JP2012075468A - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light source device for an endoscope, which is suitable for suppressing the deterioration of air circulation accompanying the increase of the number of fins.SOLUTION: The light source device for an endoscope includes: a light source unit having a light source lamp with heat sinks attached thereto; a case body for storing the light source unit; a first cooling fan arranged inside the case body; and exhaust ports for exhausting the air, which is made to flow by the first cooling fan, to the external part of the case body. Each heat sink includes: an annular part tightly fixed to the light source lamp; multiple fins which are arranged at prescribed pitch angle on the outer peripheral surface of the annular part and radially extended; main holes axially penetrating the annular part; and sub-holes having openings on the outer peripheral surface between the respective adjacent fins, while being connected to the main holes.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope light source device that supplies illumination light to an endoscope.

  As a system for diagnosing the inside of a body cavity of a patient, an endoscope system is generally known and is put into practical use. This type of endoscope system includes a light source device that illuminates a body cavity through which natural light does not reach through a light guide such as an electronic scope or a fiberscope. A specific configuration example of the endoscope light source device is described in Patent Document 1.

  In the endoscope light source device described in Patent Document 1, a light source lamp is fixed to a heat sink. The heat sink described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a large number of fins in a radial pattern in order to efficiently dissipate the heat of the light source lamp by increasing the surface area.

JP 2004-254760 A

  However, since the endoscope light source device described in Patent Document 1 has a large number of fins arranged at high density, the interval between the fins is narrow. The endoscope light source device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that air cannot be easily circulated because the fins cannot be sufficiently separated from each other, and heat dissipation efficiency is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an endoscopic light source device suitable for suppressing a decrease in air circulation accompanying an increase in the number of fins. .

  An endoscope light source device according to an embodiment of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a light source unit having a light source lamp to which a heat sink is attached, a housing that houses the light source unit, and a first light source unit that is installed in the housing. One cooling fan and an exhaust port that exhausts the air flowing by the first cooling fan to the outside of the housing. The heat sink includes an annular part that is closely fixed to the light source lamp, a plurality of radially extending fins arranged at a predetermined pitch angle on the outer peripheral surface of the annular part, and a main hole that penetrates the annular part in the axial direction. And a sub-hole having an opening on the outer peripheral surface between adjacent fins while being connected to the main hole.

  According to the endoscope light source device of the present invention, the air between adjacent fins is forcibly convected through the main hole and the sub hole by the first cooling fan, so that the reduction in air circulation accompanying the increase in the number of fins is effective. Can be avoided.

  The endoscope light source device according to the present invention may have a configuration in which a wind tunnel that houses a light source unit is disposed inside a casing. In this case, the first cooling fan exhausts the air inside the wind tunnel to the outside of the casing through the exhaust port. Due to the rectifying action by the wind tunnel, the heat dissipation efficiency increases.

  The endoscope light source device according to the present invention includes a second cooling fan between the heat sink and the first cooling fan immediately after the heat sink in order to further improve the heat radiation efficiency. It is good.

  In order to further improve the heat radiation efficiency, a plurality of sub holes may be formed at a predetermined pitch in the axial direction with respect to each main hole.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the light source device for endoscopes suitable for suppressing the fall of the air circulation accompanying the increase in the number of fins is provided.

1 is an external view of an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an internal structure figure which shows roughly the installation position of the light source device in the housing | casing of the processor of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the light source device of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the various components accommodated in the wind tunnel of embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance front view of the heat sink of the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the air in the wind tunnel in embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an electronic endoscope system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external view of an electronic endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system 1 includes an electronic scope 100 for photographing a subject. The electronic scope 100 includes a flexible tube 11 covered with a flexible sheath (outer skin) 11a. Connected to the distal end of the flexible tube 11 is a distal end portion 12 that is sheathed by a rigid resin casing. The bending portion 14 at the connecting portion between the flexible tube 11 and the distal end portion 12 is remotely operated from the hand operating portion 13 connected to the proximal end of the flexible tube 11 (specifically, the rotation of the bending operation knob 13a). The operation is flexible. This bending mechanism is a well-known mechanism incorporated in a general electronic scope, and is configured to bend the bending portion 14 by pulling the operation wire in conjunction with the rotation operation of the bending operation knob 13a. When the direction of the distal end portion 12 changes according to the bending operation by the above operation, the imaging region by the electronic scope 100 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system 1 has a processor 200. The processor 200 is an apparatus that integrally includes a signal processing device that processes a signal from the electronic scope 100 and a light source device that illuminates a body cavity that does not reach natural light via the electronic scope 100. In another embodiment, the signal processing device and the light source device may be configured separately.

  The processor 200 is provided with a connector portion 20 corresponding to the connector portion 10 provided at the proximal end of the electronic scope 100. The connector unit 20 has a connection structure corresponding to the connector unit 10, and electrically and optically connects the electronic scope 100 and the processor 200.

  FIG. 2 is an internal structure diagram schematically showing the configuration of the light source device 30 installed in the housing 22 of the processor 200. 3A, 3 </ b> B, and 3 </ b> C are an external perspective view, an exploded perspective view, and an internal structure side view of the light source device 30 in order. As shown in FIG. 2 or 3, the light source device 30 has a wind tunnel 32. 4A and 4B are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of various components housed in the wind tunnel 32, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the wind tunnel 32 has a cylindrical hollow portion 32a penetrating in the direction of the optical axis AX. In the hollow portion 32a, a cathode-side heat sink 34, a light source lamp 36, an anode-side heat sink 38, and a small-diameter fan 40 are accommodated in order from the front side of the processor 200.

  A large-diameter fan 42 larger than the small-diameter fan 40 is installed on the back surface of the wind tunnel 32. The large-diameter fan 42 forcibly convects the air inside the wind tunnel 32 and exhausts the air outside the housing 22 through the exhaust port 24 formed on the back surface of the housing 22. The large-diameter fan 42 has substantially the same height and width as the wind tunnel 32 (outer dimensions in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis AX direction and perpendicular to each other). More specifically, the small diameter fan 40 and the large diameter fan 42 have a square diameter of 60 mm and 120 mm, respectively.

  The cathode-side heat sink 34 and the anode-side heat sink 38 are formed of a material having good thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The cathode-side heat sink 34 and the anode-side heat sink 38 are made to share parts in order to reduce manufacturing costs. Specifically, the cathode-side heat sink 34 is composed of one heat sink module. The anode heat sink 38 includes two heat sink modules. Two heat sink modules constituting the anode heat sink 38 are arranged in series in the optical axis AX direction.

  FIG. 5 is an external front view of the heat sink module HS constituting the cathode side heat sink 34 or the anode side heat sink 38. As shown in FIG. 5, the heat sink module HS has an annular base portion B. On the outer peripheral surface of the base part B, a plurality of radiating fins F extending radially are provided at a predetermined pitch angle. The base portion B is formed with a plurality of main holes mh penetrating the base portion B in the optical axis AX direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 5). Each main hole mh is connected with the subhole sh which penetrated the base part B to radial direction. Each sub-hole sh has an opening on the outer peripheral surface of the base portion B between the adjacent radiating fins F. A plurality of sub-holes sh are formed at a predetermined pitch in the optical axis AX direction with respect to each main hole mh.

  A cathode side cylindrical portion 36a of a light source lamp 36 is fixed to the base portion B of the cathode side heat sink 34 by press fitting or the like. The anode side cylindrical portion 36c of the light source lamp 36 is fixed to the base portion B of the anode side heat sink 38 by press fitting or the like. The anode side cylindrical portion 36c is located on the opposite side of the cathode side cylindrical portion 36a with the insulating flange portion 36b interposed therebetween.

  The outer peripheral surfaces of the cathode side cylindrical portion 36a and the anode side cylindrical portion 36c are in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the base portion B. Therefore, the heat of the cathode side cylindrical portion 36a and the anode side cylindrical portion 36c when the lamp is lit is efficiently transmitted from the cathode side cylindrical portion 36a and the anode side cylindrical portion 36c to the base portion B. The heat of the base part B is conducted to each radiation fin F and diffused in the air.

  Through holes (not shown) are formed in some of the heat radiation fins F of the cathode side heat sink 34 and the anode side heat sink 38. A metal fixing screw (not shown) is passed through the through hole of each heat sink. The fixing screw is fixed to the wind tunnel 32 by screwing the tip into a screw hole formed on the inner wall surface of the wind tunnel 32 in a state of being passed through the through hole, and the cathode side heat sink 34 and the anode side heat sink 38 are connected to the wind tunnel. The light source lamp 36 is indirectly suspended through the cathode side heat sink 34 and the anode side heat sink 38.

  A cathode-side power supply line connected to a lamp power igniter (not shown) is connected to the base end of the fixing screw that holds the cathode-side heat sink 34. The cathode of the light source lamp 36 is exposed on the surface of the cathode side cylindrical portion 36 a and is in contact with the base portion B of the cathode side heat sink 34. The cathode of the light source lamp 36 is connected to a lamp power igniter via a cathode-side heat sink 34, a fixing screw, and a cathode-side power supply line.

  An anode-side power supply line connected to a lamp power source igniter is connected to the base end of the fixing screw that holds the anode-side heat sink 38. The anode of the light source lamp 36 is exposed on the surface of the anode side cylindrical portion 36 c and is in contact with the base portion B of the anode side heat sink 38. The anode of the light source lamp 36 is connected to a lamp power igniter via an anode heat sink 38, a fixing screw, and an anode power supply line.

  The light source lamp 36 is activated by a lamp power igniter to emit white light. As the light source lamp 36, a high-intensity lamp such as a xenon lamp, a halogen lamp, or a metal halide lamp is assumed. This type of lamp has high brightness, but is accompanied by a large amount of heat generation due to electrical loss during lighting. Therefore, as will be described below, the light source device 30 of the present embodiment efficiently cools the inside of the housing 22 that rises due to heat generated by the lamp lighting.

  In order to efficiently cool the inside of the housing 22, it is desirable to improve the cooling capacity of the heat sink. As a method for improving the cooling capacity of the heat sink, it is conceivable to increase the surface area of the heat dissipating fins. Therefore, the heat sink module HS is provided with a large number of heat radiation fins F. However, as a compensation for increasing the number of the radiating fins F, the interval between the radiating fins F is narrowed. As a result, it becomes difficult for the air to circulate, and the heat dissipation efficiency decreases. In the present embodiment, in order to solve this problem, the main hole mh and the sub hole sh are formed in the heat sink module HS.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the flow of air in the wind tunnel 32. The small-diameter fan 40 sucks forward air when the blade is rotated in the forward direction, and sends air forward when the blade is rotated in the reverse direction. FIGS. 6A and 6B show the flow of air when the blade is rotated in the forward direction and the reverse direction, respectively. 6A and 6B, the convection in the cathode-side heat sink 34 is the same as the convection in the anode-side heat sink 38, and is not shown.

  When the blade of the small-diameter fan 40 is rotated in the forward direction, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the air between the radiation fins F that has risen due to the heat generated by the lamp lighting is sucked into the sub-hole sh and enters the main hole mh. Is forcibly convected and sent out behind the small-diameter fan 40. The air sent rearward is forcedly convected by the large-diameter fan 42 and exhausted to the outside of the housing 22 through the exhaust port 24. Since the air between the radiating fins F is sucked into the sub-hole sh and efficiently convects, a decrease in air circulation accompanying an increase in the number of radiating fins is effectively avoided.

  When the blade of the small-diameter fan 40 is rotated in the reverse direction, as shown in FIG. 6B, the air sent to the front of the small-diameter fan 40 is blown between the radiating fins F through the main hole mh and the sub hole sh. . As a result, the air between the radiation fins F that has risen due to the heat generated by the lamp lighting diffuses away from the optical axis AX, and the inside of the wind tunnel 32 is forcibly convected rearward by the large-diameter fan 42. Exhausted outside the body 22. Since air between the radiating fins F is efficiently convected by blowing from the sub-hole sh, a reduction in air circulation accompanying an increase in the number of radiating fins is effectively avoided.

  By arranging the small-diameter fan 40 immediately after the anode-side heat sink 38, forced convection is efficiently generated in the main hole mh and the sub-hole sh, and the heat dissipation efficiency is increased. Further, by restricting the convection direction by enclosing the light source lamp 36 and the heat sink with the wind tunnel 32, the forced convection is efficiently generated and the heat radiation efficiency is increased.

  The above is the description of the embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electronic endoscope system 22 Case 30 Light source device 32 Wind tunnel 34 Cathode side heat sink 36 Light source lamp 38 Anode side heat sink 40 Small diameter fan 42 Large diameter fan 100 Electronic scope 200 Processor

Claims (4)

A light source unit having a light source lamp to which a heat sink is attached;
A housing for housing the light source unit;
A first cooling fan installed in the housing;
An exhaust port for exhausting the air flowing by the first cooling fan to the outside of the housing;
Have
The heat sink is
An annular portion that is closely fixed to the light source lamp;
A plurality of radially extending fins arranged at a predetermined pitch angle on the outer peripheral surface of the annular portion;
A main hole penetrating the annular portion in the axial direction;
A sub-hole having an opening on the outer peripheral surface between the adjacent fins while being connected to the main hole;
An endoscope light source device characterized by comprising: A wind tunnel that houses the light source unit is disposed inside the housing,
2. The endoscope light source device according to claim 1, wherein the first cooling fan exhausts air inside the wind tunnel to the outside of the casing through the exhaust port. 3.   The endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a second cooling fan between the heat sink and the first cooling fan immediately after the heat sink. Light source device.   4. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the sub-holes are formed at a predetermined pitch in the axial direction with respect to each of the main holes. 5. Light source device.

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