JP2009000334A - Endoscope connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope connector device for stably retaining an electrical connection feature over a long period of time without making an electric contact wear away and for preventing the occurrence of an inappropriate electrical connection during the insertion and removal operation when a connector is configured to rotate around the axial line with respect to a connector receiver. <P>SOLUTION: One of the connector 3 and the connector receiver 21 is provided with annular contacts 6, 9 extending over the entire circumference around the central axial line, and the other is provided with a roller-shaped contact 25 which is brought into contact with the annular contacts 6, 9 while the connector 3 is inserted into the connector receiver 21, and is rotated by the contact with the annular contacts 6, 9 when the connector 3 rotates around the central axial line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope connector device for electrically connecting an endoscope and peripheral devices.

  In general, an endoscope connector device is electrically connected to a connector receiver of a peripheral device and a connector of an endoscope into which the connector of the endoscope is detachably inserted, and electrical contacts for transmitting and receiving signals and supplying power are electrically connected. It is the structure provided so that it might be connected.

  However, endoscope connectors are often configured so that the light guide cable and electrical contacts are branched and inserted separately, and the light guide cable and electrical contacts are used while the endoscope is being used. If the unit cannot be integrated and rotated around the axis, the operability of the endoscope may be restricted.

  Therefore, the connector is configured to be rotatable about the axis with respect to the connector receiver when the connector is connected to the connector receiver, and the electrical connection with the connector receiver is maintained regardless of the direction the connector rotates. There is something to let you lean.

In such an endoscope connector device, the connector of the endoscope is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and at least one of the outer peripheral surface and the distal end surface has an annular shape having a constant radius around the central axis of the connector. (For example, patent document 1).
JP-A-55-78932

  However, in the endoscope connector device described in Patent Document 1, when the connector rotates with respect to the connector receiver, the annular electrical contact on the connector side and the electrical contact on the connector receiver side rub against each other at an early stage. Worn out and poor connection occurs.

  In particular, when an electrical contact is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector of the endoscope, it will rub against the electrical contact on the connector receiving side even when it is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver, and at the same time, wear of the contact occurs earlier, There is a possibility that electrical problems may occur when inappropriate contacts come in contact with each other during the insertion / removal operation.

  According to the present invention, even if the connector is configured to be rotatable around the axis with respect to the connector receiver, the electrical connection function can be stably maintained over a long period of time without wear of the electrical contacts. An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope connector device that can prevent inappropriate electrical connection from occurring during operation.

  In order to achieve the above object, an endoscope connector device according to the present invention is configured such that a connector is removably inserted into at least one of an outer peripheral surface and a distal end surface of a substantially cylindrical connector provided in an endoscope. An endoscope connector in which an electrical contact that is electrically connected when the connector is inserted into the connector receiver is provided to a connector receiver provided in a peripheral device so as to be rotatably connected around the axis. In the apparatus, one of the connector and the connector receiver is provided with an annular contact over the entire circumference around the central axis, and the other is in contact with the annular contact in a state where the connector is inserted into the connector receiver. Is provided with a roller-shaped contact that is rotated by contact with the annular contact when rotating around the central axis.

  A spring that urges the roller contact against the surface of the annular contact may be provided. When the annular contact is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector or the inner peripheral surface of the connector receiver, A contact retracting mechanism for retracting the roller contact connected to the annular contact to a position where it does not contact the annular contact when the connector is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver may be provided.

  In addition, a connector insertion / removal prevention means for preventing the connector from being inserted into and removed from the connector receiver in conjunction with the operation of the contact retracting mechanism may be provided, and the illumination light is provided at the central axis position of the distal end surface of the connector. An incident end face of the guide may be disposed.

  According to the present invention, one of the connector and the connector receiver is provided with an annular contact over the entire circumference around the central axis, and the other is in contact with the annular contact in a state where the connector is inserted into the connector receiver. Even if the connector is configured to be rotatable about the axis with respect to the connector receiver by providing a roller contact that is rotated by contact with the annular contact when the connector rotates about the central axis, The electrical connection function can be maintained stably for a long period of time without wear of the contacts, and the roller contact is retracted to a position where it does not contact the annular contact when the connector is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver. By providing the contact retracting mechanism, it is possible to prevent inappropriate electrical connection from occurring during the insertion / removal operation.

  A connector provided in a peripheral device such that at least one of an outer peripheral surface and a distal end surface of a substantially cylindrical connector provided in an endoscope and a connector is detachably inserted and rotatably connected around an axis. In an endoscope connector device in which an electrical contact that is electrically connected when the connector is inserted into the connector receiver is provided on the receiver, one of the connector and the connector receiver has an entire circumference around its central axis. And a roller that is rotated by contact with the annular contact when the connector rotates around the central axis while the connector is inserted into the connector receiver. If an annular contact is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector or the inner peripheral surface of the connector receiver, it is connected to the annular contact. The chromatography La shaped contact, connector provided contact retracting mechanism for retracting a position not in contact with the annular contact when being inserted into and removed from the receiving connector.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a flexible light guide cable extending from an operation portion of an endoscope (not shown), and a connector portion 2 at the distal end thereof. Is attached. Reference numeral 20 denotes a video processor / light source device (hereinafter referred to as “video processor”) which is a main peripheral device of the endoscope. However, other peripheral devices may be used.

  The front half of the connector portion 2 is a substantially cylindrical connector 3 that is inserted into and removed from a circular insertion hole 22 formed in the connector receiver 21 of the video processor 20. A plurality of annular contacts 6 are provided on the outer peripheral surface 4 of the connector 3 with a constant radius over the entire circumference around the central axis, and spaced apart in the axial direction.

  In addition, an incident end face 8 of the illumination light guide inserted in the light guide cable is disposed at the center axis position of the distal end face 7 of the connector 3, and a concentric circle is formed around the circumference around the center axis. In addition, a plurality of annular contacts 9 are provided at intervals in the radial direction. An electric wire (not shown) inserted through the light guide cable 1 is connected to each of the annular contacts 6 and 9.

  Further, a C-ring 12 made of a metal material having a spring property is attached to a circumferential groove 11 formed in a portion near the base end of the outer peripheral surface 4 of the connector 3. When the connector 3 is inserted into the insertion hole 22 of the connector receiver 21, the C-ring 12 is click-engaged with an engagement groove 23 formed in the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole 22 so as to be recessed over the entire circumference. Acts as a stopper.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows the connector receiver 21, and annular contacts 6, 9 on the connector 3 side when the connector 3 is inserted into and connected to the connector receiver 21 on the inner peripheral surface portion and the bottom surface 24 portion of the insertion hole 22. A plurality of roller contacts 25 that are individually electrically connected to each other are arranged at positions corresponding to the annular contacts 6 and 9.

  FIG. 5 shows a bottom surface 24 of the insertion hole 22. Roller contacts 25 are rotatably disposed at positions corresponding to the plurality of annular contacts 9 disposed on the front end surface 7 of the connector 3. An illumination light exit window 40 is formed at the central axis position.

  The roller-shaped contact 25 disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the insertion hole 22 has a rotation axis parallel to the axis of the insertion hole 22, and the roller-shaped contact 25 disposed on the bottom surface 24 of the insertion hole 22 rotates. The axis is perpendicular to the axis of the insertion hole 22.

  1 and 2 show an example of the configuration of the roller contact 25. The roller-shaped contact 25 formed in a circular shape is rotatably supported by a bearing frame 29 by a support shaft 28, and a part of the roller-shaped contact 25 protrudes from the bearing frame 29. The roller contact 25, the support shaft 28, and the bearing frame 29 are all made of a conductive metal material.

  The bearing frame 29 is slidably disposed in the holding frame 30 made of an electrically insulating plastic material or the like, as indicated by an arrow A, on the side opposite to the position where the roller contact 25 protrudes. The roller contact 25 is biased by a spring 26 made of a conductive metal material in a direction protruding outward (that is, a direction pressed against the annular contacts 6 and 9). Here, a leaf spring is used as the spring 26, but a compression coil spring, a spring or the like may be used.

  The spring 26 is electrically connected to the wiring 27 in the video processor 20, and as a result, the roller contact 25 is always electrically connected to the wiring 27 via the spring 26, the bearing frame 29 and the support shaft 28. It is in the state.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the connector 3 is inserted and connected into the insertion hole 22 of the connector receiver 21, and the C ring 12 attached to the connector 3 is click-engaged with the engagement groove 23 on the connector receiver 21 side. It has become a retaining.

  In this state, the connector 3 is rotatable around the axis in the insertion hole 22 of the connector receiver 21. However, since the annular contacts 6 and 9 are formed around the entire axis, even if the annular contact 6 is rotated together with the connector 3, the position thereof is not displaced.

  Since each roller contact 25 is always pressed against the surface of the annular contact 6, 9 by the spring 26, the contact with the annular contact 6, 9 is maintained, and when the connector 3 rotates around the central axis. It is rotated by contact with the annular contacts 6 and 9.

  Therefore, not only can the connector 3 smoothly rotate without resistance in the insertion hole 22, but also the electrical connection function can be stably maintained over a long period of time without any electrical contacts 6, 9 and 25 being worn.

  FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second embodiment of the present invention, in which the connector 3 receives a roller contact 25 at a position in contact with the annular contact 6 disposed on the outer peripheral surface 4 of the connector 3. Contact retracting mechanisms 31 to 37 are provided for retracting to positions where they do not come into contact with the annular contact 6 when being inserted into and removed from the 21. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment except for the holding frame 30.

  A plurality of holding frames 30 are formed together, and a push rod 31 that protrudes laterally from the connector receiver 21 is connected to the holding frame 30. A push button 32 is attached to the projecting end of the push rod 31 located outside the connector receiver 21, and they are urged in the projecting direction by a compression coil spring 33.

  A narrow constricted portion 34 is formed in the middle of the push rod 31, and a slide plate 35 in which a long hole 36 that engages with the constricted portion 34 is formed is perpendicular to the axis of the push rod 31. It is slidably arranged. The slide plate 35 is biased in the forward direction of the connector receiver 21 by the second compression coil spring 37, and the protruding end of the slide plate 35 protrudes forward of the connector receiver 21.

  In the endoscope connector device thus configured, when the connector 3 is inserted and connected to the connector receiver 21, the elongated hole 36 of the slide plate 35 is connected to the constricted portion of the push rod 31 as shown in FIG. 8. 34, and the roller contact 25 cannot be retracted from the annular contact 6.

  When the connector 3 is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver 21, as shown in FIG. 9, when the slide plate 35 is pushed in, the engagement between the long hole 36 and the connector 34 is released, and the compression coil spring 33 The push rod 31 is moved outward by the urging force, and the roller contact 25 is retracted from the annular contact 6.

  As a result, when the connector 3 is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver 21, the roller contact 25 and the annular contact 6 do not come into contact with each other. There is no risk of inappropriate electrical connections occurring during the process.

  When the connector 3 is inserted into and connected to the connector receiver 21, the push button 32 is pushed to move the constricted portion 34 to a position where it engages with the long hole 36. Accordingly, the slide plate 35 is moved to the second position. It is pushed by the compression coil spring 37, slides in the protruding direction, and returns to the state shown in FIG.

  10 and 11 show a third embodiment of the present invention, and a lock claw 38 that prevents the connector 3 from being inserted into and removed from the connector receiver 21 in conjunction with the operation of the contact retracting mechanisms 31-37. (Connector insertion / removal prevention means) is provided. Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment except that the C-ring 12 is removed from the circumferential groove 11.

  In this embodiment, a lock claw 38 that engages with the circumferential groove 11 formed on the outer periphery of the connector 3 is formed integrally with the holding frame 30. As shown in FIG. 11, when the roller contact 25 is retracted from the annular contact 6, the lock claw 38 is retracted from the circumferential groove 11 and the connector 3 is inserted into and removed from the connector receiver 21. can do.

  However, as shown in FIG. 10, when the roller contact 25 is in contact with the annular contact 6, the lock claw 38 moves to a position where it engages with the circumferential groove 11. The connector 3 is locked and cannot be pulled out, and the connector 3 cannot be inserted into the empty connector receiver 21.

  Therefore, when the connector 3 is inserted into the connector receiver 21, the roller contact 25 is always in the retracted state, preventing the roller contact 25 and the annular contact 6 from being worn, and inappropriate during the insertion / removal operation. Prevention of electrical connection is guaranteed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each Example, For example, you may comprise the mechanism of each part in a different aspect from each Example. Alternatively, the annular contacts 6 and 9 may be provided only on one of the outer peripheral surface 4 and the front end surface 7 of the connector 3, and the annular contacts 6 and 9 are provided on the connector receiver 21 side to form a roller shape. The contact 25 may be provided on the connector 3 side.

It is front sectional drawing of the roller-shaped contact of the connector apparatus of the endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. It is a perspective view of the roller-shaped contact of the connector apparatus of the endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a connector device for an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the connector apparatus of the endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. It is a front view of the bottom face of the connector receptacle of the 1st example of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing of the state in which the connector was connected to the connector receptacle of the connector apparatus of the endoscope of 1st Example of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the connector apparatus of the endoscope of 2nd Example of this invention. It is a partial side sectional view of the connector device of the endoscope of the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a partial side sectional view of the contact retreat state in the connector device of the endoscope of the 2nd example of the present invention. It is a partial side sectional view of the connector device of the endoscope of the 3rd example of the present invention. It is a partial side sectional view of the contact retreat state in the connector device of the endoscope of the 3rd example of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

3 Connector 4 Outer peripheral surface 6, 9 Toroidal contact 7 Tip surface 8 Light guide incident end surface 20 Video processor (peripheral device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Connector receptacle 22 Insertion hole 24 Bottom face 25 Roller contact 26 Spring 28 Support shaft 31-37 Contact withdrawal mechanism 38 Lock claw (connector insertion / removal prevention means)

Claims (5)

At least one of an outer peripheral surface and a front end surface of a substantially cylindrical connector provided in the endoscope, and the connector is provided in a peripheral device so that the connector is removably inserted and is rotatably connected around an axis. In an endoscope connector device provided with electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the connector receiver when the connector is inserted into the connector receiver,
One of the connector and the connector receiver is provided with an annular contact over the entire circumference around the central axis,
On the other hand, a roller-shaped contact that is brought into contact with the annular contact in a state where the connector is inserted into the connector receiver and is rotated by contact with the annular contact when the connector rotates around a central axis. An endoscope connector device, comprising: an endoscope connector device;   The endoscope connector device according to claim 1, wherein a spring is provided to urge the roller contact against the surface of the annular contact.   When the annular contact is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connector or the inner peripheral surface of the connector receiver, the connector is inserted into and removed from the roller contact connected to the annular contact. 3. The endoscope connector device according to claim 1, further comprising a contact retracting mechanism that retracts to a position that does not contact the annular contact.   4. The endoscope connector device according to claim 3, further comprising connector insertion / removal preventing means for preventing the connector from being inserted into and removed from the connector receiver in conjunction with the operation of the contact retracting mechanism.   The endoscope connector apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an incident end face of the illumination light guide is disposed at a central axis position of a distal end face of the connector.

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