JP2009153776A - Endoscope and its manufacturing method, and connector attachable/detachable jig of endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endoscope having a connector with strong binding strength. <P>SOLUTION: An endoscope 1 has a connector 4 which is attachable and detachable of an imaging section 2 for imaging a subject from other complete parts of the endoscope, and the connector 4 has a tubular member 4A and an inserting member 4B which is inserted and fitted in the tubular member 4A. The inner peripheral surface of the tubular member 4A has a groove wherein an terminal electrode is formed, and a plate spring 4E having elasticity in an orthogonal direction to the inserting direction of the inserting member 4B is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inserting member 4B, and the plate spring 4E presses the groove so as to engage the inserting member 4B and the tubular member 4A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope, an endoscope manufacturing method, and an endoscope connector detaching jig.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, endoscopes that photograph a narrow space such as a human digestive tract, trachea, or engine piping have been widely used. As this type of endoscope, an endoscope is known in which a portion to which a solid-state image sensor is attached can be separated (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The endoscope described in Patent Document 1 has a male socket having a truncated cone shape and a female socket having a truncated cone-shaped recess having the same shape as the male socket, and both sockets are fitted, Or to separate.

  Further, in the endoscope described in Patent Document 1, the male socket and the female socket each have a positioning protrusion and a positioning hole into which the protrusion is inserted.

JP 2001-35617 A

  In the endoscope described in Patent Document 1, since most of the contact portions of both sockets are inclined surfaces, it is difficult to obtain a coupling strength between both sockets. In addition, since the positioning protrusion and the positioning hole are for the purpose of positioning, the coupling strength is not increased. If the bonding strength is to be increased, an adhesive member such as an adhesive is required, but if an adhesive member is used, it cannot be easily removed.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope having a connector with high coupling strength and a method for manufacturing the endoscope. It is another object of the present invention to provide a connector detaching jig that can be easily detached even for an endoscope connector having such a strong coupling strength.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an endoscope according to the present invention is an endoscope in which an imaging unit for photographing a subject has a connector that can be attached to and detached from other endoscope constituent members. A member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the cylindrical member. A groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and an insertion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member. A leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the member, and the leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove in the radial direction, thereby fitting the insertion member and the cylindrical member. Realized.

  In the connector according to the endoscope of the present invention, the leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove of the cylindrical member in the radial direction to realize the coupling, so that the coupling strength can be increased.

  In the present invention, the endoscope has a ceramic substrate on which an image sensor for photographing a subject is mounted, and the terminal electrode formed on the cylindrical member is an end surface of the opening end of the cylindrical member from the groove. It is preferable that it extends to and is fixed to the substrate. If comprised in this way, since an image pick-up element adheres to the board | substrate which consists of ceramics with sufficient flatness, attachment malfunctions, such as a fall of an image pick-up element, can be reduced. In addition, since the substrate on which the image sensor is mounted can be directly fixed to the connector, the optical axis of the image sensor relative to the connector can be easily adjusted, and the endoscope can be further downsized.

  In the endoscope of the present invention, it is preferable that a concave portion is formed on the outer surface of the casing that forms a part of the imaging unit and / or the outer surface of the casing that forms a part of other endoscope constituent members. . If comprised in this way, when connecting an imaging part and other endoscope structural members, or separating, a jig etc. can be engaged with the crevice, and the connector concerning the endoscope of the present invention Are easily coupled or disconnected.

  In order to solve the above problems, an endoscope manufacturing method according to the present invention includes a connector in which an imaging unit for photographing a subject can be attached to and detached from other endoscope components, and the connector is cylindrical. A member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the cylindrical member. A groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and an insertion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member. A leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the member, and the leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove in the radial direction, thereby fitting the insertion member and the cylindrical member. An endoscope manufacturing method that realizes an endoscope, wherein either a cylindrical member or an insertion member is fixed inside an accommodation jig, and a holding member that holds either the cylindrical member or the insertion member is accommodated. Move inside the tool to achieve the fit.

  In the present invention, the leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove of the cylindrical member in the radial direction to realize the coupling, so that the coupling strength can be increased. Furthermore, since a large force can be applied in the attaching / detaching direction of the connector without using pliers or the like that are normally used, the housing jig can be easily removed. In addition, by using the housing jig, it is possible to manufacture an endoscope while enabling the connector to be prevented from being damaged or broken when the insertion member and the cylindrical member are separated.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an endoscope connector detachment jig according to the present invention includes a connector in which an imaging unit for photographing a subject can be attached to and detached from other endoscope constituent members. A cylindrical member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the cylindrical member, and a groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member Is provided with a leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion member, and the leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove in the radial direction so that the insertion member and the cylindrical member A connector detaching jig for an endoscope that realizes fitting, wherein an accommodation jig in which either a cylindrical member or an insertion member is fixed inside, and either the cylindrical member or the insertion member A holding member for holding, and the holding member can be attached and detached inside the housing jig. To have.

  A tool such as pliers can be not used by fitting and removing the insertion member and the tubular member using the connector detaching jig of the endoscope of the present invention. By using a connector detaching jig for an endoscope, a large force can be applied in the detaching direction of the detachable connector, so that the connector can be easily detached and the insertion member and the cylindrical member are separated. The connector can be attached and detached while preventing damage or destruction of the connector.

  As described above, the endoscope of the present invention can provide an endoscope having a connector with high coupling strength and a method for manufacturing the endoscope. Furthermore, even an endoscope connector having such a strong coupling strength can provide a connector detaching jig that can be easily detached.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of endoscope 1)
FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an endoscope 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional perspective view of the endoscope 1 shown in FIG. 1A, and shows each component of the endoscope 1. The endoscope 1 is an industrial endoscope that inspects the inside of a pipe by photographing the inside of the pipe of various machines such as an automobile engine. The components of the endoscope 1 are roughly classified into an imaging unit 2 and other endoscope components.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main components of the imaging unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1B and FIG. 2, the imaging unit 2 includes a disk-shaped substrate 2A, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 2B and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 2C mounted on the surface of the substrate 2A. The light guide 2D that is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and serves as the light path of the LED 2C, the three lenses 2E, 2E1, and 2E2 formed in a disk shape, the substrate 2A, the light guide 2D, and the lenses 2E, 2E1, and 2E2 5C, a casing 5A that forms the outer peripheral side of the imaging unit 2, and a cylindrical member 4A that is fixed to the back side of the substrate 2A.

  The housing 5A is formed in a cylindrical shape whose both end faces are opened over the entire area. As shown in FIG. 1B, a distal end side of a casing 5B described later is fitted to the proximal end side of the casing 5A, and a proximal end side of the casing 5A fitted to the casing 5B is fitted to the proximal end side of the casing 5B. A step portion 5A1 is formed to be fitted to a later-described step portion 5B1 formed in the housing 5B.

  The housing 5C closes the opening while fitting into the opening on the front end side of the housing 5A. The housing 5C is formed with holding portions 5C1 and 5C2 for lenses 2E, 2E1 and 2E2 on the inner peripheral surface. The lenses 2E, 2E1, 2E2 are held in this order from the distal end side to the proximal end side by the holding portions 5C1, 5C2, and the inner peripheral surface of the housing 5C. That is, the lens 2E is the lens closest to the subject among the lenses 2E, 2E1, and 2E2. Further, a cylindrical portion 5C4 for holding the light guide portion 2D is formed inside the housing 5C. Furthermore, the substrate 2A is fixed to the base end of the housing 5C.

  The lens 2E and the light guide 2D held by the housing 5C are exposed at the front end side of the housing 5C. Further, the lenses 2E, 2E1, and 2E2 held in the housing 5C are arranged to face the CCD 2B, and the light guide portion 2D held in the housing 5C is arranged to face the light emitting surface 2C1 of the LED 2C.

  Other endoscope constituent members are a bundle 3A of electric wires bundled with electric wires 3D (see FIG. 5) for transmitting image data signals and supplying electric power to the LED 2C and the CCD 2B, and a heat shrinkable tube for bundling the bundles 3A of electric wires. 3B, a covering member 3C that covers the outer periphery of the bundle 3A of electric wires and the heat-shrinkable tube 3B, a casing 5B that is attached to the outer periphery of the distal end portion of the covering member 3C and is coupled to the casing 5A, and an inner periphery of the cylindrical member 4A It has the insertion member 4B inserted in the side, and the fixing member 3F which is arrange | positioned at the inner peripheral side of the housing | casing 5B, and the heat contraction tube 3B and the insertion member 4B are fixed. Hereinafter, the bundle 3A of electric wires, the heat shrinkable tube 3B, and the covering member 3C are collectively referred to as a line 3.

  Other endoscope constituent members have a display member or the like (not shown) for displaying information of the photographed image at the opposite end of the imaging unit 2 across the line 3. .

  The line 3 is necessary for supplying information to the CCD 2B and the LED 2C to transmit information of an image taken by the CCD 2B. The housing 5B is formed in a cylindrical shape whose both end faces are opened over the entire area. The base end side of the housing 5A is fitted to the distal end side of the housing 5B, and the step portion 5B1 that fits the step portion 5A1 of the housing 5A is formed on the distal end side of the housing 5B. .

  In the present embodiment, the connector 4 is configured by the tubular member 4A, the insertion member 4B, and the components associated therewith. The connector 4 is a component that couples the imaging unit 2 and other endoscope components. Further, the housing 5A and the housing 5B are attached and detached by the connector 4.

  The connector 4 will be described. 3A is a perspective view of the connector 4, and FIG. 3B is a longitudinal sectional view of the connector 4. 4A shows an exploded perspective view in which the board 2A is added to the connector 4, and FIG. 4B shows an exploded perspective view of the exploded perspective view shown in FIG. 4A viewed from the back side. 4C shows a perspective view showing a state in which only one leaf spring 4E described later is removed from the insertion member 4B.

  Ten grooves 4D extending from one opening end toward the other opening end are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 4A. A terminal electrode 4C is formed on the inner wall of the groove 4D. A leaf spring 4E disposed from one end surface of the insertion member 4B toward the other end surface is attached to the peripheral surface of the insertion member 4B. The leaf spring 4E serves as a terminal electrode on the insertion member 4B side. The leaf spring 4E has elasticity in the radial direction of the insertion member 4B. That is, the leaf spring 4E is attached to the insertion member 4B so as to be elastically deformable in the radial direction of the insertion member 4B. And the leaf | plate spring 4E presses the groove | channel 4D to radial direction, and the fitting with the insertion member 4B and the cylindrical member 4A is implement | achieved.

  In the connector 4, an annular perforated member 4F for arranging individual electric wires 3D to be described later at a predetermined position is the smallest diameter portion of the small diameter portion 4B2 to be described later that constitutes the insertion member 4B. Has been placed. An annular fixing member 4J that fixes the leaf spring 4E to the peripheral surface of the insertion member 4B is disposed so as to abut on the proximal end surface of the tubular member 4A.

  The ten grooves 4D are linearly formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 4A and are formed at a substantially equiangular pitch. In addition, the adjacent grooves 4D are insulated. That is, an insulating part is formed between adjacent grooves 4D. A film-like terminal electrode 4C is formed on the surface of the groove 4D. For the formation of the terminal electrode 4C, an electroless copper plating method is employed. During electroless plating, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 4A and a part of the end surface 4A1 are masked. Then, by electroless plating, a copper plating layer is once formed between the adjacent grooves 4D, but is then removed by grinding.

  A part of one end surface 4A1 of the cylindrical member 4A is not masked during electroless plating as described above. Therefore, ten end surface electrodes 4C1 are partially formed on the end surface 4A1. The portion where the end face electrode 4C1 is formed is a portion extending from the terminal electrode 4C as shown in FIG. The terminal electrode 4C and the end face electrode 4C1 are electrically connected. Adjacent end face electrodes 4C1 are insulated from each other.

  The insertion member 4B has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 4A. The insertion member 4B is formed in a cylindrical shape in which a large-diameter portion 4B1 having a large outer diameter that occupies about two-thirds of the whole and a small-diameter portion 4B2 having a small outer diameter that occupies about one-third of the whole are integrated. Has been. As a result, a step 4B3 is formed at the boundary between the large diameter portion 4B1 and the small diameter portion 4B2. Ten holes 4B5 are formed at an equiangular pitch at the end of the end face 4B4 on the distal end side of the large diameter portion 4B1.

  The leaf spring 4E is formed of strip-shaped spring steel. The leaf spring 4E is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member 4B. Specifically, the leaf spring 4E has an insertion member 4B extending from the end surface 4B4 on the large diameter portion 4B1 side to the end surface 4B6 on the small diameter portion 4B2 side so that the longitudinal direction thereof is the same as the axial direction of the insertion member 4B. It is arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral surface.

  One end 4E1 of the leaf spring 4E is formed to be bent in a “U” shape so as to be engaged with the above-described hole 4B5. A central portion of the leaf spring 4E is a convex portion 4E2 formed by being bent in a “<” shape in the same direction as the bending direction of the end portion 4E1. Further, between the other end portion 4E3 and the convex portion 4E2 of the leaf spring 4E, the leaf spring 4E is bent in a “<” shape in a direction opposite to the bending direction of the end portion 4E1. Further, at the central portion of the other end portion 4E3, a bent portion 4E4 bent and raised from the central direction of the leaf spring 4E in a direction opposite to the protruding direction of the convex portion 4E2 is formed at an angle of about 30 ° from the root. It is bent up.

  Ten leaf springs 4E are used. One end portion 4E1 of the leaf spring 4E is inserted into the hole 4B5 of the insertion member 4B, and the other end portion 4E3 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member 4B toward the end surface 4B6 on the small diameter portion 4B2 side of the insertion member 4B. Each is arranged. As a result, the convex portion 4E2 protrudes in the radial direction of the insertion member 4B on the outer periphery at a substantially intermediate position between the end surface 4B4 and the end surface 4B6 of the insertion member 4B. The other end 4E3 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 4B1 of the insertion member 4B and close to the small-diameter portion 4B2. Further, the tip of the bent portion 4E4 is in contact with the stepped portion 4B3 and functions as a retaining.

  The other end 4E3 of the leaf spring 4E is pressed by the cylindrical fixing member 4J and is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter portion 4B1 of the insertion member 4B. Thus, the leaf | plate spring 4E is mounted | worn with the insertion member 4B by contacting the outer peripheral surface of large diameter part 4B1 in the state by which the other edge part 4E3 was pressed.

  In a state where the insertion member 4B is inserted into the cylindrical member 4A, the convex portion 4E2 of the leaf spring 4E is in contact with the surface of the groove 4D of the cylindrical member 4A while pressing in the radial direction. In this way, the insertion member 4B on which the leaf spring 4E is mounted and the cylindrical member 4A are coupled, thereby realizing electrical connection between the film-like terminal electrode 4C and the end surface electrode 4C1 and the leaf spring 4E.

  The substrate 2A is made of ceramics, for example. Ten electrodes 2A1 are formed at an equiangular pitch at the end of the substrate 2A. Each of these electrodes 2A1 extends to the opposite surface of the substrate 2A via the end surface 2A2 of the substrate 2A. Each electrode 2A1 is connected to a CCD 2B or LED 2C. The adjacent electrodes 2A1 are insulated.

  The electrode 2A1 and the end face electrode 4C1 of the tubular member 4A are electrically connected by reflow soldering. Therefore, in a state where the insertion member 4B to which the leaf spring 4E is attached is coupled to the tubular member 4A, the below-described electric wire 3D connected to the leaf spring 4E, the CCD 2B, and the LED 2C are connected via the leaf spring 4E. It is connected.

  FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a state where the electric wire 3D and the leaf spring 4E constituting the bundle 3A of electric wires are soldered. The electric wire 3D is soldered to the leaf spring 4E at the other end 4E3. The electric wire 3D is provided with an insulating covering 3E. 5B, the leaf spring 4E is attached to the lead frame 6 by soldering. Before the leaf spring 4E is separated from the lead frame 6 as shown in FIG. Soldering between 3D and the leaf spring 4E is performed.

(Configuration of endoscope connector removal tool)
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of each component of a connector detaching jig (hereinafter referred to as a jig 8) of an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A shows the housing member 8A in which a part of the inside is rolled up. FIG. 6B shows a substantially semi-cylindrical holding member 8B which is housed inside the housing member 8A and in which a part of the inside is rolled up. FIG. 6C shows a screw 8C for moving the holding member 8B in the housing member 8A.

  The housing member 8A has a long rectangular parallelepiped shape. The accommodating member 8A has two accommodating portions. One housing portion is a holding member housing portion 8A1 in which the holding member 8B can slide in the longitudinal direction of the housing member 8A and can be attached and detached. The other accommodating portion is a small accommodating portion 8A2 that is narrower than the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 and has a shorter length in the longitudinal direction. The space of the holding member housing portion 8A1 and the space of the small housing portion 8A2 are connected inside the housing member 8A. However, the holding member housing portion 8A1 and the small housing portion 8A2 are partly partitioned by a protruding portion 8A3 from which a boundary portion between the small housing portion 8A2 and the holding member housing portion 8A protrudes. The holding member accommodating portion 8A1, the small accommodating portion 8A2, and the protruding portion 8A3 have a semi-cylindrical shape that can be fitted to the housing 5B.

  In addition, a circular hole 8A4 is formed on one end surface of the accommodating member 8A (specifically, an end surface on the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 side). A thread (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hole 8A4. Further, a notch 8A5 whose upper side opens is formed on the other end surface of the storage member 8A (specifically, an end surface on the small storage portion 8A2 side).

  The holding member 8B has a semi-cylindrical shape, and the outer peripheral surface thereof has substantially the same shape as the inner peripheral surface of the holding member accommodating portion 8A. And the holding member 8B has two accommodating parts. One accommodating portion is an engaging accommodating portion 8B1 for engaging with the screw 8C. The space of the engaging accommodating portion 8B1 has a half shape of an elongated disk shape in which a semi-cylindrical shape and a rectangular parallelepiped are combined. The other accommodating portion is a holding accommodating portion 8B2 having a space that is the same diameter as the upper surface (inner surface) of the small accommodating portion 8A2 and is longer than the small accommodating portion 8A2.

  Moreover, the holding member 8B has a notch part on each end face. The notch 8B3 on the end surface on the engagement accommodating portion 8B1 side is connected to the space of the engagement accommodating portion 8B1. The notch 8B3 has a half of an elongated disk shape that is smaller than a combination of a semi-cylindrical shape and a rectangular parallelepiped in the space of the engaging accommodating portion 8B1. The cutout portion 8B4 on the end surface on the holding housing portion 8B2 side is connected to the space of the holding housing portion 8B2. The notch 8B4 has the same semi-cylindrical shape as the space of the protrusion 8A3 described above. The central axis of the semi-cylindrical circle of the notch 8B4 coincides with the central axis of the semi-cylindrical circle in the space of the protrusion 8A3 when the holding member 8B is accommodated in the holding member accommodating portion 8A1.

  The screw 8C includes a handle 8C1 for rotating the screw 8C, a rod-like member 8C2 fixed to the handle 8C1 and provided with a thread (not shown) on the peripheral surface, and a holding member fixed to the rod-like member 8C2 so as to be freely detached. And a disc-shaped engaging member 8C3 that engages with 8B. The thread of the rod-shaped member 8C2 meshes with the thread of the inner peripheral surface of the hole 8A4 described above. The diameter of the engaging member 8C3 is larger than the width dimension of the notch 8B3, and the diameter of the rod-shaped member 8C2 is smaller than the width dimension of the notch 8B3.

(Assembly method of jig 8)
In order to assemble the jig 8, the holding member 8B is accommodated in the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 so that the holding member 8B is brought close to the end surface of the accommodating member 8A on the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 side. Of the screws 8C, only the engaging member 8C3 is accommodated in the engaging accommodating portion 8B1 of the holding member 8B. Then, the rod-like member 8C2 of the screw 8C is inserted from the outside of the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 into the hole 8A4. During the insertion, a force is applied to the handle 8C1 so as to rotate the rod-like member 8C2. Then, the rod-shaped member 8C2 passes through the hole 8A4 and the notch 8B3 and reaches the engaging member 8C3. And the center of engagement member 8C3 and the front-end | tip of rod-shaped member 8C2 are fixed with an adhesive agent. Now, by applying a force to the handle 8C1 and turning it, the rod-like member 8C2 moves in the attaching / detaching direction via the screw of the hole 8A4. In conjunction with the movement, the engaging member 8C3 fixed to the end of the rod-like member 8C2 can move the engaging member 8B in the attaching / detaching direction while regulating the engaging member 8B in the direction perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction. Configured as follows.

(Attaching the endoscope to the jig 8)
The endoscope mounted on the jig 8 may be the above-described endoscope 1, but hereinafter, the mounting procedure on the jig 8 will be described using the endoscope 1 </ b> A. FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the endoscope 1A. 7A shows an endoscope 1A in a state where the imaging unit 2 is coupled to the line 3, and FIG. 7B shows an endoscope 1A in a state where the imaging unit 2 and the line 3 are separated. Yes. The endoscope 1A has a groove portion 7A (concave portion) formed in a circumferential direction on a part of a peripheral surface of a housing 5A ′ corresponding to the housing 5A on the imaging unit 2 side of the endoscope 1, A groove portion 7B (concave portion) formed in the circumferential direction is provided in a part of the peripheral surface of the housing 5B ′ corresponding to the housing 5B on the line 3 side of the mirror 1. Except for the point where the grooves 7A and 7B are formed and the point where the insertion member 4B is disposed on the imaging unit 2 side and the cylindrical member 4A is disposed on the line 3 side, the configuration of the endoscope 1A is It is the same as the endoscope 1. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the components of the endoscope 1A similar to the components of the endoscope 1, and detailed description of the components will be omitted. The groove 7A is formed with a width and a depth so that the notch 8B4 and the groove 7B are fitted with the protrusion 8A3.

  First, a part of the imaging unit 2 of the endoscope 1A in a state where the imaging unit 2 and the line 3 shown in FIG. 7B are separated is accommodated in the holding accommodating unit 8B2. At this time, a part of the imaging unit 2 is accommodated in the holding accommodating portion 8B2 so that the lens 2E faces the end surface on the distal end side. Further, a part of the imaging unit 2 is accommodated in the holding accommodating portion 8B2 so that the groove portion 7A fits into the notch portion 8B4. Then, the imaging unit 2 is accommodated in the holding accommodating portion 8B2 in a state where the portion of the imaging unit 2 on the line 3 side with respect to the groove 7A protrudes from the holding accommodating portion 8B2.

  Next, in the housing 5B 'shown in FIG. 7B, the line 3 side is accommodated in the small accommodating portion 8A2 of the accommodating member 8A from the groove portion 7B. At this time, the housing 5B is accommodated in the small accommodating portion 8A2 so that the groove portion 7B fits into the protruding portion 8A3 of the holding member accommodating portion 8A. Moreover, the line 3 is taken out from the notch 8A5. Thus, the attachment of the endoscope 1A to the jig 8 is completed. This state is shown as a plan view in FIG. In this state, the cylindrical member 4A and the insertion member 4B face each other in a state where they can be fitted.

(Operation of jig 8)
In the state shown in FIG. 8A described above, the screw 8C is rotated, and the holding member 8B is moved together with the housing 5A ′ so that the tubular member 4A is inserted into the insertion member 4B. At this time, the notch 8B4 contacts the inner surface of the groove 7A. Alternatively, the end surface of the inner wall of the holding accommodating portion 8B2 contacts the imaging unit 2. In this state, when the rotation of the screw 8C is continued, the insertion member 4B is fitted into the cylindrical member 4A as shown in FIG. 8B.

  Further, when the screw 8C is rotated in the reverse direction from the state shown in FIG. 8B, the holding member 8B moves together with the housing 5A 'in the direction in which the tubular member 4A is removed from the insertion member 4B. At this time, the notch 8B4 contacts the inner surface of the groove 7A. In this state, if the rotation of the screw 8C in the reverse direction is continued, the cylindrical member 4A is detached from the insertion member 4B as shown in FIG. As described above, the connector 4 can be easily detached by using the jig 8.

(Main effects obtained by the embodiment of the present invention)
The connector 4 used in the endoscopes 1 and 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention has a strong coupling strength because the leaf spring 4E presses the groove 4D of the tubular member 4A in the radial direction to realize the coupling. it can.

  In addition, since the cylindrical member 4A has the end surface electrode 4C1, the board 2A can be directly soldered to the connector 4, so that the endoscopes 1 and 1A can be downsized. Further, since the electrode 2A1 can be formed on the substrate 2A, a simple method such as reflow can be adopted for the manufacturing method. Further, since the substrate 2A is made of ceramic, the shape stability is excellent, and the optical axes of the endoscopes 1 and 1A can be stabilized.

  Further, by forming the terminal electrode 4C and the end face electrode 4C1 by an electroless plating method, these electrode films can be made thin, the endoscopes 1 and 1A can be miniaturized, and the endoscopes 1 and 1A are manufactured. Becomes simple.

  Further, in the endoscope 1A according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the housings 5A ′ and 5B ′ have the groove portions 7A and 7B, the jig 8 can be engaged with the groove portions 7A and 7B, and it is easy. The connector 4 can be detached.

  Further, since the jig 8 is used, a large force can be applied in the attaching / detaching direction of the connector 4 of the endoscope 1A, so that the attaching / detaching can be easily performed. Further, the housings 5A and 5B of the connector 4 are less likely to be damaged as compared with the case where other detaching means, for example, pliers are used. Moreover, since the connector 4 is attached / detached while being regulated by the jig 6 in the direction perpendicular to the attachment / detachment direction, it is possible to prevent the constituent members of the connector 4 from being broken.

(Other embodiments of the present invention)
The endoscopes 1 and 1A according to the embodiments of the present invention described above, the manufacturing method thereof, and the connector detaching jig 8 of the endoscope are examples of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, but are not limited thereto. However, various modifications can be made as follows without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the jig 8 can be used for an endoscope 1A having groove portions 7A and 7B (concave portions), but can also be used for an endoscope not having the groove portions 7A and 7B (for example, the endoscope 1). It is. In this case, for example, the connector detaching jig has a mechanism for pressing and holding members corresponding to the casings 5A and 5B of the endoscope 1 to separate the cylindrical member 4A and the insertion member 4B. If you do. Further, the endoscopes 1, 1 </ b> A may have recesses formed only in one of the housings 5 </ b> A, 5 </ b> B or the housings 5 </ b> A ′, 5 </ b> B ′.

  The terminal electrode 4C formed on the surface of the groove 4D of the cylindrical member 4A and the end surface electrode 4C1 formed on the end surface of the cylindrical member 4A so as to extend from the terminal electrode 4C are formed by an electroless plating method. Although it is a film-like thing, you may form with other materials, such as a metal plate. FIG. 9 shows a strip-shaped metal plate electrode 4H2 that also serves as the terminal electrode 4C and the end face electrode 4C1. Unlike the cylindrical member 4A, this cylindrical member 4A 'has a hole 4D2 formed on one end surface thereof and extending from the groove 4D1. In addition, a notch portion 4D3 is formed in the other end surface opposite to the one end surface and extending from the groove 4D1.

  One end of the metal plate electrode 4H2 is bent in a “U” shape. The other end is inserted into the hole 4D2. Further, the metal plate electrode 4H2 is disposed inside the groove 4D1. The metal plate electrode 4H2 is formed with an elongated hole 4H3 at the other end, and a hole 4H4 at the end more than the hole. The hole 4H3 at the other end is bent along the notch 4D3 at the boundary between the groove 4D1 and the end face. A region from the hole 4H3 toward the hole 4H4 is a region to be soldered to the electrode 2A1 of the substrate 2A.

  Moreover, although the reflow is employ | adopted as the method of implement | achieving electrical connection with the board | substrate 2A and the cylindrical member 4A, you may employ | adopt methods other than reflow. For example, the method includes a method of applying a conductive adhesive to fix the substrate 2A and the cylindrical member 4A, a method of soldering the substrate 2A and the cylindrical member 4A using a soldering iron, and the like.

  Further, the central portion of the leaf spring 4E is bent and formed into a “<” shape in the same direction as the bending direction of the end portion 4E1 to form a convex portion 4E2. However, the shape of the convex portion may be another shape. Examples of other shapes are arc shapes, elliptical arc shapes, and the like.

  Further, one end 4E1 of the leaf spring 4E is bent and formed into a “U” shape so as to be engaged with the hole 4B5. However, the method of coupling the leaf spring and the insertion member is not limited to such engagement, and other methods can be employed. Another example of the method is a method of fixing the leaf spring to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member using an adhesive, for example.

  In the endoscope 1A, grooves 7A and 7B are formed in the casings 5A and 5B, respectively. However, the recesses such as the grooves 7A and 7B are not limited to the groove shape, but may be any shape that can be engaged with the jig to be used. For example, a circular recess having a predetermined shape may be provided in the casing of the endoscope, and a protrusion (other than a circle) that engages with the recess may be provided in the jig.

  The jig 8 fixes the cylindrical member 4 </ b> A and the insertion member 4 </ b> B is detached / attached in the jig 8, but the insertion member 4 </ b> B is fixed and the tubular member 4 </ b> A is detached / attached in the jig 8. You may let them.

  Further, the space shape of the holding member accommodating portion 8A1 of the jig 8 and the outer shape of the holding member 8B accommodated therein are both semi-cylindrical shapes. However, this shape may be other shapes as long as the holding member 8B can be attached and detached inside the holding member housing portion 8A1. The other shape is, for example, an elliptical column shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, or a triangular prism shape. Such a polygonal column shape or the like is preferable in that the rotation operation of the holding member 8B can be prevented with the direction in which the holding member 8B is attached and detached as the rotation axis. Similarly, the space shape of the small accommodating portion 8A2 can be a shape other than the semi-cylindrical shape.

  In the above-described embodiment, the endoscope 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described by taking an industrial endoscope as an example. However, the endoscope 1 is used to photograph the inside of a human digestive tract, trachea, and the like. Then, examinations in the digestive tract and trachea may be performed. That is, the endoscope 1 may be a medical endoscope.

(A) is a perspective view which shows the endoscope which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (B) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of (A). It is a perspective view of the main components of the imaging part shown in FIG. (A) is a perspective view of a connector, (B) has shown the longitudinal cross-sectional view of the connector. (A) shows the exploded perspective view which added the board | substrate to the connector, (B) shows the exploded perspective view which looked at the exploded perspective view shown to (A) from the back side, (C) is from insertion member The perspective view which shows the state which removed only one leaf | plate spring is shown. (A) is a state in which the electric wire and the leaf spring are soldered, (B) is a state in which the leaf spring is attached to the lead frame, and (C) is a state in which the electric wire and the solder are separated before the leaf spring is separated from the lead frame. It is a figure which shows the state which has attached. (A)-(C) are the perspective views of each structural member of the connector removal | desorption jig | tool of the endoscope which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the endoscope concerning an embodiment of the invention, (A) shows the state where a connector is not separated, and (B) shows the state where a connector is separated. It is a figure which shows the operation state of the connector removal | desorption jig | tool of the endoscope which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) is the state which the connector of the endoscope has isolate | separated, (B) is an endoscope. The connector is connected. It is a figure which shows the modification of the cylindrical member which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, (A) is a perspective view of what used the metal plate as an electrode of a cylindrical member, (B) is the metal It is a perspective view of a board.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1A Endoscope 2 Imaging part 2A Board | substrate 4 Connector 4A, 4A 'Cylindrical member 4B Insertion member 4C Terminal electrode 4D Groove 4E Leaf spring 5A, 5B, 5C Housing | casing 7A, 7B Groove part (recessed part)
8 Jig

Claims (5)

In an endoscope in which an imaging unit for photographing a subject has a connector that can be attached to and detached from other endoscope components,
The connector has a tubular member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the tubular member,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, a groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided,
On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, a leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion member is disposed,
An endoscope characterized in that the insertion of the insertion member and the cylindrical member is realized by the leaf spring-like terminal electrode pressing the groove. A ceramic substrate on which an image sensor for photographing the subject is mounted;
2. The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the terminal electrode formed on the cylindrical member extends from the groove to an end surface of an opening end of the cylindrical member, and is fixed to the substrate. mirror.   2. A concave portion is formed on an outer surface of a casing constituting a part of the imaging unit and / or an outer surface of a casing constituting a part of the other endoscope constituent member. 2. The endoscope according to 2. An imaging unit for photographing a subject has a connector that can be attached to and detached from other endoscope components,
The connector has a tubular member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the tubular member,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, a groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided,
On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, a leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion member is disposed,
The leaf spring-like terminal electrode presses the groove, thereby producing an endoscope that realizes fitting between the insertion member and the cylindrical member,
Either one of the cylindrical member or the insertion member is fixed inside the housing jig,
A method of manufacturing an endoscope, wherein the fitting is realized by moving a holding member that holds either the cylindrical member or the insertion member inside the housing jig. An imaging unit for photographing a subject has a connector that can be attached to and detached from other endoscope components,
The connector has a tubular member and an insertion member that is inserted and fitted inside the tubular member,
On the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, a groove in which a terminal electrode is formed is provided,
On the outer peripheral surface of the insertion member, a leaf spring-like terminal electrode having elasticity in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the insertion member is disposed,
An endoscope connector detachment jig that realizes fitting of the insertion member and the cylindrical member by the leaf spring-like terminal electrode pressing the groove,
A holding jig for holding either the cylindrical member or the insertion member inside; and a holding member for holding the other of the cylindrical member or the insertion member, wherein the holding member is A connector detaching jig for an endoscope, wherein the detaching operation can be performed inside the receiving jig.

Images