JP2000340290A - Connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector device capable of removing liquid such as water infiltrated in a gap between electrical contact members for a connector. SOLUTION: This connector device electrically connects a pair of connectors at least one of which is structured as water tight to make electrical contacts of the individual connector come in contact each other. One connector 1 structured as water tight moves a water removing cover 53 provided with a hole 54, which an electrical contact member 11 is in close contact with in a water tight manner, and is inserted through, toward a tip of the electric contact member 11 to remove water attached around the electric contact member 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope T
The present invention relates to a connector device for a V camera.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the medical field, endoscopes capable of observing internal organs and the like by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a patient have been widely used. In general, as an endoscope, an optical endoscope that can be visually observed from an eyepiece and a charge-coupled device (CC)
D) and other electronic endoscopes using a solid-state imaging device.

[0003] In the case of an optical endoscope 301, FIG.
A light source device 303 for generating illumination light for illuminating the subject 302, a light guide cable 304 for guiding the illumination light generated by the light source device 303 to the optical endoscope 301, and the optical endoscope An endoscope TV camera 306 attached to the eyepiece 305 of the endoscope 301 and the endoscope T camera
A TV camera controller 307 for processing an image signal from the V camera 306;
7. The video signal processed by the
Observation monitor 309 that receives an image through the
Are used.

[0004] The endoscope TV camera 306 and the TV camera controller 307 are electrically connected by a connector 311 provided on the endoscope TV camera 306 and a receptacle 310 provided on the TV camera controller 307.

Here, an endoscope TV including an optical endoscope 301, a light guide cable 304, and a connector 311.
Since the camera 306 is a component that may come into direct or indirect contact with the patient's body tissue, they must be cleaned, disinfected or sterilized before use. That is, it is necessary to ensure waterproofness that can withstand washing.

As shown in FIG. 10, a connector 311 is provided with a contact pin 312 for conventional electrical connection. If the connector 311 is to be cleaned, moisture will enter between the contact pins 312. Will be. In order to prevent this, a waterproof cap 313 is attached to the connector 311 as shown in FIG.

However, if the user forgets to attach the waterproof cap 313, it is necessary to wipe off the moisture that has entered between the contact pins 312 with a gauze or the like attached to the tip of tweezers or the like.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-127577 discloses a shutter which opens when a connector is connected to a connector portion of an endoscope and closes when the connector is removed, thereby ensuring liquid tightness of the connector portion. What has been proposed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-133919 discloses a method in which moisture adhered to a connector is connected to the connector so that electrical trouble does not occur even if the connector is connected to a receptacle. Means for providing a connector with an absorbing member have been proposed.

[0009]

However, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-127577, a mechanism for automatically opening and closing a shutter for ensuring waterproofness in conjunction with attachment / detachment of a connector may be provided. If the shutter is opened when moisture remains near the connector, it is inevitable that moisture will enter from the opened shutter.
In this case, water must be removed with a gauze or the like attached to the tip of tweezers or the like as in the related art.

On the other hand, in the means of providing a connector with a moisture absorber proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-133919,
In some cases, the absorption capacity of the water absorber is insufficient for the adhering water and the water cannot be completely absorbed, and the absorbed water may corrode surrounding components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a connector device capable of easily removing a liquid such as moisture even if it enters between electrical contact members of the connector. It is an object.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, is fitted to each other, and the electrical contacts of each connector are brought into contact with each other. In the connector device to be connected, at least one of the liquid-tight connectors has a liquid intrusion-preventing elastic body having a hole through which the electrical contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and the elastic body is Means for relatively moving with respect to the electrical contact member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector device, a pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, are fitted together to bring the electrical contacts of the connectors into contact with each other to electrically connect the connectors. At least one of the densely configured connectors has a liquid intrusion preventing elastic body having a hole through which the electric contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and the elastic body is directed toward the tip of the electric contact member. Means for moving.

Since the connector device of the present invention is configured as described above, the liquid that has entered the gap between the electrical contact members of the connector can be easily wiped off by the liquid intrusion prevention means constituted by the elastic body. Can be moved to a new location.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Purpose) This embodiment is to provide a waterproof connector device which can easily wipe off moisture remaining between contact pins of a connector after cleaning.

(Configuration) FIG. 1 shows a connector 1 of a TV camera for an endoscope. The connector 1 is connected to an extension end of a general cable 2 extending from a camera body of the TV camera (not shown). The thin cable 3 constituting the integrated cable 2 is liquid-tightly covered with a coating 4 for electrical insulation.

The connector 1 has an outer frame 5 forming a cylindrical cover having one end closed, and a fitting hole 6 formed by an inner hole of the outer frame 5 is made of an electrically insulating material. For example, an insulating base 7 formed by molding with plastic is fitted into the insulating base 7, and the insulating base 7 is fitted to the outer frame 5 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the axial direction, that is, in the horizontal direction of the drawing. As shown in FIG. 1, a compression spring 8 composed of a coil spring is interposed between the insulating table 7 and the closed inner wall of the outer frame 5, and the insulating table 7 acts on the urging force of the compression spring 8. Thus, the outer frame 5 is urged toward the front opening end side, that is, rightward of the paper surface.

A plurality of contact pins (electric contact members) 11 made of a conductive material for electrically connecting to a receptacle (not shown) penetrate the insulating table 7, and these contact pins 11 are connected to the insulating table 7. Are integrated into it when forming the
1 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner, but may not necessarily be sealed in a liquid-tight manner when housed in the outer frame 5 as described later. When the contact pins 11 and the insulating base 7 are formed so as to be integrated, moisture does not enter the inside of the outer frame 5 of the connector 1 from between them.

A substantially cylindrical connecting portion 15 for holding the integrated cable 2 is formed on the rear end wall of the outer frame 5. As shown in the drawing, an O-ring 16 is interposed between the connection end of the integrated cable 2 and the cable 2. Then, by screwing the nut 17 into the connection portion 15, the O-ring 16 is pressed and deformed in the right direction on the paper surface to seal the space between the coating 4 of the integrated cable 2 and the outer frame 5, and moisture into the inside of the connector 1. Prevent intrusion.

The thin cable 3 of the overall cable 2 is
And is connected to the inner end of the contact pin 11 by soldering. The length of the thin cable 3 exposed inside the outer frame 5 is set to a length that allows the movement of the insulating base 7 that is movable within the outer frame 5 according to the moving stroke.

An unlocking unit 20 is provided on the outer wall of the outer frame 5.
Is attached. The unit body 21 is fixed to the wall of the outer frame 5 by screws (not shown). A packing 19 is provided at a connection portion where the unit body 21 and the outer frame 5 are joined.
Are interposed and arranged to seal therebetween.

Fitting holes 25 and 26 are formed in the unlocking unit 20 so as to be separated from each other so that the unlocking pins 22 and 23 can be vertically movably fitted on the paper surface. The unlocking unit 2 of the outer frame 5
As shown, holes 27 and 28 into which the unlocking pins 22 and 23 are inserted are provided in the wall portion connecting the 0s.

Each of the lock release pins 22 and 23 has a flange 31 formed at an intermediate portion thereof, and receives the compression spring 32 housed in the fitting holes 25 and 26 by the flange 31 so as to be directed toward the inside of the outer frame 5. The lock release pins 22 and 23 are urged to always insert the inner ends of the lock release pins 22 and 23 into the holes 27 and 28, and the flange 31 is arranged to abut the outer wall of the outer frame 5. .

The outer ends of the unlocking pins 22 and 23 project outward from the outer wall surface 33 of the unit body 21.
The outer wall surface 33 of the unit body 21 from which the outer ends of the lock release pins 22 and 23 protrude is covered with a switch cover 34 formed by molding, for example, silicone rubber. At least the peripheral portion of the switch cover 34 is entirely adhered to the outer wall surface 33 with, for example, a silicone adhesive, and the outer ends of the unlocking pins 22 and 23 are liquid-tightly sealed. . Therefore, the hole 2 provided in the outer frame 5
Water does not enter the inside of the connector 1 from 7 and 28.

Since the switch cover 34 is flexible, the outer end protruding portions of the lock release pins 22 and 23 can be operated by pushing them from outside the connector 1.

On the other hand, as shown in the drawing, a groove 40 is formed on the outer wall of the insulating base 7 as a concave portion corresponding to the lock release unit 20. Inside the groove 40, one end portion is provided. A leaf spring 42 integrally provided with a lock ball 41 is provided, and the other end of the leaf spring 42 is fixed to a bottom wall of the groove 40 by a screw 43. Here, the leaf spring 4
Reference numeral 2 denotes a cantilever spring.
Strong enough than 2. Lock ball 41 has holes 27 and 28
In this state, the insulating table 7 cannot move in the horizontal direction on the paper.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a projecting portion 45 is integrally formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the insulating base 7 so that the insulating base 7 does not rotate in the fitting hole 6. 5 is provided with a key groove 46 into which the projecting portion 45 of the insulating base 7 is fitted and engaged. The key groove 46 is formed to be long along the axial direction of the outer frame 5, so that the insulating base 7 can be moved along the axial direction of the outer frame 5.

A connector cover 47 is abutted and joined to the open end of the outer frame 5. In this state, the connector cover 47 is fixed to the outer frame 5 with screws (not shown). Packing 4 between connector cover 47 and outer frame 5
8 is disposed, thereby preventing moisture from entering the inside of the connector 1 from the abutting joint portion.
The insulating table 7 pressed by the compression spring 8 abuts on the inner end wall 49 of the connector cover 47.

At the inner end of the connector cover 47, there is formed a small tubular portion 51 which fits around the open end of the outer frame 5, and at the other end of the connector cover 47, a hood portion 52 is formed. . Contact pin 11 attached to insulating stand 7
Penetrates the inner end wall 49 of the connector cover 47,
Each contact pin 11 protrudes into the hood 52 of the connector cover 47, but has a length that does not protrude outside the hood 52. The contact pins 11 are mounted on a TV camera control receptacle (not shown) together with the hood 52 and connected thereto.

Further, the hood 5 of the connector cover 47
A moisture removal cover (elastic body for preventing moisture intrusion) 53 formed of, for example, silicon rubber in a disk shape is disposed in the inside 2. This moisture removal cover 53 is a connector cover 47
Is bonded to the surface of the inner end wall 49 with a silicon-based adhesive. The moisture removal cover 53 has the contact pin 1
Holes 54 smaller than the outer diameter of No. 1 are provided corresponding to the respective contact pins 11, and the contact pins 11 penetrate in a liquid-tight manner with the holes 54 expanded. At this time, the contact pin 11 pushes the hole 54 open, that is, the inner surface of the small hole 54 provided in the moisture removing cover 53 comes into close contact with the outer surface of the contact pin 11,
A moisture intrusion preventing means for preventing moisture from entering the inside of the connector 1 from this portion is configured. However, the rubber hardness of the moisture removing cover 53 and the elastic force of the compression spring 8 are determined so that the sliding resistance force between the contact pin 11 and the inner surface of the hole 54 is much smaller than the elastic force of the compression spring 8. Have been.

Here, the distance between the holes 27 and 28 is
The contact pins 11 from the outer surface 55 of the moisture removal cover 53
The distance is slightly shorter than the distance X to the tip of. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, when the lock ball 41 is located in the hole 28, the connector 1 can be electrically connected to a receptacle (not shown). The tip is arranged so as to project sufficiently. On the other hand, when the lock ball 41 is located in the hole 27, as shown in FIG. 4, the tip of the contact pin 11 is slightly exposed or slightly protrudes from the outer surface 55 of the moisture removing cover 53. It is configured to be.

(Operation) After the endoscope TV camera is washed, moisture often remains between the connector pins 11 of the connector 1. In this case, the protruding portion 34a of the switch cover 34 is pushed in against the elastic force of the leaf spring 42, and the lock release pin 23 is moved downward in the drawing, so that the lock ball 41 is retracted from the hole 28. Then, while pressing the protruding portion 34a and pressing the contact pin 11 in the left direction on the paper with a force stronger than the elastic force of the compression spring 8, the insulating base 7 becomes in contact with the protruding portion 45 provided on the insulating base 7. The key groove 46 provided in the outer frame 5 allows the outer frame 5 to move leftward on the paper without rotating inside the fitting hole 6.

Next, when the lock ball 41 comes to the position of the hole 27, since the elastic force of the leaf spring 42 is stronger than the elastic force of the compression spring 32, the lock release pin 22 is pushed upward to displace it. , The lock ball 41 is fitted into the hole 27 and inserted. In this state, the insulating table 7 is fixed so as not to move in the left-right direction on the paper, and the positional relationship between the tip of the contact pin 11 and the outer surface 55 of the moisture removing cover 53 is as shown in FIG. Therefore, moisture is removed with clean gauze or the like. That is, the moisture that has entered the gap between the electrical contact members of the connector 1 can be moved to a location where it can be easily wiped off by the moisture intrusion prevention means constituted by the elastic body, and the moisture can be wiped off.

Here, since the tip of the contact pin 11 always projects beyond the outer surface 55 of the moisture removing cover 53 and is exposed, the moisture removing cover 53 is connected to the contact pin 11.
, Water does not enter the inside of the hole 54 provided in the water removal cover 53. That is,
Moisture adhering to the contact pin 11 and the outer surface 55 can be easily and completely wiped off.

When the projecting portion 34b of the switch cover 34 is pushed in after removing the water, the lock ball 41 is pushed out of the hole 27. At this time, since the spring force of the compression spring 8 is much greater than the sliding resistance between the moisture removing cover 53 and the contact pin 11, the insulating table 7 is inserted into the hole 28 with the lock ball 41 inserted rightward on the paper. Displaced until When the lock ball 41 is inserted into the hole 28, the insulating stand 7 cannot move in the horizontal direction of the drawing, so that the positional relationship between the contact pin 11 and the moisture removing cover 53 is fixed as shown in FIGS. As a result, it becomes possible to electrically connect to a receptacle (not shown).

(Effect) As described above, by operating the buttons provided on the connector 1, the state during the operation of removing water and the state of making an electrical connection to the receptacle can be selected. it can.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Purpose) In the present embodiment, a waterproof connector having a simple structure capable of easily wiping water remaining after washing is provided. It is another object of the present invention to prevent a contact failure due to a load applied to a connection portion of a connector by a solder between a contact pin and a cable inside the connector.

(Structure) In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same numbers and names, and the description is omitted. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer frame of the connector 1 of the endoscope TV camera according to the present embodiment forms a cylindrical outer cover 61 having one end closed. A projecting portion 62 is integrally formed on the inner periphery of the outer cover 61. An insulating base 63 is fitted into the outer cover 61, and the insulating base 63 is inserted into the outer cover 61 from the open end side of the outer cover 61, and the inner end is abutted against the contact surface 64 of the protrusion 62. ing. A C-ring 67 is fitted into a groove 66 formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cover 61, and the C-ring 67 abuts on the outer end of the insulating base 63. The insulating table 63 is positioned in the left-right direction on the paper surface by the protrusion 62 and the C-ring 67, and is fixedly installed at this position. Here, the insulating base 63 is made by molding an electrically insulating material, for example, plastic.

As shown in FIG. 6, the insulating base 63 is
A projection 68 is integrally formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the insulating base 63 so that the outer cover 6 does not rotate.
A key groove 69 into which the protruding portion 68 is fitted and engaged is provided on the inner surface of 1.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical cover frame 71 whose inner end is closed is slidably fitted in 1. The inner diameter of the fitting portion 72 in which the cover frame 71 is fitted is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the inside in which the insulating base 63 is fitted, and a step 73 is provided at the boundary.
Are formed. And the cover frame 71 has the step 7
3 is pushed into the position where it abuts against the end face (hit surface) and is fitted.

A moisture removing cover 74 made of silicone rubber is closely fitted in the cover frame 71 in the same manner as the moisture removing cover 53 described in the first embodiment, and is integrated with the cover frame 71. Glued. Cover frame 71
The contact pins 11 attached to the insulating base 63
Is provided with a hole 74a that penetrates loosely. The contact pin 1 is provided on the moisture removing cover 74 as in the first embodiment.
There is provided a hole 75 through which 1 passes through densely.

A ring-shaped lid 76 is fixed to the opening edge of the outer cover 61 with screws (not shown). This lid 7
A compression spring 77 is interposed between the cover frame 6 and the cover frame 71. Then, the cover frame 7 is pressed by the urging force of the compression spring 77.
1 is urged inward, and as shown in FIG. 5, the cover frame 71 is pushed in until it hits the end face of the step 73.

As shown in FIG. 5, two slide knobs 81 are fixed to the side surface of the cover frame 71 by screws (not shown). The slide knob 81 includes a grip portion 82 protruding outside the outer cover 61 and a shaft portion 84 slidably fitted through a long hole 83 formed in a side wall of the outer cover 61. The long hole 83 is formed along the left-right direction of the drawing. Since the cover frame 71 is slidably fitted to the fitting portion 72 of the outer cover 61 and the shaft portion 84 is slidably fitted to the elongated hole 83 formed in the outer cover 61. The moisture removal cover 74 is configured to be movable in the left-right direction on the paper with respect to the contact pins 11.

The outer surface 85 of the water removing cover 74 and the contact pins 1 in a state where the cover frame 71 fitted in the fitting portion 72 of the outer cover 61 abuts against the end face of the step 73.
The positional relationship of the tip of the first end is configured to be the same as the positional relationship described with reference to FIG. 3 in the first embodiment.

An O-ring 86 is provided on the fitting surface of the fitting portion 72.
When at least the cover frame 71 fitted to the fitting portion 72 abuts against the end face of the step 73 of the outer cover 61, it prevents moisture from entering between the cover frame 71 and the outer cover 61.

Here, the rubber hardness of the moisture removing cover 74 and the elastic force of the compression spring 77 are set so that the sliding resistance force between the contact pin 11 and the moisture removing cover 74 is smaller than the elastic force of the compression spring 77. Since it is determined, as long as no external force is applied to the slide knob 81, the cover frame 71 comes into contact with the end face of the step 62 as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the outer end of the cover frame 71 integrally forms a contact surface 88, and the inner end of the lid 76 forms an integrally provided contact surface 89. When the cover frame 71 moves to the right, the contact surface 88 and the contact surface 89 abut against each other, so that the cover frame 71 functions as a stopper that regulates the forward movement.

Here, the positional relationship between the contact pin 11 and the outer surface 85 of the moisture removing cover 74 when the contact surface 88 and the contact surface 89 abut against each other is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment. The contact surface 88 and the contact surface 89 are arranged so as to have the following positional relationship.

(Operation) When the endoscope TV camera is washed, the cover frame 71 is brought into contact with the contact surface of the step 73 provided integrally with the outer cover 61 by the elastic force of the compression spring 77. At this time, the O-ring 86 prevents moisture from entering between the insulating base 63 and the cover frame 71.

After the endoscope TV camera has been washed, if moisture remains between the connector pins 11, the slide knob 81 is slid rightward on the paper against the elastic force of the compression spring 77, and 88 and the contact surface 89 are brought into contact with each other. At this time, the moisture remaining between the contact pins 11 by the moisture removing cover 74 is moved to the tip of the contact pin 11 as in the first embodiment, and can be easily wiped off with gauze or the like. become.

After removing the moisture, when the force applied to the slide knob 81 is removed, the cover frame 71 slides inward together with the moisture removing cover 74 due to the elastic force of the compression spring 77, and It returns to the normal state shown in FIG. Then, electrical connection to a receptacle (not shown) and a state in which the endoscope TV camera can be cleaned, that is, as described with reference to FIG. The state is protruded by an amount sufficient for electrical connection.

(Effect) According to the configuration of the present embodiment, the waterproof structure of the connector body can be the same as the conventional configuration. In addition, since water that has entered between the contact pins 11 can be easily wiped off with a compact configuration, an increase in weight can be minimized as compared with a conventional connector.

Since the contact pins 11 do not move with respect to the integrated cable 2, a load is not repeatedly applied to a portion where the integrated cable 2 is soldered to the contact pins 11. Therefore, it is possible to prevent this portion from being damaged by repeated load and causing poor contact.

Third Embodiment A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Purpose) The present embodiment provides a waterproof connector with a simple structure that can easily wipe off moisture remaining after washing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector that does not require any operation on the connector itself when wiping off moisture.

(Structure) In this embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are given the same numbers and names, and the description thereof is omitted. Endoscope T according to the present embodiment
The connector 1 of the V camera is configured as shown in FIG.
As in the second embodiment, a cover frame 101 is provided on a fitting portion 72 formed on an outer cover 61 forming an outer frame.
, That is, slidably arranged in the left-right direction on the paper. A moisture removing cover 102 is provided inside the cover frame 101.
Are adhered in a state where they are fitted.

The inner end of the cover frame 101 is formed as a contact surface 103, and the contact surface 103 is a contact surface 104 formed by an end surface of a step formed integrally with the inner end of the fitting portion 72 of the outer cover 61. Against the cover frame 10
1 is moved when it moves to the left in the drawing.

A lid 106 fixed by screws (not shown) is attached to the opening edge of the outer cover 61, and an insertion port 107 is formed in the lid 106. Insertion slot 10
The shape of 7 is determined so that a receptacle 110 to be described later to which the connector 1 is connected can be inserted.

Further, the fitting portion 72 in the outer cover 61
A compression spring 108 is provided between the inner end of the cover frame 101 and the outer cover 61 and biases the cover frame 101 rightward in the drawing. Here, the contact pins 11 are penetrated in a liquid-tight manner through the moisture removing cover 102 as in the case of the above-described embodiment. Further, the sliding resistance force between the contact pin 11 and the moisture removing cover 102 is as follows.
The rubber hardness of the moisture removing cover 102 and the compression spring 108 are set to be much smaller than the elastic force of the compression spring 108.
Is determined.

The contact surface 111 provided integrally with the cover frame 101 is configured to abut against a contact surface 112 provided integrally with the lid 106 when the cover frame 101 moves rightward in the drawing. . Here, the positional relationship between the contact pins 11 and the outer surface 109 of the moisture removing cover 102 is the relationship described with reference to FIG. 4 as in the first embodiment.

A groove 116 for fitting an O-ring 115 is formed on the inner surface of the fitting portion 72 into which the cover frame 101 is fitted. The O-ring 115 has at least a contact surface 111 of the cover frame 101 with the cover 106. Contact surface 112 provided
Is pressed against the outer periphery of the cover frame 101 in a state where the cover frame 101 is abutted. That is, the O-ring 115
Are arranged so as to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the connector 1.

Here, the configuration of the receptacle (connector) 120 to which the connector 1 is connected will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 121 denotes an insertion portion, which is configured to be insertable into the insertion opening 107 of the connector 1 described above.

The insertion portion 121 is provided with an insulator 123 formed by molding a plastic as an insulating material. The insulator 123 is provided with a plurality of contact pin receivers 124 formed of a conductive material. The contact pin receiver 124 has a contact hole 125 into which the contact pin 11 corresponding to the connector 1 is inserted when the connector 1 and the receptacle 120 are connected. When the contact pin 11 is inserted into the contact hole 125 of the contact pin receiver 124, the electrical connection between the connector 1 and the receptacle 120 is ensured.

The contact pin receiver 124 is an insulator 123
This is configured when the insulator 123 is molded so as to be integrated with the insulator 123. The insulator 123 and the receptacle cover 126 are fixed by screws (not shown).

Insulator 123 and receptacle cover 126
8 are aligned as shown in FIG.
7 are formed. The contact surface 127 is the receptacle 120
When the insertion portion 121 of the connector 1 is inserted into the insertion opening 107 of the connector 1, the insertion portion 121 is configured to be brought into contact with the contact surface 111 of the connector 1.

The receptacle 120 is fixed to a frame of the camera controller 130 by screws (not shown). In the contact receiving pin 124, the contact hole 125
A thin cable 131 is soldered to an end located on the opposite side to the end where is formed. Cable thin wire 131
Is connected to a circuit board (not shown) of the camera controller 130. Here, unlike the TV camera for an endoscope, the camera controller 130 does not require cleaning and disinfection, so that the receptacle 12 attached to the camera controller 130 is attached to the camera controller 130.
0 does not require waterproofness.

(Operation) When the endoscope TV camera is washed, the contact surface 111 of the cover frame 101 of the connector 1 is
It is in contact with the contact surface 112 of the lid 106 due to the elastic force of 08. That is, moisture cannot enter the inside of the connector 1 due to the moisture removing cover 102, the O-ring 115, and the O-ring 16.

After the endoscope TV camera has been washed, moisture on the outside of the connector 1 is wiped off with gauze or the like. At this time, as described above, the positional relationship between the contact pins 11 and the outer surface 109 of the moisture removing cover 102 is the relationship described with reference to FIG. Nothing left.

Next, when the endoscope TV camera is used, the connector 1 is connected to the receptacle 120 attached to the camera controller 130, and the endoscope TV camera and the camera controller 130 are electrically connected. The operation of will be described.

When the insertion portion 121 of the receptacle 120 is inserted into the insertion opening 107 of the connector 1 and inserted, the contact surface 111 of the connector 1 and the contact surface 1 of the receptacle 120 are inserted.
27 hits. When the above-described insertion operation is further continued against the elastic force of the compression spring 108, the cover frame 101 of the connector 1 is moved leftward on the paper by the contact surface 127 of the receptacle 120. The contact surface 1 of the cover frame 101
By continuing the insertion until the connector 03 comes into contact with the contact surface 104 inside the connector 1, the electrical connection between the connector 1 and the receptacle 120 is achieved.

After using the endoscope TV camera, the connector 1
When disconnecting the connector 120 from the receptacle 120, the camera controller 130 may be held down by hand, and the connector 1 may be pulled out of the receptacle 120 with the other hand. The connector 1 pulled out from the receptacle 120 is moved by the elastic force of the compression spring 108 so that the contact surface 10
3 will hit the contact surface 112 of the lid 106.
That is, as described above, the state before the use of the endoscope TV camera is set, and even if the endoscope TV camera is washed, moisture cannot enter the inside of the connector 1.

Although not described in the present embodiment, a mechanism for mechanically connecting the connector 1 and the receptacle 120 is provided by providing a drop-off prevention mechanism such as a click mechanism in a state where the electrical connection is achieved. For example, it goes without saying that the connector 1 and the receptacle 120 can be prevented from coming off during use of the endoscope TV camera.

(Effects) According to this embodiment, no special operation is required for the connector 1 to wipe off the water between the contact pins 11, so that the water can be removed very easily. Further, since the contact pins 11 do not move with respect to the integrated cable 2, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of poor contact between the contact pins 11 and the soldered portions of the integrated cable 2 as in the second embodiment.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. According to the description of each of the above embodiments, at least the items listed below and items obtained by arbitrarily combining them can be obtained.

<Supplementary Notes> (1) A pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, are fitted together and the electrical contacts of each connector are brought into contact with each other.
In the connector device which is electrically connected to each other, at least one of the liquid-tight connectors is provided with a liquid intrusion preventing elastic body having a hole through which the electric contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner. Means for moving a body relative to said electrical contact member.

(2) In a connector device in which a pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, is fitted to each other to bring the electrical contacts of the connectors into contact with each other and electrically connect to each other, At least one connector includes a liquid intrusion preventing elastic body having a hole through which the electric contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and means for moving the elastic body toward the tip of the electric contact member. A connector device, comprising:

(3) The first feature is that the electric contact member moves with respect to the liquid intrusion preventing elastic body.
The connector device according to any one of the preceding claims. (4) The connector device according to (2), wherein the liquid intrusion preventing elastic body moves to a tip of the electrical contact member. (5) The connector device according to (3), further comprising means for fixing a position of the electric contact member with respect to the liquid intrusion preventing elastic body.

(6) The connector device according to item 2, further comprising means for fixing a position of the elastic body for preventing liquid intrusion with respect to an electric contact member. (7) The connector device according to (2), further comprising operating means for moving the liquid intrusion preventing elastic body with respect to the electrical contact member.

(8) The connector device according to the item (2), further comprising means for moving the elastic body for preventing liquid intrusion in connection with connection of the connector. (9) The connector device according to (2), wherein liquid tightness of the connector is ensured in a state where the liquid intrusion preventing elastic body is positioned with respect to the electrical contact member.

[0082]

As described above, according to the present invention, in a liquid-tight connector for connecting various components of an endoscope apparatus, liquid adhering near electric contacts of the connector can be easily removed. A connector could be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector of a TV camera for an endoscope according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a contact pin and a moisture removing cover when the connector is connected to a receptacle.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship when a moisture removing cover is removed from a contact pin of the connector.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector of the endoscope TV camera according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view of a portion along the line BB in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector of a TV camera for an endoscope according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a receptacle of a camera controller for connecting a connector of an endoscope TV camera according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional endoscope TV camera system.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a connector of a conventional endoscope TV camera.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Connector, 2 ... Overall cable, 5 ... Outer frame, 6 ... Fitting hole, 7 ... Insulating stand, 8 ... Compression spring, 11 ... Contact pin, 15 ... Connection part, 20 ... Lock release unit, 21 ...
Unit body, 52 hood, 53 moisture removal cover, 54 hole, 55 outer surface.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (reference) // H04N 5/225 H04N 5/225 CF term (reference) 2H040 BA24 DA00 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC06 DD00 FF07 JJ13 5C022 AA09 AB15 AC00 AC65 AC75 5C054 CD01 CE04 HA12 5E087 EE13 FF04 HH01 LL02 LL04 LL12 LL26 LL34 MM05 QQ06 RR05 RR06 RR12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A connector device in which a pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, are fitted to each other to bring the electrical contacts of each connector into contact with each other and electrically connect to each other. One connector includes a liquid intrusion preventing elastic member having a hole through which the electric contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and means for moving the elastic member relative to the electric contact member. A connector device, comprising: 2. A connector device in which a pair of connectors, at least one of which is liquid-tight, are fitted to each other to bring the electrical contacts of each connector into contact with each other and to electrically connect each other.
The liquid-tight at least one connector includes a liquid intrusion-preventing elastic body having a hole through which the electric contact member is inserted in a liquid-tight manner, and the elastic member facing the tip of the electric contact member. Means for moving the body.