JP2002090656A - Operation device for joy stick type swivel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an operation device for joy stick type swivel which is very satisfactory in operability and makes it possible to freely and easily change the direction of a head. SOLUTION: Multiple balls 3a to 3g are fixed to a core wire 300, and plate- type spacers 4a to 4h are provided across the balls 3a to 3g and also are surrounded with a flexible covering body 8. Wires 5a and 5b penetrate the plate type spacers 4a to 4h and each have one end locked to the plate-type spacer 4a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a joystick type swing operation device used for an industrial endoscope and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to inspect the inside of a pipe leading to a special environment such as a nuclear reactor, an industrial endoscope apparatus is used. In addition, when inspecting the inside of a thin pipe such as a water pipe and a gas pipe, it is possible to perform observation using an industrial endoscope apparatus.

[0003] This type of industrial endoscope apparatus has a camera head at the tip and an operation unit for controlling the orientation of the camera head at hand. The camera head and the operation unit are connected by a camera cable.

In order to turn the camera head up, down, left, and right, two dials provided on an operation unit at hand are rotated to control the direction. By rotating the first dial, the camera head can change its direction in the vertical direction, and by rotating the second dial, the camera head can change its direction in the left and right directions.

[0005]

In the conventional industrial endoscope apparatus, it was necessary to operate the first and second dials simultaneously to change the direction of the camera head in an oblique direction. Therefore, there is a problem that the operation is inconvenient, and the operation is complicated even when it is desired to change the direction quickly, resulting in poor workability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a joystick type swing operation device which has excellent operability and can easily and freely change the direction of a head.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a core wire, a plurality of balls attached to the core wire at intervals, and a plurality of balls arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of balls. A plurality of plate-shaped spacers, wherein the core wire freely penetrates the center, a plurality of operation wires, each of which freely penetrates a plurality of locations around the center of the plurality of plate-shaped spacers, A first fixed around the outermost first and second plate-type spacers of the plate-type spacer.
And a second cylindrical fixing member, a stopper for locking the ends of the plurality of operation wires so as not to come off from the first plate-shaped spacer, and the first and second plate-shaped spacers And a flexible garment surrounding the periphery of the remaining plate-shaped spacers disposed therebetween.

According to this means, when the clothes are gripped and bent vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, the displacement of each wire is transmitted to the head, and the head can be freely moved in any direction and quickly. Can be directed to

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of a main part of an industrial endoscope apparatus to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 11 denotes a head unit in which components such as a camera and a lens are incorporated. The head portion 11 includes a flexible portion 12 covered with a bellows-shaped clothing member.
And the direction can be freely changed in up, down, left, right, and oblique directions. Reference numeral 13 denotes a connecting portion surrounded by a rigid cylinder, and connects one end of the bendable portion 12 and one end of the cable 20.

The bendable portion 12 is operated by a plurality of wires described later. For example, a plurality of wires penetrates a flexible cylinder, and pulls or relaxes a plurality of places around the head portion 11. By doing so, the direction of the head 11 can be changed. Alternatively, a mechanism similar to an operation unit described later may be used.

The other end of the cable 20 is connected to the operation unit 30 according to the present invention or connected via a wire lock unit 40.

The operation unit 30 has a configuration as shown in FIG.

The operation unit 30 includes a core wire (300) and a plurality of balls (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f,..., 3g) attached to the core wire 300 at intervals.
And the plurality of balls (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3
e, 3f,..., 3g) and a plurality of plate-type spacers (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4) in which the core wire (300) passes freely through the center.
f,..., 4g, 4h) and the plurality of plate-type spacers (4
a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, ..., 4g, 4h)
, A plurality of operation wires (5a, 5b,...) (Two wires are shown in the drawing) that freely penetrate a plurality of locations around the center,
b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f,..., 4g, 4h), the first and second cylindrical members fixed around the first and second plate-type spacers (4a, 4h) at the end. Fixing members (6a, 6
b) and a stopper (7) for locking the ends of the plurality of operation wires so as not to come off from the first plate-shaped spacer.
a, 7b,...) (corresponding to the wires 5a, 5b in the drawing) and the remaining plate-type spacing arranged between the first and second plate-type spacers. And a flexible clothing body 8 surrounding the child.

Although not shown, a tube made of rubber or the like is provided on the inner peripheral side of the garment 8.

The core wire 300 is displaceable but has a certain degree of rigidity. For example, a wire formed by twisting a large number of small diameter wires or a coil spring shape is used. The balls 3a to 3g are hard spheres. The wires 5a and 5b have a diameter of about 0.45 mm.

The plate type spacers 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4
As shown in FIG. 2B, e, 4f,..., 4g, and 4h are, for example, disc-shaped, but the outer shape is not limited thereto. It may be square, triangular or polygonal. This example shows a circular one. FIG. 2B shows the plate-type spacer 4b as a representative. At the center, there is a hole 4b0 for allowing the core wire 300 to freely penetrate, and around the hole 4b1, 4b2, 4 for allowing, for example, four wires to freely penetrate.
b3 and 4b4 are formed.

As shown in FIG. 2C, the garment 8 is made of, for example, stainless steel braid and is formed in a cylindrical shape, and surrounds the plate-shaped spacers 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f,. Can be. Rigid rings 8a and 8b are attached to the ends of the clothing 8, respectively. The rigid rings 8a and 8b perform the terminal treatment of the stainless steel braid and also function as mounting hardware. For example, one of the rings 8a is inserted into a ring-shaped groove provided on the end surface of the cylindrical fixing member 6a, and is fixed with solder or an adhesive. The other ring 8b is
For example, it is inserted into a ring-shaped groove provided on the disk surface of the plate-type spacer 4h, and is fixed with solder or an adhesive.

The operation unit 30 is configured as described above, and the operation for changing the direction of the head unit 11 is extremely easy.
Operability is good.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the operation unit 30 is operated. The example in FIG. 3 is an example in which the operation unit 30 is modified. When deformed in this way, the wires 5a and 5b
In this case, the towing length is different, and the head unit 11 is oriented in a direction opposite to the direction in which the operation unit 30 is deformed.
This is because the head unit 11 is provided with a similar structure. When the operation unit 30 is turned downward as shown in FIG. 3A, the head unit 11 is turned upward, and the operation contents and the head unit 11 are changed.
The operator's sense of turning is the same. As shown in FIG. 3B, the operation unit 30 can also be operated to rotate the rear end, and can freely turn the head unit 11 in any of up, down, left, right, and diagonal directions. Can be.

Next, the configuration of the wire lock section 40 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of a part of the wire lock section 40. Particularly, the lock mechanism of the wire 5a is taken out and shown. The lock mechanism for the other wires has the same configuration and operates in synchronization. Therefore, the lock mechanism for the wire 5a will be described as a representative. FIG.
FIG. 4A shows the unlocked state, and FIG. 4B shows the locked state.

Reference numeral 400 denotes a cylindrical exterior body of the wire lock section 40. A wire 5 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the exterior body 400.
Guide members 401 and 402 projecting toward the a side are formed at intervals. In the guide members 401 and 402, holes are formed in parallel with the axis, through which a rod 501, which is covered with the wire 5a and integrated with the wire, passes freely. Since the diameter of the wire 5a of the rod 501 is small, the tightening force of a lock ball described later cannot be sufficiently transmitted if the rod 501 is left as it is. Therefore, the rod 501 is provided so as to increase the diameter so that the tightening force of the lock ball is sufficiently transmitted. Furthermore, this rod 501
Also protects the wire 5a. Furthermore, it also has the purpose of reinforcing the wire 5a so as not to buckle in the lock portion 40.

The guide member 401 has a thickness in the axial direction, and has a rod 501 on a surface facing the guide member 402.
Has a substantially conical depression centered on the through hole. As a result, a tapered surface 411 tapering in the thickness direction is formed in the concave portion.

Next, between the guide members 401 and 402, the slide cam 450 through which the rod 501 freely penetrates is provided.
Is provided. The slide cam 450 is formed by integrally shaping a flange portion 451 on the guide member 402 side and a cylindrical portion 452 on the guide member 401 side.

Further, a coil spring 421 is disposed around the rod 501 and between the guide member 402 and the flange 451.
To the guide member 401 side.

Here, holes are formed through the cylindrical wall at a plurality of positions of the cylindrical portion 452, and balls a and b are inserted into the holes.

On the other hand, a locking piece 311 protrudes from the core wire 300 in the outer peripheral direction, and this locking piece 311 is locked to the flange 451 of the slide cam 450. The locking piece 31
Although 1 is shown as being provided directly on the core wire 300, in actuality, an outer cylinder is integrally attached to the core wire 300,
The locking piece 311 is formed on the outer cylinder.

In the state shown in FIG. 4A, the rod 300 is pushed (operated) in the direction of the arrow X1 shown in the figure, and
1 shows a state in which the slide cam 450 is moved toward the guide member 402 against the coil spring 421. In this state, the tapered surface 411, the ball a,
b is not pressed. That is, the lock is released.

FIG. 4B shows a state in which the rod 300 moves in the direction of the arrow X2 shown in the figure, and the slide cam 450 is pressed against the guide member 401 by the coil spring 421. At this time, the rods are locked in order to press the balls a and b against the tapered surface 411. That is, the movement of the wire 5a is locked.

Therefore, when it is desired to operate the operation unit 30, the core wire 300 is pressed in the direction of arrow X1, the lock is released, and the operation unit 30 is operated to turn the head unit 11 in a desired direction. When the observation is desired to be maintained in that state, the core wire 300 is released in the direction indicated by the arrow X2,
What is necessary is just to make a wire lock state.

The configuration of the wire lock section 40 may be the above-described configuration alone, or may be used in combination with the wire lock section of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the wire lock section 40, and may be used integrally with the configuration of FIG.

FIG. 5A shows an unlocked state, and FIG.
(B) shows a locked state.

Numeral 400 denotes a cylindrical exterior body of the wire lock section 40. A wire 5 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the exterior body 400.
Guide members 601 and 602 protruding toward the a side are formed at intervals. In the guide members 601 and 602, holes are formed in parallel with the axis, through which a rod 501, which is covered with the wire 5a and integrated with the wire, passes freely.

The guide member 601 has a cylindrical portion 611 protruding toward the guide member 602, and the cylindrical portion 611 is provided with a plurality of holes penetrating the cylindrical wall. Balls a and b are inserted into these holes, respectively.

On the other hand, a slide cam 650 is provided between the guide members 601 and 602, and the rod 501 freely penetrates the slide cam 650. Further, a coil spring 621 is disposed between the slide cam 650 and the guide member 602, and normally acts so as to press the slide cam 650 toward the guide member 601.

The slide cam 650 includes a guide member 601.
Has a substantially conical depression centered on the through hole of the rod. As a result, a tapered surface 651 that tapers in the thickness direction is formed in the concave portion.

On the other hand, a locking piece 311 is provided on the core wire 300 so as to protrude in the outer peripheral direction, and the locking piece 311 is locked with the slide cam 650.

In the state shown in FIG. 5 (A), the rod 300 is pushed (operated) in the direction of the arrow X1 shown in FIG.
1 shows a state where the slide cam 650 is moved to the guide member 602 side against the coil spring 621.
In this state, the tapered surface 411 is attached to the balls a and b.
Is not imposed. That is, the lock is released.

FIG. 5B shows a state in which the rod 300 moves in the direction indicated by arrow X2, and the slide cam 650 is pressed against the guide member 601 by the coil spring 621. At this time, the rods are locked in order to press the balls a and b against the tapered surface 411. That is, the movement of the wire 5a is locked.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which a lock mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 4 and a lock mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 5 are provided in tandem. FIG.
In the lock mechanism of, the slide cam 450 has a lock ball, and in the lock mechanism of FIG. 5, the guide member 601 has a lock ball. Therefore, when two lock mechanisms are cascaded, it is not necessary to independently provide two guide members 401, 402, 601, 602 for each lock mechanism.

That is, as shown in FIG.
2 (FIG. 4) and the guide member 601 (FIG. 5) can be integrated into the guide member 700. In this case, there is an advantage that the length of the lock portion 40 can be reduced as compared with the case where each lock mechanism is independently provided.

FIG. 7 shows a lock mechanism operating section 50 for controlling the locked state and the released state of the lock mechanism.

The lock mechanism operating section 50 has a cylindrical exterior body 800, and a circular opening 801 is provided at the bottom of the exterior body 800. An operation button 810 is inserted through the opening 801. I have. And this operation button 810
Of the opening 801
From getting out of the way.

The center of the operation button 810 is
End is fixed. An engaging portion 802 is formed inside the opening of the exterior body 800. This locking part 802
A coil spring 830 is provided between the control button 810 and the operation button 810, and constantly presses the operation button 810 backward (in the direction of the arrow X2). In this state, FIGS.
As described above, the wire is locked.

Therefore, when operating the operation section 30 to change the direction of the head section 11, the operation buttons 81
Press 0 to operate with the wire unlocked.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the operation of the lock mechanism operation unit 50 is in the unlocked state when the operation button is pressed, but may be in the locked state when the operation button is pressed.
Further, the number of wires is not limited to four, and the number may be larger. Although FIG. 1 shows the operation unit 30, the lock unit 40, the cable 20, and the head unit 11,
A line branching from the middle of the cable is provided, and monitoring means for monitoring a signal from a camera of the head unit 11 and an optical image from a lens are provided.

[0049]

As explained above, according to the present invention,
The operability is extremely excellent, and the direction of the head can be freely and easily changed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall view of an industrial endoscope to which the present invention is applied.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an operation unit of FIG. 1, wherein FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view, FIG. 2B is a plate-type spacer, and FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the operation unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lock unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another configuration example of the lock unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the lock unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a lock mechanism operation unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 head part, 20 cable, 30 operation part, 40
... Wire lock part, ball ... 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d,
3e, 3f,..., 3g, plate type spacers, 4a, 4b, 4
c, 4d, 4e, 4f, ..., 4g, 4h, wire ... 5
a, 5b, fixing members 6a, 6b, stoppers 7a,
7b, clothing body: 8, 300: core wire, 400: exterior body, 4
01, 402, 601, 602 ... guide member, 421,
621: coil spring, 450, 650: slide cam, 501: rod.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A core wire, a plurality of balls attached to the core wire at intervals, and a plurality of plate molds arranged so as to sandwich the plurality of balls, respectively, and the core wire freely passes through the center. A spacer, a plurality of operation wires each freely penetrating a plurality of locations around the center of the plurality of plate-type spacers, and first and second plates at the end of the plurality of plate-type spacers First and second cylindrical fixing members that fix the periphery of the mold spacer, stoppers that lock end portions of the plurality of operation wires so as not to come off from the first plate mold spacer, A joystick-type swing operation, comprising: a flexible garment surrounding the remaining plate-type spacers disposed between the first and second plate-type spacers. apparatus. 2. The joystick-type swing operation device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of plate-type spacers are disk-shaped. 3. The joystick-type swinging operation device according to claim 1, wherein the clothing body is a braid made of stainless steel. 4. The plurality of wires freely penetrate a plurality of portions provided at equal intervals around the center of the plurality of plate-shaped spacers.
The joystick type swing operation device described in the above. 5. The joystick type swing operation device according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of positions are four.