JP2006030900A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope device for easily removing foreign matters which cause operation faults of various devices in a device main body and bad smell, from a storage case thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The endoscope has the storage case with a drum part for winding and storing an insertion part, freely turnably stored in the device main body, and is provided with a discharging means for discharging foreign matters stuck and deposited in the device main body, to the outside of the device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus that can accommodate an endoscope insertion portion inside the apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, endoscope apparatuses having a long endoscope insertion portion have been widely used in the medical field and the industrial field. Endoscopes used in the medical field include various types of treatment tools that are used to observe organs in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, or inserted into an insertion channel of a treatment tool as necessary. Can be treated. Endoscopes used in the industrial field are also used to insert and insert elongated insertion parts into boilers, gas turbine engines, automobile engine bodies and various plant pipes in various factories, thereby causing damage and corrosion of the test site. Can be observed and inspected.

  An industrial endoscope apparatus has a storage case as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-330783, and the insertion portion of the endoscope is wound around a rotatable drum in the storage case. Some are easily moved and transported to each location where they are used. When this industrial endoscope apparatus is used, the endoscope insertion portion is pulled out from the storage case and inserted to the observation site. In addition, a bending portion and a distal end portion are provided at the distal end of the endoscope insertion portion. When the user inserts the insertion portion into a pipe or the like and reaches the observation site, the user pulls a pulling member such as an operation wire extending from the bending portion inserted into the endoscope by a predetermined operation of the operation portion of the endoscope. Pull and relax. Thus, the user bends the bending portion, changes the observation direction of the objective lens of the observation optical system disposed in the distal end portion, and reaches the observation site to reach the distal end portion of the insertion portion to perform various examinations. Further, after use, the user rotates the handle portion in a predetermined direction to interlock the drum portion, winds the endoscope insertion portion around the drum portion, and stores it in the storage case.

As described above, the industrial endoscope apparatus is used in various factories and various plants in which foreign matters such as sand, iron powder, oil, dust, and dirt are scattered. The industrial endoscope apparatus winds and stores the endoscope insertion portion on the drum portion in the storage case, so that foreign matter may adhere and deposit on the insertion portion and enter the storage case, that is, the apparatus main body. is there. Therefore, the insertion portion insertion opening on the front panel is provided with a rubber boot for preventing buckling of the insertion portion having a hole having substantially the same outer diameter as the insertion portion, and the foreign matter attached and deposited on the insertion portion by the rubber boot is the device. Prevents entry into the body.
JP 2001-330783 A

  However, the rubber boot of the endoscope apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-330783 rubs the hole portion with the outer surface of the insertion portion when the insertion portion is pulled out from the storage case and wound around the drum portion. Therefore, it is easy to wear and deteriorate. Therefore, the user has to regularly replace the rubber boots in order to maintain the efficiency of removing foreign substances by the rubber boots.

  This rubber boot replacement is left to the user and is used as it is despite the time for replacement, and foreign matter such as sand, iron powder, oil, dust and dirt accumulates in the main body of the device. It is the present situation that sometimes happens. If foreign matter accumulates in the apparatus main body, it causes a bad odor and causes problems such as rotation of the drum portion, malfunctions of various mechanisms, various devices, and the like.

  Further, in order to remove the foreign matter accumulated in the apparatus body once, it is necessary to take out the drum portion from the apparatus and clean it. However, since many complicated mechanisms and various devices are provided around the drum portion in the apparatus main body, it is difficult for a general user to take out the drum portion from the apparatus. For this reason, the user must request maintenance from the manufacturing company because of the malfunction for removing foreign substances or the malfunction of various mechanisms and devices of the endoscope apparatus. During the maintenance period of the endoscope apparatus, the user cannot use the endoscope apparatus, and there is a problem that the operation efficiency of the endoscope apparatus decreases.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and can easily remove foreign substances that cause malfunctions and odors of various devices in the apparatus main body from the inside of the storage case, thereby reducing a reduction in operating rate. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscopic device that can be used.

  An endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is an endoscope apparatus having a storage case in which a drum section for winding and storing an insertion section is rotatably stored in the apparatus main body, and is attached to the apparatus main body. Discharge means for discharging the deposited foreign matter to the outside of the apparatus is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily remove foreign substances that cause malfunctions and bad odors of various devices in the apparatus main body from the inside of the storage case, thereby realizing an endoscope apparatus that can reduce a reduction in operating rate. it can.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are diagrams showing the overall configuration of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining various devices arranged inside the drum unit. FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view for explaining the inside of the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 6 is a view for explaining a bearing portion for rotating and holding the drum portion, and FIG. 7 is for explaining a mechanism around the slip ring. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the discharging means of the endoscope apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an endoscope apparatus 1 includes a flexible elongated endoscope insertion portion 2, a drum portion 3 around which the endoscope insertion portion 2 is wound, and a rotation of the drum portion 3. A frame portion 4 that is held in a movable state, a front panel 5 that is provided at an upper end of the frame portion 4 and includes various switches, connectors, an AC cable 5a, and the like, and the front panel 5 via a cable 6a A remote controller 6 that is detachably connected, a monitor 7 that is rotatably supported with respect to a telescopic pole 7a attached to the front panel 5, a box 8a that forms a case body, and a lid And a storage case 8 composed of a body 8b. In the endoscope insertion portion 2, a bending portion described later provided on the distal end side is bent so as to be freely bent. In addition, a power supply unit (not shown) that supplies power to various devices is disposed inside the frame unit 4.

  The lid 8b is formed with a monitor storage arrangement portion 8c for storing the monitor 7 removed from the pole 7a. By storing the monitor 7 in the monitor storage arrangement portion 8c, the monitor 8 can be stored in a stable state.

The endoscope insertion portion 2 extends from an insertion portion packing portion 10 for buckling prevention provided on the front panel 5. Further, the endoscope insertion portion 2 includes a hard distal end main body 11 in order from the distal end side, a bendable bending portion 12 that directs the distal end main body 11 in a desired direction, and an elongated and flexible flexible tube portion 13. Are connected.
A distal end side of a light guide 24 (to be described later) through which the endoscope insertion portion 2 is inserted and fixed is fixedly held in the distal end portion main body 11, and is used to illuminate a test site with illumination light transmitted from the light guide 24. Illumination optical system 11a, an objective optical system 11b that captures reflected light of a region to be examined illuminated by the illumination optical system 11a as a subject image, and a CCD (imaging device) that captures the subject image captured by the objective optical system 11b ) And other members such as the imaging unit 11c are provided. Note that various optical adapters (not shown) that convert optical characteristics such as a viewing direction and a viewing angle can be detachably attached to the distal end main body 11 of the endoscope insertion portion 2. Further, on the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion portion 2, a connector portion 14 configured to be detachable from the drum portion 3 is continuously provided as will be described later.
The remote controller 6 includes an image button for inputting an operation instruction such as a release operation for a bending operation input unit 15 such as a joystick or a trackball for inputting an operation instruction for bending the bending unit 12 and a CCU (Camera Control Unit) described later, and a power source. Various switches 16 such as buttons are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a box-shaped drum storage frame portion 4a having an open upper end is disposed inside the box body 8a. The drum storage frame portion 4a has an internal space 4A, and the drum portion 3 is rotatably stored in the internal space 4A. The opening of the drum storage frame 4a is sealed by the front panel 5.

Further, the box body 8a and a drum storage frame portion 4a to be described later have at least one discharge port 9a as discharge means at the lower part of one side surface. The discharge port 9a is normally sealed with a detachable plug body 9.
As shown in FIG. 3, a rotatable rotating plate 47 is disposed on one side surface of the endoscope apparatus 1. On the outer surface of the rotating plate 47, a tiltable handle portion 56 for winding the endoscope insertion portion 2 is fixed at a position away from the center by a predetermined distance. That is, the rotating plate 47 is rotated by the user holding the handle portion 56. Then, when the drum unit 3 is interlocked with the rotation of the rotating plate 47 in a predetermined direction, the endoscope insertion unit 2 is wound and stored on the outer peripheral surface 19 of the drum unit 3.
The frame unit 4 includes the drum storage frame unit 4a and the exhaust frame unit 4b described above. The drum storage frame portion 4a and the exhaust frame portion 4b are arranged in parallel so that one side faces each other inside the box body 8a. The exhaust frame portion 4b is provided with an exhaust portion 20 to be described later on the upper surface. A cushioning material (not shown) is provided between the drum storage frame portion 4a and the exhaust frame portion 4b to reduce the impact.

  The drum portion 3 is formed to have an outer peripheral surface portion 19 formed by a cylindrical member that winds the endoscope insertion portion 2 and two side portions 19 a that cover openings on both sides of the outer peripheral surface portion 19. . Inside the space portion of the drum portion 3 formed by the outer peripheral surface portion 19 and the two side portions 19a, as shown in FIG. 4, a light source portion 17 for supplying illumination light to the endoscope insertion portion 2, an endoscope The CCU 18 that performs signal processing on the imaging unit 11c provided in the distal end body 11 of the mirror insertion portion 2 and the electric bending circuit portion 23 that controls the bending operation of the bending portion 12 of the endoscope insertion portion 2 are housed.

  The light source unit 17 is connected to the light guide 24 of the endoscope insertion unit 2, and the CCU is connected to the communication line 2 a of the endoscope insertion unit 2. The CCU 18 is disposed at the center of one side 19a of the drum unit 3 and is also connected by a harness cable 26a to a slip ring 26 that maintains an electrical connection even when the drum unit 3 rotates. The slip ring 26 is also connected to the electric bending circuit portion 23 by a harness cable 26b. The electric bending circuit portion 23 is also connected to the connector portion 14 by an electric cable 14a. The drum section 3 is provided with a connector section 14 that is connected to the proximal end side of the endoscope insertion section 2 and is configured to be detachable from the drum section 3.

  The connector unit 14, the light source unit 17, the CCU 18, and the electric bending circuit unit 23 are supplied with power from the above-described power supply unit (not shown) via the slip ring 26 and the cables 2a, 14a, 23a, and 23b. ing. The power supply unit is provided in the frame unit 4, but may be provided in the space of the drum unit 3.

  As shown in FIG. 5, on one side 19 a of the drum portion 3, a plurality of cushioning materials 50 for reducing the impact are circles separated by a predetermined distance from the center of the side portion 19 a of the drum portion 3. It is fixed at substantially equal intervals on the circumference. The buffer material 50 is fixed to the plate 51. A shaft 52 is fixed at the center of the plate 51. On the outer periphery of the shaft 52, a bearing 53 and a one-way clutch 54 having a clutch function of transmitting a rotational force only in one rotational direction are fitted. The outer ring of the bearing 53 and the one-way clutch 54 is a housing 55. Is press-fitted and held. The rotating plate 47 is fixed to the housing 55. The one-way clutch 54 is press-fitted into the housing 55 so as to mesh with the shaft 52 when the rotating plate 47 is rotated in the winding direction of the insertion portion.

  The front panel 5 has an intake port 5b at a position corresponding to the drum storage frame portion 4a and an exhaust portion 20 having an exhaust port at a position corresponding to the exhaust frame portion 4b. A sirocco fan 21 connected to the exhaust unit 20 and serving as an exhaust means for cooling the inside of the apparatus main body is disposed in the exhaust frame unit 4b. Further, both the side portions 19a of the drum portion 3, the drum storage frame portion 4a, and the exhaust frame portion 4b each have an opening in a part thereof, and a gore seat 22 having a porous through which only air passes. (Made by Gore-Tex) is attached so as to block each opening. Accordingly, the sirocco fan 21 draws air outside the apparatus from the air inlet 5b into the exhaust frame portion 4b through the drum housing frame portion 4a and the respective gore seats 22 and exhausts it from the exhaust portion 20 by driving. In particular, the inside of the apparatus that becomes high temperature is cooled by the light source unit 17. Further, even if the drum unit 3 is rotated on the inner surface of the drum storage frame portion 4a facing the side portion 19a on the rotary plate 47 side of the drum unit 3, the drum storage frame portion 4a and the rotary plate 47 side are provided. An O-ring 18 that keeps airtight is disposed. In the exhaust frame portion 4b, although not shown, substrates such as a recording unit on which various endoscope information and various setting information are recorded are disposed.

As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of bearings for rotating the drum portion 3 on the side surface opposite to the side surface to which the rotating plate 47 of the drum portion 3 is attached have a V-shaped circumferential groove. The portions 48 are fixed at equal intervals at positions separated from the center of the drum portion 3 by a predetermined distance. An annular ring 49 having a claw portion that engages with the circumferential groove of the bearing portion 48 is fixed to a side surface of the exhaust frame portion 4b facing the drum storage frame portion 4a, and the drum portion is opposed to the exhaust frame portion 4b. 3 is rotatably held.
Next, a configuration around the slip ring 26 indicated by a broken-line circle A in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
The side portion 9a of the drum portion 3 on the side where the slip ring 26 is disposed has a circumferential groove 30 at a position separated from the slip ring 26 by a predetermined distance on the surface facing the drum storage frame portion 4a, and the circumferential groove 30a. 30 has an O-ring 31 disposed thereon. The drum storage frame portion 4a has a circumferential groove 32 at a position corresponding to the O-ring 31, and is airtight with the side portion 9a in the portion of the O-ring 31 that is engaged with the circumferential grooves 30 and 32. Is maintained.

  The side portion 9 a has an annular cylindrical portion 34 at the center, and a slip ring 26 is inserted and fixed to the cylindrical portion 34. A bearing portion 33 is disposed on the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion 34, and the side portion 9 a and the drum storage frame portion 4 a, that is, the drum portion 3 and the drum storage frame portion 4 a are rotatable by the bearing portion 33. A cushioning material 35 is provided between the drum storage frame portion 4a and the exhaust frame portion 4b to mitigate the aforementioned impact.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the discharge port 9a is a through hole that communicates the outside of the apparatus with the inside of the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a. That is, the discharge port 9a is a through hole that penetrates the box 8a, the cushioning material 35, and the drum storage frame 4a from the outer surface of the box 8a to the internal space 4A. The discharge port 9a is tightly plugged with a plug 9 formed in substantially the same shape as the discharge port 9a. In FIG. 8, the plug 9 is in a state of being detached from the discharge port 9a. The plug body 9 may open and close the discharge port 9a by a mechanism such as a hinge. Moreover, the plug body 9 may be provided with a member such as a handle so as to be easily attached to and detached from the discharge port 9a.

The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
The endoscope device 1 is wound around the outer peripheral surface portion 19 of the drum portion 3 in order to store the endoscope insertion portion 2 in the device, that is, in the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a at the end of the endoscopic examination. Normally, foreign matter such as liquid (oil, etc.) and powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) adhered and deposited on the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is scraped off by the insertion portion packing portion 10. The endoscope insertion portion 2 is wound and stored on the outer peripheral surface portion 19 of the drum portion 3. That is, foreign matter that adheres to and deposits on the endoscope insertion portion 2 is prevented from entering the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a by the insertion portion packing portion 10.

  However, when the endoscope insertion portion 2 is wound around the outer peripheral surface portion 19 of the drum portion 3 while the insertion portion packing portion 10 is worn by sliding with the outer peripheral surface of the endoscope insertion portion 2 or the like, The foreign matter attached and deposited on the outer peripheral surface of the mirror insertion portion 2 enters the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a. If the insertion / removal of the endoscope insertion portion 2 is continued to be performed for endoscopy with the insertion portion packing portion 10 still worn, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. Foreign matter is accumulated in the internal space 4A of the frame portion 4a.

  At this time, the user removes the plug 9 from the outlet 9a. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the user tilts the endoscope apparatus 1 so that the discharge port 9a faces downward, and discharges the foreign matter in the internal space 4A. Note that the user removes the plug 9 from the discharge port 9a and confirms whether or not foreign matter has entered the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a every time an endoscopic examination is performed. Then, it is preferable to discharge and remove as described above.

As a result, the user simply removes the plug 9 from the outlet 9a without requesting maintenance from the manufacturing company, and the liquid (oil, etc.) and powder (iron powder, sand, Foreign matter such as dust) can be easily discharged out of the apparatus main body.
Therefore, the endoscope apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can prevent bad odors caused by the accumulation of foreign substances and malfunction of the rotation of the drum unit, various mechanisms, various devices, and the like, and depends on the maintenance period at the manufacturer. A reduction in operating rate can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in the first embodiment, the same components as those of the endoscope apparatus already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations, operations, and effects will be mainly described.
12 and 13 are overall configuration diagrams showing the endoscope apparatus, FIG. 14 is a perspective view for explaining a blower installed in the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 15 is a blower installed in the endoscope apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a state.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the front panel 5 of the endoscope apparatus 1A of the present embodiment has first and second panel lids 42 and 43 that are lids that can be opened and closed. The first panel lid 42 is provided with a handle 42b. When the handle 42b is gripped and the panel lid 42 is opened, the drum portion 3 is exposed as shown in FIG. Further, the first panel cover 43 can be opened as shown in FIG. 14 similarly to the second panel cover 42.

  The endoscope insertion portion 2 extends from an insertion portion packing portion 10 for preventing buckling provided on the front panel 5. The insertion portion packing portion 10 includes two members, a rubber piece 10a provided on the first panel lid 42 side and a rubber piece 10b provided on the second panel lid 43 side. These rubber pieces 10a, 10b Are each formed with a groove 10c. When the first panel lid 42 is in a closed state, the rubber pieces 10a and 10b are joined together to form the insertion portion packing portion 10, and the two groove portions 10c are also joined to each other. A penetrating part to be inserted is formed.

  Usually, in the endoscope apparatus 1A, as shown in FIG. 1, the panel lids 42 and 43 of the front panel 5 are closed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each of the front panels 5 is arranged so that the opening 8d appears in the storage case 8 for maintenance of various devices inside the drum section 3 and replacement of consumables. The panel lids 42 and 43 are opened.

  Endoscope apparatus 1A has blower 40 which is a separate blowing means attached to opening 8d. That is, the blower 40 can be attached to and detached from the endoscope apparatus 1A. The blower 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the length in the longitudinal direction is substantially the same as the length in the longitudinal direction of the opening surface of the opening 8d. In this embodiment, two blower fans are provided. 41 and convex portions 40a on both side surfaces in the lateral direction. These blower fans 41 are supplied with power from a battery unit (not shown) disposed in the blower 40. The power supply to these blower fans 41 may be supplied from the power supply unit of the endoscope apparatus 1A, or may be supplied directly from an outlet by a power cord.

The operation of the endoscope apparatus 1A configured as described above will be described.
As shown in FIG. 16, foreign matter such as liquid (oil, etc.), powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) is accumulated in the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a as in the first embodiment. The In addition, foreign matter may adhere to and deposit on the outer peripheral surface portion 19 of the drum portion 3 and the insertion portion wound and accommodated on the outer peripheral surface portion 19.

  At this time, the user removes the plug body 9 from the discharge port 9a, opens the panel lids 42 and 43, and installs the blower 40 in the opening 8d that appears on the front panel 5, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the blower 40 installed in the opening 8 d enters the internal space 4 </ b> A when the two convex portions 40 a come into contact with the front panel 5 and part of the opening ends of the panel lids 42 and 43. It is locked so that there is no. Next, the user drives the blower 40. Then, the air outside the apparatus flows into the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a by driving the blower 40 and is discharged from the discharge port 9a.

  At this time, foreign matters such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) that have adhered to and deposited on the inner space 4A, the outer peripheral surface portion 19 and the endoscope insertion portion 2 are blown away by the wind pressure of the blower 40 and are discharged. It is discharged from the outlet 9a to the outside of the apparatus. If foreign matter such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) remains at the bottom of the internal space 4A, the user can place the endoscope apparatus 1A with the discharge port 9a downward as in the first embodiment. (See FIG. 11) to discharge foreign matters such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.).

  As a result, in the endoscope apparatus 1A having the panel lids 42 and 43 that open and close on the front panel 5, the blower 40 is installed and driven in the opening 8d that appears when the panel lids 42 and 43 are opened. Air is discharged from the discharge port 9a through the interior space 4A of the drum storage frame 4a. Therefore, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, foreign matters such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) attached and deposited in the internal space 4A, the outer peripheral surface portion 19 and the endoscope insertion portion 2 are efficiently discharged and removed. Is done.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the front panel 5 may have an openable / closable panel lid 44, and the opening 8 e in which the blower 40 is installed may be formed by opening the panel lid 44. The panel lid 44 is not provided with the insertion portion packing portion 10, and can accommodate the endoscope insertion portion 2 by rotating the drum portion 3 even when the blower 40 is installed in the opening 8 e. That is, the user can drive the blower 40 while rotating the drum unit 3 and winding the endoscope insertion unit 2 around the drum unit 3. Therefore, most of the foreign matter such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) adhering to and depositing on the endoscope insertion portion 2 is removed from the blower 40 before the endoscope insertion portion 2 is wound around the drum portion 3. Blowed away by wind pressure. Moreover, since the whole outer peripheral surface part 19 receives the ventilation from the air blower 40 directly with rotation of the drum part 3, the foreign material adhering to and depositing on the outer peripheral surface part 19 and the endoscope insertion part 2 is evenly blown away. .

  As shown in FIG. 18, the user uses an air gun 46 instead of the blower 40 to blow off the foreign matter adhered and deposited in the internal space 4A, the outer peripheral surface portion 19 and the endoscope insertion portion 2 to discharge the outlet 9a. It may be discharged and removed.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first and second embodiments, the same constituent elements as those of the endoscope apparatus already described are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations, operations, and effects are mainly described.
FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the endoscope apparatus and the liquid injection tank according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, a connector portion 64 connected to an injection port of a liquid injection tank 60 which is a separate fluid injection unit is disposed in the intake port 5b (see FIG. 5) in the endoscope apparatus 1. Has been. A liquid (oil or the like) such as water or a cleaning liquid is stored in the liquid injection tank 60.
As described in the first embodiment, the gore seat 22 (see FIG. 5) that allows only air to pass through is attached to the side portion 19a of the drum portion 3, the drum storage frame portion 4a, and the exhaust frame portion 4b. Further, the side portion 19a of the drum portion 3 and the drum storage frame portion 4a are hermetically sealed by O-rings 18 and 31 (see FIGS. 5 and 7). That is, the internal space 4A formed by the drum portion 3 and the drum storage frame portion 4a is a space that is kept airtight, that is, liquid-tight. Therefore, even if liquid (oil or the like) in the liquid injection tank 60 is injected from the connector portion 64 into the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a, various devices inside the apparatus are waterproofed.

Next, the operation of the endoscope apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described.
The user injects the liquid in the liquid injection tank 60 into the internal space 4A. Then, after the liquid is stored in the internal space 4 </ b> A, the user shakes the device itself or rotates the drum unit 3. The user may rotate the drum unit 3 while injecting the liquid in the liquid injection tank 60 into the internal space 4A. Thus, the endoscope insertion portion 2, the drum portion 3 and the internal space 4A in which foreign matters such as liquid (oil etc.) and powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) are attached and deposited are filled with water or cleaning liquid. Cleaning is performed with liquid. Next, the user removes the plug 9 from the discharge port 9a, and discharges the liquid mixed with the foreign matter in the internal space 4A from the discharge port 9a as shown in FIG. In addition, it is preferable that a user performs washing | cleaning in internal space 4A with fluids, such as this water or a washing | cleaning liquid, several times.

  As a result, the internal space 4A, the drum part 3 and the endoscope insertion part 2 of the drum storage frame part 4a can be washed with a liquid such as water or a cleaning liquid. Cleaning efficiency and discharging efficiency against foreign matters such as (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) are improved.

  In the case of the endoscope apparatus 1A having the panel lids 42 and 43 on the front panel 5 described in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, the panel lids 42 and 43 are opened and the openings 5d are opened. The internal space 4A, the drum section 3 and the internal view in which foreign matter such as liquid (oil etc.), (oil etc.), powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) adheres and deposits by tap water from the water hose 63 etc. The mirror insertion part 2 may be washed. Further, the user may clean the internal space 4A, the drum unit 3, and the endoscope insertion unit 2 by using a detergent, a cleaning liquid, or the like together.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the first, second, and third embodiments, the same constituent elements as those of the endoscope apparatus that have already been described are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations, functions, and effects are mainly described. To do.
FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view for explaining the endoscope apparatus of the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the front panel 5 has a plurality of, in the present embodiment, two intake ports 71. In the drum storage frame portion 4a in the vicinity of the intake ports 71, a plurality of drying lamps 72 in this embodiment, which are drying means for increasing the ambient temperature, are disposed. In addition, on the lower side of the two drying lamps 72 in the drum storage frame portion 4a, an intake fan 73, which is a suction means for blowing air heated by the drying lamp 72, is provided. Further, an exhaust fan 74 is disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 9a in the drum storage frame portion 4a.

  Air outside the apparatus is sent from the intake port 71 into the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a by driving the intake fans 72. The air is heated by each drying lamp 72 and circulated as warm air in the internal space 4A by each intake fan 73. The hot air hits the inner wall of the drum storage frame portion 4a, the drum portion 3 and the endoscope insertion portion 2, thereby adhering and depositing on the inner walls of the endoscope insertion portion 2, the drum portion 3 and the drum storage frame portion 4a. Foreign matter such as a body (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) is air-dried, becomes a solid, and floats in the drum storage frame portion 4a. Further, the exhaust fan 74 forcibly exhausts the exhaust port 9a, so that foreign matters such as floating powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) are discharged outside the apparatus.

  As a result, the air heated by the plurality of drying lamps 72 is circulated and dried in the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a by the plurality of intake fans 73, and the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a is dried. At the same time, foreign matter such as powder (iron powder, sand, dust, etc.) adhered and deposited on the inner walls of the endoscope insertion portion 2, the drum portion 3 and the drum storage frame portion 4a is dried and solidified, thereby improving the foreign matter discharge efficiency. Can be improved. Instead of using the drying lamp 72, only the intake fan 73 and the exhaust fan 74 may be provided in the drum storage frame portion 4a to dry the air.

Further, the discharge port 9a may be provided so as to open below the bottom surface of the box body 8a, or the drum storage frame portion 4a and the bottom surface of the box body 8a may be formed in a net shape or provided with a plurality of opening holes. good.
Furthermore, in order to facilitate the discharge of foreign matter and the like accumulated in the internal space 4A of the drum storage frame portion 4a, the bottom surfaces of the drum storage frame portion 4a and the discharge port 9a may be provided with an inclination.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is a whole block diagram of an endoscope apparatus. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of an endoscope apparatus. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the various apparatuses arrange | positioned in a drum part. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the inside of an endoscope apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the bearing part which carries out rotation holding of the drum part. It is a figure for demonstrating the mechanism of a slip ring periphery. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the endoscope apparatus for demonstrating a discharge means. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating an effect | action of an endoscope apparatus. It is a whole block diagram of the endoscope apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a whole block diagram of an endoscope apparatus. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the air blower installed in an endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the state where the air blower was installed in the endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating an effect | action of an endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view in the state where the air blower was installed in the endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the foreign material discharge | emission in the endoscope apparatus by an air gun. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the endoscope apparatus and liquid injection tank of 3rd Embodiment. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating washing | cleaning by the liquid in an endoscope apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating washing | cleaning in the endoscope apparatus using a water hose. It is a fragmentary sectional view for demonstrating the endoscope apparatus of 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,1A ... Endoscope apparatus, 2 ... Endoscope insertion part, 2a ... Communication line, 3 ... Drum part, 4a ... Drum storage frame part, 4 ... Frame part 4A ... internal space, 4b ... exhaust frame, 5 ... front panel, 5b ... inlet, 5d ... opening, 6a ... cable, 6 ... remote control, 7a ... Pole, 7 ... Monitor, 8c ... Monitor storage arrangement part, 8 ... Storage case, 8a ... Box, 8b ... Cover, 8d, 8e ... Opening part, 9a ... side part, 9a ... discharge port, 9 ... plug, 10a ... rubber piece, 10b ... rubber piece, 10 ... insertion part packing part, 10c ... groove part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Tip part main body, 11b ... Objective optical system, 11c ... Imaging unit, 11a ... Illumination optical system, 12 ... Curved part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Flexible pipe part, 14 ... Connector part, 14a ... Electric cable, 15 ... Bending operation input part, 16 ... Various switches, 17 ... Light source part, 18, 31, ..O-ring, 19a ... side, 19 ... outer peripheral surface, 20 ... exhaust, 21 ... sirocco fan, 22 ... gore seat, 23 ... electric bending circuit, 24. ..Light guide, 26 ... slip ring, 26a, 26b ... harness cable, 30, 32 ... circumferential groove, 33 ... bearing part, 34 ... cylinder part, 35 ... cushioning material 40a ... convex part, 40 ... blower, 41 ... blower fan, 42, 43 ... panel lid, 42b ... handle, 46 ... air gun, 47 ... rotating plate, 48 ... Bearing part, 49 ... O-ring, 50 ... Buffer material, 5 ... Plate, 52 ... Shaft, 53 ... Bearing, 54 ... One-way clutch, 55 ... Housing, 56 ... Handle part, 60 ... Injection tank, 63 ... Water supply Hose, 64 ... connector part, 71 ... intake port, 72 ... drying lamp, 73 ... intake fan, 74 ... exhaust fan
Agent Patent Attorney Susumu Ito

Claims (7)

An endoscope apparatus in which a drum section for winding and storing an insertion section is rotatably stored in the apparatus main body,
An endoscope apparatus comprising a discharge means for discharging foreign matter accumulated in the apparatus main body to the outside of the apparatus main body.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharging unit is an opening provided in the apparatus main body.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a blowing unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and discharges the foreign matter from the opening by wind pressure.   The endoscope apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blowing unit is detachable from the apparatus main body.   The endoscope according to claim 2, further comprising a fluid injection means for injecting the fluid into the apparatus main body in order to discharge foreign matter accumulated therein from the opening through the fluid. apparatus.   4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a drying unit that is provided in the apparatus main body and that dries and solidifies the foreign matter so that the foreign matter can be easily discharged from the opening by the wind pressure of the blowing unit. Item 5. The endoscope apparatus according to Item 4. The endoscope apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising a suction unit that is provided in the apparatus main body in the vicinity of the opening and for sending out the foreign matter to the opening. .

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