DE102017101932B3 - Electrical connector for a video endoscope and video endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates, inter alia. an electrical connector (10) for a video endoscope with a hermetically sealed plug for an optical observer in a shaft of the video endoscope. The electrical connector (10) comprises a printed circuit board (20) having at least one contact side (21, 22), wherein on a first Contact side (21) of the printed circuit board electrical contact surfaces (24, 25) for cable strands (44) or cable shields (45) are provided and on the first contact side (21) facing away from (22) of the printed circuit board (20) the printed circuit board (20) a coupling device (30) is arranged in a region, wherein the coupling device (30) is connected or connectable to the printed circuit board (20), wherein in a projection the contacting surfaces (24, 25) for cable strands (44) or for cable shields (45) around

Description

The invention relates to an electrical connector for a video endoscope and a video endoscope.

In video endoscopes, at the distal tip of the endoscope shaft is typically optics, such as a straight-ahead or side-facing lens, followed by an image sensor or pair of image sensors, which convert the received light into electronic image information and proximally as electronic Forward signals. For example, pairs of image sensors can be used in stereo video endoscopes to create a spatial impression, to enhance color rendering, or to adjust for various sensitivities or different analyzes that require different optical properties.

The electrical leads used to pass the electrical signals inside the endoscope shaft are cables with several shielded and unshielded strands.

In video endoscopes, both the optics and the image sensor are in a hermetically sealed space. Therefore, a hermetically sealed via of these electrical lines must be present. In the case of corresponding video endoscopes, the hermetically sealed plated-through hole is made by means of metal pins or metallic contact pins cast in glass. The electrical cables are soldered directly to the metal pins.

Video endoscopes with a lateral viewing direction require a mechanical image rotation for their function. During the image rotation, the electrical leads are twisted between the image sensor or the image sensors and the hermetic feedthrough. The cable is soldered to the pins of the hermetic feedthrough so that its central axis is on the rotation plane of rotation. Since the cable is also split open and the individual strands are soldered to the hermetic connector, the cable can be twisted evenly with little force.

In some endoscopes, both the optics and the image sensor are in a hermetically sealed space. Such an endoscope is for example off DE 10 2012 202 133 A1 known. Generally, an optical assembly at the distal tip of the endoscope is also referred to as an "R-unit". It includes the optical lens systems and optionally an optical surface sensor, for example a CCD or a CMOS sensor. For contacting such an R-unit, a hermetically sealed through-connection of the electrical lines is present. Such a hermetically sealed electrical feedthrough is realized, for example, by pouring metal pins or contact pins into a glass carrier. The electrical lines used for signal transmission, for example, soldered directly to these metal pins.

It has been shown that the direct soldering of the cable to the pins of the adapter plug is very time-consuming. On the other hand, it is also necessary here that the cable shields of the cables are connected to the pins. For this purpose, the cable shields are twisted and the contact pins soldered. This results in so-called pigtails, whereby the impedance is changed and thereby the signal integrity is reduced.

In WO 2013/120589 A1 is described an electrical connector for a video endoscope, wherein the connector has a flexible circuit board. As a result, a change in the impedance is avoided, since the soldering of the cable is planar, whereby the formation of so-called pigtails is avoided.

The flexible printed circuit board used for the electrical connector is very expensive due to the complex production. In addition, the handling of the circuit board is difficult because the flexible arms must be bent and fixed in this position. In addition, a relatively long axial space for this purpose in the so-called R-unit is necessary.

Furthermore, in US 2007/0038024 A1 discloses an electrical connection of an endoscope. Further disclosed US 6 080 101 A a head of an endoscope video camera, wherein a cable is connected by means of several pins with a CCD sensor.

It is also in US 4 974 075 A discloses an image pickup device having a connector capable of separately shielding grouped electrical connections.

Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to enable a contacting of cables in a video endoscope, in particular with a rotatable lateral viewing direction in a simple manner, with a compact design is to be made possible.

This object is achieved by an electrical connector for a video endoscope with a hermetically sealed connector for an optical observation device, in particular video unit, in a shaft of the video endoscope, comprising a, preferably rigid or flexible, printed circuit board with at least one contact side on a first contact side of the printed circuit board electrical contact surfaces for cable strands or cable shields are provided and on the side facing away from the first contact side of the circuit board, the circuit board is arranged a coupling device for the plug in a region, wherein the coupling device is connected to the circuit board or connectable, wherein in a projection, the contacting areas for cable strands or for cable screens around the area for the coupling device around or outside of the area for the coupling device, in which the coupling device is arranged, are arranged on the first contact side.

The invention is based on the idea that by using a, preferably rigid, circuit board little space, for example, in the handle of a video endoscope is required to connect the corresponding facilities of the endoscope with each other. In this case, the cable strands and / or cable shields of cables on the one (first) contact side with the conductor tracks of the, preferably rigid, printed circuit boards connected via the contacting surfaces, further comprising, for example, pins of a coupling device, in particular socket, for the plug on the other, the first Contact side facing away from the circuit board, in particular the second contact side, are inserted to be connected to the conductor tracks of the circuit board. The strands of the cables and optionally the cable shields are soldered to the contact pads on the first contact side of the circuit board. Characterized in that in one embodiment, the circuit board is rigid and planar, both the connector pins of the coupling device or the socket and the cable can be easily and inexpensively connected to the circuit board. In a further embodiment, the printed circuit board is flexible.

According to the invention, in a plan view of one side of the printed circuit board, the contacting surfaces for the cable strands and / or the contacting surfaces for the cable shields are arranged in the projection outside the region in which the coupling device is arranged or can be arranged on the other side of the printed circuit board.

Further, due to the compact structure using the flexible or a rigid circuit board, it is possible to additionally arrange further components in a housing or in the handle.

In a preferred embodiment, the connecting piece is characterized in that on the side of the printed circuit board applied to the first contact side, in particular on the second contact side of the printed circuit board, a plug socket is arranged as the coupling device, the plug socket having contact pins and the contact pins of the plug socket the rigid printed circuit board push through.

For this purpose, it is advantageously provided that the contact pins of the socket with the circuit board, in particular with printed conductors of the circuit board, are connected or connected, in particular soldered. Preferably, the soldering of the contact pins on the first contact side of the, preferably rigid, printed circuit board, since the socket is arranged on or on the circuit board, so that the contact pins of the socket pass through the rigid circuit board, whereby the ends of the contact pins from the first contact side the circuit board are accessible.

In a further development, it is also preferred that the printed circuit board has a disc-shaped and circular-shaped, in particular circular, basic shape or that the printed circuit boards have a disc-shaped and crescent-shaped basic shape.

Preferably, the coupling device, in particular socket, in the center of the circuit board or in the central region of the circuit board is arranged. This results, for example, in a simple positioning of the coupling device or socket, wherein after receiving the socket in a handle of the endoscope secure positioning is achieved.

Moreover, it is advantageous in a further development of the connecting piece that the contacting surfaces, in particular for the cable strands and / or for the cable screens, are arranged outside the center of the printed circuit board on the first contact side of the printed circuit board. In particular, in this case, the contacting surfaces, in particular for the cable strands and / or for the cable shields of cables, are arranged around the contact pins of the plug-in socket.

A simple connection of cables results in the electrical connection piece in that at least two, preferably concentric or partially concentric, rings or partial rings of contacting surfaces are arranged around the contact pins of the coupling device, in particular socket, around on the first contact side of the circuit board. It is provided in one embodiment that the contacting surfaces for the cable strands and / or for the cable screens are arranged in a star shape.

Preferably, the contacting surfaces of an inner ring or an inner partial ring are formed as contacting surfaces for cable shields of cables, wherein in each case a cable shield a cable connected to a contact surface of the circuit board for cable shields or connectable.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the connecting piece, it is preferable for the contacting surfaces of an outer ring or an outer partial ring, which surrounds the contacting surfaces of one or the inner ring or the inner partial ring, to be formed as contact surfaces for cable strands of cables, wherein one cable strand of each Cable is connected or connectable to a contact surface for cable strands.

In addition, a development of the electrical connector is characterized in that on the first contact side of the circuit board for the coupling device, in particular socket, at least one further electronic component is arranged on the circuit board.

In addition, advantageously, preferably rigid or flexible, printed circuit board in a housing, in particular a housing of a handle disposed. Through the housing, both the circuit board and the cable and the coupling device, in particular socket, and optionally electronic components are protected inside. In this case, in one embodiment, the printed circuit board is adapted and / or functionally complementary to the inner dimensions or to an inner receiving space of the housing for the printed circuit board. It is possible in a development that the circuit board has one or more lateral recesses on its outer edge.

In order to protect the solder joints of cables as well as other components, for example in a housing from moisture and / or mechanical stress, it is advantageously provided that the circuit board is at least partially surrounded by a potting compound and / or that the contacting surfaces of the rigid circuit board, in particular for Cable strands and / or cable shields, by a potting compound, in particular silicone, are surrounded.

Furthermore, advantageously, the circuit board has at least one recess for at least one further component, in particular cable, more preferably a light cable and / or a video cable, so that the further component, in particular cable, can be passed or passed through the circuit board.

Preferably, at least one fastening means for the circuit board is further provided to secure the circuit board, for example in a housing. It may be provided in the context of the invention that the circuit board has holes to be penetrated by screws for fastening the circuit board to the housing.

In addition, the object is achieved by a video endoscope with a hermetically sealed video unit in a shaft of the video endoscope with an electrical connector according to the invention described above. To avoid repetition, reference is expressly made to the preceding embodiments.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the description of embodiments according to the invention together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the invention may satisfy individual features or a combination of several features.

• 1 schematisch eine Ansicht einer Leiterplatte für ein elektrisches Verbindungsstück eines Videoendoskops,
• 2 schematisch einen Querschnitt durch ein elektrisches Verbindungsstück des Videoendoskops,
• 3 schematisch einen Querschnitt durch ein Gehäuse mit einem elektrischen Verbindungsstück des Videoendoskops und
• 4 schematisch eine Ansicht einer Leiterplatte für ein elektrisches Verbindungsstück eines Videoendoskops gemäß einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.

The invention will be described below without limiting the general inventive idea by means of embodiments with reference to the drawings, reference being expressly made to the drawings with respect to all in the text unspecified details of the invention. Show it:

• 1 2 is a schematic view of a circuit board for an electrical connector of a video endoscope;
• 2 FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross section through an electrical connection piece of the video endoscope, FIG.
• 3 schematically a cross section through a housing with an electrical connector of the video endoscope and
• 4 schematically a view of a circuit board for an electrical connector of a video endoscope according to another embodiment.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements and / or parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that apart from a new idea each.

In 1 is a view on a rigid circuit board 20 with a first contact page 21 shown for cable strands or for cable shields, which is part of a schematically designated electrical connector 10 a video endoscope is. The connector 10 is placed on a performance of an imaging unit of the video endoscope, such as a video unit or a so-called R-unit.

The rigid circuit board 20 is part of a hermetic implementation of an imaging unit. This imaging unit is in the video endoscope in a housing 50 (see. 3 ) arranged, to which a housing part for receiving a plug connection and a connection point, in particular screw connection, connect.

As seen from the cross section in 2 shows, the circuit board 20 a second contact page 22 on, on the socket 30 is arranged. On the from the socket 30 opposite side has the rigid circuit board 20 a first contact page 21 on that in 1 is shown in a front view.

In 2 is a cross section through the circuit board 20 and one on the circuit board 20 attached socket 30 shown as coupling device. The rigid circuit board 20 consists of a round disc, being in the middle of the circuit board 20 Contact pins 31 on a second contact side 22 the circuit board 20 attached socket 30 the circuit board 20 push through.

On the first contact page 21 are around the contact pins 31 the arranged in the center socket 30 around the center two concentric rings with contact surfaces 24 and 25 formed so that the contacting surfaces 24 . 25 each with a cable shield of a cable 40 and a cable strand of the cable 40 are connected. The inner contact surfaces 25 are connected to cable shields by cables, while the outer contacting pads 24 be connected with cable strands.

In 1 is schematically a cable 40 drawn at the end of the cable 40 the contact surface 25 with a cable shield 45 of the cable 40 is soldered. Furthermore, the cable points 40 a strand 44 on that with a contacting surface 24 is soldered.

By the circular arrangement of the contacting surfaces 24 . 25 will be achieved that all cables 40 have the same length, thereby preparing for assembly of the connector 10 is simplified.

In 3 is a cross section through a housing 50 a hermetic implementation shown, wherein the circuit board 20 and the socket 31 in the case 50 are arranged. The housing 50 is provided with an opening, so that the socket 30 is disposed in the opening and this passes through, whereby the socket 30 is accessible from the outside.

The outer case 50 is pot-shaped and is on the distal side by means of a housing cover 52 completed. The housing cover 52 here has an opening in the middle 54 on, so the cables 40 to the circuit board 20 be passed.

By the arrangement of the circuit board 20 in the case 50 is between the second contact page 22 and the housing 50 a free space 56 designed so that the free space 56 can be used for that on the second contact page 22 electronic components 26 can be arranged.

To the solder joints of the cables 40 For example, against moisture or mechanical stress on the contact side 21 to protect is between the contact page 21 and the inside of the housing cover 52 a potting compound 60 introduced, so by the use of the potting compound 60 when mounting the housing, the cable shields 45 and the cable strands 44 pressed on the solder joints. For example, is used as potting silicone or a rubbery substance.

In 4 is another embodiment of a rigid circuit board 20 shown, wherein the circuit board 20 is circular and has a recess 28 has, so along the circuit board 20 a cable 70 , such as a fiber optic cable or a video cable, on the rigid circuit board 20 is passed. In addition, the rigid circuit board points 20 a hole 29 on, so that when arranging the circuit board 20 in a housing 50 the hole 29 is penetrated by a screw and thereby the circuit board 20 by means of the screw on the housing 50 is attached.

In the context of the invention, other types of fastening of the circuit board 20 in the case 50 possible or conceivable.

All mentioned features, including the drawings alone to be taken as well as individual features that are disclosed in combination with other features are considered alone and in combination as essential to the invention. Embodiments of the invention may be accomplished by individual features or a combination of several features. In the context of the invention, features which are identified by "particular" or "preferably" are to be understood as optional features.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

joint

20

rigid circuit board

21

first contact page

22

second contact page

24

contacting surface

25

contacting surface

26

component

28

recess

29

drilling

30

socket

31

pin

40

electric wire

44

cable strand

45

cable shield

50

casing

52

housing cover

54

perforation

56

space

60

potting compound

70

electric wire

Claims (16)

Electrical connector (10) for a video endoscope with a hermetically sealed plug for an optical observation device in a shaft of the video endoscope, comprising a printed circuit board (20) having at least one contact side (21, 22), wherein on a first contact side (21) of the printed circuit board electrical Contacting surfaces (24, 25) for cable strands (44) or cable shields (45) are executed and on the first contact side (21) facing away from side (22) of the printed circuit board (20), the circuit board (20) has a coupling device (30) for the Plug in a range is arranged, wherein the coupling device (30) with the circuit board (20) is connected or connectable, wherein in a projection, the contacting surfaces (24, 25) for cable strands (44) or for cable screens (45) to the area for the coupling device (30) around or outside the area for the coupling device (30), in which the coupling device (30) is arranged on the first contact side (21) are arranged. Electrical connector (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that on the first contact side (21) facing away from side (22) of the printed circuit board (20) as a coupling device (30) a female connector (30) is arranged, wherein the socket (30) contact pins (31) and the contact pins (31) of the socket (30) pass through the circuit board (20). Electrical connector (10) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the contact pins (31) of the socket (30) with the circuit board (20) are connectable or connected. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the circuit board (20) has a disc-shaped and circular shape basic shape or that the circuit board (20) has a disc-shaped and crescent-shaped basic shape. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the coupling device (30) in the center of the printed circuit board (20) or in the central region of the printed circuit board (20) is arranged. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the contacting surfaces (24, 25) outside the center of the printed circuit board (20) on the first contact side (21) of the printed circuit board (20) are arranged. Electrical connector (10) after Claim 6 , characterized in that the contacting surfaces (24, 25) around the contact pins (31) of the coupling device (30) are arranged around. Electrical connector (10) after Claim 7 , characterized in that at least two, preferably concentric or partially concentric, rings or partial rings of contacting surfaces (24, 25) are arranged around the contact pins (31) of the coupling device (30) on the first contact side (21) of the printed circuit board (20). Electrical connector (10) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the contacting surfaces (24, 25) of an inner ring or of an inner partial ring are formed as contacting surfaces (24, 25) for cable shields (45) of cables (40), wherein in each case a cable shield (45) of a cable (40 ) is connected or connectable to a contacting surface (45) of the printed circuit board (20) for cable shields (45). Electrical connector (10) after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the contacting surfaces (24, 25) of an outer ring or of an outer partial ring, which surrounds the contacting surfaces (24, 25) of one or of the inner ring or the inner partial ring, as contacting surfaces (24, 25) for cable strands (44 ) are formed by cables, wherein in each case a cable strand (44) of a cable (40) with a contacting surface (24) for cable strands (44) is connected or connectable. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 , characterized in that on the first contact side (21) of the printed circuit board (20) facing away from (22) for the coupling device (30) at least one further electronic component (26) on the circuit board (20) is arranged. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 11 , characterized in that the printed circuit board (20) in a housing (50) is arranged. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 12 , characterized in that the circuit board (20) is at least partially surrounded by a potting compound (60) and / or that the contacting surfaces (24, 25) of the circuit board (20) by a potting compound (60) are surrounded. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 13 , characterized in that the printed circuit board (20) has at least one recess (28) for at least one further component, in particular cable (70), so that the further component, in particular cable (70), can be passed through the printed circuit board (20) or passed through. Electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 14 , characterized in that at least one fastening means for the printed circuit board (20) is present. Video endoscope with a hermetically sealed video unit in a shaft of the video endoscope with an electrical connector (10) according to one of Claims 1 to 15 ,

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