JP6071290B2 - Lens cover - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lens cover.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an endoscope apparatus including a long insertion portion and an illumination optical system and an observation optical system arranged at the distal end of the insertion portion is known. For example, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can observe an observation object in a state where illumination light is irradiated by emitting illumination light from the illumination optical system and taking in an optical image through the observation optical system.
In addition, the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a lens cover in which a part for transmitting illumination light and a part for taking in an optical image are partitioned by a light shielding member, and the illumination light is optical for observation. The flare generated by entering the system is reduced.

Japanese Patent No. 3467110

  However, in the endoscope apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the transparent member adjacent to the light shielding member is fixed to the light shielding member by ultrasonic welding, and each member is manufactured in advance using a mold. It is necessary to keep it. For this reason, the mold cost is high and the manufacturing process becomes complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive lens cover that can be easily manufactured with less flare.

One aspect of the present invention is a lens cover that covers both an illumination optical system that emits illumination light and an observation optical system that captures a light image, and includes a first window that transmits the illumination light and the light image. A plurality of metal plates stacked in the thickness direction of the lens cover, the second window portion, and a light-shielding frame body that partitions the first window portion and the second window portion. is composed of, and constitutes a communication passage connecting the said second window portion and the first window portion by the plurality of metal plates, at least one metal plate of the plurality of metal plates is formed in a loop shape This is a lens cover.

  The lens cover of the present invention has less flare, can be easily manufactured, and is inexpensive.

1 is an overall view showing an endoscope apparatus provided with a lens cover of the present invention. It is a perspective view which decomposes | disassembles and shows the front-end | tip structure part in the same endoscope apparatus. It is a front view of the front-end | tip structure part. It is sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. It is a front view which shows the lens cover of one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG. It is a reverse view of the lens cover. It is a perspective view which shows the frame in the lens cover. It is a front view which shows the 1st metal plate which comprises the frame. It is a front view which shows the 2nd metal plate which comprises the same frame. It is a front view which shows the 3rd metal plate which comprises the same frame. It is a front view which shows the 4th metal plate which comprises the frame. It is a front view of the frame. It is explanatory drawing which shows 1 process at the time of manufacture of the lens cover. It is a figure for demonstrating the other structure of this invention, and is sectional drawing in the BB line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the further another structure of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the CC line | wire of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the lens cover in the same structure. It is a perspective view which shows the frame in the lens cover.

A lens cover 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall view showing an endoscope apparatus including a lens cover according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a distal end configuration portion of the endoscope apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front view of the tip component. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lens cover 20 of the present embodiment is provided in the endoscope apparatus 1. First, a schematic configuration of the endoscope apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

  The endoscope apparatus 1 includes a long insertion portion 2 in which a distal end is inserted into an observation object, and a main body portion 30 attached to a proximal end of the insertion portion 2.

The insertion portion 2 has a distal end configuration portion 3, a bending portion 8, and a flexible tube portion 9.
As shown in FIG. 2, the tip configuration unit 3 includes the observation device 4, the illumination device 10, and the lens cover 20 in a case 13 fixed to the tip of the bending portion 8.

The observation device 4 includes an imaging unit 5 and an observation optical system 7.
The imaging unit 5 is provided to capture an image of the observation target, and includes an imaging circuit 6 disposed on the optical path of the observation optical system 7. Although not shown, the imaging circuit 6 is an electronic component having an image sensor and a control circuit, for example. The imaging unit 5 is electrically connected to a control unit provided in the main body unit 30.
The observation optical system 7 is an optical system whose field of view is directed forward from the distal end of the insertion portion 2. In the present embodiment, the observation optical system 7 is disposed on the distal end side of the imaging unit 5, and is disposed in the center in the radial cross section of the distal end configuration unit 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the illumination device 10 includes a light emitting unit 11 and an illumination optical system 15.
The light emitting unit 11 includes a light source 12 such as an LED, and is electrically connected to a control unit (described later) provided in the main body unit 30. The light source 12 is disposed at a position separated from the lens cover 20 on the base end side of the lens cover 20. In addition, the light source 12 is disposed on the circumference surrounding the observation device 4 in the tip configuration portion 3. In the case 13, the illumination device 10 is partitioned from the observation device 4 by a light-shielding frame 14 formed integrally with the case 13.

  The illumination optical system 15 is an optical system for adjusting the light distribution characteristics of illumination light emitted from the light source 12. In the present embodiment, the illumination optical system 15 is integrated with the light source 12.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing the lens cover 20. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the lens cover 20. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the frame body 23 in the lens cover 20. FIG. 9 is a front view showing the first metal plate MP-1 constituting the frame body 23. As shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing the second metal plate MP-1 constituting the frame body 23. As shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a front view showing the third metal plate MP-1 constituting the frame body 23. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view showing the fourth metal plate MP-1 constituting the frame body 23. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a front view of the frame body 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lens cover 20 is attached to a cap 16 formed in a cylindrical shape. The lens cover 20 is disposed in front of the observation optical system 7 and the illumination optical system 15 when the cap 16 is attached to the case 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the lens cover 20 has a first window portion 21 for transmitting the illumination light emitted from the light source 12 of the illumination device 10 and a first window for taking a light image into the observation device 4. It has the two window part 22, and the frame 23 which partitions off the 1st window part 21 and the 2nd window part 22. As shown in FIG.

  The 1st window part 21 and the 2nd window part 22 are plate-shaped members with high light transmittance, such as light transmissive resin and glass. The first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are provided so as to be exposed at the distal end surface of the distal end configuration portion 3 and have a surface orthogonal to the central axis of the distal end configuration portion 3. The surface 21a located on the distal end side in the first window portion 21 and the surface 22a located on the distal end side in the second window portion 22 are flush with each other. Further, the first window portion 21 has a plate shape thinner than the second window portion 22. Specifically, the surface 21 b located on the proximal end side in the first window portion 21 is arranged on the distal end side than the surface 22 b located on the proximal end side in the second window portion 22.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a step is generated at the boundary 21 c between the first window portion 21 and the frame body 23. The step portion at the boundary 21c between the first window portion 21 and the frame body 23 is a portion generated by holding the frame body 23 in the mold 100 (see FIG. 14) when the lens cover 20 is manufactured. After manufacturing the cover 20, a recess that forms an air layer with the light source 12 is formed.

The frame body 23 is a member that defines at least a part of the shape of the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22. A part of the frame body 23 is disposed on the peripheral edge portion of the lens cover 20, and is formed in a loop shape corresponding to the configuration of the observation optical system 7 in the center portion of the lens cover 20. The frame body 23 is in close contact with the frame 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 4) formed on the case 13. The frame body 23 and the frame 14 may be connected by a sealing member having a light shielding property.
As shown in FIG. 8, the frame 23 is formed with a communication path 24 that connects the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22. The communication path 24 is used as a flow path in which a light-transmitting resin or glass fluid flows in the manufacturing process of the lens cover 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 to 13, the frame body 23 is formed by diffusion bonding of a plurality of metal plates laminated in the thickness direction of the lens cover 20. In the present embodiment, the frame body 23 is formed by four layers of metal plates MP-1 to MP-4. The four layers of metal plates MP-1 to MP-4 constituting the frame body 23 are arranged so as to overlap at least on one continuous line when viewed from the thickness direction of the lens cover 20. This prevents light from passing between the metal plates MP-1 to MP-4 so as to improve the light shielding property, and allows the metal plates to be suitably fixed to each other by diffusion bonding. It is to do.

  As shown in FIG. 13, at least one of the four layers of metal plates MP-1 to MP-4 has a concavo-convex portion directed in the radial direction of the lens cover 20 (for example, the convex portions 25 and 26 shown in FIG. 13). ). The portion of the frame body 23 that has a concavo-convex shape in the radial direction of the lens cover 20 fixes the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 to the frame body 23, and the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are framed. This prevents the body 23 from shifting or coming off.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIGS. 9 to 13, among the four layers of metal plates MP-1 to MP-4 constituting the frame body 23, the second layer of metal plates counted from the front end side. A convex portion 25 that enters the first window portion 21 and a convex portion 26 that enters the second window portion 22 are formed in the MP-2. Accordingly, the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are engaged with the frame body 23 in the intermediate portion in the thickness direction of the lens cover 20.

  Further, the three-layer metal plate MP on the front end side in the lens cover 20 constitutes a pair of side walls facing each other in the communication path 24, and the one-layer metal plate MP on the base end side in the lens cover 20 is in the communication path 24. Configure the other side wall.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the bending portion 8 is a cylindrical portion that is bent when the angle wire W is pulled, and has, for example, a configuration in which a plurality of node rings are connected to each other.

  The flexible tube portion 9 is a long cylindrical member having flexibility. The flexible tube portion 9 includes, for example, a resin tube or a metal knitted tube.

  The main body 30 includes an operation unit 31 that performs an operation for bending the bending unit 8, a display unit 36 that displays an image captured by the observation device 4, a grip unit that is held by an operator, and the observation device 4. The lighting device 10 and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the display unit 36 are provided. In the present embodiment, a battery (not shown) that is electrically connected to the control unit is provided in the housing 38 of the main body 30.

  The operation unit 31 is disposed in a part of a casing 38 having a hollow structure, and includes a switch unit 32, a bending operation input unit 33, and a grip unit 37.

  The switch unit 32 is provided for the operator to specify the operation of the control unit and to input or select various parameters.

  The bending operation input unit 33 has a structure for individually pulling the four angle wires W fixed to the distal end of the bending unit 8. For example, the bending operation input unit 33 includes a rocking body 34 attached to the housing 38 and a joystick 35 attached to the rocking body 34.

  The above-mentioned angle wire W is connected to the rocking body 34, and the angle wire W can be pulled by tilting the joystick 35.

  The control unit controls operations of the observation device 4 and the illumination device 10 and generates various types of information to be presented to the operator via the display unit 36.

Next, the manufacturing method of the lens cover 20 of this embodiment is demonstrated. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing one process in manufacturing the lens cover 20.
First, the frame body 23 is manufactured (step S1).
In step S1, a plurality of metal plates MP defining the shapes of the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are cut out from, for example, a plate material and overlapped. Further, the stacked metal plates MP are diffusion-bonded in a high pressure environment. Thereby, each metal plate MP is integrated.

Step S <b> 2 is a step of attaching the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 to the frame body 23.
In the present embodiment, the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are manufactured by insert molding. Below, the case where the 1st window part 21 and the 2nd window part 22 are light-transmitting resin is demonstrated to an example, for example. The light transmissive resin used in step S2 is a resin that is cured by a predetermined curing process.

14 shows a state where the frame body 23 is attached to the mold 100 in a cross section corresponding to the line BB in FIG. As shown in a cross section in FIG. 14, in step S <b> 2, a molding die 100 in which an outer diameter of the first window portion 21 is defined and an uneven shape that defines a position of the frame body 23 is formed is used. In the present embodiment, the concave portion 101 having a shape following the shape of the outer contour line 23 a of the frame body 23 is formed in the molding die 100, and the frame body 23 is fitted into the concave portion 101 of the molding die 100, thereby forming the molding die. The frame 23 is positioned at 100.
Subsequently, a fluid of light-transmitting resin is poured into the mold 100 with the frame body 23 positioned. The position of the inlet of the fluid of the light transmissive resin in the mold 100 is not particularly limited.
In the mold 100, the fluid of the light transmissive resin spreads through the communication path 24, and the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 are configured. The light transmitting resin is cured by the predetermined curing process described above. The difference in thickness between the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 is defined by the shape of the mold 100 in step S2.
When the light transmissive resin is cured, the first window portion 21, the second window portion 22, and the frame body 23 are integrated in the mold 100 to form the lens cover 20.
This ends step S2.

  After step S <b> 2, the lens cover 20 can be taken out from the mold 100 and the lens cover 20 can be attached to the distal end constituting portion 3 in the endoscope apparatus 1.

Next, the operation and effect of the lens cover 20 will be described.
The lens cover 20 of this embodiment can be manufactured by insert molding. And the 1st window part 21 and the 2nd window part 22 in the lens cover 20 are formed in 1 process with the fluid of the transparent resin which flows through the communicating path 24 formed in the frame 23. FIG. For this reason, the manufacturing cost of a shaping | molding die is low rather than combining after forming the 1st window part 21 and the 2nd window part 22 using another shaping | molding die.

  Further, since the frame body 23 is joined by a plurality of metal plates MP by diffusion bonding, a complicated uneven shape for engaging the first window portion 21 and the second window portion 22 with the frame body 23 is formed on a machine. It can be formed more easily than the case of forming irregularities by general processing or etching.

  Further, the frame body 23 functions as a member that shields the illumination light emitted from the light source 12 from entering the observation optical system 7. Thereby, the flare by illumination light can be reduced.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which a frame is formed by diffusion bonding of a plurality of metal plates has been shown. However, the frame is cut out from a plate material thicker than the metal plate by cutting. It may be formed.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 15, the metal plate which comprises a frame may be formed so that an internal diameter may become large gradually or in steps as it goes to a front-end | tip. As a result, the second window portion has a tapered shape in which the outer diameter of the second window portion increases gradually or stepwise toward the distal end side, and the frame body does not easily block the light beam that defines the visual field range of the observation optical system. .

In the above-described embodiment, the lens cover provided in the so-called direct-view type endoscope apparatus is illustrated, but the lens cover of the present invention can also be applied to a so-called side-view type endoscope apparatus. For example, FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing the distal end constituting portion 3A of the side-view type endoscope apparatus. As shown in FIG. 16, a rectangular plate-shaped lens cover 20 </ b> A is provided at the distal end constituting portion 3 </ b> A of the side-view type endoscope apparatus. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the lens cover 20A. FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a frame body 23A in the lens cover 20A.
As shown in FIG. 17, the lens cover 20 </ b> A includes a first window portion 21 </ b> A that transmits illumination light emitted from the illumination device 10, a second window portion 22 </ b> A for taking a light image into the observation device 4, It has a frame body 23A that partitions the window portion 21A and the second window portion 22A. In addition, a communication path 24A that connects the first window portion 21A and the second window portion 22A is formed in the frame body 23A.
Even with such a configuration, the occurrence of flare can be suppressed as in the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope apparatus 2 Insertion part 3, 3A Tip structure part 4 Observation apparatus 5 Imaging part 6 Imaging circuit 7 Observation optical system 8 Bending part 9 Flexible tube part 10 Illuminating device 11 Light emission part 12 Light source 13 Case 14 Frame 20, 20A Lens cover 21, 21 </ b> A First window portion 21 a Front end side surface 21 b of the first window portion 21 c Base end surface of the first window portion 21 c Boundary 22, 22 A Second window portion 22 a Front end side surface of the second window portion 22 b Surface 23, 23A Frame body 24, 24A Communication path 30 Main body part 31 Operation part 32 Switch part 33 Bending operation input part 34 Oscillator 35 Joystick 36 Display part 37 Gripping part 38 Housing 100 Molding Mold 101 Recess W Angle wire MP Metal plate

Claims (7)

A lens cover that covers both an illumination optical system that emits illumination light and an observation optical system that captures a light image;
A first window that transmits the illumination light;
A second window for taking in the light image;
A light-shielding frame that partitions the first window and the second window;
The frame is composed of a plurality of metal plates stacked in the thickness direction of the lens cover, and constitutes a communication path that connects the first window portion and the second window portion by the plurality of metal plates , A lens cover, wherein at least one of the plurality of metal plates is formed in a loop shape . 2. The lens according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate formed in the loop shape is disposed on the most proximal side in the thickness direction of the plurality of metal plates among the plurality of metal plates. cover. The communication path among a plurality of metal plates stacked above, according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that formed between the distal end side of the metal plate and the base end side of the metal plate Lens cover. Wherein the plurality of metal plates, a lens cover according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that it is arranged to overlap in one line of the at least consecutive when viewed from the thickness direction of the lens cover . Wherein at least one of the plurality of metal plates, a lens cover according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that it has an uneven portion that is directed in the radial direction of the lens cover.   The lens cover according to claim 5, wherein the concavo-convex portion is formed by an intermediate metal plate among the plurality of stacked metal plates. The frame, the lens cover according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plurality of metal plates, characterized in that it is fixed to one another by diffusion bonding.

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