JP2000166861A - Device for bending operation of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for the bending operation of an endoscope that helps improve the operability of the second bending control knob, by making it less breakable against external forces and miniaturizing a braking control section as a whole and preventing the braking control section from interfering in the operation of a lateral bending operation knob. SOLUTION: Component members including a second butting member 75 for forming the braking means of a second operation knob 70, a second pressure contacting member 91, second holding member 83, second brake shaft 95 as a position regulating means that regulates the braking position and the non- braking position of the second pressure contacting member 91, a third click spring, and a fourth click spring are arranged in the interior of the second control knob 70.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the bending of an endoscope having a braking mechanism for braking the rotation of a bending operation knob for bending a bending portion provided at the distal end of an insertion portion of the endoscope. Related to operating devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an endoscope provided with a bending portion at a distal end side of an insertion portion of an endoscope, an operation for remotely bending the bending portion is performed by an operation portion provided near the insertion portion. A knob is rotatably mounted. The bending operation knob is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft fixed to an operation unit of the endoscope. Then, by remotely operating the bending portion on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, the bending portion is bent in an arbitrary direction, and the distal end portion of the insertion portion is directed in a desired direction. It has become.

[0003] As a conventional bending operation device for an endoscope, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-327613. Here, a first bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the vertical direction and a second bending operation knob for bending the bending portion in the left and right direction are provided in the operation portion of the endoscope. Have been.

Further, in the apparatus disclosed in the above publication, a first bending operation knob for rotating the first bending operation knob at an arbitrary rotation position so as to be disengageably engaged to fix the bending portion at an arbitrary vertical bending angle. A brake mechanism (brake mechanism), an operation lever (first brake operation unit) for driving the first brake mechanism,
A second braking mechanism (brake mechanism) for locking the rotation of the second bending operation knob at an arbitrary rotation position so as to be disengageable and fixing the bending portion at an arbitrary bending angle in the left-right direction; 2
Of the third bending operation knob (second
And a braking operation unit).

[0005] The second braking mechanism is provided with a rotation regulating mechanism for regulating the rotation position of the third bending operation knob between a braking position and a non-braking position in a rotational direction. . The rotation restricting mechanism is provided with a rotation restricting pin and a rotation restricting member such as a click spring. In the device of the above-mentioned conventional publication, these rotation restricting members are configured to be incorporated inside a third bending operation knob which is a braking operation portion of the second braking mechanism.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional construction, a part of the second braking mechanism, specifically, the rotation operation of the second bending operation knob is provided inside the third bending operation knob. A rotation restricting pin, a click spring, or the like of a rotation restricting mechanism that switches between a braking position that locks in a stopped state and a second bending operation knob that is unlocked and switches the second bending operation knob to a rotatable non-braking position. A plurality of rotation regulating members are incorporated.
Therefore, the external shape of the third bending operation knob expands in the center line direction and the radial direction of the knob, respectively,
There is a problem that the bending operation knob becomes large.

As described above, when the third bending operation knob is enlarged and particularly enlarged in the center line direction of the knob, an external force from a direction perpendicular to the center line direction of the knob causes the third bending operation knob. When acting on the foremost part of the knob-side operation member,
Since a rotation force greater than the normal operation force is applied to the third bending operation knob, the third bending operation knob may be easily broken.

Further, it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the constituent members of the third bending operation knob so as to increase the mechanical strength so that the third bending operation knob is not easily broken. There is a problem that the weight of the part becomes heavy and the operability deteriorates.

When the size of the third bending operation knob is enlarged in the radial direction, the operator rotates the second bending operation knob for the left-right bending operation from the third bending operation knob side. In this case, there is a problem that the operation section of the third bending operation knob hits the operator's hand and the operability of the second bending operation knob is poor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to reduce the size of the entire braking operation unit so that it is hard to be broken by an external force, and to brake the bending operation knob in the left-right direction. An object of the present invention is to provide a bending operation device for an endoscope that can improve the operability of a second bending operation knob so that an operation unit does not interfere.

[0011]

According to the present invention, a bending portion is provided on the distal end side of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and the bending portion is attached to an operation portion connected to a base end portion of the insertion portion. A bending operation knob for performing a bending operation, a braking unit for the bending operation knob, and a braking operation unit for operating the braking unit are respectively provided, and the bending unit is remotely operated with the operation of the bending operation knob. In a bending operation device for an endoscope, which is operated to bend and brakes the operation of the bending operation knob by the braking means in response to the operation of the braking operation unit, a position regulation for restricting a braking position and a non-braking position of the braking means. A bending operation device for an endoscope, wherein a means and the braking means are arranged inside the bending operation knob. Further, by disposing the position regulating means and the braking means inside the bending operation knob, the outer shape of the braking operation unit in the left-right direction can be made compact, so that the rotation operation of the bending operation knob for the bending operation in the left-right direction is performed. Sometimes, the braking operation part is hardly obstructed, and the operability of the bending operation knob is improved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A shows a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope 1. The endoscope 1 is provided with an operation section 2 also serving as a grip section, and an elongated insertion section 3 connected to the operation section 2 and inserted into a body cavity.

Here, the insertion section 3 is formed of a soft flexible tube. A bending portion 4 is continuously provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion 3, and a hard distal portion 5 provided with an observation optical system or the like (not shown) is provided on the distal end side of the bending portion 4.

Further, a bending operation section 6 as a bending operation device of the endoscope of the present embodiment is provided on the operation section 2 so as to protrude. By operating the bending operation section 6, the bending section 4 can be remotely bent via the bending mechanism provided in the operation section 2, and the tip section 5 can be directed in a desired direction. I have.

The bending operation section 6 includes a first bending operation means 7 for performing a vertical bending operation, a second bending operation means 8 for performing a left and right bending operation, and a first bending operation. A first braking operation means 9 for switching the operation means 7 between the braking and non-braking states, a second braking operation means 10 for operating the braking and non-braking states of the second bending operation means 8; Consists of

FIG. 1B shows a schematic configuration of the bending operation section 6. Here, the casing 1 of the operation unit 2
In 1, a substrate 12 is fixed. The base end of the fixed shaft 13 is fixed to the substrate 12. Further, the other end of the fixed shaft 13 projects outside through a casing hole 14 provided in the casing 11.

A first connecting tube 15 and a second connecting tube 16 disposed inside the first connecting tube 15 are rotatably fitted on the fixed shaft 13. And
The first bending operation means 7 is provided at the upper end of the first connecting cylinder 15.
The second bending operation means 8 is provided at the upper end of the second connecting cylinder 16.
Are connected to each other.

Further, the lower end of the first connecting tube 15 has an engaging claw 17 as shown in FIG. 5, and the lower end of the second connecting tube 16 has an engaging claw 18 as shown in FIG. Are provided respectively.

At the lower end of the fixed shaft 13, a first sprocket 19 and a second sprocket 20 are arranged vertically. These first sprockets 19
And the second sprocket 20 are independently rotatably supported. Here, the first sprocket 19
An engagement groove 21 that engages with the engagement claw 17 of the first connection cylinder 15 is provided on an axis of the first connection cylinder 15, and an engagement claw 18 of the second connection cylinder 16 is provided on the axis of the second sprocket 20. Are formed respectively. Then, the engagement between the engaging claw portion 17 of the first connection cylinder 15 and the engagement groove 21 of the first sprocket 19 is engaged, and the first connection cylinder 15 is integrated with the first sprocket 19. It can be rotated. Similarly, the engagement between the engaging claw portion 18 of the second connecting cylinder 16 and the engaging groove 22 of the second sprocket 20 is engaged, and the second connecting cylinder 16 is integrated with the second sprocket 20. It can be rotated.

It should be noted that between the engaging claw 17 of the first connecting cylinder 15 and the engaging groove 21 of the first sprocket 19, the engaging claw 18 of the second connecting cylinder 16 and the second Sprocket 2
The portions between the engagement portions with the 0 engagement grooves 22 are assembled in a fixed direction. Here, the length of the claw portion and the depth of the groove in the engagement portion between the engagement claw portion 17 and the engagement groove 21 are set to be substantially the same, and the engagement between the engagement claw portion 18 and the engagement groove 22 is similarly set. The length of the claw portion and the depth of the groove in the joint portion are also set to be substantially the same. The engaging claw 17 is provided on the bottom of the engaging groove 21.
Are in contact with the bottom of the engagement groove 22, and the tip of the engagement claw portion 18 is in contact with the bottom of the engagement groove 22, respectively.

The first sprocket 19 and the second sprocket 20 are engaged with chains (not shown) each having a curved wire (not shown) connected to both ends thereof. Here, one ends of two bending wires for the vertical bending operation are respectively connected to the chain for the vertical bending operation. Further, one ends of two bending wires for the left-right bending operation are connected to the left-right bending operation chain. The other end of each of the four bending wires connected to these chains is inserted into the insertion section 3, and the distal end is connected to the bending section 4. When the first sprocket 19 rotates, the bending portion 4 moves in the vertical direction through a chain for vertical bending operation and two bending wires, and the second sprocket 2
When 0 rotates, the chain and 2
It is configured to bend in the left and right directions via the bending wires.

The substrate 12 has a first sprocket 1
9. A cover member 23 that covers the second sprocket 20 is fixed. A bearing 24 is fixed to the cover member 23. The first connection tube 15 and the second connection tube 16 are fitted inside the bearing 24.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bearing 24 is provided with a cylindrical portion 24a and a flange-like fixing portion 24b provided at one end (lower end) of the cylindrical portion 24a. The fixing portion 24 b of the bearing 24 is screwed and fixed to the cover member 23. Furthermore, this bearing 24
As shown in FIG. 10, an engagement shaft portion 50 having a prismatic shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the shaft.

A substantially ring-shaped forceps raising shaft 25 for operating a forceps raising mechanism (not shown) is rotatably fitted on the bearing 24. The outer peripheral surface of the forceps raising shaft 25 is rotatably supported by the casing hole 14 of the casing 11. Here, an O-ring 26 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the forceps raising shaft 25 at a joint portion with the casing hole 14. The O-ring 26 seals the joint between the outer peripheral surface of the forceps raising shaft 25 and the casing hole 14 in a watertight and airtight manner.

Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a gap s is provided between the inner peripheral surface 14a of the casing hole 14 and the outer peripheral surface 25a of the forceps raising shaft 25. This is because a deviation occurs between the center line of the casing hole 14 and the center line of the forceps raising shaft 25 due to variations in component dimensions during assembly, and it is possible to assemble in consideration of the deviation (absorbing). It is a gap to do. The element diameter, the inner diameter, and the rubber hardness of the O-ring 26 can be adjusted even if the center line position between the casing hole 14 and the forceps raising shaft 25 is shifted to the maximum. Is set so that watertightness and airtightness can be maintained with the outer peripheral surface 25a.

In this embodiment, the case where the forceps raising mechanism is provided and the forceps raising shaft 25 is incorporated is shown. However, when the forceps raising shaft 25 is not provided, that is, the forceps raising mechanism is provided. In an endoscope not provided, the cylindrical portion 2 of the bearing 24
A gap s similar to the relationship between the forceps raising shaft 25 and the casing hole 14 of the present embodiment is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the casing 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the casing hole 14, and watertightness is provided via an O-ring. What is necessary is just to make it the structure which ensures airtightness.

Further, an O-ring 2 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24a of the bearing 24 at the joint with the inner peripheral surface of the forceps raising shaft 25.
4c is fitted. The joint between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the forceps raising shaft 25 is water-tightly and air-tightly sealed by the O-ring 24c.

Next, the first bending operation means 7 and the first braking operation means 9 of this embodiment will be described. FIG.
2 shows the internal configuration of the first bending operation means 7 and the first braking operation means 9. Here, the first bending operation means 7 is provided with a first operation knob 27 that can be gripped by the operator. The upper external shape of the first bending operation means 7 is determined by the first operation knob 27. The outer peripheral surface of the first operation knob 27 has a non-slip groove 27s formed on the side surface of the convex portion.

The first operating knob 27 has a large cylindrical portion 27a protruding from the lower surface thereof. Further, a circular hole 27b is formed in the first operating knob 27 at a central portion of the large cylindrical portion 27a, and a cylindrical small cylindrical portion 27c bent downward at the peripheral portion of the circular hole 27b. It is protruding.

On the inner surface of the first operation knob 27, a substantially rectangular concave portion 27d is formed between the large cylindrical portion 27a and the small cylindrical portion 27c. The first braking operation means 9 disposed on the upper side of the large cylindrical portion 27a in the cylinder is formed in the concave portion 27d.
Are affixed and fixed. This first
When the first operation knob 27 is braked, a pressure contact member 30 described below is brought into contact with the contact member 28.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first contact member 28 has a substantially rectangular plate-like contact portion 28a and a contact portion 28a.
And a cylindrical protruding portion 28b protruding downward is provided at a central portion of the lower surface of. Here, the contact portion 28 a of the first contact member 28 is formed by the concave portion 27 of the first operation knob 27.
It is formed in the same shape as d. The projection 28b of the first contact member 28 is externally fitted into the small cylindrical portion 27c of the first operation knob 27, and the contact portion 28a of the first contact member 28 is inserted into the recess 27d. In this state, the first contact member 28 is bonded and fixed to the first operation knob 27.

Further, at least one side of the contact portion 28a of the first contact member 28, the first contact member 2
A notch 28c for positioning a position in the rotation direction between the first knob 8 and the first operation knob 27 is formed. here,
On the concave portion 27d side of the first operation knob 27, an engagement protrusion (not shown) having substantially the same shape and engaging with the notch portion 28c of the first contact member 28 is formed. When the first operation knob 27 is joined to the first contact member 28, the engagement protrusion of the first operation knob 27 and the cutout portion 28c of the first contact member 28 engage, The position between the joint between the first operation knob 27 and the first contact member 28 is reliably positioned in a certain direction around the axis. Thus, when the bending angle of the bending portion 4 is set to the neutral position (a state in which no bending is applied), an index (not shown) attached to the first operation knob 27 is positioned at a predetermined position.

The upper end of the first connecting cylinder 15 has a first
A joining disk 15a having substantially the same shape as the lower surface of the protruding portion 28b of the contact member 28 is provided. The joining disk 15a is fixed to the first contact member 28 by at least one fixing screw 29 in a state of contacting the lower surface of the protruding portion 28b of the first contact member 28. Accordingly, the rotational position in the direction around the axis between the first contact member 28 and the first connecting cylinder 15 is positioned in a certain direction.

When the first operation knob 27 is held at the neutral position as the reference position, the vertical bending angle of the bending portion 4 is 0 °, that is, the bending portion 4 is bent vertically. Not to be held in neutral position. Here, when the first operation knob 27 is rotated, the rotation of the first operation knob 27 is transmitted to the first sprocket 19 via the first contact member 28 and the first connecting cylinder 15 in order. Lever first sprocket 19
Are driven to rotate. Further, the bending portion 4 is operated to bend in the vertical direction via a chain for bending in the vertical direction and two bending wires as the first sprocket 19 rotates.

The first brake operating means 9 has the first contact member 28 integrated with the first operation knob 27.
And the first contact member 28 when the first operation knob 27 is braked.
A pressing member 30 that is elastically pressed against and deforms, a holding member 31 that holds the pressing member 30 and is movable in the axial direction of the fixed shaft 13, A brake lever member (braking operation unit) 59 for moving the shaft 31 in the axial direction is provided.

Here, the contact portion 28 of the first contact member 28
On the surface (the lower surface in FIG. 2) on the side opposite to the adhesive surface with the first operation knob 27 in FIG. Note that the first contact member 28 is
It is formed of a metal material having a low specific gravity such as aluminum. In particular, the flat portion 62 is subjected to a surface treatment such as alumite treatment to remove traces of cutting that occur at the time of component production, so that the amount of friction generated when the pressing member 30 is pressed against the flat portion 62 is stabilized. I have.

The brake lever member 59 of the first braking operation means 9 is provided on the lower surface of the substantially ring-shaped brake shaft 42.
The relative position of the brake shaft 42 around the axis is positioned and fixed by at least one fixing screw 61. Here, two O-rings 171 and 172 are fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 24 a of the bearing 24 at the joint with the inner peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42. These O-rings 1
71 and 172 are arranged side by side vertically. The O-rings 171 and 172 seal the joint between the outer peripheral surface of the bearing 24 and the inner peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 in a watertight and airtight manner. As a result, the brake shaft 42 is
4 is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion 24a via O-rings 171 and 172 while ensuring watertightness and airtightness.

FIG. 9 shows the brake shaft 4 of this embodiment.
2 is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, two click projections 52 and 53 (a first click projection 52 and a second click projection 53) are provided on the outer peripheral surface side of the brake shaft 42.
Is projected upward. Engagement grooves 52a and 53a extend in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface side of the first click projection 52 and the second click projection 53. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the engagement groove 52a of the first click projection 52 engages with a projection 54a of a first click spring 54 and a second click projection 53 described later. A protrusion 5 of a second click spring 55 described later is formed in the groove 53a.
5a are adapted to engage with each other in a detachable manner.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the brake shaft 42, a notch 42a for allowing the projection 54a of the first click spring 54 to escape near the one engagement groove 52a, and the other engagement groove 5
Notches 42b are formed in the vicinity of 3a to allow the projection 55a of the second click spring 55 to escape.

The holding member 31 and the first cam member 43 are provided on the upper surface of the brake shaft 42. Here, the first cam member 43 is formed of a plastic material having good abrasion resistance, such as polyetherimide or polyacetal. The first cam member 43 is bonded and fixed to the upper surface of the brake shaft 42.

Further, the first cam member 43 has the configuration shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), a substantially ring-shaped cam member main body 43a is provided. An engagement protrusion 44 is provided on the lower surface of the cam member main body 43a.

As shown in FIG. 8 (B), an adhesive pool groove 46 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the engaging projection 44 on the lower surface side of the cam member main body 43a. Here, at least one engaging groove 45 with which the engaging protrusion 44 of the first cam member 43 engages is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42. And
The engagement protrusion 44 on the lower surface of the cam member main body 43a and the engagement groove 45 of the brake shaft 42 are aligned to perform positioning in the rotational direction. In a state where the engagement protrusion 44 is fitted in the engagement groove 45,
The first cam member 43 and the brake shaft 42 are bonded with an adhesive. At this time, the adhesive is accumulated in the adhesive reservoir groove 46, so that the height of the first cam member 43 with respect to the brake shaft 42 does not vary depending on the thickness of the adhesive layer.

On the upper surface side of the first cam member 43, a plurality of, in this embodiment, three cam portions 49 are projected upward. Each cam portion 49 is provided with an inclined portion 47 inclined with respect to the plane of the upper surface of the cam member main body 43a, and a smooth portion 48 formed parallel to the plane of the upper surface of the cam member main body 43a. .

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the first cam member 43, notches 43b1 and 43b2 are formed at portions corresponding to the engagement grooves 52a and 53a of the brake shaft 42 and the notches 42a and 42b, respectively. ing.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show the holding member 31. FIG.
1 shows the detailed structure of the present invention. Here, FIG. 7A shows the upper surface side of the holding member 31, and FIG. 7B shows the rear surface side of the holding member 31, respectively. The holding member 31 is made of, for example, a metal material such as an aluminum die cast, a zinc die cast, or a metal injection molded product. Cam portions 37 are formed at three places on the back surface side of the holding member 31. Each cam portion 37 is formed at a position corresponding to the cam portion 49 on the upper surface side of the first cam member 43. Here, as in the case of the cam portion 49 of the first cam member 43, each cam portion 37 has a fixed angle rotating along the direction around the central axis of the holding member 31 as shown in FIG. 7B. And a smoothing portion 39, which is inclined by the angle.

Further, a cylindrical outer wall 40 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 31. The outer wall 40 has a screw hole 40 a for fixing a click spring and a ring-shaped engagement groove 3.
2 are provided.

A first click spring 54 and a second click spring 55 are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 40. The first click spring 54 and the second click spring 55 have substantially mountain-shaped projections 54a and 55a projecting inward from a part of a substantially arc-shaped leaf spring body. Then, the first click spring 54 and the second click spring 55 are arranged on the inner wall side of the outer wall 40,
Each first click spring 54 and second click spring 5
5 is fixed from the inner wall side of the outer wall 40 by a fixing screw 61 screwed into the screw hole 40a. Here, the position of the screw 61 is arranged at a position avoiding the cam portion 37 on the back surface of the holding member 31 so that the screw 61 can be tightened.

Further, a square hole 36 is provided substantially at the center of the holding member 31. The square hole 3 of the holding member 31
The engagement shaft portion 50 of the bearing 24 is engaged with 6. Then, the holding member 31 cannot be rotated by the engagement portion between the square hole 36 of the holding member 31 and the engagement shaft portion 50 of the bearing 24,
And it is supported movably in the axial direction.

Further, on the upper surface side of the holding member 31, there is formed a flat pressing surface 31a for pressing the first pressure contact member 30 disposed above the holding member 31. A plurality of engagement grooves 33 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the pressing surface 31a.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the detailed structure of the first press-contact member 30. FIG. FIG. 6A shows the first
6B shows the upper surface side of the pressure contact member 30, and FIG. 6B shows the rear surface side of the first pressure contact member 30. The first pressing member 30 is made of a soft rubber material that can be elastically deformed, and has a substantially ring-shaped pressing member body 30a. The rubber material of the first pressure contact member 30 is specifically formed of a material such as silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, natural rubber, and polymer elastomer. Further, the press-contact member 30 is disposed inside the large cylindrical portion 27a of the first operation knob 27.

An engaging projection 30b having a substantially U-shaped cross section is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the pressing member main body 30a of the first pressing member 30. Further, U inside the engagement protrusion 30b
As shown in FIG. 6 (B), a plurality of protrusions 35 are provided in the U-shaped groove so as to project toward the inside. When the first pressing member 30 and the holding member 31 are assembled, the engaging protrusion 30b of the first pressing member 30 is attached to the holding member 31 as shown in FIG.
The first press-contact member 30 and the first press-contact member 30 are engaged with each other in a state where the respective protrusions 35 of the first press-contact member 30 are engaged with the respective engagement grooves 33 of the holding member 31 elastically. The holding member 31 is integrally assembled. At this time,
The engagement of the engaging protrusion 30b of the first pressing member 30 with the engaging groove 32 of the holding member 31 restricts the first pressing member 30 from coming off in the axial direction. The rotational position of the first pressure contact member 30 in the direction around the axis is regulated by an engagement portion between the first pressure contact member 33 and each projection 35 of the first pressure contact member 30.

Further, the first abutting member 28 is provided on the upper surface side of the first abutting member 30a of the first abutting member 30 during braking.
A substantially ring-shaped pressure contact portion 34 that is pressed against the contact portion 28a is provided to project upward. The position of each projection 35 of the first pressure contact member 30 is provided at a position that does not fall below the pressure contact portion 34 when projected from the direction of the pressure contact portion 34 to the direction of the holding member 31. That is, the radial position of the press contact portion 34 is determined by the engagement groove 33 and the protrusion 35
Is set so that it does not overlap with the position.

The press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 is elastically deformed when pressed against the first contact member 28. When the press contact portion 34 is deformed, the outer peripheral side of the press contact member 30 becomes the first operation knob. 27, a gap is provided in each part so as not to abut on the protruding part 28b of the first connecting cylinder 15 and the first abutting member 28. Thereby, the braking force (frictional force) at the time of braking is generated only at the contact portion between the press contact portion 34 and the first contact member 28.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, a pressing portion 34 is provided on the upper surface side of the pressing member body 30a of the first pressing member 30.
Are provided with a plurality of columnar protrusions 34c. These columnar projections 34c protrude above the upper surface of the press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30. Then, in the non-braking state, these columnar projections 34c are held in a state where they are in contact with the flat portion 62 of the first contact member 28, and the pressing portion 34 is pressed by the elastic force of each columnar projection 34c. Is biased in a direction away from the contact member 28.

Further, the radial position of the columnar projection 34c is different from that of each projection 34c in the braking state or the non-braking state.
Is disposed at a position where it does not fit between the press contact portion 34 and the flat portion 62 of the contact portion 28a of the first contact member 28 even if the.

In the apparatus of the present embodiment, the holding member 3
The first pressing surface 31 a is disposed below the pressing portion 34 of the first pressing member 30. Further, the cam portion 37 of the holding member 31 is disposed at a position substantially equal to the radial position of the pressing portion 34 of the first pressing member 30.

A first cover member is provided on the lower surface of the first operation knob 27 to cover a gap between the lower surface opening of the large cylindrical portion 27a of the first operation knob 27 and the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42. 56 are provided. This first cover member 56
As shown in FIG. 11A, a plurality of projections 5 are formed on the outer peripheral wall.
8 project upward. Although only two protrusions 58 are shown in FIG. 11A, a plurality of protrusions 58 are provided along the circumferential direction.

Further, an engagement groove for engaging with these projections 58 is formed on the inner peripheral wall inside the first operation knob 27. Then, in a state where the respective projections 58 of the first cover member 56 are engaged with the respective engagement grooves of the inner peripheral wall portion inside the first operation knob 27, the first operation knob 27 and the first cover member 56 is adhesively fixed.

An O-ring 170 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the first cover member 56 on the joint surface of the first operation knob 27 with the large cylindrical portion 27a. And this O-ring 1
By means of 70, watertight airtightness is secured between the joint surface between the outer peripheral surface of the first cover member 56 and the large cylindrical portion 27a of the first operation knob 27.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42, the first
An O-ring 60 is fitted to the joint surface of the cover member 56 with the inner peripheral surface. The O-ring 60 ensures watertight airtightness between the joint surface between the inner peripheral surface of the first cover member 56 and the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42. As a result, the first brake shaft 42 is kept watertight and airtight.
Is rotatable with respect to the cover member 56.

A cylindrical projection 63 is provided on the inner peripheral portion of the first cover member 56 so as to project upward. A flat portion 63a is formed at the tip of the cylindrical projection 63. When the first operation knob 27 is not braked,
Contact member 2 integrally fixed to the operation knob 27
The brake shaft 42, the first cam member 43, the holding member 31, and the first pressure contact member 30 are connected between the flat portion 62 of FIG. 8 and the flat portion 63 a of the cylindrical projection 63 of the first cover member 56. ing. As a result, as described above, by utilizing the elastic force of the columnar projection 34c of the first pressure contact member 30, the pressure contact portion 34 of the first pressure contact member 30 is placed in the non-braking state by the flat surface of the first contact member 28. It is urged in a direction that does not contact the portion 62.

FIG. 11B shows the first operation knob 27.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an engagement portion between the first cover member and the first cover member. Here, no adhesive is applied to the abutting portion t between the operation knob 27 and the first cover member 56. Therefore, the variation in the distance between the flat portion 62 of the first contact member 28 and the flat portion 63a of the first cover member 56 is not affected by the thickness of the adhesive layer.

Next, FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG.
Using (A) and (B), the holding member 31, the brake shaft 4
The operation of the second and first cam members 43 and the positional relationship between the click springs 54 and 55 will be described. Here, FIG.
(A) and FIG. 20 (A) show a state without braking, FIG.
(B) and FIG. 20 (B) show the state at the time of braking, respectively. 3A and 3B, the hatched portion indicates the position of the cam portion 37 on the holding member 31 side.

Further, on the back side of the holding member 31, FIG.
As shown in (A) and (B), a long groove 65 is formed between the two cam portions 37 and 37 to regulate the movement range of the first click projection 52 of the brake shaft 42. A first contact end 65a with which the first click projection 52 contacts when the brake shaft 42 is rotated in the non-braking direction is formed at one end of the long groove 65, and a brake shaft is formed at the other end. A second contact end 65b with which the first click projection 52 contacts when the 42 is rotated in the braking direction is formed.

In the non-braking state, as shown in FIG. 20A, the first click projection 52 of the brake shaft 42 enters the long groove 65 formed between the two cam portions 37 of the holding member 31. In. In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, the projection 54 a of the first click spring 54 is positioned by engaging with the engagement groove 52 a of the first click projection 52. At this time, the other second click spring 5
5 is provided with a notch 42b of the brake shaft 42.
And the first cam member 43 is disposed in the notch 43b2.

When the brake shaft 42 is rotated in the non-braking direction, the first click protrusion 52 comes into contact with the first contact end 65a of the long groove 65, as shown in FIG.
When the brake shaft 42 is rotated in the braking direction, FIG.
0 (B), the first click protrusion 52 is
Is brought into contact with the contact end 65b.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the first operation knob 27, the first contact member 28, the first connecting cylinder 15, the pressure contact member 30, the holding member 31, the first click spring 54 , The second click spring 55, the first cam member 4
3, the brake shaft 42 and the first cover member 56 constitute the first bending operation means 7, and the lower surface of the brake shaft 42 has a brake lever member 59 of the first brake operation means 9.
Are attached integrally.

Then, the assembly in which the first bending operation means 7 and the first braking means 9 are integrated is assembled as follows. Here, first, the first connection cylinder 15 of the first bending operation means 7 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 24a of the bearing 24. Next, the cylindrical portion 24a of the bearing 24 is provided in the brake shaft 42.
Is inserted. In this state, the engagement shaft 5
After the “0” is inserted into the square hole 36 of the holding member 31, the first connecting cylinder 15 is engaged with the first sprocket 19. Then, the first operation is performed by rotating the brake lever member 59.
When the operation knob 27 is braked, the first pressing member 30
Is pressed against the first contact member 28 to generate a braking force.

The pressing amount of the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 is determined by the first operation knob 27, the first contact member 28, the pressing member 30, the holding member 31, the brake shaft 42, and the first cam member 43. Changes will occur due to variations in component dimensions.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the first operation knob 27 is pressed down, the press contact portion 34 comes into contact with the first contact member 28 due to a variation in the dimensions of each component, and the first operation knob 27 is pressed. 27 so that the amount of rotational force of 27 does not become heavy
When the operating knob 27 is pressed down, the engaging claw portion 17 of the first connecting cylinder 15 comes into contact with the engaging groove 21 of the first sprocket 19 and the other components, for example, the forceps raising shaft 25 and A gap is provided between the brake shaft 42 and the brake shaft 42 so as not to abut.

Next, the second bending operation means 8 and the second braking operation means 10 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 shows the internal configuration of the second bending operation means 8 and the second braking operation means 10. The second bending operation means 8 is provided with a second operation knob 70 that can be gripped by an operator. The upper external shape of the second bending operation means 8 is determined by the second operation knob 70. The outer peripheral surface of the second operation knob 70 is provided with a non-slip groove 70s on the side surface of the convex portion.

The second operating knob 70 has a large cylindrical portion 70a protruding from the lower surface thereof. Further, a circular hole 70b is formed in the central portion of the large cylindrical portion 70a in the second operation knob 70, and a cylindrical small cylindrical portion 70c bent upward is formed in a peripheral portion of the circular hole 70b. It is protruding.

The large cylindrical portion 70 of the second operation knob 70
A second cover member 73 for closing the lower opening 70d of the large cylindrical portion 70a is provided below the large cylindrical portion 70a. Further, a spline portion 71 and a male screw portion 72 are provided on the upper end side of the second connecting cylinder 16 as shown in FIG.

On the upper surface of the second cover member 73, a second contact member (braking means) 75 is provided. A cylindrical projection 78 is formed at the center of the second contact member 75. Further, a screw hole 75a screwed into the screw portion 72 of the second connecting cylinder 16 is provided in the cylinder of the cylindrical projection 78.
Are formed. In addition, the second cover member 73 and the second
The joint surface between the operation knob 70 and the large cylindrical portion 70a is O
A ring 76b is interposed, and the space between the second cover member 73 and the large cylindrical portion 70a of the second operation knob 70 is sealed by the O-ring 76b.

An engagement groove 74 is provided on the lower surface of the second cover member 73 to engage with the spline portion 71 of the second connecting cylinder 16. Then, at the time of assembly, the O-ring 76 is fitted over the spline portion 71 of the second connecting cylinder 16 so that the screw of the second connecting cylinder 16 is screwed into the screw hole 75 a of the second contact member 75. The part 72 is screwed. In this state, the second cover member 7 is moved between the second contact member 75 and the spline portion 71 of the second connecting cylinder 16.
3 are bonded and fixed. Here, by providing a projection 71a for position determination in which the projection shape of the spline portion 71 is partially changed, relative positioning around the axis between the second connecting cylinder 16 and the second cover member 73 can be performed. It can be carried out.

As a result, the rotation operation of the second operation knob 70 is performed via the spline engagement portion between the engagement groove 74 of the second cover member 73 and the spline portion 71 of the second connecting cylinder 16. The second sprocket 20 is transmitted to the connecting tube 16 and is rotationally driven via the second connecting tube 16. Further, the bending portion 4 is bent in the left-right direction via a chain for bending in the left-right direction and two bending wires as the second sprocket 20 rotates.

Here, a notch 77 for attaching a tool such as a knives used for screwing is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second contact member 75. In this embodiment, the notch 77 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the second contact member 75.
The second contact member 75 may be provided at any portion other than the contact portion 75b to which the pressure contact member 91 contacts.

Further, a rotation stopping member 79 is fitted on the cylindrical projection 78 of the second contact member 75. here,
As shown in FIG. 13B, a square hole 81a is formed in the center of the rotation stopping member 79 on the upper side, and the square hole 81a is fitted on the lower side to the cylindrical projection 78 of the second contact member 75. A circular hole 81b having a diameter is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG.
An engagement shaft portion 80 having a prism shape is formed on the distal end side of 3, and a screw portion 13 a is formed on the distal end side of the engagement shaft portion 80. The locking shaft 7 of the fixed shaft 13 has a rotation stopper 7.
Nine square holes 81a are engaged. The rotation stopping member 79 is supported so as not to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft 13. Further, an engagement portion 82 having a prism shape is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation stopping member 79.

The large cylindrical portion 70 of the second operation knob 70
a inside the contact portion 75 on the upper surface of the second contact member 75.
b, a second pressure-contact member 9 that generates a braking force by pressing against
1 is fitted to the second holding member 83 in a state where movement in the axial direction and the rotation direction is restricted. Note that the second holding member 83 is formed of a metal material having the same material as that of the first holding member 31.

Next, the specific structure of the second pressing member 91 and the second holding member 83 will be described. FIG. 15 (A)
15B illustrates an upper surface side of the second holding member 83, and FIG. 15B illustrates a lower surface (back surface) side of the second holding member 83.
FIG. 16 shows the upper surface side of the second pressing member 91.

Here, as shown in FIG. 15A, the second holding member 83 is provided with a substantially ring-shaped holding member main body 83a. A rectangular hole-shaped engaging hole 84 corresponding to the engaging portion 82 of the rotation stopping member 79 is formed at the center of the holding member main body 83a. The engagement hole 84 of the second holding member 83 is engaged with the engagement portion 82 of the rotation stopping member 79. Thus, the second holding member 83 is not rotatable in the direction around the axis with respect to the rotation stopping member 79, but is movably supported in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 12, a cylindrical projection 83b is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second holding member 83 so as to project upward. Further, a plurality of engagement grooves 85 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second holding member 83 in a circumferential direction. Here, a rotation regulating portion 85a is provided between a pair of adjacent engagement grooves 85.
Are formed.

The second holding member 83 has a lower surface
Are provided. The second pressure contact member 91 is provided with a substantially ring-shaped pressure contact member main body 91a as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, a substantially cylindrical projecting portion 91b projects upward from the outer peripheral surface of the pressure contact member main body 91a. Further, at the upper end of the protruding portion 91b, as shown in FIG. 16, a plurality of engaging protrusions 92 bent inward in a substantially L shape are provided along the circumferential direction of the protruding portion 91b. I have. Here, the rotation restricting portion 85a of the second holding member 83 is provided between the pair of adjacent engaging protrusions 92.
An engagement groove 92a is formed to engage with the groove. Each engagement projection 92 of the second pressing member 91 is connected to the second holding member 8.
3, the rotation restricting portions 85a of the second holding member 83 are engaged with the respective engaging grooves 92a of the second pressing member 91 at the same time. 91 is the second
Of the holding member 83 in the axial direction and rotation thereof are restricted. Thus, the second pressing member 91 and the second holding member 83 are integrally connected.

On the lower surface (second contact member 75) of the second pressure contact member 91, a substantially ring-shaped pressure contact portion 93a pressed against the contact portion 75b of the second contact member 75 during braking. Is projected downward. Further, a plurality of columnar projections 93b are provided on the lower surface side of the second pressure contact member 91 inside the pressure contact portion 93a. In the non-braking state, these projections 93b contact the second contact member 75,
a does not contact the second contact member 75.

The pressing portion 93a of the second pressing member 91
Is located at a position smaller in diameter than the radial position of the press-contact portion 34 of the first press-contact member 30 in the first braking operation means 9. Here, the outer diameter of the other components of the second braking operation means 10 such as a second cam member 99 to be described later is also larger than the radial size of each component on the first braking operation means 9 side. Is also set to a small state.

Further, the second operation knob 70 of the present embodiment
Inside the second brake shaft (position regulating means) 95,
A second cam member (position regulating means) 99 is provided. Here, a disc-shaped brake shaft main body 95a is provided on the brake shaft 95 as shown in FIG. A gear-shaped engaging projection 97 is projected from a central portion on the upper surface side of the brake shaft main body 95a. A center hole 98 is provided at the axis of the engagement projection 97. A prismatic engagement shaft portion 80 of the fixed shaft 13 is rotatably inserted into the center hole 98 of the brake shaft 95.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the second brake shaft 95, similarly to the brake shaft 42, two click projections 10 are provided.
0 and 101 (the first click protrusion 100 and the second click protrusion 101) are provided to project downward. Engagement grooves 102a and 103a extend in the vertical direction on the outer peripheral surface side of the first click projection 100 and the second click projection 101. And the first click protrusion 1
A projection 125a of a third click spring (position restricting means) 125 described later is provided in the engagement groove 102a of 00, and a fourth click spring (position restricting means) described later is formed in the engagement groove 103a of the second click projection 102. ) 126 are releasably engaged with each other.

As shown in FIG. 15A, the third click spring 125 and the fourth click spring 126 are provided on the projection 83b of the second holding member 83 in the same manner as the first bending operation means 7 side. It is fixed to the inner peripheral surface side.

Further, a second cam member 99 is fixed to the lower surface of the second brake shaft 95. The method of fixing the second brake shaft 95 and the second cam member 99 is the same as that of the first bending operation means 7.

FIG. 18 shows the second cam member 99. The second cam member 99 has substantially the same configuration as the first cam member 43. That is, the second cam member 99 is provided with a substantially ring-shaped cam member main body 99a. On the lower surface side of the cam member main body 99a, a plurality of
In the present embodiment, three cam portions 200 are protruded downward. As shown in FIGS. 20C and 20D, each cam portion 200 has an inclined portion 200b that is inclined with respect to the plane of the lower surface of the cam member main body 99a, and is parallel to the plane of the lower surface of the cam member main body 99a. Is formed.

The cam portion 2 is provided on the second holding member 83 side.
A receiving portion 201 having a shape of “00” is formed.
The receiving portion 201 has an inclination angle substantially equal to the inclination angle of the inclined portion 200b, and the bottom of the groove is substantially equal to the arc portion of the inclined portion 200b.
1c are formed.

In the present embodiment, the cam portion 200 of the second cam member 99 and the receiving portion 2 on the second holding member 83 side are used.
01 is provided in three places, but is not limited thereto, and may be plural other than three.

The second holding member 83 has substantially the same shape as the first holding member 31 on the first braking operation means 9 side, but the operation direction for operating the braking and non-braking is the first direction. The inclination direction of the cam portion provided on the second holding member 83 and the second cam member 99 is such that the braking operation means 9 and the second braking operation means 10 have the same direction. ,
As shown in (D), the direction of the tilt cam is set to be opposite.

The flat portion 70d of the second operation knob 70
Corresponds to the flat portion 63a of the first cover member 56 on the first bending operation means 7 side. Then, the second cover member 73
A second pressing member 91 and a second holding member between a planar contact portion 75b of a second contact member 75 integrally fixed to the second operating knob 70 and a planar portion 70d of the second operation knob 70. 83, the second cam member 99, and the second brake shaft 95 are connected.

As described above, inside the space between the second operation knob 70 of the second bending operation means 8 and the second cover member 73, the second contact member 75 and the second Connecting cylinder 1
6, the second pressing member 91, the second holding member 83, the third click spring 125, the fourth click spring 126, the second
Each component such as the cam member 99 and the second brake shaft 95 is incorporated.

The assembling method includes the first operation knob 27
After the side assembly (an assembly in which the first bending operation means 7 and the first braking operation means 9 are integrated) is inserted into the fixed shaft 13, the second bending operation means 8 The connecting cylinder 16 is inserted into the fixed shaft 13. At this time, the second connection cylinder 16 is engaged with the second sprocket 20 after the rotation stop member 79 and the second brake shaft 95 are inserted into the engagement portion of the fixed shaft 13.

An O-ring 173 is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting cylinder 16 at a position where the first operating knob 27 comes into contact with the small cylindrical portion 27c. The O-ring 173 provides a watertight and airtight seal between the outer peripheral surface of the second connecting cylinder 16 and the small cylindrical portion 27c of the first operation knob 27.

Further, when the second connecting cylinder 16 and the first connecting cylinder 15 slide on the contact surface in the axial direction between the second connecting cylinder 16 and the first connecting cylinder 15. A cylindrical plate member 1 made of a material having good wear resistance, such as a Teflon plate, to prevent shaving.
60 are provided.

The engagement projection 9 of the second brake shaft 95
The second brake operating unit 130 of the second brake operating means 10 is integrally attached to 7. A second brake shaft 9 is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the second brake operation unit 130.
An engagement groove 131 that engages with the fifth gear-shaped engagement protrusion 97 is formed.

After the first operation knob 27 and the second operation knob 70 are inserted into the fixed shaft 13, the second brake operation portion 130 is moved to the gear-shaped engagement projection 97 of the second brake shaft 95. To be engaged. At this time, the second operation knob 70 of the second brake operation unit 130
An O-ring 174 is fitted in a contact portion with the small cylindrical portion 70c. The O-ring 174 provides a watertight and airtight seal between the contact portions between the second brake operating portion 130 and the small cylindrical portion 70c of the second operating knob 70.

Further, as shown in FIG. 19, a stop member 136 is screwed into the screw portion 13a on the head of the fixed shaft 13. The stop member 136 prevents the constituent members of the first bending operation means 7 and the second bending operation means 8 and the second brake operation part 130 from coming off the fixed shaft 13 in the upward direction.

The outer periphery of the stop member 136 is formed as shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a cylindrical wall portion 13 protruding upward in a cylindrical shape.
6a is provided. Two engagement grooves 1 into which an assembling jig fits into the upper edge portion of the cylindrical wall portion 136a at the time of screwing.
36b are provided at substantially symmetric positions. Further, the axial height of the cylindrical wall portion 136a is set so as to protrude above the upper cylindrical portion 130a of the second brake operating portion 130 in a state where the cylindrical wall portion 136a is assembled in the brake knob 155.

A nut 139 is further screwed into the screw portion 13a on the head of the fixed shaft 13. Here, the rotation direction of the screw of the stop member 136 and the rotation direction of the screw of the nut 139 are different. Then, at the time of assembling, after the stop member 136 is rotated in the tightening direction on the screw portion 13a of the fixed shaft 13 and fixed, the nut 139 is screwed in the tightening direction to abut the stop member 136. Thereafter, the nut 139 and the stop member 136 are rotated by slightly rotating the stop member 136 in the direction in which the screw is loosened.
To prevent loosening of the thread.

A substantially spline-shaped engaging projection 132 is provided on the upper outer peripheral surface of the second brake operating section 130. Further, inside the brake knob 155, a cover member 140 is disposed above a screw portion 13 a of the fixed shaft 13 and a screw portion of the stop member 136 and the nut 139. The inner circumferential surface of the cover member 140 has an engagement groove 1 that engages with the engagement protrusion 132 of the second brake operation portion 130.
41 are provided. Then, the engagement protrusion 132 of the second brake operation portion 130 is engaged with the engagement groove 141 of the cover member 140, so that rotation is restricted.

A cutout 134 is provided at a part of the engagement projection 132 of the second brake operation part 130. Further, the notch 134 has a cover member 1.
A hole 133 is provided for engaging at least one fixing pin 150 for restricting the axial movement between the first brake operating portion 40 and the second brake operating portion 130.

An engagement projection 142 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the cover member 140 to engage with an engagement portion 156 provided inside the brake knob 155 to fix the rotation.
Further, the cover member 140 and the brake knob 155 are adhesively fixed.

Next, the operation of the bending operation device for an endoscope according to the present embodiment having the above configuration will be described. When the endoscope 1 is used, the bending operation section 6 is operated in a state where the operation section 2 is held to perform the bending operation of the bending section 4 of the endoscope 1 in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

First, the operation of the first operation knob 27 for bending the bending portion 4 of the endoscope 1 in the vertical direction will be described. Here, when the first operation knob 27 of the first bending operation means 7 is rotated, the first contact member 28, the first connecting cylinder 15, and the first cover member 56 are integrally rotated. At this time, the first sprocket 1 is
9 is rotated. Further, the first sprocket 19
The chain for the vertical bending operation and the two bending wires are driven in conjunction with the rotation of, and the bending portion 4 is bent in the vertical direction via the chain for the vertical bending operation and the two bending wires. Is done.

When the first operation knob 27 of the first bending operation means 7 is rotated, the brake lever member 59 of the first braking operation means 9 is held at the non-braking position. At this time, as shown in FIG.
The click projection 52 of the first member in the long groove 65 of the holding member 31
Is held in a state of contact with the contact end 65a. Further, in this state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the projection 54a of the first click spring 54 is positioned by engaging with the engagement groove 52a of the first click projection 52. At this time, the projection 55a of the other second click spring 55
Are arranged in the notch 42b of the brake shaft 42 and the notch 43b2 of the first cam member 43.

When the bending portion 4 is bent in a desired vertical direction and the bending portion 4 is fixed at the adjustment position, the brake lever member 59 of the first braking operation means 9 is used.
Is rotated from the non-braking position to the braking position. When the brake lever member 59 rotates, the brake shaft 42 and the first cam member 43 rotate integrally with the brake lever member 59. At this time, the brake shaft 42 and the first cam member 43 rotate counterclockwise in FIG.
In (A), move to the right.

At this time, the brake shaft 42, the first
Of the first cam member 4 with the movement of the cam member 43 of FIG.
3, the first click spring 54 is elastically deformed in a direction away from the center axis,
The engagement groove 52a of the first click projection 52 of the first cam member 43 and the projection 54a of the first click spring 54
Is released.

Thereafter, the first click projection 52 rotates until it comes into contact with the second contact end 65b in the long groove 65 of the holding member 31. At this time, the projection 54a of the first click spring 54 is inserted into the notches 42a and 43a,
The rotational position of the first braking operation means 9 during braking is regulated.

Further, during the operation of rotating the brake lever member 59 from the non-braking position to the braking position, the second click projection 53 of the first cam member 43 engages with the notch 42
b, second click spring 55 inserted in 43b
3A is elastically deformed in a direction away from the axis center, and as shown in FIG.
a is engaged. At this time, the cam 49 of the first cam member 43 rides on the cam portion 37 of the holding member 31 as shown in FIG. Thereby, the holding member 31 moves upward (in the direction of the first contact member 28), and the holding member 31
By pressing the pressing portion 34 of the first pressing member 30 integrally attached to the first pressing member 28 against the first pressing member 28, the rotational position of the first bending operation means 7 is braked at a desired position. be able to.

Therefore, when the first operating knob 27 is rotated in this braking state, the frictional force generated between the press contact portion 34 of the first press contact member 30 and the first contact member 28 is reduced by the friction force between the brake shaft 42 and the first contact member 28. The frictional force obtained by adding the frictional force on the contact surface with the first cover member 56 becomes the frictional resistance, and the first operation knob 2
7 can be regulated.

Further, in the non-braking state, the first operation knob 27
Is rotated, the first cover member 56 also rotates integrally. Therefore, the frictional resistance generated in the O-ring 60 at the joint surface between the inner peripheral surface of the first cover member 56 and the brake shaft 42 causes the first cover member 56 to rotate. A force is applied to rotate the brake shaft 42 together with the operation knob 27, but the protrusion 55a of the second click spring 55 fixed to the holding member 31 whose rotation in the direction around the axis is restricted is applied to the brake shaft. The brake shaft 42 does not rotate in order to hold the second click projection 53 of 42 at a fixed position.

In the braking state, as shown in FIG. 3A, the projection 54a of the first click spring 54 fixed to the rotation-restricted holding member 31 is connected to the first click projection 52 of the brake shaft 42. Brake shaft 4
2 does not rotate. At this time, the O-rings 171,1 further provided inside the brake shaft 42
Reference numeral 72 also denotes the brake shaft 4 when the first cover member 56 rotates.
It works as a resistance that makes 2 difficult to rotate. As described above, even if the first operation knob 27 is rotated, the first braking operation means 9
Brake lever member 59 does not rotate.

In this embodiment, the configuration using two click springs is shown. However, it is not always necessary to provide the click spring 55 for positioning in the braking state.
That is, in the braking state, the frictional force generated between the smooth portion 39 of the cam surface of the holding member 31 and the smooth portion 48 of the cam portion 49 of the first cam member 43 causes the first operation knob 27 of the first operating knob 27 to perform braking. If the rotation force is larger than the rotation force for rotating the first brake operation means 9, the brake lever member 59 of the first brake operation means 9 does not rotate even if the first operation knob 27 is rotated.

When the first pressing member 30 is pressed against the first contact member 28, the pressing portion 3 of the first pressing member 30 is pressed.
4 is sandwiched between the flat pressing surface 31 a of the holding member 31 and the first contact member 28. That is, the press contact portion 34
Are tightened by two smooth surfaces.

When the operating knob 27 is rotated in a state where the first pressing member 30 is pressed against the first contact member 28, the projection 35 of the first pressing member 30 is
Since it is engaged with each of the engagement grooves 33, it does not rotate.

Further, the first state is changed from the braking state to the non-braking state.
When the brake operating means 9 is operated, the cylindrical projection 34
The first pressing member 30 is moved from the flat portion 62 of the first abutting member 28 using the restoring force of the c
Is released. Thereby, the first operation knob 2
7 is switched to a rotatable non-braking state.

Therefore, in the above structure, when the first braking operation means 9 is braked, the pressure contact portion 34 of the first pressure contact member 30 is brought into contact with the flat pressing surface 31a of the holding member 31 by the first contact. Since the pressure contact portion 34 is sandwiched between the members 28 and the entire surface of the press contact portion 34 is fastened by the two smooth surfaces, the braking force amount is stabilized.

Next, the operation of the second operation knob 70 for bending the bending portion 4 of the endoscope 1 in the left-right direction will be described. Here, when the second operation knob 70 of the second bending operation means 8 is rotated, the second cover member 73, the second contact member 75, and the second connecting cylinder 16 are integrally rotated. At this time, the second sprocket 2 is
0 is rotated. Further, the second sprocket 20
The chain for the left-right bending operation and the two bending wires are driven in conjunction with the rotation of. Is done.

When the second operation knob 70 of the second bending operation means 8 is rotated, the brake knob 155 of the second braking operation means 10 is in the non-braking position as in the case of the first bending operation means 7. Is held. At this time, the positional relationship between the second cam member 99 and the second holding member 83 is shown in FIG.
The result is as shown in FIG.

When the bending portion 4 is bent in a desired direction in the left and right direction and the bending portion 4 is fixed at the adjustment position, the brake knob 155 of the second braking operation means 10 is moved from the non-braking position. Rotate to the braking position. When the brake knob 155 rotates, the cover member 140, the second brake operation unit 130, the second brake shaft 95, and the second cam member 99 rotate integrally with the brake knob 155. At this time, the second brake shaft 95 and the second cam member 99 move rightward in FIG. 20C.

At this time, the second brake shaft 9
5. With the movement of the second cam member 99, FIG.
As shown in (D), the cam portion 20 of the second cam member 99
0 rides on the receiving portion 201 of the second holding member 83.
At this time, the respective inclined portions slide in surface contact. As a result, the second holding member 83 moves in the axial direction,
Second pressure contact member 9 attached to the holding member 83
One press contact portion 93a is pressed against the second contact member 75.
The pressing portion 93a of the second pressing member 91 is connected to the holding member main body 83a of the second holding member 83 and the second contact member 75.
Is pressed against the abutting portion 75b, and a braking force is generated, whereby the rotational position of the second operation knob 70 of the second bending operation means 8 can be braked at a desired position.

At this time, the projection 100 of the second brake shaft 95, the engagement projection 101, and the click springs 125, 1
The operation of 26 is the same as that of the first braking operation means 9 on the vertically curved side.

Further, when the second operation knob 70 of the second bending operation means 8 is braked, the frictional force generated between the press contact member 93 of the second press contact member 91 and the second contact member 75 is reduced by the second force. 2
The frictional force obtained by adding the frictional force generated on the contact surface between the brake shaft 95 and the second operation knob 70 becomes the braking force for maintaining the rotation stop state of the second operation knob 70.

Further, when a rotational operation force is applied to the second operation knob 70 in the braking state of the second operation knob 70, the second operation knob 70
Brake shaft 95 and the flat portion 70d of the second operation knob 70
The frictional force generated on the contact surface with the second operating knob 7
The second brake shaft 95 also tries to rotate with the rotation of 0, but the click spring 126 fixed to the second holding member 83 whose rotation is restricted is attached to the engagement protrusion 101 of the second brake shaft 95. The second brake shaft 95 does not rotate to engage and restrict rotation.

When the second operation knob 70 is rotated in a non-braking state of the second operation knob 70, the O-ring 17
Although the force for rotating the second brake shaft 95 is exerted by the frictional force of No. 4, the click spring 125 does not rotate because the click spring 125 regulates the first click protrusion 100 of the second brake shaft 95 (no rotation). )

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the bending operation device of the endoscope 1 according to the present embodiment, the second contact member 75, the second pressure contact member 91, the second holding member 83, Each of the constituent members such as the second brake shaft 95, the third click spring 125, and the fourth click spring 126, which are position restricting means for restricting the braking position and the non-braking position of the second pressing member 91, is formed by the second. Since the brake knob 155, which is a left and right braking operation unit, is arranged inside the operation knob 70, the external shape can be made compact. For this reason, the brake knob 155 can be less likely to interfere with the rotation operation of the second operation knob 70 for bending operation in the left-right direction, and the operability of the second operation knob 70 can be improved.

Further, since the components disposed inside the second operation knob 70 do not need to be chemically resistant, there is an advantage that the cost of the entire bending operation device of the endoscope 1 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the radial position of the press contact portion 93a of the second press contact member 91 in the second brake operation means 10 is determined by the position of the first press contact member 30 in the first brake operation means 9. It is arranged at a position smaller in diameter than the radial position of the press contact portion 34, and the outer diameter of other components of the second braking operation means 10 such as the second cam member 99 is also set to the first diameter.
Is set smaller than the radial size of each component on the side of the braking operation means 9, so that the braking force on the second operation knob 70 side is made smaller than the braking force on the first operation knob 27 side. be able to. Here, the bending angle of the bending portion 4 on the distal end side of the insertion portion 3 by the operation on the second operation knob 70 side is the first angle.
Is smaller than the bending angle of the bending portion 4 on the distal end side of the insertion portion 3 by the operation on the operation knob 27 side. Therefore, by setting the braking force of the braking mechanism on the second operation knob 70 side to a necessary minimum, there is an effect that the entire second operation knob 70 can be made compact.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Next, other characteristic technical matters of the present application will be additionally described as follows. (Additional Item 1) A fixed shaft fixed to the operation unit body side of the endoscope and protruding to the outside, a rotating cylinder rotatably fitted on the fixed shaft, and a bottomed cylinder connected to the rotating cylinder A bending operation knob, and remotely controlling a bending portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, and braking the rotation of the bending operation knob. Braking means to be applied, a braking operation part connected to the braking means for operating the braking means, and position regulating means connected to the braking operation part to regulate a position of the braking means in a braking or non-braking state. A bending operation device for an endoscope, comprising: a bending operation device, wherein the position regulating means and the braking means are arranged inside the bending operation knob.

(Additional Item 2) The bending operation of the endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the position restricting means includes a projection continuously provided on the braking operation unit side and a concave portion provided on the braking means side where the projection is located. apparatus.

(Additional Item 3) The bending operation device for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1, wherein the inside of the bending operation knob is made watertight.

(Additional Item 4) A fixed shaft fixed to the operation section of the endoscope, a rotating cylinder rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft, and a bending operation knob connected to the rotating cylinder are provided. In addition to remotely controlling the bending portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, a braking mechanism for braking the rotation of the bending operation knob is provided, and the braking mechanism is A portion to be braked integrated with the bending operation knob, a pressure contact member movable in the axial direction of the fixed shaft and pressed against the portion to be braked during braking, and regulating a position of the pressure contact member in the rotation direction. A bending member braking mechanism having a holding member provided with a rotation restricting portion for rotating the rotation restricting portion out of the projection range when projecting from a displacement direction of a pressing portion of the pressing member pressed against the braked member. Bending device control Dynamic mechanism.

(Additional Item 5) The bending device braking mechanism according to Additional Item 4, wherein the rotation restricting portion is provided on the inner diameter side, the outer diameter side, or both the inner and outer diameter sides of the press contact portion.

(Additional Item 6) The bending device braking mechanism according to Additional Item 4, wherein the rotation restricting portion is provided on an engaging portion that restricts the axial position of the pressing member and the holding member.

(Additional Item 7) A fixed shaft fixed to the operation section main body side of the endoscope, and rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft,
A first rotary cylinder connected to a vertical bending operation knob, a second rotary cylinder rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft and connected to a horizontal bending operation knob, and the vertical or horizontal bending With the rotation operation of the operation knob, while remotely controlling the bending portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion connected to the operation portion main body of the endoscope in the vertical direction or the left and right direction,
In a bending device having first and second braking means for individually braking the rotation of the bending operation knob in the vertical direction or the left and right direction, a first braking means and a second braking means are provided. A bending device, wherein the amount of braking force of the braking means is different.

(Additional Item 8) The bending device according to Additional Item 7, wherein the pressing members arranged on the first braking means and the second braking means have different radii of action on which the braking force acts.

(Additional Item 9) In the case where the maximum value of the bending angle is different between the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the braking force with the larger bending maximum value is larger than the braking force with the smaller bending angle. Bending device.

(Additional Item 10) The bending device according to Additional Item 9, wherein the maximum value of the vertical bending angle is larger than the maximum value of the horizontal bending angle.

(Prior Art of Appendix 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-327613 is a conventional technique.

The rotation position regulating device for regulating the braking and non-braking positions of the braking mechanism provided on the bending operation knob for operating the bending in the left-right direction is provided inside a braking operation unit provided outside the bending operation knob. It is provided in.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 1 and 2)
A part of the braking mechanism (brake mechanism), specifically, a rotation restricting member (rotation restricting pin or click spring) for positioning the position of the braking mechanism (brake mechanism) of the lateral bending operation unit for operating the lateral bending. Is provided outside the left-right bending operation unit (specifically, inside the operation unit on the fixed operation unit side), so that the external shape of the operation member on the fixed operation unit side is the longitudinal axis of the knob. Expand in the direction and radial direction. When expanding in the longitudinal axis direction, when an external force from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis acts on the foremost portion of the operating member on the fixed operating means side, a larger rotational force is applied, and the operating member on the fixed means side is broken. Cheap. Although it is conceivable to increase the thickness of the member so as not to break it, the weight of the operation unit increases, and the operability deteriorates. Further, in the case of enlargement in the radial direction, when the bending operation knob in the left-right direction is rotated from the operation knob side of the fixed operation means, the operation unit of the fixed operation means hits the hand of the operator, resulting in poor operability.

(Purpose of Additional Items 1 and 2) The shape of the operation part (brake operation part) on the fixed operation means side is made compact so that it is not easily broken by an external force. Further, the operation unit on the fixing means side is made compact so as not to be in the way when operating the left-right bending operation unit.

(Operation of Additional Items 1 and 2) By adopting the configuration of the additional items, the external shape of the braking operation unit can be made compact.

(Purpose of Additional Item 3) In addition to the above, the need for chemical resistance of the internal components to disinfectants or the like is eliminated, and the cost of components is reduced.

(Function of Supplementary Item 3) By making watertight,
The components inside the curved knob need not be chemically resistant and can reduce component costs.

(Effects of Supplementary Items 1 and 2) Since the outer shape of the brake operation unit in the left-right direction can be made compact, the brake operation unit is unlikely to be in the way when the left and right bending operation knobs are rotated, and the operability is improved.

(Effect of Additional Item 3) In addition to the above, the necessity of chemical resistance of the internal components is eliminated, so that the cost of parts can be reduced.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 4 to 6) As a prior art, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 9-208778. In a configuration in which the pressing member is pressed against the operation knob to obtain a braking force, the pressing member is provided with a pressing portion that presses against the operation knob, and the lower surface of the pressing portion restricts relative rotation of the pressing member and the holding member. Irregularities are provided.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 4 and 5)
Since the uneven portion that regulates the relative rotation of the pressing member and the holding member is provided on the lower surface of the pressing member of the pressing member that is pressed against the operation knob, the dimensional variation of the uneven portion provided on the pressing member and the holding member is varied. Due to variations in gaps
The variation in the normal force generated when the press-contact portion is pressed is increased. As a result, a variation occurs in the braking force, and when fine adjustment of the curvature is performed at the time of braking the operation knob, the amount of operation force increases. Or the required braking force could not be obtained.

(Purpose of Additional Items 4 and 5) To obtain a stable braking force.

(Problem to be Solved by Additional Item 6) Since a portion for regulating the relative rotation of the press contact member and the holding member and a portion for regulating the position in the axial direction are provided in parallel in the radial direction, The outer diameter dimension increases. When the outer diameter increases,
Gravity becomes heavy and operability is poor.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 6) The compactness is ensured while securing a stable braking force.

(Operation of Supplementary Items 4 to 6) The pressure contact surfaces of the pressure contact members are pressed against each other by uniform flat surfaces, whereby the braking force (friction force) can be stabilized.

(Effects of Additional Items 4 and 5) The frictional force generated during braking can be stably obtained.

(Effect of Additional Item 6) In addition to the effect of Additional Item 4, since the outer diameters of the press-contact member and the holding member can be reduced, the operation knob can be made compact.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 7 to 10) As a prior art, there is Japanese Patent Application No. 9-208778. It is disclosed that a pressing member for obtaining an amount of braking force in a vertical direction and a pressing member for obtaining a braking force in a horizontal direction are common members.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 7 to 10) In general, the vertical and horizontal bending angles are different. Therefore, if the braking force for maintaining the bending angle at the distal end of the insertion portion is the same in the vertical and horizontal directions, the braking force with the smaller bending angle becomes unnecessarily large, and the braking force is applied to reduce the bending angle. When performing the adjustment, an excessive operation force is required, and the operability is deteriorated. In addition, if the same braking mechanism as that in the vertical direction is provided inside the operation knob, the configuration of the operation knob in the horizontal direction becomes unnecessarily large, and the weight of the bending operation unit increases.

(Purpose of Supplementary Items 7 to 10) Improvement of operability when fine adjustment of the bending is performed with the bending operation knob being braked. Lightening of the bending operation device.

(Operation of Additional Items 7 to 10) By adopting the configuration of the additional items, the shapes of the bending braking mechanism in the left-right direction and the bending operation knob can be made compact. In addition, the operability of fine adjustment of the bending angle during braking is improved.

(Effects of Additional Items 7 to 10) The operability at the time of the fine adjustment of the bending is good because of the minimum necessary braking force. Since the size of the bending operation knob in the left-right direction can be made compact, the weight can be reduced.

[0166]

According to the present invention, since the position regulating means for regulating the braking position and the non-braking position of the braking means and the braking means are arranged inside the bending operation knob, the entire braking operation section can be reduced in size. While making it difficult to break against external force,
The operability of the second bending operation knob can be improved such that the braking operation unit does not interfere with the operation of the bending operation knob in the left-right direction.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention;
(A) is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the entire endoscope, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a bending operation device of the endoscope.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a first bending operation unit and a first braking operation unit in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

3A and 3B are cross-sectional views taken along the line AA of FIG. 2, wherein FIG. 3A shows a state where the brake shaft is held at a non-braking position, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the brake shaft is moved to a braking position. The figure which shows a state.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an O in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state of displacement of the ring.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a first contact member and a first connecting cylinder in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show a first pressing member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 6A is a perspective view showing the front side of the first pressing member, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the member.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a holding member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a front side of the holding member, and FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing a back side of the holding member.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show a first cam member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the front side of the first cam member, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part on the back side of the member.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a brake shaft in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an engagement shaft portion of a bearing in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

11A is a perspective view illustrating a first cover member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a main configuration of an engagement portion between the operation knob and the first cover member. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view showing an internal configuration of a second bending operation unit and a second braking operation unit in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

13A is a perspective view showing a fixed shaft in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a perspective view showing a rotation stopping member.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a connection portion on an upper end side of a second connection cylinder in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

15A and 15B show a second holding member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, wherein FIG. 15A is a perspective view showing the front side of the second holding member, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the member.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a second press-contact member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a second brake shaft in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing a second cam member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of a brake knob in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 20A is a view showing the relationship between the first cam member and the holding member when the brake lever member of the first braking operation means in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment is held at the non-braking position; (B) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a positional relationship between the first cam member and the holding member when the brake lever member is moved to a braking position, and (C) is a schematic configuration diagram showing a positional relationship between the first cam member and the holding member. Is a schematic configuration diagram showing a positional relationship between the second cam member and the second holding member when the brake knob of the second braking operation means is held at the non-braking position; FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a second cam member and a second holding member when a lever member is moved to a braking position.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Operation part 3 Insertion part 4 Bending part 9 1st brake operation means 10 2nd brake operation means 13 Fixed axis 59 Brake lever member (brake operation part) 70 2nd operation knob (curve operation knob) 75 second contact member (braking means) 83 second holding member (braking means) 91 second pressing member (braking means) 95 second brake shaft (position regulating means) 125 third click spring (position) Regulating means) 126 fourth click spring (position regulating means) 155 brake knob (braking operation unit)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A bending section provided on a distal end side of an insertion section of an endoscope; and a bending operation knob for bending the bending section to an operation section connected to a base end of the insertion section; A braking unit for the bending operation knob and a braking operation unit for operating the braking unit are provided, and the bending unit is remotely bent in accordance with the operation of the bending operation knob, and the braking operation is performed. A bending operation device for an endoscope that brakes the operation of the bending operation knob by the braking unit in accordance with an operation of a unit, wherein a position regulating unit that regulates a braking position and a non-braking position of the braking unit; and the braking unit. A bending operation device for an endoscope, wherein the bending operation device is disposed inside the bending operation knob.