on a 3rd combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector which concerns on a 3rd combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector for connection cables which concerns on a 4th combination. It is a figure for demonstrating the connector which concerns on a 4th combination.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, 2 Ultrasonic endoscope, 5 Monitor, 14 Endoscope connector, 4a, 14c Connector for connection cable, 15a, 15b Connector, 53 Female connector member, 55a Guide groove part, 56b Guide cut Notch, 73 Male connector unit, 73b Slide member, 73c Coil spring, 73d Side wall, 73f Guide projection, 73g hole, 76 Guide pin agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (5)

A base member projecting a plurality of conductive pins;
A side wall member provided so as to surround the plurality of pins;
A protective member that is slidably provided in the side wall member and has a plurality of holes through which the plurality of pins can be respectively inserted;
An urging means for urging the protection member at a position where the plurality of pins do not protrude from the plurality of holes or slightly protrude within the side wall member;
A male connector having :
A female connector having a plurality of contact members capable of electrically connecting each of the plurality of pins, and having a female connector member slidably fitted to the side wall member;
Configured with
The male connector has a guide protrusion or a guide notch, and the female connector has a guide notch corresponding to the guide protrusion or a guide protrusion corresponding to the guide notch. ,
The male connector and the female connector are each provided with fitting direction determining means so that the side wall member of the male connector and the female connector member of the female connector are slidably fitted. The connector apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The male connector and the female connector are connectors for an ultrasonic endoscope apparatus, and an ultrasonic transducer provided in the ultrasonic endoscope is provided at the plurality of pins and the plurality of contact portions. The connector device according to claim 1, wherein a drive signal is supplied to the connector device. An ultrasonic endoscope having a first connector;
An ultrasonic observation device that has a second connector and generates an ultrasonic image obtained from the ultrasonic endoscope;
A connection cable having third and fourth connectors connectable to the first connector and the second connector, respectively.
The connection between the first connector and the third connector, and the connection between the second connector and the fourth connector are ultrasonic waves formed by the connection between the male connector and the female connector, respectively. An endoscopic device,
The male connector is
A base member projecting a plurality of conductive pins;
A side wall member provided so as to surround the plurality of pins;
A protective member that is slidably provided in the side wall member and has a plurality of holes through which the plurality of pins can be respectively inserted;
A biasing means for biasing the protection member at a position where the plurality of pins do not protrude from the plurality of holes or slightly protrude in the side wall member;
The female connector is
A plurality of contact members capable of electrically connecting each of the plurality of pins, a female connector member slidably fitted to the side wall member,
The male connector has a guide protrusion or a guide notch, and the female connector has a guide notch corresponding to the guide protrusion or a guide protrusion corresponding to the guide notch. ,
The male connector and the female connector are each provided with fitting direction determining means so that the side wall member of the male connector and the female connector member of the female connector are slidably fitted. An ultrasonic endoscope apparatus characterized by comprising:   4. The ultrasonic wave according to claim 3, wherein the first and second connectors are each the male connector, and the third and fourth connectors are each the female connector. Endoscopic device.   The ultrasonic wave according to claim 3, wherein the first and second connectors are each the female connector, and the third and fourth connectors are each the male connector. Endoscopic device.

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