JP2002190228A - Push button switch and push button switch for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a push button switch with a wide effective push-operating angle with a simple configuration. SOLUTION: In a push button switch provided with a pillar-form pressing rod provided on a push button that can be pushed from the outside and a switch that is turned on through the pressing rod when the push button is pushed, the switch is provided with a switch head that is cylindrical and movable in the position facing an edge part of the pressing rod and the pressing rod is provided with cone shaped indented part in the edge part facing the switch head that is brought into a circular contact with the periphery of the edge part of the pressing rod of the cylindrical switch head when the pressing rod and the switch head are positioned on the same axis line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a push button switch and a push button switch for an endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A push button switch is provided with a column-shaped push rod on a push button which can be pressed from the outside, and a movable switch head (pressed portion) is provided at a position where the tip of the push rod faces. ) Is provided, and in many cases, the pressing rod pushes the switch head to switch on at the time of pressing operation. Since the pressing rod and the switch head are formed as projections, the push button switch cannot reliably press the switch head when the pressing rod is pressed at an angle shifted from the direction along the central axis. In some cases, the switch was not turned on. For example, when the switch is pressed in the horizontal direction by a push button switch which is premised on switching on by pressing in the vertical direction, the pressing rod cannot contact the switch head. Further, when the pressing rod is pushed in obliquely, the pressing rod is inclined, and it is difficult for the pressing force to be transmitted to the switch side. That is, the effective push operation angle of the conventional push button switch is narrow.

For example, in a push button switch mounted on a medical endoscope, the outer surface of the button is covered with a rubber cover so that a metal part is not exposed to the outer surface, and a pressing rod is fixed to the inner surface side of the rubber cover. There is a type in which the pressing rod is moved and supported (guided) by elastic deformation of the cover. In such a type of push button switch, since the push rod is allowed to move and fall in a direction other than the direction along the center axis, the apparent push operation angle in the sense that the push button can be pushed is large.
However, as described above, the practical pressing operation angle at which the pressing rod presses the switch head to reliably switch on the switch head is smaller than that, and the switch may not be turned on even though the button is pressed. There is.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a push button switch having a wide effective pressing operation angle and a push button switch for an endoscope with a simple structure.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a push button switch having a columnar push rod provided on a push button which can be pushed from the outside and a switch which is turned on via the push rod when the push button is pushed. The switch has a columnar movable switch head at a position facing the end of the pressing rod, and the pressing rod has the pressing rod and the switch head on the same axis at the end facing the switch head. The cylindrical switch head is characterized in that it has a mortar-shaped concave portion that is annularly in contact with the peripheral edge of the end portion on the pressing rod side of the cylindrical switch head.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cylindrical button support member which is detachable from the electronic apparatus main body and whose both ends are open, and the pressing rod covers one end of the button support member and can be pressed from the outside. The present invention is suitable for a push button switch that is supported in a loosely fitted state inside a button support member via a non-conductive elastic button cover. In such a push button switch, the pressing rod can be moved not only in the direction along the central axis (that is, a general switch on / off direction) but also in the direction orthogonal to the central axis. Even when pressed in the direction orthogonal to the switch head, the switch can be operated because the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess formed at the end facing the switch head can be engaged with the switch head and moved in the switch-on direction. Pressure angle can be widened.

Further, a switch supporting member detachably attached to the electronic device main body and supporting the switch is provided separately from the button supporting member, and the push button and the switch are mounted on the electronic device main body via the button supporting member and the switch supporting member. Thus, it is preferable that the mortar-shaped concave portion of the pressing rod and the end face of the switch head be positioned so as to face each other, since the mutual positions of the pressing rod and the switch head during assembly of the push button switch are easily determined.

Further, if the push button and the button support member, and the switch and the switch support member are unitized and then fixed to the electronic device main body by a common fixing member, assembly of the push button switch becomes easier. .

It is preferable that the push button switch according to the present invention is an operation button switch provided on a grip operation section of the endoscope.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a push button switch for an endoscope, a cylindrical button support having both ends opened and penetrating the outside and inside of the endoscope main body; A non-conductive elastic button cover for covering an external open end; the elastic support being movably supported in the button support via the elastic button cover, in a direction toward the open end of the button support inside the endoscope; A columnar pressing rod with its end directed toward the end; a mortar-shaped recess formed at the end of the pressing rod and having an opening diameter gradually increasing toward the end;
A cylindrical and movable switch head having an outer diameter smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the mortar-shaped recess positioned opposite to the mortar-shaped recess of the pressing rod; and wherein the pressing rod and the switch head are on the same axis. When the switch head is located, the mortar-shaped recess comes into annular contact with the peripheral edge of the switch rod side end portion in response to the pressing operation of the pressing rod.

[0011]

FIG. 4 shows a medical electronic endoscope 10 having a push button switch according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Is shown. The electronic endoscope 10 has a flexible insertion section 11 and a grip operation section 12 connected to a base thereof. An objective lens (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the insertion unit 11, and an image in the body cavity by the objective lens is captured by an image pickup device (CCD).
The image signal is converted into an image signal, and is transmitted to an image display processing device provided separately from the main body of the electronic endoscope 10 by a signal transmission cable extending from the insertion section 11 through the grip operation section 12 to the universal tube 13. In the image display processing device, an electronic image can be displayed on a television monitor or recorded on a recording medium. A light distribution lens (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the insertion section 11. The light distribution lens includes a light guide extending from the insertion section 11 through the grip operation section 12 to the universal tube 13 and a distal end thereof. Illumination light is provided via a lighting device connected to the lighting device.
In addition, a part of the insertion portion 11 near the distal end is a bending portion 14 that can change a bending state according to a rotation operation of a bending operation dial 16 provided on the grip operation portion 12. A treatment tool can be inserted into the treatment tool channel entrance 15 of the gripping operation section 12 and can be projected from an opening on the end side of the insertion section 11.

The grip operation unit 12 further includes an air supply / water supply button 20 for supplying air or water to the opening at the distal end of the insertion unit 11, and for sucking fluid such as body fluid from the opening at the distal end of the insertion unit 11. , Two remote operation buttons (push button switches) 22 and 23 provided adjacent to the suction button 21, and a remote operation button (push button) located on the surface opposite to the remote operation buttons 22 and 23. Switch) 24 is provided. The remote operation buttons 22 to 24 are control buttons related to electronic image processing, and the remote operation of the image display processing device is performed by pressing the buttons. The remote operation performed by using the remote operation buttons 22 to 24 includes, for example, an operation of stopping (freezing) a screen on a television monitor, an operation of switching a photometric pattern (average photometric or peak photometric), and recording of an image on a video or a magneto-optical disk This operation is for recording a still image or a moving image on a medium. These remote operation buttons 22 to 24
However, the features of the present invention are provided, and the details thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the remote operation button 2
2 to 24 have a common structure, and FIGS. 1 to 3 are drawings common to all remote operation buttons.

The outer wall of the gripping operation unit 12 (electronic device body)
A through-hole 26 is formed in 18 to communicate the inside and the outside. The through hole 26 has a step formed in the middle thereof, and the opening diameter on the outer surface side of the gripping operation unit 12 is large and the opening diameter on the inner surface side is small across the step.

Each of the remote operation buttons 22 to 24 is
The push button unit 30 is inserted into the through hole 26 from outside the outer wall portion 18, and the push button unit 30 is inserted.
Switch unit 3 which is supported inside the outer wall 18
1 and has a basic structure of being fixed by a retaining ring (common fixing member) 33.

The push button unit 30 includes a cylindrical button support member (button support) 40 having both open ends,
The push button is further supported by the button support member 40. The push button is further supported by the button support member 40 via the elastic button cover 41 fixed to the button support member 40 and the elastic button cover 41. It is composed of a metal-made columnar pressing rod 42. The button support member 40 has a cylindrical portion 43 surrounding the pressing rod 42 and an annular flange 44 extending radially from the cylindrical portion 43. There is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 43 and the outer peripheral surface of the pressing rod 42 such that the pressing rod 42 can move a little in a direction perpendicular to the center axis. The elastic button cover 41 is made of a rubber material having electric non-conductivity, non-water-permeability and elastic deformability.
It is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape with the side facing the 0 annular flange 44 opened. The periphery of the elastic button cover 41 is fixed to the annular flange 44, and the elastic button cover 41
A rod supporting convex portion 45 extends from the inner surface of the central portion of the cylindrical portion 43 in a direction along the central axis of the cylindrical portion 43. The pressing rod 42 is fixed to the rod supporting projection 45. When the elastic button cover 41 is pressed from the outside, the elastic button cover 41 is elastically deformed, and the pressing rod 42
Moves in the cylindrical portion 43 of the button support member 40. When the pressing is released, the elastic button cover 41 is restored, and the pressing rod 42 returns to the original position with respect to the button supporting member 40.

The switch unit 31 is a switch support frame (switch support member) in which a substantially parallel switch support plate 51 and a unit support plate 52 provided vertically apart in FIGS. 1 and 2 are connected by a connection wall 53. And a tact switch (switch) 55 fixed on the switch support plate 51 with an adhesive or the like. Tact switch 5
5 includes a switch head 56 movable with respect to the main body supported by the switch support plate 51. The switch head 56 is a cylindrical protrusion, and the tact switch 55
Is moved and urged in a direction protruding from the main body by the elastic force of an elastic switch contact piece (not shown) in the main body. Although not shown, the tact switch 55 is connected to the switch support plate 51.
The electrode portion extends to the lower surface of the gripper, and this electrode portion is connected to a switch signal input circuit in the gripping operation section 12 via a lead wire.

The push button unit 30 and the switch unit 31 are assembled into the outer wall 18 of the gripping operation unit 12 after combining the above components to form a unit. The push button unit 30 has the open end (the end not covered with the elastic button cover 41) of the tubular portion 43 of the button support member 40, and the outer wall portion 18 is formed with respect to the through hole 26. Inserted from outside to inside. When the button support member 40 is inserted to some extent, the annular flange 44 abuts on the step of the through hole 26 to restrict the insertion. At the time of this insertion restriction, the cylindrical portion 43 of the button support member 40 projects inside the outer wall portion 18. On the other hand, the switch unit 31 is assembled from inside the outer wall portion 18. Unit support plate 5 of switch support frame 50
2, an opening is formed through which the cylindrical portion 43 protruding inside the outer wall portion 18 can be inserted. The unit support plate 52 is inserted into the outer wall portion while the cylindrical portion 43 is inserted through the opening. 18 until it contacts the inner surface.

A male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 43, and a female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface of the retaining ring 33 can be screwed into this male screw. Push button unit 3
0 and the switch unit 31 are assembled from the inside and outside of the gripping operation unit 12, respectively.
When the thread portion 3 is screwed, the retaining ring 33 can be tightened to a position where it comes into contact with the unit support plate 52 (the state of FIG. 1). Thereby, the push button unit 30
Is held so as not to come out of the outer wall portion 18 through the retaining ring 33. In addition, since the unit support plate 52 is pressed against the grip operation unit 12 by the retaining ring 33, the switch unit 31 is also held so as not to fall inside the outer wall 18. At this time, the portion of the push button unit 30 protruding from the outer wall 18 is covered with the elastic button cover 41, and the inside of the through hole 26 is kept watertight.

When the units 30 and 31 are fixed in this manner, the end of the pressing rod 42 protruding toward the inside of the gripping operation unit 12 is located opposite to the switch head 56 of the tact switch 55. In this assembled state, the pressing rod 42 and the switch head 56 are located on the same axis. When the elastic button cover 41 is pressed from the outside, the elastic button cover 41 is elastically deformed, and the pressing rod 42 is moved.
Presses the switch head 56 to turn on the switch (elastic switch contact piece). When the pressing is released, the pressing rod 42 is separated from the switch head 56 as the elastic button cover 41 recovers from the elastically deformed state, and the switch head 56 returns to the switch-off position by the restoring force of the elastic switch contact piece.

The push button switch of the present embodiment is characterized by the shape of the contact portion between the push rod 42 and the switch head 56. The switch head 56 is formed as a projection having a columnar outer shape. On the other hand, the pressing rod 4
2 is formed as a mortar-shaped (conical) concave surface 60 in which the end facing the switch head 56 gradually decreases in depth from the switch head 56 side as the distance from the center axis of the pressing rod 42 increases. ing. In other words,
The opening diameter of the mortar-shaped recess 60 increases as it approaches the switch head 56. The maximum inner diameter of the mortar-shaped recess 60 is
Larger than the outer diameter size. Therefore, the switch head 5
6 can penetrate a little into the mortar-shaped recess 60,
In the above-described assembled state, the rod-side end edge E of the switch head 56 is surrounded by the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess 60 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

As described above, when the assembly is completed, the center axes of the pressing rod 42 and the switch head 56 coincide with each other.
When the pressing rod 42 is pressed in a direction along the axis (arrow F1 in FIG. 1), the rod-side end edge E of the switch head 56 is moved.
On the other hand, the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess 60 comes into contact with the annular region to push the switch head 56. At this time, since a force in the direction of arrow F1 is applied to the switch head 56 in the same manner as the pressing rod 42, the switch head 56 moves toward the inside of the tact switch 55 to turn on the internal elastic switch contact piece. Since the mortar-shaped recess 60 is in contact with the rod-side end edge E of the switch head 56 over the entire circumference, a pressing force can be evenly applied to the switch head 56.

As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, when the pressing rod 42 is pressed in a lateral direction (arrow F2 in FIG. 2) orthogonal to the center axis, the outer peripheral surface of the pressing rod 42 and the cylindrical portion Since a slight gap is provided between the inner peripheral surfaces of the switch 43, the pressing rod 42 moves in the same direction, and the inner surface of the mortar-shaped concave portion 60 is formed on a part of the rod-side end peripheral edge E of the switch head 56. Contact. Then, since the inner surface of the mortar-shaped concave portion 60 is inclined with respect to the direction F2 which is the direction in which the pressing force is applied, the distance from the pressing force in the lateral direction (F2) to the direction (F1) along the axis of the pressing rod 42 is reduced. A force is generated and the switch head 5
6 is moved inward of the grip operation unit 12. Therefore, even when a pressing force is applied to the pressing rod 42 in a direction orthogonal to the axis thereof, that is, an angle orthogonal to the switch-on direction of the switch head 56, the switch head 56 is pressed to switch on. Can be. Further, the pressing rod 42 is moved in the direction F1 in FIG.
Even when pressed in an oblique direction between the two directions, the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess 60 comes into contact with the rod-side end edge E of the switch head 56, and a component force is generated in the F1 direction from the pressing force. The switch head 56 can be moved in the switch-on direction without the pressing rod 42 being excessively inclined or displaced.

In this embodiment, a certain amount of clearance is provided between the inner surface of the mortar-shaped recess 60 and the peripheral edge E on the rod side of the switch head 56 in consideration of assembly accuracy and the like. Can be of any size. For example, if the clearance between the two is reduced, the contact timing between the mortar-shaped recess 60 and the switch head 56 at the time of the pressing operation becomes earlier,
A push button switch with a quick operation response can be obtained. If the clearance is small, the pressing rod 4
Since there is less room for the player 2 to play, it is easy to prevent the pressing rod 42 from falling down. Conversely, the clearance may be increased to prevent the operation response from becoming too sensitive. Mortar-shaped recess 60 and switch head 5 of this embodiment
If it is 6, pressing forces from various directions can be reliably transmitted to the switch head 56 even when the clearance between them is changed.

For comparison with the push button switch of the present embodiment, FIGS. 5 and 6 show a conventional example in which the contact point between the pressing rod 42 'and the switch head 56' is an opposing end surface parallel to each other. The pressing rod 42 'and the switch head 56' are each a columnar projection. As shown in FIG. 6, in this conventional example, when the pressing rod 42 'is pushed in the lateral direction (F2) orthogonal to the center axis, the pressing rod 42' does not come into contact with the switch head 56 ', and the pressing rod 42' is moved to the switch head 56 '. To make contact with the axis, the direction along the axis (F1)
Must be pressed. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, when pressed from an oblique direction, the pressing rod 42 'is greatly inclined before engaging with the switch head 56' and the contact area becomes narrow, so that the pressing force is transmitted to the switch head 56 '. Hateful. That is, in this conventional example, the effective pressing operation angle is narrower than in the above-described embodiment.

On the other hand, in the push button switch of the present embodiment, the effective pressing operation angle can be increased by a simple configuration in which the mortar-shaped recess 60 is formed at the switch head side facing end of the pressing rod 42. it can.

As described above, in a medical endoscope, the push button is made of a non-conductive material such as rubber for the purpose of not exposing the conductive parts to the external part including the operation member or for obtaining waterproofness. It is often covered with an elastic button cover made of a material. Here, if the push button switch is a type in which the stroke amount of the push rod is relatively small, a hard guide cylinder or the like for guiding the push rod is not provided, and the elastic button cover (the elastic deformability of the elastic button cover) as shown in the illustrated embodiment It is preferable to simplify the configuration by movably supporting the pressing rod by only the pressing rod. On the other hand, if the pressing rod is supported by the elastic button cover, the pressing rod can be pressed in a direction other than the originally assumed pressing direction. As described above, the push button switch of the present invention can be used to move the push button apparently in the related art, or even if the push operation angle is such that the switch operation was not actually performed. Thus, the switch head can be reliably moved in contact with the switch head. That is, since the effective pressing operation angle is wide, the present invention is particularly effective when applied as a push button switch of a type in which the pressing rod is relatively freely supported.

However, the push button switch of the present invention can be applied to electronic devices other than endoscopes. In this case, as long as the shape of the contact portion between the pressing rod and the switch head satisfies the above-described feature of the present invention, the configuration of other portions of the push button switch may be different from the illustrated embodiment.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a push button switch having a wide effective pressing operation angle and a push button switch of an endoscope with a simple structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of a push button switch of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a pressing force other than the direction along the axis of the pressing rod is applied to the push button switch of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a contact portion between a push rod of the push button switch of FIG. 1 and a switch head.

FIG. 4 is a view showing the appearance of an endoscope provided with the push button switch of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a conventional push button switch for comparison with the embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a pressing force other than the direction along the axis of the pressing rod is applied to the conventional push button switch of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 electronic endoscope 11 insertion part 12 gripping operation part 18 outer wall part (electronic device main body) 22 23 24 remote operation button (push button switch) 26 through hole 30 push button unit 31 switch unit 33 retaining ring (common fixing member) Reference Signs List 40 button support member (button support) 41 elastic button cover 42 pressing rod 43 cylindrical portion 44 annular flange 45 rod support protrusion 50 switch support frame (switch support member) 51 switch support plate 52 unit support plate 53 connection wall 55 tact Switch (switch) 56 Switch head 60 Crate-shaped recess E Rod end

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A push-button switch comprising: a column-shaped push rod provided on a push button that can be pushed from the outside; and a switch that is turned on via the push rod when the push button is pushed. A switch head having a columnar shape and movable at a position opposed to an end of the pressing rod, wherein the pressing rod has an end facing the switch head, and the pressing rod and the switch head are on the same axis. A push button switch, comprising a mortar-shaped concave portion that is annularly in contact with the periphery of the end portion on the pressing rod side of the cylindrical switch head when it is located. 2. The push button switch according to claim 1, further comprising: a tubular button support member detachable from an electronic device main body provided with the push button switch and having both ends opened. It comprises a non-conductive elastic button cover that covers one end of the button support member and can be pressed from the outside, and the pressing rod that is supported in a loosely fitted state inside the button support member via the elastic button cover. Push-button switch. 3. The push button switch according to claim 2, further comprising: a switch support member detachably attached to said electronic device main body and supporting said switch, wherein said push button is provided via said button support member and said switch support member. A push button switch in which the mortar-shaped recess of the pressing rod and the end face of the switch head are positioned opposite to each other by mounting the switch and the switch on the electronic device body. 4. The push button switch according to claim 3, wherein the push button and the button support member, and the switch and the switch support member are each unitized and then fixed to the electronic device body by a common fixing member. Push button switch. 5. The push-button switch according to claim 1, wherein the push-button switch is a button switch for operating the endoscope provided in a grip operation unit of the endoscope. 6. A cylindrical button support having both ends opened and penetrating the outside and inside of the endoscope main body; a non-conductive member for covering an open end of the button support on the outside of the endoscope. An elastic button cover; a column-shaped pressing rod movably supported in the button support through the elastic button cover, the end of which is directed toward an open end of the button support inside the endoscope; A mortar-shaped recess formed at the end of the pressing rod, the opening diameter of which gradually increases toward the end;
And a cylindrical movable switch head having an outer diameter smaller than the maximum inner diameter of the mortar-shaped recess positioned opposite the mortar-shaped recess of the pressing rod; and wherein the pressing rod and the switch head are the same. A push button switch for an endoscope, wherein when positioned on an axis, the mortar-shaped concave portion comes into annular contact with the peripheral edge of the switch rod side end portion of the switch head in response to a pressing operation of the pressing rod.