JP3005524U - Fiber optic scope - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] An object of the present invention is to provide an optical fiber scope that can be mass-produced at low cost, is easy to handle, and is versatile. A flexible optical fiber covered with a heat-shrinkable tube having a light-shielding property and having end tubes attached to both ends is provided, and an eyepiece lens is connected to one of the optical fibers and an objective lens is connected to the other. And the optical fiber scope.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 This device is a light meter that can be used to detect and search for meter reading meters installed in high places, coins and buttons dropped under the refrigerator or under the chest, and rings and medals dropped in water. It relates to a fiberscope.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 Conventional optical fiber scopes have come to be widely used for in-vehicle inspection of automobiles, machines, etc. for industrial use, and for internal organ inspection and medical treatment for medical purposes. Depending on the application, there were a direct-view type, a side-view type, a light integrated, and a separate light. There are various types of support rods such as flexible rods and inflexible rods.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 As described above, the conventional optical fiber scope has a dedicated structure depending on the application, which increases the cost and is troublesome to operate, and is not versatile.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide an optical fiber scope which can be mass-produced at low cost, is easy to handle, and is versatile.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the present invention, as a first invention, a flexible optical fiber covered with a light-shielding heat-shrinkable tube and having end opening tubes attached at both ends is provided. The optical fiber scope has an eyepiece connected to one end and an objective lens connected to the other end opening.

As a second invention, a flexible optical fiber covered with a heat-shrinkable tube having a light-shielding property and having end-opening tubes attached to both ends is provided, and an eyepiece lens is connected to one of the optical fibers. A side-view scope is detachably connected to the end of the objective lens at the other end, and the above-mentioned side-view scope is inserted into a cylinder by inserting a rod prism whose inner surface cut at 45 degrees is mirror-finished. An optical fiberscope with a window opened in the cylinder.

Further, as a third invention, a flexible optical fiber which is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube having a light-shielding property and which is attached to the middle and one end and can be fixed at a freely bent position is provided. A gripping tube is connected to the end opening tube, and an eyepiece is connected to the optical fiber penetrating the gripping tube so that the direction of the eyepiece lens can be freely changed by 360 degrees. With a pen-type light attached, connect one end of the fiber cord to the light-shielding cap, cover the above-mentioned fiber cord with the tube covered with the optical fiber, and connect the objective lens to the end tube at one end of the optical fiber. An optical fiber scope that can be flexibly positioned and fixed.

Further, as a fourth invention, the optical fiber scope of the third invention is subjected to life waterproofing treatment.

Next, as a fifth invention, a flexible optical fiber covered with a light-shielding heat-shrinkable tube and having end-opening tubes attached to both ends is provided, and an eyepiece lens is attached to one end-opening tube of the optical fiber. In addition to connecting, the extra-thin magnifier with the objective lens connected to the other end tube, the penlight with a light-shielding cap fitted on the front, and the light tip tube with the irradiation lens fitted in are made of a heat-shrinkable tube that shields light. The light connected by the light guide of the coated fiber, the grip for operation and the driver tip tube for holding the tool are connected by the transmission shaft, and the driver tip tube is provided with a driver with a detachable tool. The one end mouth tube of the extra-fine loupe, the light tip tube of the light, and the driver tip tube of the driver are connected by a connector. And an optical fiber scope and Features.

[0010]

[Action]

 The optical fiber scope A of the first embodiment is the basic type of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention, which is used in a relatively bright environment or when a searchlight and a flashlight can be used together. 1 and the objective lens 3 are focused by the rotation thereof. Set the objective lens 3 to the specified position when you want to look up the meter with the meter meter installed at a high place, when you are looking for coins or buttons dropped under the refrigerator or behind the chest of drawers, or when you are looking inside the kitchen, bathroom, or washroom. Get closer and look. Then, there is little light loss in the structure, and a bright and clear image can be confirmed. Also, it can be used as an ultra-fine loop if the objective lens can be inserted in a U-shaped or S-shaped place.

The optical fiber scope B of the second embodiment is used when the inner surface of the tube, the inspected portion, or the inspected portion is lateral to the person. For example, a side-view lens at the tip is used. When inserted, the image is reflected through the transparent plate 18 of the window 15 to the mirror surface of the rod prism 16 and the 360 ° circumferential surface in the tube can be observed.

Since the optical fiber scope C of the third embodiment is an image transmission scope with a light, if the pen type light 6 is turned to the left and turned on, the objective lens side is moved to a predetermined position even in a dark tube or in water with low transparency. By inserting or moving it, you can clearly see the inside from a distance.

In the optical fiber scope D of the fourth embodiment, the light 12 and the driver 13 are detachably attached to the optical fiber scope A (11) of the first embodiment. In a large area, it is possible to perform simple work inside a dark machine or a pipe with a large diameter in a bright environment. Further, the scope body 11 can be used alone or the light 12 can be used together, and the work of the scope body 11 and the driver 13 can be performed.

[0014]

【Example】

 Hereinafter, several examples of implementation of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an intermediate omitted side view showing a first embodiment of an optical fiber scope according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an optical fiber scope A according to the present invention comprises an eyepiece lens 1, a flexible tube and an objective lens 3. The eyepiece 1 of the optical fiber scope A has a lens (not shown) fitted in an engineering plastic cylinder 1a, and is connected to the end tube 2a of the flexible tube 2 having a core 2b by screwing or fitting. Has been done. The eyepiece 1 has a diameter of 14 to 20 mm, which is wider than the diameter of the flexible tube and the objective lens for easy viewing. Further, the eyepiece lens 1 and the objective lens 3 have a structure in which the focus can be adjusted by rotation when used.

The flexible tube 2 is a fiber 2b having a diameter of 2 mm, which is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube as a light-shielding coating material to have a diameter of 4.7 mm, and end tubes 2a and 2d are attached to both ends thereof. It is easy and fixed in a bent shape. Further, the object lens 3 is a lens body (not shown) fitted in a cylindrical body 3a made of engineering plastic like the eyepiece lens 1, and is connected to the end opening cylinder 2d of the flexible tube by screwing, fitting or the like. The diameter of the objective lens 3 is set to about 5 mm so that it can be easily inserted even in a narrow tube.

The optical fiber scope A of the first embodiment is a basic type of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention, and is used in a relatively bright environment or when a searchlight and a flashlight can be used together. Use the objective lens 3 when you want to read the meter with a meter reading meter installed at a high place, when you are looking for coins or buttons dropped under the refrigerator or on the back of a closet, or when you are looking inside the kitchen, bathroom, or washroom. Check by moving close to the specified position. Then, there is little light loss in the structure, and a bright and clear image can be confirmed. Also, it can be used as an ultra-fine loupe if the objective lens can be inserted in a U-shaped or S-shaped place.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory partial side view showing a second embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, an optical fiber scope B has a side-view lens attached as an attachment to the tip side of the objective lens 3 of the fiber scope A of the first embodiment, and most of the eyepiece lens 1 and the flexible tube 2 are omitted. are doing.

The side-view lens is composed of a cylindrical body 15 and a fixing screw 17 or a rubber pipe fixed to the rod prism 16 and the objective lens 3 inserted into the cylindrical body 15. That is, the cylindrical body 15 and the objective lens 3 can be simultaneously covered and fixed with the rubber pipe.

The tubular body 15 of the optical fiber scope B is a short tubular body having an inner diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the tubular body 3a of the objective lens 3, and a part of its peripheral surface is opened as a window 15a. A transparent plate 18 such as a plate glass or an acrylic plate is fitted in 15a, and a screw hole 15b into which the fixing screw 17 is screwed is formed in the rear end side. The rod prism 16 has an inner surface cut at 45 degrees, and aluminum Al, silicon oxide Sis, or the like is vapor-deposited on the inner surface to be mirror-finished.

The optical fiber scope B of the second embodiment is used when the peripheral surface in the tube, the inspected portion, or the inspected portion is lateral to a person. Then, for example, when the side-viewing lens at the tip is inserted into the tube, the image is reflected through the transparent plate 18 of the window 15a to the mirror surface of the rod prism 16 and the 360-degree circumferential surface of the tube can be observed.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the third embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention, in which an intermediate portion is omitted. In FIG. 3, an optical fiber scope C according to the present invention comprises an eyepiece lens 1, an optical fiber cord 4, a grip barrel 5, a pen type light 6, a flexible tube and an objective lens 3.

The eyepiece 1 of the optical fiber scope B is a lens (not shown) fitted in a cylinder 1a of engineering plastic as in the first embodiment, and has a diameter of 14 to 20 mm for easy viewing. There is. The eyepiece 1 is connected to one end of an optical fiber cord 4 via an adjusting nut 7 for focus adjustment.

The optical fiber cord 4 is a flexible one having a length of about 100 mm in which a light-shielding coating is applied to the fiber, and the other end is connected to a flexible tube in the grip cylinder 5. The grip cylinder 5 is a cylinder made of engineering plastic, metal, or the like. The optical fiber cord 4 and the flexible tube are connected to the inside of the cylinder, and the pen type light 6 is detachably attached by a holder 8 made of synthetic rubber. .

The pen type light 6 attached to the grip barrel 5 is turned on and off by left and right rotations, and further turned to the left to adjust the irradiation range. Further, a light-shielding cap 9 is externally fitted to the tip of the pen type light 6 so that the emitted light does not leak. A light guide 10 that guides the light emitted from the pen-shaped light 6 to the objective lens 3 is connected to the center of the front surface of the light-shielding cap 9.

The flexible tube has a diameter of 8.6 mm obtained by covering the fiber 2 b having a diameter of 2 mm and the light guide 10 with a heat-shrinkable tube 2 c as a light-shielding coating material and having end ports 2 a and 2 d attached to both ends. is there. Further, the objective lens 3 is a lens body (not shown) fitted into a cylindrical body 3a made of engineering plastic or metal, like the eyepiece lens 1, and is connected to the end tube 2d of the flexible tube by screwing or fitting. ing. The diameter of the object lens 3 is set to about 12 to 14 mm so that it can be easily inserted even in a narrow tube.

Since the optical fiber scope C of the third embodiment is an image transmission scope with a light, if the pen type light 6 is turned to the left and turned on, the objective lens side is moved to a predetermined position even in a dark tube or in water with low transparency. By inserting or moving it, you can clearly see the inside from a distance. Further, since the optical fiber cord 4 on the eyepiece 1 side is relatively long, the position of the observer can be freely selected over 360 degrees.

FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connector that integrates the three members in FIG. In FIG. 4, an optical fiber scope D according to the present invention comprises a scope body 11, a light 12, and a driver 13. The scope body 11 of the optical fiber scope D includes an eyepiece lens 1, a flexible tube and an objective lens 3.

The eyepiece 1 of the scope body 11 is made by fitting a lens (not shown) into a cylindrical body 1a made of engineering plastic and having a diameter of 14 to 20 mm. Are connected by. The flexible tube 2 is a fiber 2b having a diameter of 2 mm, which is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube as a light-shielding coating material to have a diameter of 4.7 mm, and end tubes 2a and 2d are attached to both ends.

Further, the objective lens 3 is a lens body (not shown) fitted in a cylindrical body 3a made of engineering plastic or metal as in the eyepiece lens 1. The objective lens 3 is screwed into the end tube 2d of the flexible tube and fitted therein. Are connected by. The diameter of this object lens 3 is set to about 5 mm so that it can be easily inserted even in a narrow tube. Then, the end opening tube 2d on the distal end side of the flexible tube is inserted into the central insertion opening 14b of the connector 14 described later.

The light 12 of the optical fiber scope D is turned on and off by rotating the body part left and right with the pen-type light 12a, and by further turning it to the left, the irradiation range can be adjusted. A light-shielding cap 12b is externally fitted to the tip of the pen-shaped light 12a so that the emitted light does not leak.

A light guide 12d that guides the light emitted from the pen-shaped light 12a to the irradiation lens 12c is connected to the front surface of the light-shielding cap 12b. The light guide 12d is formed by coating the fiber 12e with a heat-shrinkable tube 2c as a light-shielding coating material.

The tip of the light guide 12d is connected to the light tip cylinder 12f. The light tip cylinder 12f is formed of light-shielding engineering plastic, and the irradiation lens 12c is fitted to the front surface. Then, the light tip cylinder 12f is inserted into the insertion opening 14a of the connector 14.

The driver 13 of the optical fiber scope D includes a grip 13a, a flexible transmission shaft 13b that transmits rotation of the grip 13a, a flexible tube 13c that is a cover of the transmission shaft 13b, a driver tip barrel 13d, and a tool 13e. It consists of The driver tip cylinder 13d of the driver 13 is inserted into the insertion opening 14c of the connector 14.

The driver 13 of the optical fiber scope D is a general one, and as the tool 13e, a hanging tool, a grasping tool, a finger tool (wrench), etc. can be used in addition to the plus driver and the minus driver. The operation direction is not limited to the rotation operation.

The connector 14 that holds the tip of each of the scope body 11, the light 12, and the driver 13 in the optical fiber scope D is made of hard synthetic rubber, semi-hard rubber, metal, or the like, and has an insertion opening 14 a of the scope body 11. A central insertion opening 14b of the light 12 and an insertion opening 14c of the driver 13 are formed, and a slit 14d is cut outward from the insertion opening 14c. The slit 14d is for allowing rotation of the driver tip barrel 13d. The insertion opening 14a and the central insertion opening 14b of the connector 14 may be square holes.

In the optical fiber scope D of the fourth embodiment, the light 12 and the driver 13 are detachably attached to the optical fiber scope A (11) of the first embodiment. In a large area, it is possible to perform simple work inside a dark machine or a pipe with a large diameter in a bright environment. Further, the scope body 11 can be used alone or the light 12 can be used together, and the work of the scope body 11 and the driver can be performed.

[0038]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, the optical fiber scope according to the present invention is such that the eyepiece is connected to one end mouth tube of a flexible optical fiber covered with a heat-shielding heat-shrinkable tube and having end mouth tubes attached to both ends, and the other end. The basic structure is the one with the objective lens connected to the end port of the above, and the side view scope is attached to the above basic structure, a light guide is installed side by side, and the light and driver are connected with a connector, depending on the application. It can be used easily.

That is, when performing regular meter reading of a meter reading meter installed in a high place or a narrow place, when searching for coins or buttons dropped in a hard-to-see place under the refrigerator or the back of a closet, drop them in water. It can be used for various purposes, such as when looking for rings or metal, when inspecting engine details of automobiles, when checking for defective parts inside the machine, when checking for clogging of pipes in the kitchen, bathroom, or washroom. The dark interior can be clearly observed and repaired in a bright environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of an optical fiber scope according to the present invention.
It is an intermediate abbreviated side view which shows an example.

FIG. 2 is a second embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention.
It is an explanatory side view showing an example.

FIG. 3 is a third embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention.
It is an intermediate abbreviated side view which shows an example.

FIG. 4 is a fourth embodiment of the optical fiber scope according to the present invention.
It is an intermediate abbreviated perspective view which shows an example.

5 is a perspective view of a connector used in the optical fiber scope of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A, B, C, D Optical fiber scope 1 Eyepiece 1a Cylindrical body 2 Flexible tube 2a, 2d End-mouthed cylinder 2b, 2e Fiber 3 Objective lens 3a Cylindrical body 4 Optical fiber code 5 Grip cylinder 6, 12a Pen type light 7 Adjustment nut 8 Holder 9, 12b Light-shielding cap 10, 12d Light guide 11 Scope body 12 Light 12c Irradiation lens 12f Light tip tube 13 Driver 14 Connector 14a, 14c Insertion port 14b Center insertion port 14d Slit 15 Cylindrical body 16 Rod prism

Claims (5)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A flexible optical fiber covered with a light-shielding heat-shrinkable tube and having end tubes attached to both ends thereof is provided, and an eyepiece lens is connected to one end tube of the optical fibers and the other end tube is provided. An optical fiber scope characterized in that an objective lens is connected to the. 2. A flexible optical fiber having a light-shielding heat-shrinkable tube and having end tubes attached to both ends is provided, and an eyepiece lens is connected to one of the optical fibers and an objective lens is provided at the other end. Removably connect the side view scope, the side view scope above,
An optical fiber scope characterized in that a rod prism whose inner surface cut at 45 degrees is mirror-finished is inserted into a cylindrical body and a window is opened in the cylindrical body. 3. A light-shielding heat-shrinkable tube is provided with a flexible optical fiber which is attached to the middle and one end and can be fixed at a freely bent position, and a gripping barrel is provided in the middle end-portion of the optical fiber. And the eyepiece is connected to the optical fiber penetrating the grip cylinder so that the direction of the eyepiece can be freely changed by 360 degrees, and a pen type light with a light-shielding cap is attached to the grip cylinder. Along with this, one end of the fiber cord is connected to the light-shielding cap as a light guide, the above fiber cord is covered with the above-mentioned optical fiber coating tube, the objective lens is connected to one end of the optical fiber, and the position is fixed and fixed flexibly. Optical fiber scope characterized by being able to do. 4. The optical fiber scope according to claim 3, which has been subjected to life waterproofing treatment. 5. A flexible optical fiber, which is covered with a heat-shrinkable tube having a light-shielding property and has end tubes attached to both ends thereof, is provided, one eyepiece tube of the optical fiber is connected to an eyepiece lens, and the other end tube An extra-fine loupe with an objective lens connected to it, a penlight with a light-shielding cap fitted on the front surface, and a light tip tube with an irradiation lens fitted were connected with a fiber light guide covered with a heat-shrinkable tube. A light, a grip for operation and a driver tip cylinder for holding a tool are connected by a transmission shaft, and a driver is provided on the driver tip cylinder so that the tool can be attached and detached. Of the light and the driver tip tube of the driver are connected by a connector. .