JPH10290784A - Endoscope light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately match the optical axis of a standby lamp with the optical axis of an illumination light supply optical system and to supply the appropriate light quantity of illuminance light to an endoscope even when the light quantity of an illumination lamp is extremely reduced at the time of disconnection or a life limit by simple constitution. SOLUTION: When a first lamp 2 is present on the optical axis of the illumination light, one side face of a moving plate 8 is abutted to a first microswitch 14, it is turned ON and output is performed to a controller 12 as first position signals. In the case that the first lamp 2 is disconnected, the controller 12 drive- controls a motor 16, moves the moving plate 8 until the other side face of the moving plate 8 is abutted to a second microswitch 15 and stops the drive of the motor 16 when the other side face of the moving plate 8 is abutted to the second microswitch 15, it is turned ON and the output is performed to the controller 12 as second position signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope light source device, and more particularly, to an endoscope light source device having a multi-light type light source switching control section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A multi-lighting type endoscope light source device represented by a two-lighting type light source has an illuminating light and a spare light in place of it, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-61167. Normally, the illumination light is transmitted to the endoscope by turning on the illuminating light, and in the case of an emergency when the illuminating light is disconnected, the illumination light is endoscoped by the auxiliary light instead of the illuminating light. This is a light source device that can be supplied to a mirror.

[0003]

However, in the conventional multi-lamp type endoscope light source device, when the illuminating lamp is disconnected and switched to a spare lamp, the lamp is turned on even if it is not on the optical axis. There is a problem that the observation light does not break and the amount of observation light is extremely reduced so that the observation light cannot be switched to the standby light even if the observation becomes impossible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a simple structure that accurately illuminates the optical axis of a spare light even when the light of a diagnostic light is broken or the light amount is extremely reduced during its life. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope light source device that can supply an appropriate amount of illumination light to an endoscope by matching the optical axis of a light supply optical system.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided an endoscope light source device comprising a plurality of halogen lamps, wherein lamp optical means for supplying light from the halogen lamp to the endoscope. Lamp lighting means having a soft start circuit for lighting the halogen lamp; lamp state detecting means for detecting a lamp state of the halogen lamp; and lamp position detecting means for detecting a position of the halogen lamp with respect to the lamp optical means. And lamp moving means for moving the halogen lamp to a predetermined position of the lamp optical means based on the detection result of the lamp position detecting means.

In the endoscope light source device according to the present invention, the lamp state detecting means detects a lamp state of the halogen lamp, and the lamp moving means controls the halogen lamp based on a detection result of the lamp position detecting means. By moving to the predetermined position of the lamp optical means, the simple configuration allows the optical axis of the auxiliary light to be accurately adjusted even if the light of the inspection light is broken or the light amount is extremely reduced in the life period. It is possible to supply an appropriate amount of illumination light to the endoscope by making it coincide with the optical axis.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 5 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope light source device, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a moving plate of FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the drive circuit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the endoscope light source device of FIG.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 1, a multi-lamp type endoscope light source device 1 according to the present embodiment normally emits illumination light by operating a first lamp 2 made of, for example, a halogen lamp. Is condensed on the incident end face of the light guide 6 of the endoscope 5 through the stop 4 by the condenser lens 3 to supply illumination light to the endoscope. The first lamp 2 includes a condensing lens 3 together with a second lamp 7 made of, for example, a halogen lamp.
The diaphragm 4 is disposed on a movable plate 8 movable in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of an illumination light supply optical system (hereinafter, referred to as an optical axis of the illumination light). The moving plate 8 is provided on a linear guide (not shown) provided in the endoscope light source device 1 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the illumination light.

The moving plate 8 is provided with a rack (not shown) that meshes with a pinion (not shown) provided on the rotating shaft of the motor 16 so that the rotating shaft of the motor 16 is moved linearly on the moving plate 8. The moving plate 8 is
The rotation of the motor 16 enables the motor 16 to move at right angles to the optical axis.

Normally, the first lamp 2 is located on the optical axis of the illumination light. For example, when the first lamp 2 is disconnected, the moving plate 8 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the illumination light. By doing so, the second lamp 7 is positioned on the optical axis of the illumination light, so that the illumination light is supplied to the endoscope 5 by the second lamp 7 instead of the first lamp 2.

An image pickup device (not shown) is provided at the end of the endoscope 5, and a brightness signal from the image pickup device is supplied to the endoscope light source device 1 via a video processor 9. The signal is output from the comparator 10 in the endoscope light source device 1.
Is output to In the comparator 10, D /
An analog reference signal of, for example, 8-bit brightness reference data from the controller 12 converted by the A converter 11;
By comparing the brightness signal from the endoscope 5 via the video processor 9 with the light guide 6
The aperture 4 is driven by an aperture drive circuit 13 so as to be supplied to the light source.

As described above, the first lamp 2 is usually positioned on the optical axis of the illumination light. For example, when the first lamp 2 is disconnected, the moving plate 8 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the illumination light. , The second lamp 7 is positioned on the optical axis of the illuminating light. The positioning is performed by the first micro switch 14 and the second micro switch 14 disposed at predetermined positions in the moving range of the moving plate 8. 15 from the first position signal and the second
The control is performed by the controller 12 based on the position signal.

That is, for example, when the first lamp 2 is on the optical axis of the illuminating light, one side of the moving plate 8 contacts the first micro switch 14 and the first micro switch 14 is turned off.
N is output to the controller 12 as a first position signal, and the controller 12 detects that the first lamp 2 is located on the optical axis of the illumination light.

On the other hand, when the first lamp 2 is disconnected, for example, the controller 12 controls the driving of the motor 16 and illuminates the moving plate 8 until the other side of the moving plate 8 contacts the second microswitch 15. When the other side surface of the moving plate 8 abuts on the second micro switch 15 and the second micro switch 15 is turned on to be output to the controller 12 as a second position signal, The controller 12 detects that the second lamp 7 is located on the optical axis of the illumination light, and stops driving the motor 16.

As described above, the first lamp 2 or the second lamp 7 is accurately positioned on the optical axis of the illumination light by the first position signal and the second position signal from the first micro switch 14 and the second micro switch 15. I can do it.

The ramp moving means is not limited to the one shown in FIG. 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a ramp moving means for rotating (swinging) the fan-shaped moving plate 8 may be used.

More specifically, the movable plate 8 is rotatable about a base by a motor 16, and the movable plate 8 has a fan-shaped symmetrical line (an imaginary line that divides the central angle of the fan into two). First
The ramp 2 and the second ramp 7 are symmetrically arranged, and are located at the ends of the rotation range of the moving plate 8 and near both ends of the moving plate 8.
1st micro switch 14, 2nd micro switch 15
Has been arranged.

The other structures and the positioning of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7 are the same as those of the lamp moving means in FIG.

Incidentally, the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7
Is connected to the output stage capacitor 2 of the lamp load circuit 19 via the first relay 17 and the second relay 18, respectively.
0 and the other terminal of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7 is connected to the output stage capacitor 2 of the lamp load circuit 19.
The controller 12 can selectively control the lighting operation of the first lamp 2 or the second lamp 7 by controlling the first relay 17 and the second relay 18. It has become.

In the lamp load circuit 19, the controller 1
The first lamp 2 or the second lamp 2
The lighting drive of the lamp 7 is controlled, and the controller 12 receives a current detection signal from a current detection unit (not shown) of the lamp load circuit 19 and a detection signal from a voltage detection circuit 21 that detects a voltage across the output stage capacitor 20. Has been entered. The controller 12 monitors the disconnection of the first lamp 2 or the second lamp 7 based on the current detection signal.

When the lighting drive of the lamp load circuit 19 is stopped by the controller 12, the output stage capacitor 20 is charged.
When switching from the first lamp 2 to the second lamp 7, an inrush current flows to the second lamp 7 via the second relay 18 due to the charge charge, and the worst case is that the second lamp 7 may be disconnected. Yes, that is, even if the first lamp 2 is disconnected and switched to the second lamp 7, the second lamp 7
May not light up.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when the lighting drive of the lamp load circuit 19 is stopped by the controller 12, the discharge relay 2 is controlled by the controller 12.
2 is turned on to discharge the charge through the discharge resistor 23. The voltage of the output stage capacitor 20 at this time is detected by the voltage detection circuit 21, and the controller 12 monitors the discharge state and the lighting voltage by the voltage detection circuit 21.

The terminals of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7 connected to the first relay 17 and the second relay 18 are input terminals of the switching relay 24 before the connection of the first relay 17 and the second relay 18. , Respectively, and one of them is selected by the controller 12. The output terminal of the switching relay 24 is connected to the cathode side of the photocoupler 25, and the anode side of the photocoupler 25 is connected to the output stage of the connection between the first relay 17 and the second relay 18 via the resistor 26, that is, the lamp load circuit 19 side It is connected to the. With such a configuration,
The controller 12 monitors the disconnection of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7, and monitors the lamp lighting voltage, which is the filament state of the halogen lamp, by the voltage detection circuit 21.

That is, the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7
Due to the characteristics of the halogen lamp used for (hereinafter simply referred to as a lamp), when a voltage is applied to the halogen lamp,
It is generally known that an inrush current occurs. The rush current generated when the power supply rushes into the lamp may cause the halogen lamp to break or damage the filament of the halogen lamp to shorten its life.

Therefore, in order to prevent a rush current generated when the power to the lamp is turned on, and to extend the life or the life of the halogen lamp, a soft voltage is applied to the lamp load circuit 19 so that a voltage or current is gradually applied to the halogen lamp. A start circuit is provided. In the lamp load circuit 19 having such a soft start circuit, when a voltage is applied to the halogen lamp, an inrush current does not occur and the lamp is hard to be cut. In addition, damage to the lamp when the power is turned on is reduced, and the life of the lamp is extended.

However, when the lamp is turned on by the lamp load circuit 19 having the soft start circuit, the filament of the lamp becomes thin at the end of the life of the lamp. In some cases, the melted filaments are welded to each other and the filaments are deformed and connected, and then turned on again.

When the filament of the lamp is welded, the resistance value of the filament becomes small, so that the output current in the lamp load circuit 19 of the constant voltage control becomes large. The lamp load circuit 19 is generally provided with a protection circuit having a square-shaped characteristic, and when a certain current is reached, the protection circuit operates to lower the voltage and the output. Therefore, damage to the lamp is further reduced, and the life of the lamp is extended.

Therefore, since the voltage applied to the lamp drops, the illuminating light incident on the incident end of the endoscope also drops. Further, as described above, since the filament is displaced from the optical axis due to the deformation of the filament, the light incident on the incident end of the endoscope further falls.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, as will be described later, not only the disconnection but also the state of the lamp is monitored.
When the lamp 2 is prolonged and the lamp becomes dark, it is possible to appropriately replace the second lamp 7 with the second lamp 7. For example, even when the second lamp 7 is prolonged and the lamp becomes dark, the second lamp 7 is appropriately replaced. It is possible to exchange.

The controller 12 is connected to a lighting storage relay 27 composed of a latching relay.
The controller 12 controls the previous lighting drive control state of the lamp load circuit 19, for example, the state where the first lamp 2 is lit when the lighting storage relay 27 is High, and the second lamp 7 when the lighting storage relay 27 is Low. Is stored as the state in which is lit.

Further, the controller 12 can notify the user by displaying the above various control contents and the status of the lamps (the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7) on the display panel 28. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 12
The drive circuit 32 is controlled by the main controller 31. The drive circuit 32 receives the first position signal and the second position signal from the first micro switch 14 and the second micro switch 15 and performs switching. Relay 24, photo coupler 25
State detecting means 3 including a voltage detecting circuit 21 and the like
3, the motor 16 and the lamp load circuit 1
9. Discharge means 3 including discharge resistor 22 and discharge relay 23
4 and a lamp switching means 35 comprising a first relay and a second relay.

The drive circuit 32 includes, as shown in FIG.
The outputs of the plurality of driver ICs 41 are controlled by one signal, and a control signal, which is the logical sum of the outputs of the reset circuit 42 and the timer circuit 43 controlled by the main controller 31, is turned on by one transistor 44,
It is controlled by turning it off.

(Operation) When the power supply of the endoscope light source device 1 is turned on, the controller 12 reads the state of the lighting storage relay 27 composed of a latching relay, and determines whether the lamp used last time is the first lamp 2 or the second lamp 2. The lamp 7 is detected. Since the first lamp 2 is normally used, the following description will be made assuming that the first lamp 2 has been used last time.
The following operation is the same even when the second lamp 7 is selected.

The controller 12 includes a lighting storage relay 27
Is read, and when it is determined that the lamp used last time is the first lamp 2, the second relay 18 is turned on and the first relay 17 is turned off, and the second lamp 7 is turned on. At this time, the discharge relay 23 is OFF, and the switching relay 24 has been switched to the first lamp 2 side.

Then, the controller 12 issues a lighting instruction to the lamp load circuit 19 based on the lighting control signal, and lights the second lamp 7 for a certain period. During this fixed period, the voltage detection circuit 21 monitors the lighting voltage of the second lamp 7, detects whether the filament of the second lamp 7 is deformed and welded, and the controller 12 reads the lighting voltage.

Next, the controller 12 gives a turn-off instruction by the turn-on control signal, turns off the second lamp 7, turns on the discharge relay 23, and discharges the electric charge of the output stage capacitor 20 in the lamp load circuit 19.

The controller 12 confirms whether the first position signal from the first micro switch 14 is ON, and if ON, recognizes that the first lamp 2 is on the optical axis of the illumination light, If it is not ON, the motor 16 is driven to move the movable plate 8 so that the first micro switch 14 is turned ON, and the first lamp 2 is positioned on the optical axis of the illumination light.

At the same time when the movable plate 8 is moved, the first relay 17 is turned on and the second relay 18 is turned off.
The first lamp 2 is turned on. At this time, the discharge relay 23 is OFF, and the switching relay 24 has been switched to the second lamp 7 side. Then, the controller 12 gives a lighting instruction to the lamp load circuit 19 by the lighting control signal, and as a result, the first lamp 2 is turned on. Then, the comparator 10 compares the analog reference signal of, for example, 8-bit brightness reference data from the controller 12 converted by the D / A converter 11 with the brightness signal from the endoscope 5, and Illumination light of brightness is light guide 6
The aperture 4 is driven by the aperture drive circuit 13 so that the light is supplied to the light source.

When the power supply of the endoscope light source device 1 is started, the controller 12 reads the applied voltages of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7 via the voltage detection circuit 21 and detects the current from the lamp load circuit 19. When the filaments of the first lamp 2 and the second lamp 7 are deformed and welded or broken by the signal, it can be detected.

On the other hand, as for the second lamp 7 when the endoscope light source device 1 is in normal use, the second relay 18 is turned off and the switching relay 24 is switched to the second lamp 7 side. Since a current flows from the lamp load circuit 19 to the photocoupler 25, the switching relay 24, and the second lamp 7, the controller 12 detects this minute current while being insulated by the photocoupler 25. If no detection signal is output from the photocoupler 25 at this time, that is, if a small current does not flow, the second lamp 7 is disconnected, and the controller 12 displays the second lamp 7 on the display panel 28. A display for notifying the disconnection is issued to warn the user.

When the detection signal from the voltage detection circuit 21 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the filament of the first lamp 2 is welded, the resistance value decreases, and the first lamp 2 has reached the end of its life (required light amount). Can not get))
Similarly, a display notifying that it cannot be used is displayed on the display panel 28.
To warn the user.

The operation when the second lamp 7 is normal and the first lamp 2 is disconnected during use will be described below. The following operation is the same even when the filament of the first lamp 2 is deformed and welded.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the controller 1
2 detects the lamp state from the current detection signal from the lamp load circuit 19, determines that the current detection signal is turned off when the lamp is disconnected, and provides a display on the display panel 28 to notify the disconnection of the first lamp 2; Warn the user. Then, the lighting drive of the lamp load circuit 19 is stopped by the lighting control signal (FIG. 5B), and the discharge relay 23 is turned ON (FIG. 5C). Thereby, the voltage of the output stage capacitor 20 of the lamp load circuit 19 becomes, as shown in FIG.
It becomes 0V with a predetermined time constant.

When the voltage of the output stage capacitor 20 of the lamp load circuit 19 becomes 0 V (that is, the state in which the charge is discharged), the first relay 17 is turned off and the second relay 17 is turned off.
Turn on the relay 18 (FIG. 5D and FIG.
(E)). Thereafter, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the discharge relay 23 is turned off (FIG. 5C), and the lighting drive of the lamp load circuit 19 is started by the lighting control signal (FIG. 5).
(B)).

By outputting a movement drive signal to the motor 16 (FIG. 5 (i)), the motor 16 is driven to change the lamps on the optical axis of the illumination light from the first lamp 2 to the second lamp 7.
Switch to. In this state, the first micro switch 14
From the first position signal (FIG. 5 (g)) and the second position signal (FIG. 5 (h)) from the second microswitch 15.
The controller 12 is monitoring.

As a result, the voltage of the output stage capacitor 20 of the lamp load circuit 19 becomes a predetermined voltage with a predetermined time constant as shown in FIG.
And the illumination light is supplied from the second lamp 7 to the endoscope 5. At this time, as described above, since the second lamp 7 has been checked in advance for defects such as disconnection and life,
A desired amount of illumination light can be supplied to the endoscope 5.

When the second position signal from the second micro switch 15 does not turn on after the first position signal from the first micro switch 14 turns off (FIG. 5 (j)) (for example, the motor 5 (k)), when the malfunction of the second or the second microswitch 15 occurs: FIG. 5 (k)), the lighting drive of the lamp load circuit 19 is stopped after a predetermined period by the lighting control signal (FIG. 5 (l)). Then, the discharge relay 23 is turned on to discharge the electric charge of the output stage capacitor 20 of the lamp load circuit 19 (FIG. 4 (n)). Further, the controller 12 stops the output of the movement drive signal to the motor 16 after a lapse of a predetermined time (FIG. 5 (m)), displays on the display panel 28 that the lamp cannot be moved, and warns the user.

(Effect) As described above, in the present embodiment, the first micro switch 14 and the second micro switch 15
The first lamp 2 or the second lamp 7 is positioned on the optical axis of the illuminating light by the first position signal and the second position signal from the first lamp 2. 7, the optical axis of the second lamp 7 can be accurately matched with the optical axis of the illumination light supply optical system, and an appropriate amount of illumination light can be supplied to the endoscope.

Further, each time the endoscope light source device 1 is used, a defect such as disconnection or life of the second lamp 7, which is a spare lamp, is checked in advance. However, the optical axis of the second lamp 7 can be made to coincide with the optical axis of the illumination light supply optical system, and an appropriate amount of illumination light can be reliably supplied to the endoscope.

[Supplementary note] (Supplementary note 1) In an endoscope light source device provided with a plurality of halogen lamps, a lamp optical means for supplying light from the halogen lamp to the endoscope, and a soft start circuit are provided. Lamp lighting means for lighting a halogen lamp; lamp state detection means for detecting a lamp state of the halogen lamp; lamp position detection means for detecting a position of the halogen lamp with respect to the lamp optical means; and lamp position detection means. An endoscope light source device comprising: a lamp moving unit that moves the halogen lamp to a predetermined position of the lamp optical unit based on the detection result.

(Additional Item 2) The endoscope light source device according to additional item 1, wherein the lamp state detecting means has a detecting means for detecting disconnection of the halogen lamp and voltage applied to the halogen lamp. .

In the endoscope light source device according to additional item 2, even if one of the lamps reaches the end of its life and the filament is deformed and the applied voltage drops, it is possible to appropriately switch to the other lamp.

(Additional Item 3) The endoscope light source device according to Additional Item 2, wherein the lamp lighting means has a discharging means for discharging the electric charge stored in the soft start circuit.

In the endoscope light source device according to additional item 3, it is possible to prevent the switched lamp from being damaged by the rush current and from being disconnected.

(Additional Item 4) The endoscope according to Additional Item 2, wherein the detecting means detects a disconnection of the halogen lamp and a voltage applied to the halogen lamp each time the power is turned on. Light source device.

In the endoscope light source device according to the additional item 4, when the power is turned on, the states of the plurality of halogen lamps are detected, and the states of the respective halogen lamps can be reliably displayed and notified to the operator.

[0059]

As described above, according to the endoscope light source device of the present invention, the lamp state of the halogen lamp is detected by the lamp state detecting means, and the lamp moving means is controlled based on the detection result of the lamp position detecting means. Since the halogen lamp is moved to the predetermined position of the lamp optical means, the simple configuration allows the optical axis of the spare lamp to be accurately adjusted even if the light of the diagnostic lamp is broken or the light amount is extremely reduced during the service life. There is an effect that it is possible to supply an appropriate amount of illumination light to the endoscope by making it coincide with the optical axis of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an endoscope light source device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a moving plate of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a drive circuit of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the endoscope light source device of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope light source device 2 ... 1st lamp 3 ... Condensing lens 4 ... Aperture 5 ... Endoscope 6 ... Light guide 7 ... 2nd lamp 8 ... Moving plate 9 ... Video processor 10 ... Comparator 11 ... D / A converter 12 ... Controller 13 ... Aperture drive circuit 14 ... First micro switch 15 ... Second micro switch 16 ... Motor 17 ... First relay 18 ... Second relay 19 ... Lamp load circuit 20 ... Output stage capacitor 21 ... Voltage detection Circuit 22 ... Discharge relay 23 ... Discharge resistance 24 ... Switching relay 25 ... Photocoupler 26 ... Resistance 27 ... Lighting storage relay 28 ... Display panel

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope light source device comprising a plurality of halogen lamps, comprising: a lamp optical means for supplying light from the halogen lamp to an endoscope; and a lamp having a soft start circuit for lighting the halogen lamp. Lighting means, a lamp state detecting means for detecting a lamp state of the halogen lamp, a lamp position detecting means for detecting a position of the halogen lamp with respect to the lamp optical means, based on a detection result of the lamp position detecting means, An endoscope light source device comprising: a lamp moving unit that moves a halogen lamp to a predetermined position of the lamp optical unit.