JP2005198869A - Endoscope apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope apparatus adjustable to use in a quiet environment. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope apparatus has an insertion section 20 having an observation optical system 111 on its front end; a body 4 having a detachable built-in battery 89b connected to the rear end of the insertion section and an attachable external battery 152 and a movable section 150 driven electrically on the outside thereof; an output control section 123 for switching the output of the movable section between a normal mode for a normal set value and a silent mode for turning down the output lower than the normal mode; and a battery detecting mechanism 146 for detecting the presence or absence of the built-in battery or the external battery. When the battery detecting mechanism detects removal of the built-in battery or attachment of the external battery, the output control section switches to the silent mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus suitable for use in a quiet environment.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes have been widely used as devices for observing and inspecting body cavities, structures, and gaps. This endoscope mainly includes an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity, a structure, or the like, and an operation portion that is provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion. In this endoscope, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a light source device that supplies illumination light and a cooling fan that cools the light source device are mounted on a main body connected to an operation unit. Yes. On the other hand, as shown in Patent Document 2, for example, there is an endoscope in which a built-in battery is mounted on the main body without using an AC power source and can be operated independently. The main body has a cooling fan.
JP 2001-314370 A (see FIG. 1) JP-A-7-194526 (see [0052], FIG. 9 and FIG. 10)

However, the following problems remain in the conventional endoscope apparatus.
In other words, an endoscope apparatus equipped with a cooling fan or the like has a disadvantage that the sound of the cooling fan or the like becomes louder when used in a quiet environment. In this case, if the cooling fan is simply stopped or turned to a low rotation speed, the cooling effect of the built-in battery will be reduced when the built-in battery is being used, and the internal battery itself will not be able to suppress heat generation and the ambient temperature Cannot be lowered sufficiently. For this reason, it is necessary to supply electric power from an external power source using an AC adapter, but such a response is difficult when the external power source is not used or used in a remote place.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscope apparatus that can be used in a quiet environment.

  The present invention employs the following configuration in order to solve the above problems. That is, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention is powered by an insertion portion having an observation optical system at a distal end portion, a built-in battery that is connected to the proximal end side of the insertion portion and is detachable, and an external battery that can be attached to the outside. A main body having a movable part, an output control part capable of switching between a normal mode in which the output of the movable part is set to a normal setting value and a silent mode in which the output is lowered than the normal mode, and the built-in battery or A battery detection mechanism that detects the presence or absence of the external battery, and the output control unit switches to the silent mode when the battery detection mechanism detects removal of the internal battery or attachment of the external battery. Features.

  In this endoscope device, the battery detection mechanism can switch to an external battery when it detects the removal of an internal battery that requires forced cooling by a fan or when it detects the installation of an external battery that does not require forced cooling. When it is used in a quiet environment, the output of the movable part is suppressed (including the state of zero output when the movable part is stopped) to reduce the generated sound. be able to.

In addition, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention includes a fan that cools at least a part of the main body as the movable part, and the output control unit moves the fan more than the normal mode in the silent mode. It is characterized by setting or stopping at a low rotational speed.
In this endoscope apparatus, in the silent mode, the fan is set or stopped at a lower rotational speed than in the normal mode, so that wind noise caused by the rotation of the fan can be reduced or completely eliminated.

The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention further includes a bending motor for bending the distal end portion of the insertion portion as the movable portion, and the output control portion moves the bending motor to the normal mode during the silent mode. It is characterized in that it is set or stopped at a lower rotational speed.
In this endoscope apparatus, in the silent mode, the bending motor is set or stopped at a lower rotational speed than in the normal mode, so that the operation sound of the bending motor can be reduced or completely eliminated.

In addition, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a changeover switch that can switch the output control unit to the silent mode to be valid or invalid.
This endoscope device is equipped with a switch that can be switched manually to enable or disable the switching operation to silent mode, so that the mode can be freely selected according to the usage environment and situation Become.

Further, the endoscope apparatus of the present invention is provided with an illumination mechanism that illuminates the outside at the distal end portion of the insertion portion, and the output control unit normally sets illumination of the illumination mechanism at the same time in the silent mode. It is characterized in that it is set to a lower light quantity or turned off.
In this endoscope apparatus, in the silent mode, the illumination of the illumination mechanism is set to a light amount lower than the normal setting value or turned off at the same time. Therefore, in the silent mode, not only the noise but also the light amount of illumination is reduced or reduced. It can prevent that a front-end | tip part shines.

Furthermore, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that an illumination mechanism that illuminates the exterior of the distal end portion of the insertion portion and illumination of the illumination mechanism when the power of the main body is turned on is set to a light amount lower than a normal setting value or is turned off. It is preferable that the lighting switch is provided.
In this endoscope apparatus, the illumination switch can set or turn off the illumination at the time of power-on lower than the normal set value, that is, the illumination is turned on with high brightness immediately after the start of use. Can be prevented.

Moreover, the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the illumination mechanism is a light emitting diode attached to a distal end portion of the insertion portion.
In this endoscope apparatus, since the illumination mechanism is a light emitting diode, the power consumption can be reduced, and it is suitable for battery driving.

The present invention has the following effects.
That is, according to the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, when the external battery is attached, the external battery is switched to the power drive from the external battery instead of the built-in battery and the silent mode is switched, so that the external battery is used when used in a quiet environment. The silent mode is automatically set only by switching to, and the inspection can be executed while preventing the generation of noise and maintaining a good sound environment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endoscope apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a charge coupled device (hereinafter abbreviated as CCD) (observation optical system) 111 as a solid-state imaging device at the distal end portion 21 of the insertion portion 20. Built-in battery-driven type industrial endoscope (hereinafter abbreviated as endoscope) 2, image processing for driving the built-in battery 89 b and the CCD 111 and generating a video signal from the image signal output from the CCD 111 Unit 130 and apparatus main body 4 including monitor 3 that is a display device that receives an image signal output from image processing unit 130 and displays an endoscopic image.

  The endoscope 2 is an elongated and flexible insertion portion 20, an operation portion 24 provided continuously with a proximal end portion of the insertion portion 20, and a flexible universal extending from the operation portion 24. It is mainly composed of a code 26. The universal cord 26 is inserted with a signal cable, which will be described later, for transmitting a drive control signal of the image sensor or an image signal photoelectrically converted by the image sensor. The tip 21 is provided with a white light-emitting diode (hereinafter abbreviated as LED) (illumination mechanism) 109 as a light source for illumination light, and a wire extending from the LED 109 is inserted into the insertion portion 20. It has become. The universal cord 26 extends from the rear end portion of the grip portion 25 of the operation portion 24 and is electrically connected to the apparatus main body 4.

The insertion portion 20 includes a rigid distal end portion 21 in order from the distal end side, a bending portion 22 configured to bend in a vertical / left / right direction by connecting bending pieces to be described later, and a flexible tube portion 23 having flexibility. It is configured by connecting. Although not shown, the distal end surface of the distal end portion 21 is provided with an observation window, an illumination window, and the like.
A shoulder belt 4a and a waist belt 4b are provided at predetermined positions on the side wall of the apparatus body 4 to be used when the apparatus body 4 is worn by an operator. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the insertion part band 4c which fixes the additional insertion part 20 simply is attached to the upper part of the side wall of the apparatus main body 4. As shown in FIG.

  The operation portion 24 is provided with a grip portion 25 having an axis different from the insertion axis of the insertion portion 20. The universal cord 26 extends from the base end portion of the grip portion 25. A bending operation instruction lever (hereinafter abbreviated as a bending lever) 31 that is an operation instruction means for bending the bending portion 22 is provided protruding from the distal end side of the grip portion 25. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a protruding guard portion 24 a is provided above the bending lever 31 of the operation unit 24 to protect the bending lever 31.

  The bending lever 31 is configured to bend a bending portion 22 in a desired direction by moving a pulling member described later by performing a tilting operation that changes a tilting direction and a tilting angle. . As shown in the figure, when the bending lever 31 is in an upright state, the bending portion 22 is in a linear state.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the bending portion 22 is configured by connecting a plurality of bending pieces 22a, ..., 22n. The most advanced bending piece 22 a constituting the bending portion 22 is connected to the distal end hard member 21 a constituting the distal end portion 21. And the front-end | tip part of the four operation wires 33 which are respectively the pulling members corresponding to the up-down / left-right operation direction which comprises the bending apparatus 30 is being fixed to the predetermined position of this bending piece 22a, respectively. .

  The bending device 30 includes a plurality of operation wires 33, a pulley portion 34 provided with a plurality of pulleys 5 around which the middle portions of the wires 33 are wound, and a shaft member 6 on which the pulleys 5 are provided. It is mainly composed of a bending motor (movable part) 35 that is a driving means for rotating, and a substantially cross-shaped arm member 36 provided on the bending lever 31 to which the proximal end portion of the wire 33 is fixed. .

  The four operation wires 33 are inserted into a wire insertion conduit 33 </ b> A configured by, for example, a close coil, which is inserted into the insertion portion 20, are extended into the operation portion 24, and are wound around the pulley 5. The arm member 36 is rotated. The proximal end portions of the operation wires 33 are integrally fixed to the arm portions 36 a having a predetermined curved shape of the arm member 36 by wire stoppers 9. The bending lever 31 and the arm member 36 are rotatably disposed on the frame 38.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the middle portion of the operation wire 33 is wound around the pulley 5 corresponding to each operation wire 33 in a predetermined state. These pulleys 5 are disposed at predetermined positions of a shaft member 6 that is pivotally supported by a bearing 39. In the following description, the operation wire 33 on the bending piece 22a side of the pulley 5 is referred to as an insertion portion side operation wire 33a, and the operation wire 33 on the arm portion 36a side of the pulley 5 is referred to as an arm portion side operation wire 33b. Describe.

  A second gear 37a, which is a driving force transmission means, is fixed to one end of the shaft member 6. The driving force of the bending motor 35 is transmitted to the shaft member 6 via a first gear 37a and a second gear 37b which are driving force transmitting means. Therefore, by driving the bending motor 35, the driving force of the bending motor 35 is transmitted to the shaft member 6 through the first gear 37a and the second gear 37b, and the shaft member 6 rotates. It becomes a state.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (a), the pulley 5 includes a first wire winding portion (hereinafter abbreviated as a first winding portion) 5a formed in a large diameter constituting a pulling member movement amount increasing mechanism portion, A second wire winding portion (hereinafter abbreviated as a second winding portion) 5b that is coaxial with the first winding portion 5a and has a diameter smaller than that of the first winding portion 5b in advance by a predetermined ratio. It consists of and.

  On the outer peripheral surface side of the first winding part 5a, a wire winding groove 5c formed with a predetermined cross-sectional shape and depth dimension in which the insertion part side operation wire 33a extending from the bending piece 22a is disposed is provided. It has been. On the other hand, the second winding portion 5b is provided with a wire winding surface portion 5d which is a curved surface portion around which the arm portion side operation wire 33b extending to the arm portion 36a is wound.

  At the center of the pulley 5 is formed a through hole 5e that constitutes a transmission state switching means in which the shaft member 6 is inserted and arranged with a predetermined fit. Further, notches constituting transmission state switching means formed with a predetermined width dimension communicating from the side peripheral surface portion to the through hole 5e are formed on the side peripheral surface portions of the first winding portion 5a and the second winding portion 5b. A groove 5f is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the insertion portion side operation wire 33a is wound from the proximal opening side of the wire winding groove 5c formed in the first winding portion 5a toward the distal opening. Has been. Then, the arm portion side operation wire 33b extending from the distal end side opening is wound around the wire winding surface portion 5d of the second winding portion 5b in the same direction as the insertion portion side operation wire 33a. It extends toward the portion 36a.

And by winding the operation wire 33 around the pulley 5 configured as described above, the arm portion side operation wire 33b can be pulled to narrow the width dimension of the notch groove 5f. As the width dimension of the notch groove 5f is narrowed, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 5e and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 6 are brought into close contact with each other.
The insertion portion side operation wire 33a and the arm portion side operation wire 33b are held in a predetermined balanced state with the pulley 5 interposed therebetween in the initial state. The insertion portion side operation wire 33a wound around the first winding portion 5a may be integrally fixed to the first winding portion 5a by, for example, an adhesive or welding.

<Bending control>
The bending control by the bending device 30 configured as described above will be described below.
When performing observation with the endoscope 2, first, the bending motor 35 is brought into a driving state. Then, the shaft member 6 is rotated. At this time, if the bending lever 31 is held in an upright state, all the operation wires 33 are in the above-described balanced state, and all the pulleys 5 are in a sliding state with respect to the shaft member 6. At this time, the bending portion 22 is held in a straight line state.

  Next, it is assumed that the bending lever 31 is tilted in the arrow Y2 direction (see FIG. 5) in order to cause the bending portion 22 to bend upward, for example. Then, in accordance with the tilting operation of the bending lever 31, the bearing 40 rotates around the shaft portion 40D formed integrally with the hemispherical portions 42d and 43d, and the arm member 36 tilts. Then, the upward arm portion side operation wire 33b fixed to the wire fixing hole 36c of the arm portion 36a corresponding to the tilting direction of the bending lever 31 is gradually pulled. At this time, the operation wires 33 corresponding to the other directions, ie, the downward direction and the left-right direction, are in a loose state.

  When the arm portion side operation wire 33b is gradually pulled, a pulling force is generated on the arm portion side operation wire 33b. And the notch groove 5f formed in the pulley 5 is gradually narrowed by the pulling force of the arm portion side operation wire 33b. Then, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 5 e formed in the pulley 5 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft member 6, and the rotation of the shaft member 6 is transmitted to the pulley 5. As a result, the pulley 5 rotates, and the insertion portion side operation wire 33a wound around the winding portion 5a instantaneously pulls and moves, so that the bending portion 22 is bent upward.

  At this time, since the first winding part 5a is formed to have a larger diameter than the second winding part 5b by a predetermined ratio, the rotation amount of the second winding part 5b rotated by the shaft member 6 is increased. In comparison, the rotation amount of the first winding part 5a is increased by a predetermined ratio. That is, the movement amount of the insertion portion side operation wire 33a is increased by a predetermined ratio compared to the movement amount of the arm portion side operation wire 33b moved by tilting the bending lever 31.

  The bending state of the bending portion 22 is maintained by continuing to hold the tilting position of the bending lever 31 in this state. This is because the notch groove 5f that has been narrowed by the pulling force of the arm side operation wire 33b decreases as the pulling force of the arm side operation wire 33b decreases as the insertion portion side operation wire 33a moves. This is because the contact state between the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 5e and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member 6 is released by changing to the original state. At this time, similarly to the initial state, the insertion portion side operation wire 33a and the arm portion side operation wire 33b are in a balanced state with the pulley 5 interposed therebetween, and the bending state of the bending portion 22 is The state corresponding to the tilting operation amount is maintained.

  When the bending portion 22 is further bent in the same direction, bent in another direction, or returned to the original state, the bending lever 31 is tilted in a desired direction. As a result, in response to the tilting operation of the bending lever 31, the arm portion side operation wire 33b is changed to a state where a pulling force is generated or is loosened, and the notch groove 5f formed in the pulley 5 is opened. A state in which the corresponding insertion portion side operation wire 33a is moved from the narrowed state to the narrowed state or the open state, and the bending state of the bending portion 22 corresponds to the tilting operation of the bending lever 31. To change.

  In this way, two winding parts having a predetermined diameter ratio are provided on the pulley around which the middle part of the operation wire is wound, and the insertion part side operation wire is wound around the winding part having a large diameter dimension. On the other hand, by placing the arm portion side operation wire around the winding portion having a small diameter, the insertion portion side operation wire is less than the arm portion side operation wire that is pulled and moved by tilting the bending lever. The tow can be moved greatly by a predetermined ratio.

As a result, the amount of pulling movement of the insertion portion side operation wire increases according to the set ratio compared to the amount of tilting operation of the bending lever, so that the amount of bending of the bending portion can be increased without setting the tilting angle of the bending lever large. Can be increased.
In addition, by appropriately setting the ratio between the diameters of the winding part of the pulley, the degree of freedom in designing the operation part increases.For example, the lever length can be set in consideration of the size of the user's hand or the length of the fingers. By setting, the bending operation lever can be reliably tilted.

  In addition, a through hole for inserting and arranging the shaft member formed in the pulley is formed with a predetermined fit, and a notch groove communicating with the through hole is formed, so that the arm can be operated by tilting the bending lever. By pulling the part-side operation wire, the notch groove is changed from the open state to the narrowed state, the inner peripheral surface of the through hole is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member, and the rotational force of the shaft member is changed to the pulley. Can be communicated to.

  As a result, the bending lever is appropriately tilted to change the notch groove from the open state to the narrowed state, or from the narrowed state to the open state, which is the original state, and By appropriately switching between a state in which the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft member are in contact with each other or a state in which they are not in contact, a desired operation wire is pulled and moved using the rotational force of the shaft member to cause the bending portion to bend. Can do.

  In the present embodiment, the bending lever 31 is tilted in the direction of the arrow Y2 to pull the upper operation wire 33 fixed to the arm portion 36a of the arm member 36 to bend the bending portion 22. Although only the example has been described, the bending lever 31 is tilted in the direction of the arrow Y1, or in the direction of the arrow X1, or in the direction of the arrow X2, thereby pulling the operation wire corresponding to the tilting operation of the bending lever in the same manner as described above. An operation of bending in a desired direction can be performed. In addition, when the bending lever 31 is tilted, for example, in an intermediate direction between the arrow Y2 direction and the arrow X2 direction, a plurality of operation wires corresponding to the tilting operation are moved in the corresponding direction as described above to bend. The operation of bending the part in a desired direction can be performed.

Another example of the bending lever will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 8, another example of the bending lever 231 is attached to the upper portion of the lever shaft 231b with the upper knob 231a offset to the proximal side (opposite the guard portion 24a) with respect to the lever shaft 231b. . In this example, since the upper knob 231a is offset and attached to the hand side, the upper knob 231a is supported in a state of extending to the hand side, and there is an advantage that the operating thumb can easily reach the upper knob 231a.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, a bending lever 331, which is another example, is supported with a lever shaft 331b attached to the center of the upper knob 331a being bent in the middle, with the upper portion directed toward the hand side. . That is, in this bending lever 331, since the upper knob 331a is located on the hand side, there is an advantage that the thumb to be operated easily reaches the upper knob 331a as in the other examples. Reference numerals 231c and 331c are flexible covers of the lever shafts 231b and 331b. Arrows U and D mean UP and DOWN operating directions, and distance L means a distance from the lever shaft to the outer edge of the curved lever.

Next, the relationship between the apparatus body 4 and the monitor 3 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, the monitor 3 arranged in the apparatus main body 4 is configured to rotate as indicated by an arrow in the figure. An image cable 3 a extends from the monitor 3. The image cable 3a is connected to a monitor connector (not shown) provided on one side of the apparatus body 4. A hood 3b formed of a relatively soft material such as a soft plastic plate is rotatably attached to the upper portion of the monitor 3. The hood 3b is open from a horizontal state to a predetermined position obliquely upward so that at least the liquid crystal screen of the monitor 3 can be seen, and can hold an arbitrary position.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hook receiver 80 on which the endoscope 2 is disposed is provided at a predetermined position on the side surface of the apparatus body 4. For this reason, when the operator wears the apparatus main body 4, the operation section 24 of the endoscope 2 is arranged on the hook receiver 80 so that the operation section 24 is attached to the apparatus main body 4. Can be done. On one side of the apparatus body 4, a cord hooking portion 4 d is provided below the hook receiver 80 for hooking and fixing a large portion of the universal cord 26. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, a DC-IN connector 4e used when an external battery case (to be described later) is attached is provided on the other side surface of the apparatus body 4. The DC-IN connector 4e is waterproof with a connector. Covered with rubber 4f. The connector preventing rubber 4f is formed with a flange 4g at the top so that it is difficult for water or the like to enter from above.

As shown in FIG. 11, the monitor 3 is fixed to an attachment plate 85 attached to the apparatus main body 4 via a hinge portion (not shown) via an intermediate pedestal 85a. The intermediate pedestal 85a is fixed with screws 85c while being fitted in the recess 85b of the mounting plate 85, and the monitor 3 is fixed with screws 85d on the intermediate pedestal 85a. When the 3 is folded, a large portion can be eliminated.
The monitor 3 is configured to be held and fixed at a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the apparatus main body 4 by a click mechanism provided at a hinge portion (not shown).
On the back side of the mounting plate 85, as shown in FIG. 13, an adapter storage portion 85f having a lid portion 85e capable of storing and opening and closing the optical adapter OA attached to the distal end portion of the insertion portion 20 is provided. .

  The upper surface 87a of the apparatus main body 4 has various switches 88a,..., 88a having the same functions as the operation switches provided in the operation unit 24, and a PC card stored in a PC card storage unit described later. A switch unit 88 provided with a switch (not shown) having a function of displaying or deleting a file is provided.

  14 to 15, reference numeral 89a is a PC card housing portion, 89b is a built-in battery, 89c is a main switch, 89d is a battery housing portion, and 89e is a housing door. As shown in FIG. 14, when the built-in battery 89b is pulled out in the open state or when the built-in battery 89b slides out, the built-in battery 89b comes into contact with the inside of the housing door 89e to prevent it from falling. A locking portion 89f is provided. As shown in FIG. 15, the storage door 89e opens larger than when the built-in battery 89b is taken out, so that when the built-in battery 89b is inserted and installed in the apparatus body 4, the locking portion 89f becomes an obstacle. There is no.

As shown in FIG. 16, a battery detection mechanism 146 for detecting the presence or absence of the built-in battery 89b is provided in the battery housing portion 89g. The battery detection mechanism 146 is a micro switch, which is turned off when the built-in battery 89b is taken out from the battery housing part 89g, and transmits a signal indicating that the built-in battery 89b is not inserted into the system control part 123. Based on this signal information, the system control unit 123 detects the removal of the built-in battery 89b, and switches to a silent mode described later. Conversely, when the built-in battery 89b is inserted into the battery housing part 89g and attached, the battery detection mechanism 146 is pushed by the built-in battery 89b and turned on, and the silent mode is canceled by the system control unit 123 to enter the normal mode described later. Switch.
Further, in the battery housing part 89g, there are a changeover switch 132a that can manually switch the validity or invalidity of switching to the silent mode by the system control part 123, and an LED switch (illumination switch) 132b that forcibly turns off the LED 109. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a cooling fan (movable part) 150 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 4. The fan 150 cools each part inside the apparatus main body 4, particularly a power source part such as the built-in battery 89 b. The fan 150 is connected to the system control unit 123 to control ON / OFF and its rotation speed.

As shown in FIG. 12, the apparatus body 4 is provided with an external battery case 200 capable of accommodating an external battery 152 at the lower part thereof. That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the leg member 14 attached to the lower part of the apparatus main body 4 is removed, and as shown in FIG. 19, the external battery case 200 containing the external battery 152 is attached with the mounting screw 200a instead. . The external battery case 200 includes a case portion 200b for storing an external battery 152, a frame 200c, left and right rubber feet 200d, and a connection cable 151 connected to the external battery 152. After the external battery case 200 is attached, the connection cable 151 is connected to the DC-IN connector 4e of the power supply unit of the apparatus body 4.
Reference numeral 83 denotes an endoscope connector to which the universal cord 26 is electrically connected.

<Image processing>
Next, the image processing system and its operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The subject illuminated by the LED 109 is imaged and photoelectrically converted on the CCD 111 arranged at the imaging position by the objective lens 100 arranged at the distal end of the insertion unit 20. The composite coaxial cable 114 connected to the CCD 111 is connected to the CCD driving unit 129 and the image processing unit 130. A coaxial cable 131 is connected to the image processing unit 130, and a monitor 3 of a display device is connected to the end of the coaxial cable 131.

  The CCD driving unit 129 outputs a signal for driving the CCD 111 to the CCD 111 through the composite coaxial cable 114. The CCD 111 performs photoelectric conversion at a timing based on the received CCD drive signal. The signal photoelectrically converted to the CCD 111 is transmitted to the image processing unit 130 through the composite coaxial cable 114. The image processing unit 130 communicates with the system control unit (output control unit) 123 and the cable 128, and the system control unit 123 inputs (ZOOM UP / DOWN) from the user interface (1) 120 (for example, the switch unit 88). A signal, a FREEZ signal, etc.) are received through the cable 128, and instructions such as ZOOM and FEEZ are issued, and each process is performed according to the instructions. The image processed by the image processing unit 130 is transmitted to the monitor 3 through the coaxial cable 131 and output.

  On the other hand, the recording / reproducing unit 137 communicates through the system control unit 123 and the cable 136, and records an image and reproduces the recorded image in accordance with an instruction from the system control unit 123. Transmission of an image with the image processing unit 130 at that time is performed by a cable 138. A recording medium 140 such as a PC card can be connected to the recording / reproducing unit 137, and an image received from the image processing unit 130 through the cable 138 can be stored in the recording medium 140 through the transmission path 139. Further, it is possible to read the image stored in the recording medium 140 through the transmission path 139, transmit the image to the image processing unit 130 through the cable 138, and display the recorded image on the monitor 3 through the coaxial cable 131. With the above operation, the recording / reproducing unit 137 records / reproduces an image.

<LED control>
Next, the LED control system of this embodiment will be described.
The LED 109 for illumination disposed at the distal end of the insertion unit 20 is connected to the LED control unit 127 through the cable 113. The LED control unit 127 is connected to the system control unit 123 via a cable 126. The LED control unit 127 can control the turning on / off of the LED 109 by the ON / OFF control signal of the system control unit 123. The system control unit 123 can receive an input (LED ON / OFF signal) from the LED control switch 132 b that is a part of the user interface (2) 132 through the cable 133 and control the LED control unit 127.

<Power supply>
Next, the power supply system of this embodiment will be described.
The power supply circuit 142 is connected to the system control unit 123 through the cable 141. The power supply circuit 142 is connected to the built-in battery 89b through the cable 143, the battery detection mechanism 146 through the cable 145, the AC adapter 148 through the cable 147, and the fan 150 through the cable 149. The power supply circuit 142 obtains a voltage from the built-in battery 89b through the cable 143 and creates an internal supply voltage. Similarly, a voltage is obtained from AC adapter 148 through cable 147 to create an internal supply voltage. When generating the internal supply voltage, the output of the built-in battery 89b and the AC adapter 148 is coupled by the diode, and therefore the higher voltage is given priority. Then, power is supplied to each unit by other cables (not shown). The battery detection mechanism 146 confirms the presence or absence of the built-in battery 89b and transmits the information to the system control unit 123 through the cable 145, the power supply circuit 142, and the cable 141. The fan 150 is driven by the voltage supplied from the power supply circuit 142 through the cable 149 to cool the inside of the power supply unit below the apparatus main body 4.

The user interface (2) 132 (changeover switch 132a, LED control switch 132b) is connected to the system control unit 123 through the cable 133. The default setting unit 134 is connected to the system control unit 123 through the cable 135.
The bending device 30 is connected to the system control unit 123 by a cable 122 passing through the universal cable 26, and the bending motor 35 is controlled by the system control unit 123.

<Silent mode>
Next, the flow of silent mode control in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the system power is turned on in step S60, the system control unit 123 checks whether or not the changeover switch 132a of the user interface (2) 132 is silently set in step S61, and decides to execute the silent mode. If the silent setting is ON, the system control unit 123 sets the default setting unit 134 to set the default to silent mode, and the battery detection mechanism 147 detects the presence or absence of the built-in battery 89b in step S69, and the information is sent to the system control unit. 123. If the built-in battery 89b is present, the system control unit 123 sets the default to the normal mode in the default setting unit 134, and activates the normal mode in step S62. If the built-in battery 89b is not present in step S69, each change is instructed from the system control unit 123 in step S70, the bending motor 116 is stopped in step S71, and the speed of the fan 150 is reduced in step S72. In step S73, the silent mode is activated.

Next, when the changeover switch 132a is in the silent setting OFF in step S61, the system control unit 123 sets the default setting unit 134 to set the default to the normal mode, and starts the normal mode in step S62. In step S63, it is determined whether the changeover switch 132a has turned on the silent setting. If it remains OFF, the normal mode is continued as it is. If it is ON, the battery detection mechanism 147 detects the presence or absence of the built-in battery 89b in step S64, and transmits information to the system control unit 123. If the built-in battery 89b is present, the normal mode is continued as it is. If the built-in battery 89b is not present in step S64, each change is instructed from the system control unit 123 in step S65, the bending motor 116 is stopped in step S66, and the speed of the fan 150 is reduced in step S67. In step S68, the mode is changed to the silent mode.
If the silent setting is turned ON by the changeover switch 132a when the system power is OFF, the default is changed when the system is started up.
As described above, by setting the silent mode (stopping the bending motor 116 and reducing the speed of the fan 150) with the changeover switch 132a, the system can be operated with the bending motor 116 in the OFF state and the fan 150 in the low speed state. It becomes possible to start up.

<LED forced termination mode>
Next, the LED forced termination mode in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The LED forced termination mode is a mode in which the LED 109 is operated in an unlit state, and thereafter the LED 109 cannot be switched ON / OFF.

  First, when the system power is turned on in step S80, the system control unit 123 checks whether the LED switch 132b of the user interface (2) 132 is forcibly terminated in step S81 and executes the forced LED termination mode. Decide. If the LED forced termination setting is ON, the system control unit 123 sets the default to the LED forced termination in the default setting unit 134, and activates the LED forced termination mode in step S85.

Next, in the case where the LED forced termination setting is OFF in step S81, the system control unit 123 sets the default setting unit 134 so that the default is normal, and the normal mode is activated in step S82. In step S83, it is determined whether the LED switch 132b has turned on the LED forced termination. If the LED switch 132b remains off, the normal mode is continued as it is. If it is ON, the process proceeds to the LED forced termination mode in step S84.
If the LED forced end setting is turned ON with the LED switch 132b when the system power is OFF, the default is changed when the system is started up.

Thus, by setting the LED forced termination mode (LED 109 OFF) with the LED switch 132b, the system can be started up with the LED 109 turned off. As a result, the system can be started up with the LED 109 turned off.
Further, when illumination light is not necessary, power consumption can be suppressed by turning on / off the LED 109 by operating the LED switch 132b. For example, it is effective because it is possible to extend the operation time in a device having a limited time for operation with a battery or the like. At that time, when the system is started in the LED forced termination mode, the ON / OFF operation is not accepted and the LED 109 is always turned off. Therefore, the LED 109 is not turned on by mistake. Therefore, the LED switch 132b functions as a switch that turns off the LED 109 when the apparatus main body 2 is powered on.

<External battery operation>
Next, the operation when the external battery 152 is mounted in the present embodiment will be described.
The attached external battery 152 is connected to the power supply circuit 142 by a cable 151. The power supply circuit 142 obtains a voltage from the built-in battery 89b through the cable 143 and creates an internal supply voltage. Similarly, the external battery 152 obtains a voltage through the cable 151 and creates an internal supply voltage. When the internal supply voltage is generated, by using the internal battery 89b and the external battery 152 in combination, the battery can be driven for a longer time than usual. Then, power is supplied to each unit by other cables (not shown).

  When the built-in battery 89b and the AC adapter 148 are used together, when the internal supply voltage is generated, the output of the built-in battery 89b and the AC adapter 148 is coupled by a diode, so the higher voltage is given priority. The However, when the built-in battery 89b and the external battery 152 are to be used in combination, an internal supply voltage is generated from both, so that the battery can be driven for a longer time than usual.

In the silent mode, the battery detection mechanism 147 detects the presence or absence of the built-in battery 89b, transmits information to the system control unit 123, and determines whether the mode is the silent mode or the normal mode. However, when the external battery 152 is used, the system control unit 123 stops the bending motor 116 and reduces the speed of the fan 150 based on the information from the battery detection mechanism 147, and the silent mode is set. Executed. Therefore, not only the AC adapter but also the battery can be driven. Thus, in the silent mode, the bending motor 116 and the fan 150 are set or stopped at a lower rotation speed than in the normal mode, so that the operation noise of the bending motor 116 and the wind noise caused by the rotation of the fan 150 are reduced or reduced. It can be completely eliminated.
In addition, since the changeover switch 132a that can arbitrarily select whether the switching to the silent mode by the system control unit 123 is valid or invalid is provided, the mode can be freely selected according to the use environment and the situation.

  Further, the LED forced termination mode has the same function even when the external battery 152 is used, and the LED 109 is always turned off, and the LED 109 is not turned on by mistake. As described above, in the silent mode, the illumination of the LED 109 is simultaneously set or turned off at a light level lower than the normal setting value. Therefore, in the silent mode, not only the noise but also the illumination light quantity is reduced or lowered, and the distal end portion of the insertion portion is lit. Can be prevented. In addition, since LED109 is employ | adopted as an illumination mechanism, it can reduce power consumption and is suitable for a battery drive.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, the battery detection mechanism 146 is employed as a mechanism for detecting the presence / absence of the internal battery 89b, but a mechanism for detecting the presence / absence of the external battery 152 may be employed. In this case, when the system control unit 123 detects the attachment of the external battery 152, the system control unit 123 switches to the silent mode.
In the above embodiment, the LED 109 is completely turned off in the LED forced termination mode. However, the LED 109 may be set to a light amount lower than the normal set value. In this case, if the LED switch 132b is turned off, the LED 109 when the apparatus body 4 is turned on can be set to a light intensity lower than the normal set value, and can be prevented from being lit with high brightness immediately after the start of use. .

1 is a perspective view showing an endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical droplet connection system | strain in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which mounts | wears and uses the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an operation part in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows a bending apparatus in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is sectional drawing explaining the relationship between a pulley part and a motor in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is the upper side figure and perspective view of a pulley part explaining the structure of the pulling member movement amount increase mechanism part in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the other example of the bending lever in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the other example of the bending lever in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows an apparatus main body in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is an exploded view explaining the attachment structure of an apparatus main body and a monitor in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the apparatus main body with which the external battery case was mounted | worn in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the optical adapter accommodating part in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view explaining extraction of a built-in battery in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view explaining attachment of a built-in battery in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view of the exterior removal state which shows the inside of a battery accommodating part in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a principal part perspective view which shows the attachment position of a fan in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a perspective view of an apparatus main part which shows a normal state in an endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the mounting method of an external battery case in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows silent mode control in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows LED forced termination mode in the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 Endoscope 3 Monitor 4 Apparatus main body 20 Insertion part 21 Tip part 35 Bending motor (movable part)
89b Built-in battery 109 LED (lighting mechanism)
111 CCD (observation optical system)
123 System controller (output controller)
132a selector switch 132b LED switch (lighting switch)
146 Battery detection mechanism 150 Fan (movable part)
152 External battery

Claims (7)

An insertion part having an observation optical system at the tip part;
A main body having a built-in battery that is connected to the base end side of the insertion portion and is detachable, an external battery that can be attached to the outside, and a movable portion that is powered
An output control unit capable of switching between a normal mode in which the output of the movable part is set to a normal setting value and a silent mode in which the output is lowered than the normal mode;
A battery detection mechanism for detecting the presence or absence of the internal battery or the external battery,
An endoscope apparatus, wherein the output control unit switches to the silent mode when the battery detection mechanism detects removal of the built-in battery or attachment of the external battery. A fan for cooling at least a part of the main body as the movable part;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit sets or stops the fan at a rotation speed lower than that in the normal mode in the silent mode. A bending motor for bending the distal end portion of the insertion portion as the movable portion;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit sets or stops the bending motor at a rotation speed lower than that in the normal mode in the silent mode.   The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a changeover switch that can be manually changed over to enable or disable the switching to the silent mode in the output control unit. An illumination mechanism for illuminating the outside at the distal end of the insertion portion is provided,
5. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit simultaneously sets or turns off the illumination of the illumination mechanism at a light intensity lower than a normal set value in the silent mode. Mirror device. An illumination mechanism that illuminates the exterior of the distal end of the insertion portion;
The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an illumination switch that sets or turns off the illumination of the illumination mechanism when the power of the main body is turned on to a lower light amount than a normal set value. . The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the illumination mechanism is a light emitting diode attached to a distal end portion of the insertion portion.

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