JP2000217777A - Bending operation unit for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the braking mechanism of a bending operation knob by bringing a press contact member into press contact with the side of the bending operation knob by a braking operation part and elastically deforming the press contact member at the time of the braking operation of the bending operation knob by a braking operation member. SOLUTION: The first braking mechanism 9A of a first operation knob 27 is constituted of the press contact member 30 of an elastic material, the brake shaft 42 of a braking operation part 9B and a holding member 31. At the time of the braking operation of the first operation knob 27 by the brake lever member 59 of a first braking operation member 9, by bringing the press contact member 30 into press contact with the side of the first operation knob 27 by the brake shaft 42 of the braking operation part 9B and the holding member 31 and elastically deforming the press contact member 30, the operation of the first operation knob 27 is braked by the friction force between the press contact member 30 and a contact surface 27b on the side of the first operation knob 27. Thus, the first braking mechanism 9A of the first operation knob 27 is simplified. Further, the second braking mechanism 10A of a second operation knob 60 is similarly simplified.

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.

Further, a brake mechanism for braking the rotation of the bending operation knob is mounted on the operation unit of the endoscope. Then, the bending portion is bent in an arbitrary direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, the distal end of the insertion portion is turned in a desired direction, and then the braking operation portion such as a brake lever is rotated to operate the braking mechanism. Is operated to brake the bending operation knob.

As this braking mechanism, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
There is a configuration shown in Japanese Patent No. 94519. The brake mechanism is provided with a brake knob which is a brake operation member for switching the brake mechanism between an operating state and a non-operating state. The brake knob is supported so as to be movable in the axial direction of the rotating shaft by rotating in an operating (braking) direction or in a non-operating (braking release) direction.

[0005] Further, a pressure contact plate disposed opposite to the brake knob is provided inside the bending operation knob, and a plurality of constituent members such as a friction plate, a support plate, and a leaf spring are provided below the pressure contact plate. Are sequentially provided in a laminated state. Then, in response to the operation of rotating the brake knob in the operating direction, the brake knob moves in the axial direction of the rotation shaft and presses the pressure contact plate, thereby increasing the sliding resistance between the pressure contact plate and the friction plate. By doing so, the rotation of the bending operation knob is braked.

[0006]

The conventional bending operation knob braking mechanism has a structure in which a plurality of components such as a pressure contact plate, a friction plate, a support plate, and a leaf spring are sequentially laminated inside the bending operation knob. Therefore, the configuration is complicated. For this reason, there is a problem that the number of components of the braking mechanism is large and the cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to simplify the configuration of a braking mechanism for a bending operation knob, reduce the number of parts of the braking mechanism, and provide an inexpensive bending operation device for an endoscope. Is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bending portion is provided on a distal end side of an insertion portion of an endoscope, and the operation portion connected to a base end of the insertion portion has the bending portion. A bending operation knob for bending the section, a braking mechanism for the bending operation knob, and a braking operation member for operating the braking mechanism are provided, and the bending section is remoted by the operation of the bending operation knob. In the bending operation device of the endoscope, the bending operation is performed, and the operation of the bending operation knob is braked by the braking mechanism in accordance with the operation of the braking operation member.
A base shaft is fixed to the main body of the operation unit, and a fixed shaft whose distal end protrudes outward from the main body of the operation unit is provided, and a rotary cylinder connected to the bending operation knob can be rotated about the fixed shaft. A press-contact member made of an elastic material which is fitted and supported so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the bending operation knob side, and press-contacts the press-contact member against the bending operation knob side when operating the braking operation member; A bending operation device for an endoscope, wherein the braking mechanism is configured by a braking operation unit that elastically deforms a member. According to the first aspect of the invention, when the bending operation knob is braked by the braking operation member, the pressing member is pressed against the bending operation knob by the braking operation portion, and the pressing member is elastically deformed. The operation of the bending operation knob is braked by a frictional force with a contact surface on the bending operation knob side.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the pressing member has a deformation preventing means at a pressing portion pressed against the bending operation knob when the bending operation knob is braked, so as to prevent the pressing portion from falling down. A bending operation device for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein: According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the pressing member is pressed against the operation knob during the braking operation of the bending operation knob, the pressing member is prevented from falling down by means of deformation preventing means of the pressing member, so that the pressing member is pressed against the pressing member. Is suppressed, and the braking force (frictional force) by the braking mechanism is stabilized.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 (A), (B) to FIG. 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 distal end portion 5 is provided with a forceps raising base (not shown) for turning the treatment tool at a desired angle. The forceps raising table can be operated by a forceps raising mechanism described later provided in the operation section 2.

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 member 9 for switching the operation means 7 between a braking state and a non-braking state, a second braking operation member 10 for operating the braking and non-braking state of the second bending operation means 8, and 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.

The fixed shaft 13 has a first connecting cylinder (first connecting cylinder).
) And a second connecting cylinder (second rotating cylinder) 16 disposed inside the first connecting cylinder 15 are rotatably fitted to the outside. Then, the first bending operation means 7 is provided at the upper end of the first connecting cylinder 15 and the second connecting cylinder 1
The second bending operation means 8 is connected to the upper end of each of the second bending operation means 6. An engaging claw 17 is provided at a lower end of the first connecting tube 15, and an engaging claw 18 is provided at a lower end of the second connecting tube 16.

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.

A chain (not shown) having curved wires (not shown) connected to both ends thereof is engaged with the first sprocket 19 and the second sprocket 20, respectively. 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 first sprocket 1 is mounted on the substrate 12.
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.

Next, the first bending operation means 7 and the first braking operation member 9 driven by the first braking operation member 9 of the present embodiment.
The detailed configuration of the braking mechanism 9A will be described. Here, the first bending operation means 7 includes a first bending operation means 7 which can be gripped by the operator.
Operation knob 27 is provided. The upper end of the first connection tube 15 is adhesively fixed to the center axis side of the first operation knob 27.

Further, inside the first operation knob 27, a substantially circular storage chamber 27a opened on the lower surface side is formed. A first braking mechanism 9A that brakes the operation of the first operation knob 27 is stored in the storage chamber 27a. Note that a smooth pressure contact surface 27b is provided on the upper surface side of the storage chamber 27a.

The first braking mechanism 9A is provided in the storage chamber 27a.
And a substantially ring-shaped pressure contact member 30 made of an elastic material supported so as to be able to contact and separate from the pressure contact surface 27b, and the pressure contact member 30 to the pressure contact surface 27b side of the storage chamber 27a when the first braking operation member 9 is operated. It is configured by a brake operation unit 9 </ b> B that makes pressure contact and elastically deforms the pressure contact member 30. And
The pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 27b of the storage chamber 27a to generate a braking force.

Further, a storage room 27a is provided in the braking operation portion 9B.
A substantially ring-shaped brake shaft 42 mounted so as to close the lower surface opening of the brake shaft 42 and a holding member 31 disposed on the upper surface of the brake shaft 42 are provided. Here, the first braking operation member 9 is constituted by a brake lever member 59. The inner end of the brake lever member 59 is positioned and fixed to the lower surface of the brake shaft 42 by a fixing screw.

An O-ring 46 is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42. And this brake shaft 42
Is fitted inside the lower opening of the storage chamber 27 a via an O-ring 46, and is rotatably connected to the first operation knob 27. Here, the space between the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 27a and the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 is sealed by an O-ring 46, and watertightness and airtightness in the storage chamber 27a are ensured.

Further, the inner peripheral surface side of the brake shaft 42 is
It is fitted over the cylindrical portion of the bearing 24 via a ring 25. Here, a gap X is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion of the bearing 24, and the brake shaft 42 is fitted at a fitting portion with the first operation knob 27. Have been. The inner peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 and the bearing 24
Is sealed by an O-ring 25 so as to ensure watertightness and airtightness in the storage chamber 27a.

As shown in FIG. 5, an engagement projection 42a, a stopper projection 42b, and a plurality of, in this embodiment, three cam portions 43 are respectively directed upward on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the brake shaft 42 of the present embodiment. It is projected. Here, the three cam portions 43 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the brake shaft 42 as shown in FIGS.
Each cam portion 43 is provided with an inclined portion 44 inclined with respect to the plane of the upper surface of the brake shaft 42 and a smooth portion 45 formed parallel to the plane of the upper surface of the brake shaft 42.

Further, the engagement projection 42a is provided with two cam portions 4
It is located between the three. Then, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the engagement protrusion 42a is detachably engaged with one of the two position regulating recesses 52a or 52b of the click spring 52 described later. Has become.

The stopper projection 42b is provided with the engagement projection 4
It is arranged between two cam portions 43 different from 2a. The stopper projection 42b is formed to have a larger sectional area than the engagement projection 42a.

The holding member 31 is provided on a brake shaft 42. The holding member 31 is formed of a material such as engineering plastic having good wear resistance such as polyetherimide. The holding member 31 has a square hole 36 provided on the shaft center side thereof to be engaged with the upper end of the bearing 24. Here, a substantially prismatic engagement shaft portion 24a is formed at the upper end of the bearing 24, as shown in FIG. The rectangular hole 36 of the holding member 31 is connected to the engagement shaft portion 24 a of the bearing 24 in a state of being engaged therewith. Thus, the holding member 31 is supported so as not to rotate with respect to the bearing 24 and to be movable in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, concave cam grooves 37 are formed on the back surface (lower surface) of the holding member 31 at positions corresponding to the three cam portions 43 of the brake shaft 42, respectively. Each cam groove 37 includes a spiral-shaped inclined portion 38 inclined at a constant angle rotating around the central axis of the holding member 31, and a smooth portion 39 flush with the flat surface of the back surface of the holding member 31. Is provided.

Further, on the back surface of the holding member 31, FIG.
(A), (B) the spring receiving groove 32 and the stopper groove 3
3 are formed. Here, as shown in FIG. 2A, a click spring 52 formed by a substantially arc-shaped leaf spring is accommodated in the spring accommodating groove 32.
The engagement protrusion 42a of the brake shaft 42 is inserted. Further, a stopper projection 42b of the brake shaft 42 is inserted into the stopper groove 33.

Further, two through holes 32 a penetrating through the spring accommodating grooves 32 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 31. These through holes 32a are respectively arranged at positions corresponding to both ends of the spring accommodation groove 32. Further, a spring fixing pin 53 is fixed to each through hole 32a in a state of being inserted therethrough. Then, both ends of the click spring 52 housed in the spring housing groove 32 are fixed by the inner ends of the spring fixing pins 53, so that the click spring 52 is prevented from coming off in the axial direction.

The click spring 52 has a brake shaft 4.
Two position regulating recesses 52a and 52b are formed in which the two engagement projections 42a are detachably engaged. Here, the one position regulating concave portion 52a is arranged on one end side of the click spring 52, and regulates the rotation position of the brake shaft 42 when the first operation knob 27 is not braked. Further, the other position regulating concave portion 52b is arranged on the other end side of the click spring 52, and regulates the rotational position of the brake shaft 42 when the first operation knob 27 is braked.

Further, the stopper groove 33 of the holding member 31
2A, the stopper projection 42 of the brake shaft 42 when the first operation knob 27 is not braked as shown in FIG.
2B, a non-braking position restricting end 33a that contacts the stopper projection 42b of the brake shaft 42 when the first operating knob 27 is braked, as shown in FIG. 2B. 33b are respectively formed.

An engaging groove 29 of the press contact member 30 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the holding member 31. Further, a plurality of rotation regulating protrusions 40 for regulating the rotational position of the press contact member 30 are provided on the upper surface side of the holding member 31 so as to protrude. Here, each rotation restricting projection 40 is arranged on the outer peripheral side edge of the upper surface of the holding member 31 and extends in the radial direction of the holding member 31.

Next, a detailed configuration of the press contact member 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (A) and 7 (B). 7A shows a state when viewed from the upper surface side of the pressure contact member 30, and FIG. 7B shows a state when viewed from the back surface (lower surface) side of the pressure member 30.
Here, the press contact member 30 is formed of a soft rubber material that can be elastically deformed. Specifically, it is formed of, for example, silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, natural rubber, polymer elastomer, or the like.

FIG. 7 shows the back side of the pressing member 30.
As shown in (B), a substantially ring-shaped engaging projection 30a protrudes inward at a peripheral portion on the outer peripheral surface side of the pressing member 30. As a result, the engagement projection 3 having a substantially U-shaped cross section as shown in FIG.
0a is formed. The engagement protrusion 30a is formed in a size corresponding to the engagement groove 29 of the holding member 31.

Further, a plurality of rotation restricting grooves 35 for restricting rotation between the holding member 31 and the pressure contact member 30 are formed on the back side of the pressure contact member 30. These rotation regulating grooves 3
5 is arranged at a position corresponding to the rotation restricting projection 40 of the holding member 31. Then, the engagement protrusion 30 of the pressing member 30
a is elastically fitted in the engagement groove 29 of the holding member 31, and the holding member 31 is fitted in the rotation regulating groove 35 of the pressing member 30.
The rotation restricting projection 40 is elastically fitted,
The press-contact member 30 is fixed to the holding member 31 in a state where removal in the axial direction and movement in the rotation direction are restricted.

FIG. 7 shows an upper surface of the pressure contact member 30.
As shown in (A), a substantially ring-shaped press contact portion 34 is provided to project upward. The pressure contact portion 34 is disposed at a position substantially equal to the radial position of the three cam grooves 37 of the holding member 31, and the pressure contact surface 27 of the first operation knob 27 during braking.
b. A circular inner peripheral wall surface 34 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface side of the press contact portion 34.
Further, an octagonal outer peripheral wall surface 34b is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the press contact portion 34.

A pressing portion 34 is provided on the upper surface of the pressing member 30.
Inside, a plurality of, in this embodiment, four cylindrical projections 34
c is arranged. Each cylindrical projection 34 c is
It protrudes higher than the height. In the non-braking state, these columnar projections 34c are held in a state where they are in contact with the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27, whereby the press contact portion 34 is brought into contact with the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27. It is urged in a direction that does not abut.

The four projections 34c are formed so that the pressing portion 34 and the pressing surface 2 are deformed even when the first operating knob 27 is deformed by pressing against the pressing surface 27b when the first operating knob 27 is in the braking state or the non-braking state.
7b.
The press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 is elastically deformed when pressed against the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27. When deformed, the outer peripheral side of the press contact member 30 other than the press contact surface 27b, specifically, A gap is provided so as not to come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the storage chamber 27a of the first operation knob 27 or the first connecting cylinder 15, and the braking force (frictional force) is applied to the pressure contact portion 34 and the pressure contact surface 27b. It occurs only at the contact portion with the contact.

Further, in the present embodiment, each projection 34c
Are arranged at positions corresponding to the respective corners of the octagonal outer peripheral wall surface 34b of the press contact portion 34. Here, the wall thickness between each corner of the octagonal outer peripheral wall 34b of the press contact portion 34 and the circular inner peripheral wall 34a is the other portion (the octagonal outer peripheral wall 3b).
4b except for each corner). When the pressing member 30 is pressed against the first operation knob 27 side, the pressing member 30 is pressed by the wall thick portion between each corner of the octagonal outer wall surface 34b of the pressing member 34 and the circular inner wall surface 34a. The deformation of the press contact portion 34 of the member 30 can be suppressed. Accordingly, a deformation preventing means for preventing the pressure contact portion 34 from falling down is formed in the pressure contact portion 34 pressed against the first operation knob 27 at the time of the braking operation of the first operation knob 27, and the first braking The braking force (frictional force) of the mechanism 9A is stabilized.

Next, the second braking mechanism 1 driven by the second bending operation means 8 and the second braking operation member 10 will be described.
The configuration of 0A will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the second bending operation means 8 is provided with a second operation knob 60 that can be gripped by the operator. The upper end of the second connection cylinder 16 is adhesively fixed to the center axis side of the second operation knob 60.

A housing chamber 60a having an open upper surface is formed inside the second operation knob 60. A second brake mechanism 10A that brakes the operation of the second operation knob 60 is stored in the storage chamber 60a. In addition, accommodation room 6
On the bottom surface (lower surface) of Oa, a smooth pressure contact surface 60b is formed.

The second brake mechanism 10A is provided with the same components as the first brake mechanism 9A described above, that is, the pressure contact member 30 and the holding member 31. here,
The pressing member 30 is provided with the holding member 3 in the same manner as the first braking mechanism 9A.
1.

Further, the second brake operation member 10 for operating the second brake mechanism 10A is constituted by a brake operation knob 75. The brake operation knob 75 is formed by a bottomed cylindrical body having an open lower surface.

A second brake shaft 70 is provided in the brake operation knob 75. Here, the brake operation knob 7
5 is provided with an internal thread portion 75a on the inner peripheral surface. Further, the female screw portion 7 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the second brake shaft 70.
A male screw portion 71 screwed to 5a is formed. The brake operation knob 75 is screwed to the second brake shaft 70 and is integrally fixed.

Further, the second braking mechanism 10A includes a fixed shaft 13
It is attached as follows on the tip side. Here, a prismatic engagement shaft portion 13a is provided on the distal end side of the fixed shaft 13, as shown in FIG. Further, a cylindrical portion 13b is formed above the engagement shaft portion 13a of the fixed shaft 13, and a male screw portion 1 is formed on the uppermost portion of the fixed shaft 13.
3c is formed.

A stop member 65 is fitted to the engagement shaft portion 13a of the fixed shaft 13. A square hole 66 to be fitted to the engagement shaft portion 13a is provided in the axial center portion of the stop member 65. Then, the fixed shaft 1 is inserted into the square hole 66 of the stop member 65.
In the state where the engagement shaft portion 13a of FIG.
Are fixed to the engagement shaft portion 13a of the fixed shaft 13.

Further, an engagement portion 67 having a prism shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the stopper member 65. This engaging portion 6
The shape of the corner of 7 is the same as that of the engagement shaft 24a of the bearing 24 on the first braking mechanism 9A side. Then, the first braking mechanism 9
As described on the A side, the holding member 31 to which the pressure contact member 30 is fitted is externally fitted to the engaging portion 67 of the stopper member 65 so as to be non-rotatable and movable in the axial direction.

Further, an insertion hole 70 through which the cylindrical portion 13b of the fixed shaft 13 is inserted is formed in the shaft center portion of the second brake shaft 70.
a is provided. Then, with the cylindrical portion 13b of the fixed shaft 13 being inserted into the insertion hole 70a of the second brake shaft 70, the second brake shaft 70 is rotatably fitted to the cylindrical portion 13b of the fixed shaft 13. I have.

Further, on the outer peripheral side of the lower surface of the second brake shaft 70, the same engagement protrusion 42a, stopper protrusion 42b, and three cam portions 43 as those of the brake shaft 42 on the first brake mechanism 9A side (see FIG. 5). ) Project downward. Here, the cam surface side of the second brake shaft 70 is in contact with the brake shaft 42 of the first braking mechanism 9A and the engagement protrusion 42.
The positions of a, the stopper protrusion 42b and the three cam portions 43 are the same, but the heights (cam heights) of the smooth portions 45 of the cam portions 43 are different as shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, the three cam portions 43 of the second brake shaft 70 are such that the height (cam height) P2 of the smooth portion 45 is greater than the cam height P1 of the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42. It is set to be low. When the brake operation knob 75 is operated by the second brake shaft 70 and the holding member 31, the pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 60b of the storage chamber 60a, and the pressing member 30 is elastically deformed. A braking operation unit 10B that generates power is configured.

The uppermost male screw portion 13 of the fixed shaft 13
A lock nut 73 is screwed into c to prevent the whole of the constituent members of the bending operation section 6 from coming off. Here, the axial position of the lock nut 73 is regulated by the male screw portion 13c, and the second brake shaft 70 is not tightened. Therefore, the second brake shaft 70 is connected to the cylindrical portion 13 of the fixed shaft 13.
b is rotatably supported.

The insertion hole 70 of the second brake shaft 70
a and a proper gap Y between the fixed shaft 13 and the cylindrical portion 13b of the fixed shaft 13.
Is provided. Then, between the second brake shaft 70 and the brake operation knob 75, and between the brake operation knob 75 and the second
And the operation knob 60 is fitted at a fitting portion.

A protruding portion 60c which protrudes in a cylindrical shape is provided on the surface (lower surface) of the second operation knob 60 facing the first operation knob 27. Here, the protrusion 60 of the second operation knob 60 is provided on the upper surface of the first operation knob 27.
A recess 27c into which c is inserted is formed. Then, the second operation knob 60 is fitted into the first operation knob 27 in a state where the protrusion 60c of the second operation knob 60 is inserted into the recess 27c of the first operation knob 27. . Further, there is an O between the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 60c of the second operation knob 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 27c of the first operation knob 27.
A ring 47 is inserted, and the O-ring 47
Is sealed between the outer peripheral surface of the protruding portion 60c of the operation knob 60 and the inner peripheral surface of the concave portion 27c of the first operation knob 27 to ensure watertightness and airtightness.

The lower end of the brake operation knob 75 is inserted into the storage chamber 60a of the second operation knob 60. Here, the second operation knob 60 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the braking operation knob 75.
The O-ring 77
Is fitted. The O-ring 77 seals the joint surface between the outer peripheral surface of the brake operation knob 75 and the housing chamber 60a of the second operation knob 60, thereby ensuring watertightness and airtightness.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the endoscope 1 of the present embodiment is used, the bending operation section 6 is operated in a state in which the bending section 4 of the endoscope 1 is operated to bend vertically or horizontally to hold the operation section 2. .

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. When the first operation knob 27 of the first bending operation means 7 is rotated while holding it in the non-braking state, the first connecting cylinder 1
5. The first sprocket 19 rotates integrally, and the bending portion 4 can be bent in the vertical direction.

When the resistance of the bending section 4 and the like is not considered, the main rotation resistance of the first operation knob 27 of the bending operation section 6 is the main rotation resistance of the O-ring 46. And the first
During the rotation operation of the operation knob 27, the brake shaft 42 also tries to rotate due to the frictional resistance of the O-ring 46. However, the engagement projection 4 of the brake shaft 42 engaged with the concave portion 52a of the click spring 52 fixed to the holding member 31 whose rotation is restricted by the prism portion of the engagement shaft portion 24a of the bearing 24.
Since the engagement force 2a is larger than the rotational force of the brake shaft 42 due to the frictional resistance of the O-ring 46, the brake shaft 42
Does not rotate.

Next, when the brake lever member 59 is operated, the holding member 31 and the brake shaft 42 operate as follows. First, when the brake lever 42 is rotated by the brake lever member 59 in the non-braking direction, that is, in the brake releasing direction, as shown in FIG.
The rotation of the brake shaft 42 is stopped when the stopper projection 42b of the holding member 31 comes into contact with the non-braking position regulating end 33a of the stopper groove 33 of the holding member 31. In the brake release state of the first operation knob 27, the brake shaft 4
The second engagement protrusion 42a is held in a state of being engaged with one of the position regulating recesses 52a of the click spring 52. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42 is held while being inserted into the cam groove 37 of the holding member 31, so that the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 is connected to the first operation knob 27. Is held at a position distant from the pressure contact surface 27b.

When the brake shaft 42 is rotated in the braking direction by the brake lever member 59, the click projection 52a of the brake shaft 42 elastically deforms the click spring 52 away from the center axis.
Is disengaged from one of the position-regulating recesses 52a, and the engagement is released. Subsequently, the stopper projection 42b of the brake shaft 42 moves toward the braking position regulating end 33b along the stopper groove 33 of the holding member 31.

During the rotation of the brake shaft 42, the inclined portion 44 of the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42 comes into contact with the inclined portion 38 of the cam groove 37 of the holding member 31. And brake shaft 4
With the rotation of 2, the holding member 31 is pressed by the inclined portion 44 of the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42. At this time, the holding member 31 moves upward while the inclined portion 38 of the cam groove 37 is pushed up along the inclined portion 44 of the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the stopper projection 42b of the brake shaft 42 comes into contact with the braking position regulating end 33b of the stopper groove 33 of the holding member 31, the rotation of the brake shaft 42 stops. It has become.
In the braking state of the first operation knob 27, the brake shaft 42
Is engaged with the other position restricting concave portion 52b of the click spring 52. At this time, the inclined portion 38 of the cam groove 37 is formed by the cam member 43 of the brake shaft 42.
, And is pushed up to the uppermost position where the smooth portion 45 of the brake shaft 42 and the smooth portion 39 of the holding member 31 are in contact with each other. That is, the holding member 31 is pushed up so as to ride on the cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42. Thus, the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 27b of the first operating knob 27, and the rotational position of the first operating knob 27 can be braked at a desired position.

When the brake lever member 59 of the first brake operating member 9 is operated from the braking state to the non-braking state, the force by which the columnar projection 34c elastically returns to its original shape is used. The pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 can be separated from the pressing surface 27b of the first operation knob 27.

Next, the operation of the second operation knob 60 for bending the bending portion 4 of the endoscope 1 in the left-right direction will be described. Here, when the second operation knob 60 of the second bending operation means 8 is held and rotated, the second connection cylinder 16 and the second
When the sprockets 20 rotate integrally, the curved portions 4
Can be curved in the left-right direction.

When the brake operation knob 75 of the second brake operation member 10 is held and rotated, the second brake shaft 7 is rotated.
0 rotates together. At this time, the second brake shaft 70
Is mounted on the cam of the holding member 31,
The holding member 31 moves in the axial direction, and the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 attached to the holding member 31 is pressed against the pressing surface 60 b of the second operating knob 60. The rotational position can be braked at a desired position. At this time, the operation of the click spring 52 and the like, which are the components of the second braking mechanism 10A, is the same as that of the first braking mechanism 9A.

When the second operating knob 60 is braked, the pressing surface 60b of the second operating knob 60 and the pressing member 30
The frictional force between the second operating knob 60 and the pressure contact portion 34 serves as a braking force for holding the rotation of the second operation knob 60.

Further, when the second operation knob 60 is in the braking state, the second brake shaft 70 comes into contact with the contact portion 73 a with the lock nut 73, and the pressure contact surface 6 of the second operation knob 60.
0b is an end portion of the second connecting cylinder 16 fixed to the second operation knob 60, the end of which is in contact with the second sprocket 20.
And the pressing amount of the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 against the pressing surface 60b of the second operation knob 60 is determined.

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the present embodiment, the first brake mechanism 9A of the first operation knob 27 is constituted by the press-contact member 30 made of an elastic material, the brake shaft 42 of the brake operation unit 9B, and the holding member 31. During the braking operation of the first operation knob 27 by the brake lever member 59 of the braking operation member 9, the pressing member 30 is pressed against the first operation knob 27 by the brake shaft 42 of the braking operation portion 9 </ b> B and the holding member 31. The operation of the first operating knob 27 is braked by the frictional force between the pressing member 30 and the contact surface 27b of the first operating knob 27 by elastically deforming the pressing member 30. is there. Therefore, like the conventional bending operation knob braking mechanism, a pressure contact plate inside the operation knob,
The configuration of the first braking mechanism 9A of the first operation knob 27 can be simplified as compared with a case where a plurality of constituent members such as a friction plate, a support plate, and a plate spring are sequentially laminated, and thus, compared with the related art. The number of parts of the first braking mechanism 9A of the first operation knob 27 can be reduced, and the cost is low.

Further, the second brake mechanism 10A of the second operation knob 60 also has a pressing member 30 made of an elastic material,
The brake shaft 70 of the brake operation unit 10B is constituted by the brake shaft 70 of the brake operation unit 10B and the holding member 31. When the brake operation of the second operation knob 60 by the brake operation knob 75 of the second brake operation member 10, The pressing member 30 is pressed against the second operating knob 60 by the holding member 31, and the pressing member 30 is elastically deformed, so that the pressing member 30 and the contact surface 60b on the second operating knob 60 side contact each other. The operation of the second operating knob 60 is braked by the frictional force of the second operating knob 60, so that the configuration of the second braking mechanism 10A of the second operating knob 60 is simplified as compared with the related art, and the second operating knob 6
The number of parts of the second brake mechanism 10A can be reduced, and the cost is reduced.

The stopper projection 42b is provided with the engagement projection 4
Since it is formed so as to have a larger cross-sectional area than 2a, the rotational force of the brake shaft 42 can be supported by the stopper protrusion 42b having a breaking strength equal to or greater than the engagement protrusion 42a. Therefore, the mechanical strength of the first braking mechanism 9A can be increased, so that the first braking mechanism 9A is hardly broken and the durability of the product is improved.

Further, when the first operation knob 27 is in the braking state, the amount of press-contact of the press-contact portion 34 of the press-contact member 30 on the side of the first bending operation means 7 is determined by the brake shaft 42 and the bearing 24 shown in FIG. Between the contact portion 24b and the lock nut 73
Each member sequentially comes into contact with the contact portion 73a of the second brake shaft 70, and the amount of pressure of the press contact portion 34 against the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27 is determined. That is, the pressing portion 34 of the pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 27 b of the first operation knob 27.
The second operating knob 60 and the second connecting cylinder 1
6. The stop member 65 and the second brake shaft 70 are sequentially pushed up to the stop nut 73 side, and the press-contact amount of the press-contact portion 34 is determined.

Here, when the first operation knob 27 is depressed, a gap is provided so that the first connecting cylinder 15 comes into contact with the first sprocket 19 and the other parts do not come into contact. The press contact portion 34 depends on the dimensional variation of each part.
Does not contact the press contact surface 27b.

In the non-braking state, the first operation knob 27
Is rotated, the frictional resistance generated in the smooth portion 45 of each cam portion 43 of the brake shaft 42 exerts a force to rotate the brake shaft 42, but is fixed to the holding member 31 whose rotation around the shaft is restricted. Recess 5 of click spring 52
2b holds the engagement protrusion 42a, so that the brake shaft 42 can be held without rotating.

Further, the O-ring 25 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the brake shaft 42 also functions as a resistance that makes it difficult for the brake shaft 42 to rotate when the first operation knob 27 rotates. As described above, even if the first operation knob 27 is rotated in the braking / non-braking state, the brake lever member 59 of the first braking operation member 9 does not rotate.

Further, in the present embodiment, an octagonal outer peripheral wall surface 34b is formed in the press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 of the first braking mechanism 9A, and the octagonal outer peripheral wall 34 of the press contact portion 34 is formed.
Since the wall thickness between each corner of b and the circular inner peripheral wall surface 34a is set to be larger than the other portion (the portion other than each corner of the octagonal outer peripheral wall surface 34b), the pressure contact member 30 is pressed against the first operation knob 27 side,
Each corner of the outer peripheral wall 34b having a square shape and the inner peripheral wall 3 having a circular shape
4a, the pressure contact portion 34 of the pressure contact member 30
Can be suppressed. Thereby, the first operation knob 27
The pressing portion 34 pressed against the first operation knob 27 at the time of the braking operation can be provided with deformation preventing means for preventing the pressing portion 34 from falling down, and the braking force of the first braking mechanism 9A ( (Frictional force) becomes stable.

Further, each projection 34c of the pressing member 30 is
Since the pressing portion 34 is disposed at a position corresponding to each corner of the octagonal outer peripheral wall 34 b of the pressing portion 34, the pressing portion 34 that is deformed at the time of the braking operation of the first operation knob 27 is formed by the projection 34
It can be prevented from falling to the c side.

When the fine adjustment of the bending direction is performed by rotating the first operation knob 27 in the braking state,
The frictional force generated between the press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 and the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27
Regulate the rotational position of. At this time, since the press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 has an octagonal shape, deformation such as falling down of the press contact portion 34 can be prevented at the thick portion of the octagonal vertex of the press contact portion 34, and stable. A braking force is obtained.

Further, at the time of fine adjustment of the bending direction, even if the first operation knob 27 is rotated, deformation of the press contact portion 34 of the press contact member 30 can be prevented, and the braking force is stable, so that fine adjustment is easy to perform. There is also an effect.

In the present embodiment, the number of components for determining the amount of press contact of the press contact portion 34 on the first bending operation means 7 side and the press contact portion 34 on the second bending operation means 8 side is different. By changing the heights of the cam portions of the brake shaft 42 and the second brake shaft 70 in order to obtain an appropriate amount of braking force (a necessary amount of pressure contact), the same pressure contact amount can be obtained. As a result, the components of the braking mechanisms 9A and 10A can be shared between the first bending operation means 7 and the second bending operation means 8 so that the product cost can be reduced. Specifically, the pressing member 30, the holding member 31, the click spring 52, and the like can be configured by common components.

When the brake shaft 42 is rotated with a large force in the braking and non-braking directions by the brake lever member 59 of the first braking operation member 9, the load is reduced by the stopper projection 42b, which is stronger than the engagement projection 42a. Can be received. Therefore, the resistance is improved. Further, a stopper projection 42b is formed concentrically with the engagement projection 42a.
Is provided, it is not necessary to enlarge the outer diameter of the component.

As a fitting dimension between the outer peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 and the joint surface of the first operation knob 27, a gap X is provided between the inner peripheral surface of the brake shaft 42 and the bearing 24. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the first operation knob 27 or the brake shaft 42 in a direction inclining with respect to the shaft center, the inclination can be prevented at the fitting surface between the first operation knob 27 and the brake shaft 42. That is, the inclination of the first operation knob 27 with respect to the brake shaft 42 is determined only by the dimensions of the two parts, and the other parts,
For example, it is not affected by the bearing 24 and the first connecting cylinder 15. Accordingly, the outer diameter of the O-ring 46 for ensuring watertightness and airtightness between the first operation knob 27 and the fitting surface of the brake shaft 42 is reduced, and the first operation knob 27 in the non-braking state is reduced.
Can be reduced.

FIGS. 9A to 9C show the second embodiment of the present invention.
1 shows an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the configuration of the press contact member 30 of the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1A, 1B and 8) is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the cylindrical portion 49 is protruded from the press contact surface 27b of the press contact member 30, and a plurality of ribs 50 are integrally provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof. Things. Here, as shown in FIG. 9B, the shape of each rib 50 is formed in an inclined surface shape which is inclined obliquely downward from the press contact surface of the cylindrical portion 49.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the plurality of ribs 50 on the outer peripheral surface of the press contact member 30 can prevent the press contact member 30 from being deformed, such as falling down, and a stable braking force can be obtained as in the first embodiment. .

Although a plurality of ribs 50 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 49 of the press contact member 30 in the present embodiment, a plurality of ribs 50 may be provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 49. Further, in the present embodiment, when the cylindrical portion 49 of the press-contact member 30 is pressed against the press-contact surface 27b, the ribs 50 are formed as inclined surfaces so that the ribs 50 do not affect the braking force as much as possible. Need not necessarily be provided at an angle.

In this embodiment, the rib 50 extends from the same position as the pressure contact surface 49a at the tip of the cylindrical portion 49. However, as shown in FIG. 9C, the pressure contact surface 49a at the tip of the cylindrical portion 49 is provided. Position 49 on the outer peripheral surface which is lowered downward from
The rib 50 may be extended from b.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is the first
The configuration of the pressure contact member 30 of the embodiment (see FIGS. 1A, 1B and 8) is changed as follows.

That is, in the present embodiment, the pressing members 30
, A cylindrical pressure contact portion 55 protrudes from the pressure contact surface 27b side, and a plurality of biasing protrusions 56 having the function of the columnar protrusion 34c shown in the first embodiment are integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface side. It is provided in a special way. Here, an inclined portion 56 b is provided at the tip of the urging protrusion 56 on the pressure contact surface side of the pressure contact portion 55. By providing the inclined portion 56b, when the pressing portion 55 of the pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 27b, the urging projection 5
6 can be tilted in the direction of the central axis. Therefore, when the pressing portion 55 of the pressing member 30 is pressed against the pressing surface 27b,
The falling urging projection 56 is in contact with the pressing portion 55 of the pressing member 30
The operation knob 27 is not caught between the operation knob 27 and the press contact surface 27b.

Therefore, in the present embodiment having the above configuration, the first
In addition to the effects of the embodiment, since the deformation of the urging protrusion 56 is suppressed more than in the first embodiment, the pressing portion 5
5 has an effect of being surely separated from the press contact surface 27b of the first operation knob 27.

FIGS. 11 (A), (B) to 13
(A) and (B) show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Here, a configuration of an assembling unit for assembling the substrate assembly 421 of the endoscope having the forceps raising mechanism to the casing 11 of the operation unit 2 is shown.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are a cross-sectional view and a side view as viewed from the lower surface of the operation unit main body unit 420. FIG. Here, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a rotation shaft 413 is rotatably mounted. The pivot shaft 413 has a joint member 401.
Is rotatably mounted at one end. Further, a piston 402 is rotatably connected to the other end of the joint member 401. A wire (not shown) for operating a forceps raising table (not shown) provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion is connected to the piston 402.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show the substrate assembly 4
21 shows a top view and a side view of 21. Here, FIG.
As shown in (A), a notch 403 is provided on one side of the substrate 12 on the substrate group set 421 side. Further, a locking portion 404 to be engaged with the casing 11 is provided at one end of the board assembly 421. The bending mechanism 406 is mounted on the board assembly 421. A groove 405 into which the above-described piston 402 is slidably fitted is provided in a part of the bending mechanism 406.

As shown in FIG. 11B, at least one first opening 407 is formed in a part of the opening 407 of the casing 11.
Substrate locking portion 408 is provided. A groove 409 having substantially the same width as the width of the substrate 12 is provided in the substrate locking portion 408 over the entire length of the substrate locking portion 408 in the length direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11 (A), a second board engaging portion 410 with which the engaging portion 404 of the board assembly 421 engages is provided at the end of the casing 11 opposite to the opening 407. Is provided.

Here, as shown in FIG.
The length of the cutout portion 403 on the second side is b, and the cutout portion 403
The length from one end (the end on the groove 405 side) to one end of the groove 405 is a, and the length from the other end of the notch 403 to the end of the locking portion 404 is c.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11A, the length of the first substrate locking portion 408 on the casing 11 side is e, and the length when the link is pulled out from one end of the first substrate locking portion 408 is shown. The length from the end of the piston 402 to the end is d, and the length from the other end of the first substrate locking portion 408 to the mouth of the second substrate locking portion 410 is f. At this time, a <d, b> e, c> f
The relationship is set.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, the assembling work for assembling the board assembly 421 on the casing 11 side is performed as follows. First, the board assembly 421 is moved from the direction of the locking portion 404 to the casing 11.
In the direction of the opening 407. At this time, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3A, the substrate assembly 421 is shifted toward the bottom 407a of the opening 407, and the piston 402 is drawn out.

Further, the end of the piston 402 is
Until the end of the casing 1 slightly exceeds the position where the piston 402 can be fitted into the groove 405.
1, the positions of the notch 403 and the first substrate locking portion 408 are substantially the same. In this state,
The substrate assembly 421 is moved in the direction of the piston 402, and the piston 402 is fitted into the groove 405 as shown in FIG. 13B, and at the same time, the notch is formed until the height position of the substrate 12 matches the position of the groove 409. 403 is the first substrate locking portion 408
Shift to

Thereafter, the notch 40 in the substrate 12
The edge of the portion a between the groove 3 and the groove 405 is slid into the groove 409 and inserted, and furthermore, the locking portion 404 is inserted into the second substrate locking portion 410 and fixed by bonding. The screw member may be fixed.

Therefore, in the above configuration, there is no need to mount the board assembly 421 at an angle to the operation unit body assembly 420, and the assemblability is good. Therefore, the assembling work time is shortened, and the cost of the apparatus is reduced.

FIG. 14 shows a suction switching device 500 for switching the suction channel of the endoscope according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 14, the cross section to the left from the central axis shows the state when no suction operation is performed, and the right side shows the state when the suction operation is performed.

The suction switching device 500 shown in FIG. 14 comprises a suction button 500A and a suction cylinder 500B. Here, the upstream cylinder 50 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the suction cylinder 501 in the suction cylinder section 500B.
2 is connected to one end of the suction cylinder 501, and one end of a downstream pipeline 503 is connected to the lower end of the suction cylinder 501, respectively.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the suction cylinder 501, a male screw-shaped fixing screw portion 504 is provided at an upper end portion. A fixing member 505 for fixing the suction cylinder 501 to the casing 11 is screwed to the fixing screw portion 504. Here, an O-ring 506 s is fitted on the joint surface between the suction cylinder 501 and the casing 11. The suction cylinder 501 and the casing 11 are fixed in a water-tight and air-tight manner via the O-ring 506s.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the suction cylinder 501, an upstream pipe connection hole 501a is provided below the fixing screw portion 504. And, this upstream side pipe connection hole 501
One end of the pipeline 502 on the upstream side is connected to a.

A sliding surface 507 on which the suction piston 509 described later slides is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the suction cylinder 501.
Is provided. At the bottom of the sliding surface 507, there is provided a downstream conduit connection portion 508 that is tapered and inclined in a substantially conical shape. One end of the downstream pipeline 503 is smoothly connected to the downstream pipeline connection portion 508.
Note that the sliding surface 5 of the suction cylinder 501 of the present embodiment
07 is circular, but may be other polygonal.

Further, a suction piston 509 is slidably inserted along the center axis direction inside the suction cylinder portion 500B. Inside the suction piston 509, there is provided an internal conduit 510 extending toward the central axis.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the suction piston 509, a suction opening 511 communicating with the upper end of the internal conduit 510 is provided.
Are provided substantially perpendicular to the center axis direction of the suction piston 509. The suction opening 511 of the present embodiment penetrates the suction piston 509 and is provided at two locations on the outer surface. However, the suction opening 51 of the suction piston 509
1 is only required to be able to communicate between the upstream pipe line 502 and the internal pipe line 510, and thus it is sufficient that 1 is provided in at least one place. The cross-sectional shapes of the suction piston 509 and the internal conduit 510 of the present embodiment are circular, but may be polygonal.

A groove 512 extends in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end of the suction piston 509. An abutting portion 513 is provided at a lower end portion of the groove portion 512. In the present embodiment, the suction piston 50
Although two grooves 512 are provided at the axially symmetrical position on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of 9, at least one groove 512 may be provided.

A mounting portion 514 for the suction button 500A is provided in a portion of the suction cylinder 501 protruding outside the casing 11. The mounting portion 514 includes the mounting base 515 and the holding member 5.
16. Here, the attachment base 515 is formed of silicon rubber or the like which is easily elastically deformed. Further, the holding member 516 is formed of hard plastic or metal. Then, the mounting base 515 and the holding member 5
Reference numeral 16 is fixed by insert molding or bonding.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end of the holding member 516, a suction button 500A is attached to the suction cylinder 500B.
Mounting projections 517 for mounting on the side are provided all around or several places. Here, a mounting groove 518 is formed on the outer peripheral surface side of the fixing member 505. The mounting protrusion 517 of the holding member 516 is fitted in the mounting groove 518 of the fixing member 505. As a result, the suction button 500A is connected to the suction cylinder 500.
It is detachable on the B side.

The mounting base 515 is provided with a spring receiving portion 519 and two columns 520 projecting from the spring receiving portion 519. Further, each support 52
A projecting portion 521 is protruded horizontally inward at the upper end of the zero. Each projection 521 is slidably engaged with the groove 512 of the suction piston 509.

A large-diameter finger contact member 523 is fitted to the upper end of the suction piston 509. Here, a piston fixing hole is provided in the center of the finger contact member 523. The head of the suction piston 509 is bonded and fixed in a state of being fitted into the piston fixing hole of the finger contact member 523.

Further, an urging member 522 such as a coil spring is provided between the finger contact member 523 of the suction piston 509 and the spring receiving portion 519 of the mounting base 515. Then, the suction piston 509 is urged upward by the urging member 522, and
Abutment portion 513 of mounting base 515
By abutting on No. 1, it is positioned in the axial direction.

The positioning between the suction piston 509 and the mounting base 515 in the rotational direction is determined by the mounting base 5.
15 projections 521 and the groove 51 of the suction piston 509
2 at the engagement portion.

Further, a positioning groove 506 is provided at the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the suction cylinder 501. Here, the suction cylinder 501 in the mounting base 515
The positioning end of the suction cylinder 501 is
The protrusion 524 that engages with the reference numeral 06 is provided in at least one place.

As described above, when the suction button 500A is mounted on the suction cylinder 500B, the suction cylinder 5
00B upstream pipe connection hole 501a and suction piston 50
The position of the suction opening 511 in the rotation direction with respect to the suction opening 9 is determined.

FIG. 15 shows the state of the suction cylinder 50 from the suction opening 511 side of the suction piston 509 during the suction operation.
FIG. 5 is a view of one upstream pipe connection hole 501a. Here, the hatched portion corresponds to the suction piston 509. Then, the upstream pipe connection hole 501 on the suction cylinder 501 side.
a of the suction opening 51 on the suction piston 509 side.
1 inside.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, the suction piston 50 is in the non-suction operation state.
Reference numeral 9 denotes a spring (urging) force of the urging member 522 in FIG.
It is held to the left from the center axis. Therefore, when the suction is not performed, the downstream pipe 503 and the suction piston 5 are not operated.
Since the internal conduit 510 and the suction opening 511 communicate with each other and the suction opening 511 is open to the outside, the suction opening 511 is opened to the atmosphere and air is sucked. Has become.

The finger contact member 5 of the suction piston 509
When the user touches the finger 23 and pushes the suction piston 509 against the biasing force of the biasing member 522 toward the suction cylinder 501, the suction piston 509 is pushed from the left to the right from the central axis in FIG. At this time, the upstream pipeline 502, the upstream pipeline connection hole 501 a of the suction cylinder 501, and the suction opening 511 of the suction piston 509 communicate with each other. Therefore, the upstream pipeline 502 and the downstream pipeline 503 communicate with each other, and suction of liquid or the like is performed by the suction force of a suction device (not shown) connected to the downstream pipeline 503. Will be

Thus, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, at the time of the suction operation, when the suction object passes through the upstream pipe connection hole 501 a of the suction cylinder 501, there is no portion closed by the suction opening 511 of the suction piston 509, so that the suction material is
It does not accumulate at the boundary of the opening of the connection between the suction piston 1 and the suction piston 509. Therefore, the slidability of the suction button 500A with respect to the suction cylinder 500B is not impaired. Further, the suction cylinder 501 and the suction piston 50
Since the suctioned material does not accumulate at the boundary of the opening of the connecting portion with the nozzle 9, there is no shortage of the suction amount due to the accumulation of the suctioned material.

FIG. 16 shows an air / water switching device 600 for an endoscope according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 16, the cross section to the left from the central axis shows a state when no operation is performed, and the right side shows a state when a water supply operation is performed.

The air / water switching apparatus 600 shown in FIG.
Air / water button 600A and air / water cylinder section 600
B. Here, in the air / water supply cylinder section 600B, the upstream side air supply line 602, the downstream side air supply line 603, the upstream side water supply line 604, and the downstream side water supply line are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the air / water supply cylinder 611. 605 are respectively connected.

The air / water supply cylinder 611 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, or a molded product of engineering plastic. Further, the tube connection portions 602a, 603a, 604a, 604a, 604a,
605a are provided. Here, the tube connection portion 602a is provided so as to project toward the insertion portion. Further, the tube connecting portion 603a is provided so as to project toward the insertion portion side and downward at an angle of 60 ° with respect to the cylinder axis. The tube connecting portions 604a and 605a protrude toward the inside of a flexible tube connected to the upstream side. Then, the respective conduits are externally fitted to them and connected by bonding or the like.

Further, a fixing screw portion 606 and a flange portion 611a are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper end portion of the air / water supply cylinder 611.
Are provided. The fixing member 607 is screwed to a fixing screw portion 606 protruding from the outside of the casing 11 in a state where the flange portion 611a is in contact with the casing 11 from the inner surface side. Here, an O-ring 61 is provided on a joint surface between the air / water supply cylinder 611 and the casing 11.
2 are fitted. The air / water cylinder 611 and the casing 11 are fixed in a water-tight and air-tight manner via the O-ring 612.

An air / water supply piston 608, which will be described later, slides on the inner peripheral surface of the air / water supply cylinder 611, and slides with a circular cross section for maintaining watertight and airtight with packings mounted on the air / water supply piston 608. A surface is formed.

Further, the piston 608 of the air / water supply button 600A is provided with a packing mounting portion 617 to which each packing 610 is mounted. Then, each packing 610 uses the elastic deformation to form the packing attachment portion 61.
7 is fastened in the tightening direction. Thereby,
Watertightness and airtightness between the packing attachment portion 617 and each packing 610 can be maintained.

The attachment member 613 of the air / water supply button 600A is formed of a soft elastic member that can be elastically deformed, such as silicon rubber, fluorine rubber, or natural rubber.
A flange portion 614 for receiving a spring is projected from an inner peripheral surface of the attachment portion 613.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the lower end portion of the mounting member 613, mounting projections 614a are provided to protrude inward at all or several locations. Here, the fixing member 607
A mounting groove 618 into which the mounting protrusion 614a is fitted is provided on the entire outer peripheral surface side. The air / water button 600A is removably mounted on the air / water cylinder 600B.

A large-diameter finger contact member 615 is fitted to the upper end of the air / water supply piston 608. here,
A piston fixing hole is provided in the center of the finger contact member 615. Then, the head of the air / water supply piston 608 is bonded and fixed in a state of being fitted into the piston fixing hole of the finger contact member 615.

Further, an urging member 616 such as a coil spring is provided between the finger contact member 615 of the air / water supply piston 608 and the flange portion 614 of the attachment portion 613. The air / water supply piston 608 is urged upward by the urging member 616.

Further, on the outer peripheral surface of the air / water supply piston 608, an abutting portion 609 which functions as a stopper for positioning in the axial direction while supporting the urging force of the urging member 616 is projected in the circumferential direction so as to cover the entire circumference or the circumference. It is provided in several places. The radial position of the contact portion 609 is determined by the urging member 6.
A part of the element wire diameter of the 16 spring members is set at a position that abuts on the contact portion 609.

Further, as shown in FIG.
5 has a cylindrical projection 619 projecting downward. A notch 620 is formed in a part of the cylinder of the projection 619.
Is provided. Further, an engagement protrusion 621 on the air / water supply piston 608 side, which will be described later, is provided in a part of the notch portion 620.
At least one holding portion 620a with which is engaged is formed.

Further, at least one engaging projection 621 is provided near the head of the air / water supply piston 608 to engage with the holding portion 620a of the finger support member 615. And
When the attachment member 613 and the urging member 616 are mounted above the air / water supply piston 608, the finger support member 61
5 is fitted to the head of the air / water supply piston 608, and the protrusion 6
The engagement projection 621 enters the cutout portion 620 while elastically deforming 19, and is finally fixed by being engaged with the holding portion 620 a.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
In the present embodiment, when the air / water supply button 600A is not operated, the urging force of the urging member 616 is not received by the attachment member 613 made of an elastic member, and the contact portion 609 of the air / water supply piston 608 and the finger are not received. It is received by the contact member 615.

When the air / water supply button 600A is operated, the air / water supply piston 608 is pushed into the air / water supply cylinder 611, and when the contact portion 609 is lowered, the urging of the cylinder 611 is performed. Member 61
6 can be supported.

Therefore, the above configuration has the following effects. That is, in the present embodiment, even if all of the attachment members 613 are made of an elastically deformable material,
The portion where the urging member 616 abuts in the button operation state of the air supply / water supply button 600A and in the non-operation state can be suppressed by the hard member supporting the deformation. Therefore, operation failure of the air / water switching device 600 does not occur.

In addition, a finger contact member 624 having a shape shown in FIG. 18 may be provided instead of the finger contact member 615 of the present embodiment. The finger contact member 624 is provided with a cutout portion 626 and an engagement hole 626 for easily deforming the projection 619 when the air / water supply piston 608 is mounted.

In this case, the air / water supply piston 6
Since the engagement projection 621 of 08 is engaged with the hole 626, the engagement force between the finger contact member 624 and the air / water supply piston 608 increases, so that the fixing is reliable.

FIG. 19 shows a modification of the air / water switching device 600 (see FIG. 16) for the endoscope according to the first embodiment. This modified example is an air / water supply cylinder 61.
The attachment member 613 of the air / water supply button 600A is changed as follows. That is, in this modified example, the attachment member 649 of the urging member 616 is provided with a cylindrical projection 650 protruding upward at the edge on the inner peripheral surface side. The other configuration is shown in FIG.
Same as 00.

Therefore, in this modification, the air / water button 60
In a state where OA is removed from the air / water supply cylinder 611, the cylindrical projection 650 abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the urging member 616, and the attachment member 649 can be prevented from dropping off from the abutment part 609. Therefore, in this modification, FIG.
Mounting member 64 than the air / water switching device 600 of FIG.
9 has an effect of making it difficult for the air / water supply piston 608 to drop off.

Further, 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 1-1) A fixed shaft fixed to the operating portion main body of the endoscope and protruding from the operating portion main body, a rotating cylinder rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft, and connected to the rotating cylinder. A bending operation knob, and remotely operating a bending portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion connected to the operation portion main body of the endoscope in accordance with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob, and turning the bending operation knob. A braking mechanism that applies a brake to movement, wherein the braking mechanism elastically deforms and presses against the bending operation knob when the bending operation knob is braked, and presses the pressing member against the bending operation knob. A bending mechanism for an endoscope, comprising a braking operation unit configured to press against a part of the endoscope, wherein a bending prevention part is provided on a part of the pressing part provided on the pressing member to prevent deformation of the pressing part. Device braking mechanism.

(Additional Item 1-2) A fixed shaft fixed to the operating portion main body of the endoscope and protruding from the operating portion main body, a rotating cylinder rotatably fitted on the fixed shaft, A bending operation knob connected to the end portion of the insertion section connected to the operation section main body of the endoscope in accordance with a rotation operation of the bending operation knob. A braking mechanism for braking the rotation of the pressing member, wherein the braking mechanism is made of an elastic material that is elastically deformed and pressed against the bending operation knob when the bending operation knob is braked; And a brake operating unit for pressing the bending operation knob against the bending operation knob side.

(Additional Item 2) An endoscope according to Additional Item 1-2, wherein a deformation preventing portion for preventing the pressure contact portion from falling down is provided in a part of the pressure contact portion provided on the pressure contact member. Bending operation device.

(Additional Item 3) The bending device braking mechanism for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein the press contact portion has a polygonal shape.

(Additional Item 4) The bending device braking mechanism for an endoscope according to Additional Item 1-1, wherein a rib is provided on a side of the press contact portion.

(Additional Item 5) A fixed shaft fixed to the operation portion main body of the endoscope and protruding from the operation portion main body, a first rotary cylinder covered by the fixed shaft, and a second rotary cylinder A first operating knob connected to the first rotating barrel, and a second operating knob connected to the second rotating barrel, and an endoscope is inserted when the bending operating knob is rotated. A first and a second for remotely controlling a bending portion provided on the distal end side and applying a brake to the rotation of each of the bending operation knobs;
A braking member, the braking mechanism is a pressing member pressed against the bending operation knob side during bending operation knob braking, a holding member provided with a convex portion for holding the pressing member and moving in the axial direction, A bending device braking mechanism for an endoscope having a braking operation member having a projection rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft and axially moving the holding member at a position opposite to the projection of the holding member; A bending device braking mechanism for an endoscope, wherein the pressure contact member and the holding member of the first and second braking mechanisms are formed of common components, and the height of the convex portion on the braking operation member side is different.

(Additional Item 6) A fixed shaft fixed to the operation unit of the endoscope, and a rotation shaft of a bending operation knob are rotatably mounted on the fixed shaft. A bending mechanism for remotely controlling a bending portion provided on the distal end side of the insertion portion of the endoscope, and a braking mechanism for braking the rotation of the bending operation knob, wherein the braking mechanism is pressed against the bending operation knob side during braking A pressing member, a holding member that holds the pressing member and is movable in the axial direction, and a braking operation member that is rotatable with respect to the fixed shaft and moves the holding member in the axial direction. In a bending device braking mechanism including a positioning projection for positioning a braking position or a non-braking position on one of the braking operation members and a positioning portion on the other side that engages with the positioning projection, A bending device braking mechanism for an endoscope, wherein a rotation locking portion having a degree is provided on a holding member or a braking operation member.

(Additional Item 7) The rotation axis of the bending operation knob is rotatably inset on a fixed shaft fixed to the operation section of the endoscope, and the endoscope is inserted with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob. A brake operating member for remotely operating a bending portion provided on the distal end side and braking the rotation of the bending operation knob, wherein the braking mechanism is pressed against the bending operation knob during braking. A member, a holding member that holds the press-contact member and is externally moved to the fixed shaft so as to be movable in the axial direction, and a cam portion that enables the holding member to move in the axial direction, and is rotatable about the fixed shaft A braking operation member which is externally mounted to the bending operation knob and an elasticity which secures watertight airtightness between the braking operation member and the fixed shaft, and between the bending operation knob and the braking operation portion. Operation device for an endoscope provided with a member Wherein the gap between the braking operation member and the bending operation knob is fitted to provide a gap between the braking operation member and the fixed shaft.

(Supplementary Item 8) A raising member provided at the distal end of the insertion portion of the endoscope for raising the treatment instrument, a bending portion connected to the distal end of the insertion portion, and a bending portion A flexible tube connected to the flexible tube, an operation unit connected to the flexible tube, an operation unit main body forming an outer shape on the hand side of the operation unit, a substrate disposed inside the operation unit main body, A bending mechanism for operating the bending section, a raising operation mechanism mounted on the operation section main body side for operating the raising member, and a part of the substrate on which the bending mechanism is disposed. An endoscope provided with a sliding portion capable of slidably inserting a part of the raising operation mechanism into the endoscope,
At least one first locking portion that regulates movement in the thickness direction of the substrate, at a part of the opening on the insertion portion side of the operation portion main body, and at one end of the operation portion main body opposite to the insertion portion. A second engaging portion for fixing the substrate, a first engaging portion for engaging the first engaging portion on the substrate, and a second engaging portion for engaging with the second engaging portion.
And a notch for allowing the substrate to move in the thickness direction of the substrate before the second engagement portion engages with the second engagement portion. An endoscope provided near a side opposite to the insertion section from the joint.

(Additional Item 9) A cylinder provided in the middle of the conduit of the endoscope and having an opening communicating with the conduit, is removably inserted into the cylinder, and can communicate with the opening. In an endoscope conduit switching device having a piston having a flexible opening, the conduit provided on the piston side is larger than the cylinder opening. apparatus.

(Supplementary note 10) In the supplementary note 9, the opening on the cylinder side is an elliptical shape inclined with respect to the cylinder axis, and the opening on the piston side is larger than the elliptical opening. Endoscope conduit switching device.

(Supplementary Item 11) A cylinder fixed to the main body of the endoscope by a fixing member, and is removably inserted into the cylinder disposed in the middle of the pipe and controls the switching of the pipe. A switching button, wherein the switching button is a finger pad, a piston connected to the finger pad, and having a flange, and the fixing member or the ring mounted between the finger pad and the flange. An endoscope conduit switching device comprising: a mounting member elastically fitted to a cylinder; and a biasing member disposed between the mounting member and a finger pad. The pipe line switching device for an endoscope, wherein the contact position is set at a substantially intermediate position between an outer diameter of a flange of the piston and an inner diameter of an opening of the cylinder.

(Additional Item 12) A cylinder fixed to the main body of the endoscope by a fixing member, and is removably inserted into the cylinder disposed in the middle of the pipe and controls switching of the pipe. A switching button, wherein the switching button is a finger pad, a piston connected to the finger pad, and having a flange, and the fixing member or the ring mounted between the finger pad and the flange. An endoscope conduit switching device comprising: a mounting member elastically fitted to a cylinder; and a biasing member disposed between the mounting member and a finger pad. A tube switching device for an endoscope, wherein a wall for determining a position of an urging member is provided at an inner and outer peripheral portion of a portion where the urging member contacts.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 1-1 to 7) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-194519 discloses that a braking mechanism of a bending operation device of an endoscope is rotated downward as shown in FIG. A movable brake knob 146, a pressure contact plate 71 facing the brake knob 146, and a friction plate 67, a support plate 68, and a leaf spring 66 provided below the pressure contact plate 71 to accommodate the accommodation member 65 of the bending operation knob 21.
Are sequentially laminated. Then, in response to the turning operation of the brake knob, the brake knob presses the pressure contact plate to increase the sliding resistance between the pressure contact plate and the friction plate to perform braking. Japanese Patent Application No. 9-208778 discloses a prior art of a bending mechanism for a bending operation knob. The configuration of the first braking mechanism described above operates the pressing member, the movable member that holds the pressing member, and the brake lever bearing (storage chamber closing member) that selectively moves the movable member in the axial direction. It is housed in a storage room provided on the knob, so that the operation knob can be braked.

(Prior Art of Appendix 8) In an endoscope equipped with a forceps raising device, when the substrate assembly is assembled to the operation unit main body in which the components for raising the forceps are assembled, the substrate assembly is mounted on the operation unit main body. It was necessary to assemble the parts on the forceps by tilting with respect to the board assembly.

(Prior Art of Supplementary Items 9 to 12) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-255664 is a conventional technique of a pipeline switching device.

(Problems to be Solved by Additional Items 1-1 to 4) When the press-contact portion of the press-contact member is pressed against the bending operation knob, the press-contact portion does not deform in a stable direction. Power) cannot be obtained stably. Therefore, it may not be possible to maintain the bending angle on the tip side. Alternatively, when fine adjustment of the bending is performed in the braking state, the turning force of the operation knob becomes extremely heavy, and the operability may be deteriorated.

(Purpose of Additional Items 1-1 to 4) To obtain a stable amount of frictional force (braking force). Providing an inexpensive braking mechanism.

(Problem to be Solved by Supplementary Item 5) In the conventional configuration, a different configuration is shown between the internal configuration of the braking mechanism of the up / down bending operation knob and the internal configuration of the left and right braking mechanism. I have. From the viewpoint of reducing the cost of the entire apparatus, it is easily conceivable that the vertical braking mechanism and the horizontal braking mechanism are the same. However, since the dimensional elements for determining the amount of press-contact of the press-contact member are different between the up-down direction brake mechanism and the left-right-side brake mechanism, if a common part is used, the amount of press-contact of the up-down direction press-contact member and the amount of press-contact of the left-right direction press-contact member There is a difference in quantity. That is, if the amount of pressure contact of the pressure contact member is different, the normal force acting on the pressure contact portion changes, and the frictional force (force for braking the operation knob) acting at the time of pressure contact may not be a desired amount.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 5) Increase the cost of parts
A desired frictional force (braking force) is obtained without causing this.

(Problem to be Solved by Supplementary Item 6) In the configuration in which the rotational position of the braking operation member of the braking mechanism is regulated, a braking lever bearing portion (storage blockage) is provided in an engagement groove provided on the movable member side. The braking operation member is positioned by engaging the guide pin provided on the body) side. Therefore, when an excessive rotation force is applied, a problem that the guide pin portion is broken may occur. Further, when trying to secure the strength by enlarging the guide pin portion, the member becomes large in the outer diameter direction, the shape of the curved knob becomes large, and the operability deteriorates. In addition, there is a problem that the inner diameter of the O-ring that determines the rotational force of the bending operation knob is widened, the amount of operation force of the bending operation knob is increased, and the operability is deteriorated.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 6) Even if an excessive rotation force is applied to the braking operation member without impairing the operability,
Avoid destruction.

(Problem to be Solved by Supplementary Item 7) Housing for Curved Knob and Brake Lever Bearing (Housing for Closing Housing)
The amount of rotation of the bending knob is substantially determined by the resistance of the O-ring provided between the O-ring and the diameter of the O-ring element wire for watertightness and airtightness provided at that portion in order to reduce the amount of rotation of the bending operation knob as much as possible. There is a need. However, the relative inclination of the brake lever bearing (the housing closed body) and the brake operation knob is not determined by only two parts, and the inclination of the bearing member and the rotating cylinder fixed to the curved knob also has an effect. Therefore, the relative inclination was large. Therefore, when an external force is applied to the bending knob or the braking operation lever bearing, the braking operation lever bearing is inclined with respect to the bending knob, and watertightness and airtightness may be broken.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 7) A watertight airtightness of the bending operation knob can be ensured even if an external force acts without impairing the operation feeling of the operation knob. More specifically, the bending operation knob is kept watertight and airtight even if the diameter of the O-ring that determines the amount of rotation force of the bending operation knob is reduced.

(Problem to be Solved by Supplementary Item 8) A part of the bending device is attached while a part of the forceps raising mechanism attached to the operation unit main body is projected from the opening of the operation unit main body. When assembling the assembled substrate unit to the operation unit main body, it is necessary to incline the operation unit main body or the substrate unit assembly and assemble it to the forceps erecting mounting unit provided in a part of the bending mechanism. It takes time to work. Therefore, the cost of the apparatus becomes high.

(Purpose of Additional Item 8) Improvement of assemblability.

(Problems to be Solved by Supplementary Items 9 and 10) At the time of the suction operation, there is a portion where the cylinder hole is closed by the piston, where the suctioned object is caught and the operation of the suction button is deteriorated. Alternatively, there is a problem that the suction amount is reduced.

(Purpose of Supplementary Items 9 and 10) To provide a pipeline switching device in which a button malfunction is unlikely to occur.

(Problem to be Solved by Additional Item 11)
For the purpose of lowering the product cost, it is conceivable to abolish the contact member made of metal or the like that constitutes a part of the mounting member, and to configure all of the mounting member with an elastically deformable member. In this case, the portion of the mounting member that the urging member contacts may be deformed, and the piston may not be positioned in the axial direction, and the function of the piston may be impaired.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 11) Provided is a piston in which, when all of the mounting members are made of an elastically deformable material, deformation of a portion to which the urging member abuts is suppressed, and malfunction does not occur.

(Problem to be solved by Additional Item 12)
For the purpose of lowering the product cost, it is conceivable to abolish the contact member made of metal or the like that constitutes a part of the mounting member, and to configure all of the mounting member with an elastically deformable member. In that case, there is a possibility that the portion of the mounting member that the urging member abuts is deformed, the urging member comes off, and the button is broken.

(Purpose of Supplementary Item 12) Provided is a piston which suppresses deformation of a portion of the sprinkling member, which is in contact with the urging member, and is hard to break when all of the mounting members are made of an elastically deformable material.

(Operation of Additional Items 1-1 to 4) When the pressure contact member is pressed against the operation knob, deformation of the pressure contact portion of the pressure contact member can be suppressed, so that the braking force (friction force) is stabilized.

(Function of Supplementary Item 5) The pressure contact member and the holding member of the braking mechanism in the up, down, left, and right directions are made common components, and by changing the height of the convex portion on the braking operation member side, the types of components can be minimized. And the required braking force is obtained.

(Function of Supplementary Item 6) When an excessive force is applied to the braking operation member, a rotational force is applied to the rotation locking portion of the braking mechanism having strength equal to or greater than the positioning projection, so that the durability can be improved.

(Function of Supplementary Item 7) When an external force is applied in a direction in which the brake operating member is inclined, the operation knob and the watertight and airtight portion (sliding surface) of the brake operation member maintain the inclination, and thus the rotation operation of the operation knob is performed. Watertightness and airtightness can be secured without increasing power.

(Operation of Supplementary Item 8) When the substrate is horizontally inserted into the opening of the operation portion main body, and the first locking portion of the substrate is located at the first engagement portion of the operation portion main body, the forceps The substrate is moved vertically to the raising mechanism side, a part of the forceps raising mechanism is fitted into the groove on the substrate, and the second engaging portion of the operation section main body is further engaged with the second locking of the substrate. By moving the part in the horizontal direction and inserting it, oblique mounting was eliminated, and assemblability was improved.

(Operation of Supplementary Item 11) When the switching button is not operated, the piston provided with the flange portion and the urging force of the urging member are supported at the cylinder mouth, and when the button is operated, the piston is pushed into the cylinder. However, since the urging force is supported by the cylinder opening, the product cost can be reduced without causing malfunction.

(Operation of Supplementary Item 12) Since the wall for determining the position of the urging member is provided on the surface of the mounting member that contacts the urging member, the urging member does not come off.

(Effects of Additional Items 1-1 to 4) Since the pressure contact portion can be prevented from falling down, the braking force is stabilized. Providing an inexpensive braking mechanism.

(Effect of Additional Item 5) Product cost is reduced.

(Effect of Additional Item 6) The durability is improved without increasing the outer diameter of the knob.

(Effect of Additional Item 7) Watertightness and airtightness can be ensured without increasing the operation force of the operation knob.

(Effect of Additional Item 8) The assemblability is improved.

(Effects of Supplementary Items 9 and 10) Incorrect button operation hardly occurs.

(Effect of Supplementary Item 11) When the attaching member is constituted only by the elastic member, the operation failure of the button hardly occurs.

(Effect of Additional Item 12) In addition to the effect of Additional Item 11, when the button is removed from the cylinder, the button itself is less likely to be broken.

[0188]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the pressing member made of an elastic material supported so as to be able to contact and separate from the bending operation knob side, and the pressing member being pressed against the bending operation knob side when operating the braking operation member. And a braking operation unit that elastically deforms the press-contact member to form a braking mechanism, thereby simplifying the configuration of the braking mechanism of the bending operation knob, reducing the number of parts of the braking mechanism, and performing an inexpensive bending operation of the endoscope. An apparatus can be provided.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the pressure contact portion pressed against the bending operation knob side during the braking operation of the bending operation knob is provided with deformation preventing means for preventing the pressure contact portion from falling. Can be prevented, and the braking force is stabilized.

[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 cross-sectional view taken along a line AA in FIG.
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the cam portion at the time of non-braking,
(B) is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the cam portion during braking.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a fixed shaft in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an engagement shaft portion of a bearing in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a braking operation member of first braking operation means in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a holding member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show a first pressing member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment, in which FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing a front side of the first pressing member, and FIG. 7B is a first pressing member; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the back side of the member.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation of a cam member in the bending operation device according to the first embodiment.

9A and 9B show a pressure contact member of a bending operation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a perspective view showing the front side of the pressure contact member, and FIG. 9B is a rib of a cylindrical member of the pressure contact member. (C) is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the rib of the cylindrical member of the press-contact member.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a pressing member of a bending operation device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 10A is a perspective view showing a front surface side of the pressing member, and FIG. 10B is a rib of a cylindrical member of the pressing member; FIG.

FIG. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
(A) is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a substrate assembly of an endoscope in a bending operation device for an endoscope provided with a forceps raising mechanism is assembled to an operation section main body, and (B) is a side view of the same.

FIG. 12A is a plan view of a substrate assembly in a bending operation device according to a fourth embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a side view of the same.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an assembling operation of a substrate assembly in the bending operation device according to the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing the suction switching device of the endoscope according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a communication state between a suction opening of a suction piston of the endoscope according to the first embodiment and a side hole of the suction cylinder.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing the air / water switching device of the endoscope according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a main part for describing an engagement state between an air / water feeding piston and a finger pad in the air / water switching device of the endoscope according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a main part showing a modified example of an engaging portion between the air / water feeding piston and the finger pad in the air / water switching device for the endoscope according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal sectional view of a main part showing a modification of the air / water switching device of the endoscope according to the first embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Operation part 3 Insertion part 4 Bending part 9 1st brake operation member 9A 1st brake mechanism 9B Brake operation part 10 2nd brake operation member 10A 2nd brake mechanism 10B Brake operation part 13 Fixed axis 15 1st connection pipe | tube (1st rotation pipe | tube) 16 2nd connection pipe | tube (2nd rotation pipe | tube) 27 1st operation knob (bending operation knob) 30 Press-contact member 31 Holding member 34 Press-contact part 59 Brake lever member 60 second operation knob (curving operation knob) 75 brake knob

Claims (2)

[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 mechanism for the bending operation knob and a braking operation member for operating the braking mechanism are provided, and the bending portion is remotely bent in accordance with the operation of the bending operation knob, and the braking operation is performed. In the bending operation device for an endoscope, wherein the operation of the bending operation knob is braked by the braking mechanism in accordance with the operation of a member, a base end portion is fixed to a main body of the operation portion, and a distal end portion is located outside the operation portion main body. A rotating shaft connected to the bending operation knob is rotatably fitted to the fixed shaft, and an elastic material supported so as to be able to approach and separate from the bending operation knob side. And the pressing member A bending mechanism configured by a braking operation unit configured to press the pressing member against the bending operation knob when operating the braking operation member and to elastically deform the pressing member. Operating device. 2. The press-contact member includes a press-contact portion pressed against the bending operation knob when the bending operation knob is braked,
2. The bending operation device for an endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a deformation preventing means for preventing the pressing portion from falling down.