JP2002085351A - Small-sized illuminator for private part - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized illuminator for a private part advantageous in cost, washing respect or working respect (handling respect). SOLUTION: This small-sized illuminator is characterized in that a cylindrical arm 4 having a single light emitting part 3 at the tip is fitted to a casing 2 having a power supply 1, the arm 4 is bent at a designated angle in a portion at the forward end side thereof, and the base end part of the arm 4 is removably mounted on the casing 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small local illuminator which can be used not only for humans but also for medical purposes including animals and for industrial use for performing an internal inspection of a mold. For the purpose of illuminating the oral cavity and visually inspecting the presence or absence of caries (also referred to as tooth decay) (visual recognition), a screening method using a transmitted light method is used to ensure that a relatively early caries state, which is often overlooked, can be inspected more reliably ( The present invention relates to a small local illuminator having a transmission light source that is effective for visual inspection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, as a method for examining dental caries, for example, in a doctor's office or the like, various methods such as an X-ray examination and an impedance examination are used in addition to a method of visual inspection using an illuminator attached to a chair. In the method of examining a patient with an illuminator attached to the chair, the teeth are illuminated from the outside, and the state of the illuminated teeth is checked to determine whether the tooth is carious. However,
The initial caries state refers to the phenomenon in which calcium and phosphorus are dissolved from the inside of the enamel by the acid. The outside looks healthy, but the inside is in a scaly state (also called demineralization). Because of this phenomenon, it was difficult to determine whether or not it was carious simply by looking at the state of the outer surfaces of the teeth as described above. In addition, since the light is generally illuminated from the outside of the oral cavity toward the back, the back side of the back teeth and the like are shaded by the teeth and are dark and difficult to see. For this reason, a dental mirror or the like is used in combination. However, it is difficult to determine whether or not the tooth is a caries in the portion adjacent to the tooth which is hard to see visually. In addition, the method of screening by X-rays is not only a problem of measures to reduce exposure to radiation and a problem of not being able to rapidly examine a large number of people, but also a part that cannot be observed (for example, a part where teeth overlap or a metal part of a prosthesis is shadowed). Etc.). Therefore, as a solution to the above-mentioned inconvenience, light from a dental illuminator is irradiated to a tooth or a portion adjacent to the tooth, and transmitted light passing through the inside of the tooth is observed. In recent years, examination (visual examination) by the transmitted light method for judging has been performed. Specific examples thereof include those disclosed in JP-A-10-165419. This is done by attaching a cylindrical arm whose tip is bent at a right angle to the tip of the handpiece, and attaching a light emitting diode (LED) to the tip of this arm.
And a power supply lead wire extending from a base end of the handpiece to a power supply.

[0003]

The use of the light emitting diode as a light source as described above can be advantageous in terms of heat generation and power consumption. However, for example, in the case of performing a mass examination, the following examination is performed. Cleaning time is required to clean the dental illuminator used by the previous examiner when conducting a medical examination, so it is not possible to carry out medical examinations continuously, and it is not possible to carry out medical examinations efficiently. Was. By the way, a method is considered in which a large number of the dental illuminators are provided, and the used dental illuminators are washed. As a result, it was common to use one dental illuminator while cleaning it as described above. Further, when cleaning the dental illuminator, the cleaning operation must be performed carefully so as not to wet the handpiece provided with the changeover switch, and the cleaning operation is time-consuming and troublesome. In addition, because it has a power lead for connecting to a power source, it is possible to use a dental illuminator only within the range where the power lead can reach the power source during a medical examination in a place other than the consultation room where a normal examination is performed. Therefore, not only is the use place limited, but also during cleaning, the power supply lead wires must be unplugged from the power supply and moved to the cleaning place, which is inconvenient in handling. In addition, depending on the examiner, the angle of the cylindrical arm whose tip is bent at a right angle does not match, so that it may be extremely difficult to perform the examination. Also in this case, it is conceivable to provide a large number of dental illuminators having different bending angles, but since the dental illuminator is expensive as described above, the cost is doubled for the number of dental illuminators. In fact, it was common practice to use the single dental illuminator.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and has as its object to provide a small local illuminator that is advantageous in terms of cost, cleaning, or use (handling).

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a small local illuminator according to the present invention has a cylindrical shape provided with a light-emitting portion at a tip thereof in a casing provided with a power source such as a dry battery or a secondary battery. It is characterized in that an arm is attached, the arm is curved at a predetermined angle at a tip side thereof, and a base end of the arm is detachably attached to the casing. By detachably attaching the base end of the arm to the casing as described above, not only can the arm be detached from the casing and the arm can be easily and quickly cleaned, but also the same arm or a different arm can be replaced. . By replacing the arm with the same arm, it is possible to perform the cleaning operation of the removed arm while performing a medical examination with the small local illuminator whose arm has been replaced. Moreover, the arm itself is very inexpensive compared to a small local illuminator,
It is possible to suppress a rise in cost, and to deal with deterioration or damage of the light emitting unit as a spare part. In addition, if a different kind of arm, for example, an arm having a different bending angle is prepared, the arm can be changed according to the examiner, and the examination can be performed reliably, easily and quickly. In addition, as a light emitting part,
By using a single light emitting diode, since there is almost no heat generation, not only can the light emitting diode be used close to or in contact with teeth or gums, but also it consumes less power and has a long life. ,preferable. Moreover, even with a single light emitting diode, it is possible to secure the luminance (light amount per unit area) required for the examination.

[0006] The casing has a substantially linear cross section and a substantially circular cross-section, and one end of the casing is provided at one end of the casing with the center line of the casing substantially coincident with the center line of the arm on the casing side. By attaching the part, when carrying out a medical examination with the irradiation part at the tip of the arm holding the casing behind the teeth, the positional relationship between the arm and the casing can be easily grasped. Can be easily and quickly moved to a predetermined location.

The arm is mounted by being inserted into an opening formed in the casing, and the inserted arm is configured to be detachable by rotation within 360 degrees. By inserting the arm into the opening formed in the casing as described above, the mounting of the arm can be completed, and the attachment and detachment of the arm to and from the casing can be performed easily and quickly compared to a screw-in type or the like. Further, the mounted arm can be removed from the casing by rotating within 360 degrees.

The arm is rotated on the outer surface of the end of the arm on the casing side when the arm is inserted into the casing, so that the arm comes into contact with a wall formed on the casing to move the arm toward the pull-out side. An abutment portion for blocking is provided. As described above, by rotating the arm in the state where the arm is inserted into the casing to prevent the arm from moving to the pull-out side, the arm does not come off the casing unless the arm is rotated.

The casing is provided with a locking portion for locking to a locked portion of the arm with the insertion of the arm into the casing to prevent the arm from moving to the pull-out side. The locking portion locked to the locked portion may be configured to be unlockable by rotating the arm.

[0010] The locked portion is formed of a notch formed at one or more positions in the circumferential direction on the outer surface of the insertion side end of the arm, and the forked portion is inserted into the notch of the arm and clamped. With this configuration, the contact portion does not protrude from the arm.
In other words, when inserting the arm, it is not necessary to match the arm with the groove formed for allowing the contact portion to escape as in claim 4, and the arm can be locked into the casing from any position. There are advantages that can be done.

The casing has a metal casing body for accommodating the power source in a state of being moved and biased toward the arm by an elastic force, and a casing which can be screwed into an opening edge formed at a tip of the casing body. A pair of fixing portions, which are made of a metal material having elastic restoring force, and enter a concave portion formed in a part of a threaded portion of the arm holder. One end of each of these fixing portions is formed to be bent in a posture crossing the arm, and a pair of holding portions for holding the notch of the arm, and between the casing body and the arm holder from the other end of the fixing portion. It is composed of an arch-shaped protruding portion that protrudes outward and connects the ends. When the arm holder is screwed into the casing main body, the protrusion of the holding member provided on the arm holder is pressed against the opening end surface of the casing main body, and the contact pressure between the casing main body and the protrusion can be increased.
Further, by forming the holding member from the three portions of the fixing portion, the holding portion, and the projecting portion, the elastic restoring force of the holding portion can be reliably exerted, and the holding force against the notch can be increased.

The arm is made of metal, and the notch formed in the arm is substantially rectangular, and a power-supply-side end face constituting the notch, and an arm facing the power-supply-side end face in the arm longitudinal direction. By forming the power supply side end surface and the pair of connection end surfaces into a flat surface among the pair of connection end surfaces connecting the circumferential end portions of the side end surfaces and the two end surfaces to each other in the arm longitudinal direction, the power supply arm is formed. Not only can the holding portion not come off from the power supply side end surface due to the moving urging force to the side, the moving urging force can be reliably received and a contact pressure equivalent to the moving urging force can be applied to the holding portion from the power supply side end surface. In addition, the holding action of the holding portion with respect to the connection end surface can be reliably exerted, and the effect of stopping the rotation of the arm (stopping in the direction of position) can be exhibited. It is most preferable that the power supply side end surface is a flat surface along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the arm, and the connecting end surface is a flat surface along the longitudinal direction of the arm.

[0013] By setting the angle of curvature at the distal end side of the arm, that is, the angle formed by the center line of the base end of the arm and the center line of the distal end of the arm, to 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. This is particularly advantageous when the tip of the arm is located behind the teeth.

[0014] The light emitting section is composed of a light emitting diode, and a resistor is interposed between the light emitting diode and the power supply to limit a current value flowing through the light emitting diode. The life of the light emitting diode can be extended.

An annular portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the arm on the outer periphery of the light emitting portion; and a flange having an outer diameter larger than the annular portion and abutting against an end surface of a tip portion of the arm. A light-emitting diode with the seal member externally fitted thereinto is inserted from one end of the arm, and the other end of the arm is closed with a cap to emit light at one end of the arm. Since the gap generated between the part and the arm can be eliminated by the seal member, and the other end of the arm can be closed by the cap,
For example, it is possible to reliably prevent alcohol from getting into the arm at the time of washing with alcohol by immersing it in alcohol. By setting the outer diameter of the annular portion of the seal member to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the arm, the light-emitting portion on which the seal member is externally fitted can be smoothly inserted into the arm. Further, the seal member can be used as a positioning member for the light emitting section, and can be always positioned in the same direction with respect to the arm. Further, by inserting the annular portion of the seal member into the arm until the flange portion of the seal member comes into contact with the end surface of the tip portion of the arm, the tip position of the light emitting unit with respect to the end surface of the arm is always located at the same position. Can be.

The arm is made of metal, and a contact for electrically connecting and disconnecting the power supply and the light emitting portion is formed of a resiliently corrugated leaf spring, and the contact is pressed against an outer surface of the arm. A switch is provided for switching between a state in which the arm is separated from the outer surface of the arm. Therefore, by operating the switch, it is possible to switch between a state where the contact is pressed against the outer surface of the arm and a state where the contact is separated from the outer surface of the arm. In addition, when the contacts are pressed against the outer surface of the arm, the elastic force of the corrugated leaf spring allows the contacts to be constantly pressed against the outer surface of the arm, thus reliably preventing the occurrence of manufacturing errors and poor contact due to long-term use. Can be. In addition, since the tip of the contact portion of the corrugated leaf spring is also formed in a corrugated shape, the leaf spring may be damaged if the switch is operated to the contact side (lighting side) and the arm is attached or detached without noticing it. Can be attached and detached without. Of course, by attaching and detaching the arm without turning the switch on or off each time in this state,
It can be used continuously while turning on and off.

When the directivity angle of the light emitting diode is less than about 60 degrees, the brightness on the irradiation surface can be increased, so that the examination can be performed easily and the angle range in which the light source is erroneously viewed directly can be reduced. Because it is limited, safety also increases. More preferably, the directivity angle is set to approximately 35 degrees or less.

[0018]

1 and 2 show a dental illuminator as an example of a small local illuminator according to the present invention. This dental illuminator has three batteries 1 as a power source.
2 which has a space capable of accommodating in a straight line in a straight line, is detachably attached to the casing 2, and has a directional angle (irradiation angle) H of approximately 60 degrees (more preferably 35 degrees) or less at the tip. Single light emitting diode (LED)
3 comprises a cylindrical metal arm 4 and the like. The base end of the arm 4 is attached to one end of the casing 2 in a state where the center line of the casing 2 substantially coincides with the center line of the arm 4 on the casing side. The dental illuminator is of a cordless type (handy type) which is particularly advantageous for dental examinations outside a doctor's office. As the dry battery, use a 1.5 volt battery of size AA.
It generates a voltage of 4.5 V (a single light-emitting diode that can be used for lighting needs at least 3.5 V at present (available) for a single light emitting diode) and has a continuous use time of 50 hours or more. Any dry battery that can generate a voltage of 5 V or more may be used. Also, instead of the dry battery, various storage batteries (secondary batteries) such as a lead storage battery, an alkaline storage battery, and a nickel-cadmium storage battery may be used.
Alternatively, a structure may be adopted in which a casing portion of a normal penlight is diverted to the casing 2 and an arm is attached to one end of the casing portion. Here, a dental illuminator that is optimal for dental examination is shown, but is used as a small medical illuminator for medical use used to illuminate teeth, ears, nose, etc. of humans and animals. In addition, it can also be used as an industrial small local illuminator for inspection for internal damage of a mold and the like.
Here, the light emitting diode 3 is used as the light emitting unit, but a bead ball or the like that does not require a resistor or the like can be used.

Although the light emitting diode 3 is of a white light type for caries examination, it may emit a green light, a red light, a blue light or the like according to the contents of the examination and the purpose of use. Alternatively, a full-color light emitting diode may be used.
Although a single light emitting diode 3 is used here, a dental lighting device (small local lighting device) capable of increasing the amount of light by using a bundle of a plurality of light emitting diodes. You may. The shape of the tip of the light-emitting diode is spherical or hemispherical in each of the figures, but the tip is rectangular and flat, or it is a cone-shaped tip with a rounded tip. Alternatively, it may be possible to select and use according to the examination site (for each arm including the light emitting diode).

As shown in FIG. 1, the arm 4 has a length that is suitable for being inserted into a human oral cavity, and is bent at one end, and the bending angle, that is, the center of the base end of the arm 4. The angle a between the line A1 and the center line A2 of the distal end of the arm 4 is set to approximately 40 degrees (the angle may be any angle in the range of 15 to 60 degrees). The curved portion is set at a point at a distance (preferably 30 mm or less) L from the tip of the light emitting diode 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light emitting diode 3 having the sealing member 5 fitted thereto is press-fitted (inserted) into the tip of the arm 4 so that the gap between the light emitting diode 3 and the arm 4 is increased. There is no gap in the arm 4 and one end of the arm 4 is kept closed. The seal member 5 has an annular portion 5A having an outer diameter 5a slightly larger than the inner diameter 4a of the arm 4 on the outer circumference.
A material having an elasticity and an insulating property, such as a resin, having an outer diameter larger than the annular portion 5A and a flange portion 5B contacting the end surface 4A of the distal end of the arm 4; Has become. The inner diameter 5b of the seal member 5 is:
It is more advantageous that the outer diameter of the light emitting diode 3 is slightly smaller than the lens outer diameter in terms of the sealing property between the sealing member 5 and the light emitting diode 3. Collar 5 of the seal member 5
B, a flange 5B
Is projected when the dental illuminator is placed on a conductor such as an iron plate, for example, when a metal main body handle 12 described later is used.
The surface of the metal arm 4 and the tip of the metal arm 4 come into contact with the conductor to be in a conductive state, and the light emitting diode 3 is lit even though the switch 16 described later is turned off. This is for avoiding by the flange portion 5B of the seal member 5 which is described above. Although the cost is increased, the flange portion 5B may be omitted if at least the front end portion of the arm 4 is subjected to insulation treatment by performing resin coating or the like.
An insertion portion 6A having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter 4a of the arm 4 is provided at the base end of the arm 4;
The base end of the arm 4 is hermetically sealed by press-fitting (inserting) a cap 6 made of resin and having an insulating property and integrally formed with the cover 6 </ b> B contacting the end surface of the arm 4. I have. Note that the metal arm may be made of a flexible (flexible) material, and may be used by being appropriately bent (curved) at a distal end portion.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Almost hemispherical contact (head) 7A that contacts the positive pole of
And a metal pin 7 composed of a penetrating leg (bar-shaped portion) 7B without a gap in the center of the cap 6 and a leg 7B of the pin 7 and a positive electrode of the light emitting diode 3. The side terminal 3A is connected via a lead wire 8, part of which is formed in a coil shape, and a current limiting resistor 9. Also, the negative terminal 3 of the light emitting diode 3
B is in contact with the inner surface of the arm 4. Reference numeral 10 shown in FIG. 2 denotes a function of covering one terminal 3A so that the two terminals 3A and 3B are not short-circuited and a negative terminal 3
B is a silicon tube for keeping the pressing force in contact with the inner surface of the arm 4 at all times. Reference numeral 3T shown in FIG. 3 denotes a rectangular protrusion provided on each of the terminals 3A and 3B so as to function as a stopper when inserted into a printed circuit board, for example.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the maximum insertion position at which the arm 4 is inserted through an opening 2A formed at one end of the casing 2 at a specific location on the outer peripheral surface of the lid 6B of the cap 6 By rotating the arm 4 in the above, the arm 4 contacts the wall 2K formed on the casing 2 and
The arm stopper 11 as a contact portion for preventing the movement of the arm 4 to the pulling side is integrally formed so as to protrude in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm 4. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a circular through hole 15A for allowing the arm 4 to be inserted into one end of the casing 2, a communication with the through hole 15A, and the arm 4 to form a groove 15B for allowing the arm stopper 11 to pass therethrough. Therefore, after the arm 4 is adjusted to a specific position with respect to the casing 2, that is, to a position where the arm stopper 11 of the arm 4 can be inserted into the groove 15 </ b> B of the casing 2, the arm 4 is brought into contact with the arm 4 in the casing 2. The child 7A is inserted up to a position where it contacts the tip of the dry battery 1 (maximum insertion position). By rotating the arm 4 in one direction while the arm 4 is inserted to the maximum insertion position, the end surface of the arm stopper 11 on the light emitting diode 3 side comes into contact with the wall 2K formed on the casing 2 and the arm 4 is removed from the casing 2. Stop is complete.
When the arm 4 is detached, the wall 2 is rotated by rotating the arm 4 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction.
After releasing the contact of the arm stopper 11 with K,
The arm 4 can be pulled out and removed.
Also, as shown in FIG. 6, if the walls 4C and 15D for restricting the rotation of the arm 4 are provided in a state where the arm 4 is inserted to the maximum insertion position, after the arm 4 is inserted to the maximum insertion position. , One wall 15C is the arm 4
5, that is, the clockwise rotation is prevented in FIG. 5 and the counterclockwise rotation is allowed. By rotating the counterclockwise approximately 90 degrees, the other wall surface 1 is rotated.
One side of the arm stopper 11 contacts the 5D so as to prevent further rotation.

The casing 2 is screwed to a metallic main body handle 12 having a substantially circular cross section for accommodating the dry battery 1 and a male screw portion 12A formed on an outer surface of one end of the main body handle 12. A bottomed cylinder provided with a female screw portion 14A and a metal coil spring 13 that elastically presses the minus pole of the dry battery 1 by closing one end opening of the main body handle 12 by the screwing. Metal cover 14, the through-hole 15 A, the groove 15
B, the wall 2K is formed, and the body handle 12
Is formed of a resin-made tip member 15 or the like which is internally fitted and fixed to the other end of the member with an adhesive or the like. Accordingly, by inserting the arm 4 into the distal end member 15 of the casing 2 as described above, the contact 7A of the arm 4 comes into contact with the positive pole of the dry battery 1 positioned at the head. At this time, the coil spring 13 absorbs the contact force, and the arm 4 can be elastically pressed so that no rattling occurs between the arm 4 and the tip member 15 after the rotation operation of the arm 4. Like that.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a sliding resin switch 16 for turning on and off the light emitting diode 3 is mounted on the outer surface of the tip member 15 of the casing 2 via a mounting member 18. At the same time, one end of a contact 17 made of a corrugated leaf spring for electrically connecting and disconnecting the dry cell 1 and the light emitting diode 3 is connected to the casing 2.
And fixed by contacting the inner wall. Therefore, switch 1
6 is slid to the lighted position on the arm tip side, whereby the projecting piece 16A integrally formed on the lower surface of the switch 16 pushes down the crest of the contact 17 and presses it against the outer surface of the arm 4 (see FIG. 2). That is, the light-emitting diode 3 is turned on in the conductive state. Further, by sliding the switch 16 to the opposite side to the lighting position, that is, to the light-off position on the side of the lid 14, the protruding piece 16A that has pushed down the peak of the contact 17 is positioned at the valley of the contact 17,
The contact 17 is separated from the outer surface of the arm 4 (see FIG. 7), the non-conductive state is established, and the light emitting diode 3 is turned off. The specific configuration of the switch for operating the contact 17 in the above-mentioned two states can be freely changed, for example, by configuring the switch 16 as a slide type, a push button type, or a rotary type. Describing the conduction state, the negative pole of the dry battery 1 is connected to the contact 1 via the coil spring 13, the lid 14, and the main body handle 12.
The positive side of the dry battery 1 is connected to a positive terminal 3A of the light emitting diode 3 via a pin body 7, a lead wire 8, and a resistor 9. Since the negative terminal 3B of the light emitting diode 3 is in contact with the arm 4, the conductive state can be established by bringing the contact 17 into contact with the outer surface of the arm 4 as described above.

In the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 1 and the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9, the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode 3 at the tip of the arm 4 is located on the back side of the tooth D as shown in FIG. By contacting the two teeth D, D or in a state where they are located close to each other, and observing the light C transmitted through the teeth, it is possible to surely grasp whether or not it is a caries (cavity). I can do it. In addition to visually observing the light C transmitted through the teeth, an imaging unit such as a CCD camera and a monitor for displaying information from the imaging unit may be provided. Of course, it can be easily used not only for dental caries examination but also as an examination illuminator for other uses (for example, the adhesion state of calculus, the state of gingiva, etc.). Also, as shown in FIG. 1, if the examination is performed using a bag-shaped disposable transparent film cover (not shown in FIG. 9) 19 for covering the dental illuminator, the transparent film cover 19 is provided for each examiner. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to clean the arm 4 of the dental illuminator just by replacing the arm. Since no high heat is generated from the light emitting diode 3, the transparent film cover 19
Is not melted by the heat of the light emitting diode 3.

Next, a dental lighting device having another configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. In particular, parts different from those in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be mainly described, and description of parts having the same configuration will be omitted. The dental lighting device shown in FIG. 9 includes an arm 4 having a light emitting diode 3 at a distal end, a casing 2 having the arm detachably provided, and an ON-OFF switch provided at a base end (one end) of the casing 2. Switch knob 20
And a switch section 21 having the above-mentioned main components.
K shown in FIG. 9 is a clip provided for holding the dental illuminator in a pocket or the like, and may be omitted.

The switch knob 20 is urged by a spring or the like so as to return to a protruding position before being pushed when the switch knob 20 is pushed and released, and when the switch knob 20 is pushed once, for example, dental lighting OFF the tool
The switch unit 21 is configured to switch from the ON state to the ON state and maintain the state, and then press the switch knob 20 again from this state to switch from the ON state to the OFF state and maintain the state. However, other configurations may be used. The configuration in which the dental lighting tool can be turned on and off by the pushing operation has an advantage that the dental lighting tool can be easily and quickly operated with one hand holding the dental lighting tool as compared with the rotary operation type.

The arm 4 will be described in the same manner as described above. The arm 4 is formed in the shape of a metal cylinder, and the light emitting diode 3 is fixed to the tip of the arm 4 via a seal member 5 as shown in FIG. The irradiation-side end of the seal member 5 has an inclined surface 5K which is obliquely inclined from the end of the arm 4 toward the projecting outer surface of the light-emitting diode 3, so that the alcohol after the alcohol disinfection is inclined to the inclined surface 5K. So that it can be easily wiped off. Further, a minus terminal 3B from the light emitting diode 3 is disposed by being pushed into the arm 4 in a state of being bent in a U-shape as shown in FIG. The contact state is maintained so that poor contact does not occur.

The insertion side end (base end) of the arm 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 12 (a), (b) and FIG. An insulating resin cap 6 fitted to the leg 7B of the contact 7A formed in a substantially hemispherical contact is press-fitted (inserted) from the opening at the base end of the arm 4. And
The outer circumferential surface of the outer surface of the end of the arm 4 on the casing side is substantially 18
A pair of holding portions 26 to be described later are provided at two positions shifted by 0 degrees.
A, rectangular notch 22, which can be sandwiched by 26A,
22 are formed, and the portions of the cap 6 corresponding to the notches 22, 22 are cut out so as not to be located in the notches 22, 22, respectively. Each notch 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a power supply side end surface 22A, an arm side end surface 22B opposed to the power supply side end surface 22A in the arm longitudinal direction, and a pair of circumferential ends of the two end surfaces 22A, 22B connected in the arm longitudinal direction. Connecting end faces 22C, 22C
Of these end surfaces, the power supply side end surface 22A is formed as a flat surface along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm 4, and the pair of connecting end surfaces 22C, 22C is formed as a flat surface along the longitudinal direction of the arm 4. Make up. Here, the arm-side end surface 22B is also formed as a flat surface along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm 4,
2B does not have to be a flat surface. The direction of the flat surface is optimally the direction shown in the figure, but may be slightly different.

Referring to the casing 2, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a metal for accommodating the dry battery 1 in a state of being biased to move toward the arm 4 by a coil spring 13 provided at the base end. A casing body 23 made of a cylindrical material, and a spiral threaded portion 24A that can be screwed into a threaded portion 23A formed to project inward from an opening edge formed at the tip of the casing body 23 are provided on the outer surface of the base end portion. And a resin arm holder 24 having a through hole 24B through which the arm 4 can be inserted substantially at the center.
The base end of the arm holder 24 (casing body 23
(A side end) a tapered portion 6C that tapers toward the tip formed on the cap 6 provided at the insertion end of the arm 4
A cylindrical tubular portion 25 having a receiving portion 25A for receiving the pressure is integrally formed. The notches 22 and 2 are provided between the arm holder 24 and the cylindrical portion 25 at two circumferential positions.
2 are formed with through holes 27, 27 for allowing the holding portion 26A of the holding member 26 to enter (see FIGS. 13 and 14). By setting the dimensions of the through holes 27, 27 in the arm insertion direction to be larger than the diameters of the holding parts 26A, 26A, not only can the holding parts 26A, 26A be easily assembled, but also the attachment from the dry battery 1 can be performed. By moving the holding portions 26A, 26A to the arm tip side by the force, the holding members 26A, 26A and the arm 4 can be more reliably brought into contact with each other by effectively utilizing the elastic restoring force of the holding portions 26A, 26A. Can be.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 15, and 16, the holding member 26 is formed by bending a single wire having an elastic restoring force made of stainless steel and having a substantially circular cross section. Screw part 24 of the arm holder 24
A pair of fixing portions 26B, 26B which enter into the concave portion 24C formed at one location in the circumferential direction of A, and approximately 90 degrees from one end of the fixing portions 26B, 26B in a posture parallel to the arm 4 so as to cross the arm 4. The pair of holding portions 26A, 26A formed by bending each time, and the fixing portions 26B, 2
6B is bent approximately 90 degrees from the other end and protrudes outward from between the casing body 23 and the arm holder 24;
And an arch-shaped protruding portion 2 connecting the protruding ends to each other.
6C constitute the holding member 26. The cross-sectional shape of the holding member 26 may be any shape such as a square shape, a square shape or a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, or an elliptical shape, in addition to a circular shape. There is an advantage that the surfaces can be brought into contact and the locking action can be enhanced. The one holding portion 26A is longer than the other holding portion 26A, and is bent at one end side so that the tip of the bent end portion 26T approaches the other holding portion 26A, For example, when replacing the dry battery 1, when the arm holder 24 is unscrewed (removed) from the casing 2, the holding member 26 is prevented from floating up from the arm holder 24 and easily coming off.

The procedure for assembling the casing 2 and attaching the arm 4 to the assembled casing will be described. First, the arm holder 24 is screwed into the open end of the casing main body 23 containing the dry battery 1 to assemble the casing 2. Is completed, and the holding member 26 is
The end face of the protrusion 26C on the casing main body 23 side can be pressed against the open end face of the casing main body 23 by a press contact force corresponding to the screwing force (see FIG. 14). Next, arm 4
Into the through hole 24B of the arm holder 24. FIG.
As shown in FIG.
B holding portions 26A, 26 of holding member 26 projecting into B
12A, the holding portions 26A, 26A are gradually pushed and spread by the guiding action of the tapered portion 6C of the cap 6, and after riding on the outer surface of the arm 4, as shown in FIG.
The holding portions 26A, 26A are notched 22,
22, the arm 4 is clamped, and the arm 4 is fixed without falling out. When the arm 4 is inserted, the alignment mark 4 formed on the outer surface of the arm 4
There is an advantage that the notches 22, 22 can be reliably held by the holding portions 26A, 26A only by inserting the arm 4 in a state where the M and the alignment mark 24M formed on the outer surface of the arm holder 24 are aligned. However, after inserting the arm 4 without positioning, the arm 4 is rotated by a predetermined angle, so that the notches 2A are formed in the holding portions 26A, 26A.
You may make it hold | maintain 2,22. Mark 4
M and 24M are formed integrally with the arm 4 and the arm holder 24 by forming a convex portion and a concave portion, respectively.
Can be formed by adhering a paint or the like to the outer surface. When the insertion of the arm 4 is completed, the arm 4 is pushed to the pulling side via the dry battery 1 by the urging force of the coil spring 13, but the holding portions 26A, 26A
Are balanced by receiving them, and the holding portions 26A, 26A and the arm 4
The contact continuity of the power supply side end face 22A is surely obtained. When the arm 4 is not mounted, the holding portions 26A, 26A are located on the cylinder portion 25 side. Nipping parts 26A, 26
A moves to the side where the arm 4 is removed, so that the holding portion 26
A, the elastic restoring force of 26A can be used effectively,
The contact continuity between the holding portions 26A, 26A and the power supply side end surface 22A of the arm 4 can be more reliably obtained. When the arm 4 is pulled out of the casing 2 (removed), as shown in FIG. 13, the arm 4 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees (the direction of rotation may be clockwise or counterclockwise. 22 and 22 to the holding portion 26A,
The arm 4 can be pulled out after releasing the holding by releasing 26A.

By providing the notches 22 at two locations in the circumferential direction, the pair of holding portions 26A, 26A
2 and 22 so that the notch 22 can be securely held. However, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, only one notch 22 is provided so as to be advantageous in terms of manufacturing. May be implemented. In this case, the holding pressure of the holding portions 26A, 26A is set so that the holding is not easily released. Further, the notch 22 may be provided in three or more places. When three or more notches 22 are provided, the notches 22 are inserted after the arm 4 is inserted.
There is an advantage that the rotation angle for rotating the holding portions 22A, 22A can be reduced.

The switch 16 shown in FIG. 1 and the switch knob 20 shown in FIG. 9 may be omitted. That is,
When the arm 4 is inserted into the casing 2, the light emitting diode 3 is turned on (the light emitting diode 3 is turned on), and when the arm 4 is pulled out of the casing 2, the light emitting diode 3 is turned off (the light emitting diode 3 is turned off). With this configuration, the number of components can be reduced, and an inexpensive small-sized local illuminator can be provided.

[0035]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the base end of the arm is detachably attached to the casing,
The arm can be easily and quickly cleaned by removing the arm from the casing, which is advantageous not only in the use surface (including the handling surface) but also inexpensive compared to a small local illuminator. This is advantageous in terms of cost as compared with a conventional device in which a large number of small local illuminators are provided. In addition, if different types of arms, for example, arms having different bending angles are prepared, there is an advantage that the examination can be performed reliably, easily and quickly by changing the arm according to the examiner. In addition, by using a single light emitting diode as the light emitting unit, since there is almost no heat generation, not only can the light emitting diode be used close to or in contact with teeth, gums, etc., but also power consumption is low. In addition, it has a long life and can be used favorably over a long period of time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the casing has a substantially linear cross section and a substantially circular cross section, and one end of the casing is aligned with the center line of the casing substantially coincident with the center line of the arm on the casing side. By attaching the base end of the arm to the case, when carrying out a medical examination by holding the casing and positioning the irradiation part at the tip of the arm behind the teeth,
Since the positional relationship between the arm and the casing can be easily grasped, the distal end position of the arm can be easily and quickly moved to a predetermined location, and the examination can be performed efficiently.

According to the third to fifth aspects of the present invention, by attaching and detaching the arm to and from the casing, the attachment and detachment of the arm to and from the casing can be performed easily and quickly as compared with a screw-in type or the like. Screening can be performed more quickly.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the locked portion is constituted by a notch formed at one or more positions in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the insertion end of the arm, and the locking portion is inserted into the notch of the arm. With the configuration of the bifurcated holding member to be held by the above, the contact portion as in claim 4 does not protrude from the arm, and such a contact portion is disposed on the casing side to escape when the arm is inserted. There is no need to align the arm with the formed groove, and there is an advantage that the arm can be locked into the casing from any position, which is advantageous in operability.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the arm holder is screwed into the casing main body, the projecting portion of the holding member provided on the arm holder is pressed against the opening end surface of the casing main body, and the casing main body and the projecting portion are pushed. The contact pressure with the part can be increased, and a highly reliable small local illuminator free from contact failure can be provided. In addition, by forming the holding member from the three portions of the fixing portion, the holding portion, and the projecting portion, the elastic restoring force of the holding portion can be surely exerted, and the holding force against the notch can be increased, and the arm can be prevented from coming off. The function can be reliably exhibited.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the power supply side end face and the pair of connection end faces are formed as flat faces,
The holding portion does not come off from the power supply side end surface by the urging force of the power supply toward the arm side, and the moving urging force is reliably received and the contact pressure equivalent to the movement urging force can be applied to the holding portion from the power supply side end surface. In addition, a small local illuminator with a high commercial value (completeness) that can exert the effect of stopping the rotation (position direction stop) of the arm by reliably exerting the clamping action of the clamping portion on the connection end face. Can be provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the angle of curvature of the arm, that is, the angle formed by the center line of the base end of the arm and the center line of the tip of the arm is set to 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. This is particularly advantageous when the tip of the arm is located behind the teeth, as compared with the case where the angle of the straight arm is changed, and the examination can be performed reliably and quickly.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, not only the brightness can be adjusted by limiting the current flowing through the light emitting diode by interposing a resistor between the light emitting diode and the power supply, but also the light emitting diode can be adjusted. Can extend the life of the device, and can provide a small local illuminator according to the type of medical examination and the like.

According to the eleventh aspect, an annular portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the arm on the outer periphery of the light emitting portion, an outer diameter larger than the annular portion, and a tip of the arm. By externally fitting a sealing member consisting of a flange portion abutting on the end face of the portion, inserting the light emitting portion externally fitted with the sealing member from one end of the arm, and closing the other end opening of the arm with a cap, Since the gap generated between the light-emitting portion and the arm at one end of the arm is eliminated by the seal member, and the other end of the arm can be closed by the cap, for example, when rinsing in alcohol and washing with alcohol, It is possible to reliably prevent the entry of alcohol into the arm, and to provide a small local illuminator free from trouble caused by cleaning. In addition, the sealing member can be used as a positioning member for the light emitting unit, and can always be positioned in the same direction with respect to the arm, so that there is no trouble that the irradiation direction of the light emitting unit is changed during long-term use. Further, by inserting the annular portion of the seal member into the arm until the flange portion of the seal member comes into contact with the end surface of the tip portion of the arm, the tip position of the light emitting unit with respect to the end surface of the arm is always located at the same position. And the occurrence of product variations can be avoided.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the switch can be operated to press the contact against the outer surface of the arm by utilizing the elastic force. In addition, it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of poor contact or the like due to long-term use, and to use the battery well.

According to the thirteenth aspect, when the directional angle of the light emitting diode is less than or equal to about 60 degrees, it is possible to increase the brightness on the irradiation surface, to facilitate the examination, and to erroneously directly look at the light source. Since the range of the angle is limited, the safety is enhanced, which is advantageous in both use and safety.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a dental illuminator.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a dental illuminator.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional side view, partially omitted, showing a specific configuration of an arm.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the dental illuminator with an arm removed.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately before an arm is inserted into a casing.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a relationship between an arm stopper and a wall.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a main part with a switch turned off.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the distal end of the dental illuminator is arranged on the back side of a tooth to observe transmitted light.

FIG. 9 is a side view of another dental illuminator.

FIG. 10 is a vertical side view of the arm of the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9;

11 is a sectional view of a main part of the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9, showing a state where an arm is inserted into a casing.

FIG. 12 shows a main part of the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9,
(A) is a side view of the end of the arm on the casing side, and (b) is a cross-sectional view in a state where the mounting of the arm to the casing is completed.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a main part of the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9, showing a state in which the arm is rotated to release the holding with the holding unit.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a main part of the dental illuminator shown in FIG. 9, showing a state where an arm is removed from a casing.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the arm holder showing a mounting portion of the holding member.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the arm holder showing a mounting portion of the holding member.

FIG. 17A is a side view of another arm in which only one notch is formed, and FIG. 17B is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the arm of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dry battery 2 Casing 2A opening 2K wall part 3 Light emitting diode 3A Positive terminal 3B Minus terminal 3T Projection 4 Arm 4A End face 4a Inner diameter 4M Mark 5 Seal member 5a Outer diameter 5A Annular part 5B Flange part 5b Inner diameter 5K Cap side Insertion part 6B Lid 6C Tapered part 7 Pin body 7A Contact 7B Leg 8 Lead wire 9 Resistance 10 Silicon tube 11 Arm stopper 12 Body handle 12A Male thread 13 Coil spring 14 Lid 14A Female thread 15 Tip member 15A Through hole 15B Groove 15C, 15D Wall 16 Switch 16A Projection piece 17 Contact 18 Mounting member 19 Transparent film cover 20 Switch knob 21 Switch 22 Notch 22A Power supply side end surface 22B Arm side end surface 22C Connection end surface 23 Case Main body 23A threaded portion 24 arm holder 24A screw portion 24B through hole 24C concave portion 24M mark 25 cylindrical portion 25A receiving portion 26 clamping member 26A clamping portion 26B fixing portion 26C projecting portion 27 through hole A1, A2 center line a angle C light D Tooth K Clip L Distance H Direction Angle

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical arm having a light emitting portion at a tip thereof is attached to a casing provided with a power source such as a dry battery or a secondary battery, and the arm is bent at a predetermined angle at a tip side thereof, and A small local illuminator having a base end of the arm detachably attached to the casing. 2. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a substantially long circular cross-section, and a center line of the casing substantially coincides with a center line of the arm on the casing side. 2. The small local illuminator according to claim 1, wherein a base end is attached. 3. The small-sized device according to claim 1, wherein the arm is mounted by being inserted into an opening formed in the casing, and the inserted arm is configured to be detachable by rotation within 360 degrees. Local illuminator. 4. The arm is rotated on the outer surface of the end of the arm on the casing side when the arm is inserted into the casing, thereby abutting against a wall formed on the casing to allow the arm to be pulled out. The small local illuminator according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a contact portion for preventing movement. 5. A casing is provided with a locking portion for locking to a locked portion of the arm with the insertion of the arm into the casing to prevent the arm from moving to the pull-out side. 4. The small local illuminator according to claim 2, wherein a locking portion locked to the locked portion is configured to be unlockable by rotating the arm. 6. The notched portion is formed of a notch formed at one or more positions in a circumferential direction of an outer surface of an insertion-side end of the arm, and the notched portion is inserted into the notch of the arm and clamped. 6. The small local illuminator according to claim 5, comprising a bifurcated holding member. 7. A casing body made of metal for housing the power supply in a state where the casing is moved and biased toward the arm side by an elastic force, wherein the casing is capable of being screwed into an opening edge formed at a tip end of the casing body, and A pair of fixing portions comprising an arm holder through which the arm can be inserted, wherein the holding member is made of a metal material having elastic restoring force, and enters a recess formed in a part of a threaded portion of the arm holder. And a pair of holding portions that are bent from one end of these fixing portions so as to traverse the arm, and hold the notch of the arm, and the casing body and the arm holder from the other end of the fixing portion. 7. The small local illuminator according to claim 5, further comprising an arch-shaped protruding portion that protrudes outward from between and connects the ends. 8. The arm is made of a metal material, the notch formed in the arm is substantially rectangular, and a power supply side end face constituting the notch, and the power supply side end face is opposed to the arm longitudinal direction. Arm-side end faces located and their 2
The power supply side end surface and the pair of connection end surfaces are formed into a flat surface among a pair of connection end surfaces connecting the two ends of the two end surfaces in a circumferential direction of the arm. Small local illuminator. 9. A bending angle at a position on the distal end side of the arm,
9. The small local area according to claim 1, wherein the angle formed between the center line of the base end of the arm and the center line of the end of the arm is set to 15 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. Illuminator. 10. The small local illuminator according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting section is formed of a light emitting diode, and a resistor is interposed between the light emitting diode and the power supply. 11. An annular portion having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the arm on the outer periphery of the light emitting portion, and having an outer diameter larger than the annular portion and abutting against an end face of a tip portion of the arm. 2. A seal member comprising a flange portion to be fitted outside, a light emitting unit fitted with the seal member outside is inserted from one end of the arm, and the other end opening of the arm is closed by a cap. Small local illuminator. 12. A state in which the arm is made of metal, and a contact for electrically connecting and disconnecting the power supply and the light emitting portion is formed of a resiliently corrugated leaf spring, and the contact is pressed against an outer surface of the arm. The small local illuminator according to claim 1, further comprising a switch for performing an operation of switching between a state in which the arm is separated from an outer surface of the arm and a state in which the arm is separated from the outer surface of the arm. 13. The directional angle of the light emitting diode is approximately 6
11. The small local illuminator of claim 10, wherein the angle is less than or equal to 0 degrees.