JP2013150716A - Power plug fixture for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power plug fixture for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an easily replaceable overheat protection circuit prepared for contact failure of a power cable.SOLUTION: A power plug fixture for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an overheat protection unit for stopping power supply during abnormal overheating; an overheat protection tool 40 in which a power plug 50 is connected; and a connection member holding the power plug 50 and fixed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

  The connection strength of the power cable connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is defined by the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission). Therefore, at present, a cable clamp metal plate for fixing is used to satisfy this regulation, and the power plug provided at the end of the power cable is fixed by tightening the screw. As described above, the power cable of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus needs to be fixed so as not to be loosened or pulled out during movement or use of the apparatus.

However, according to the above method, there is a problem in that the method of stopping the cord varies due to the difference in the installation operator, and the power cable is damaged or the cable connection is loosened. Further, since the cable cord is attached to the lower part of the apparatus, it is difficult for the operator to perform the work, and it may be difficult for an unskilled worker to fix the power plug firmly. Due to poor contact such as loosening, the cable may generate abnormal heat, and if abnormal heat continues, smoke or fire may occur. A built-in overheat protection circuit in the cable provides a countermeasure against abnormal heat generation, but if the circuit breaks down, the cable set must be replaced and the cost increases.

In addition, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is not limited to being used in a hospital, but may be loaded on an examination car and moved. Since the power plug is still attached during the movement, a load is applied to the connection portion.

JP-A-10-326646

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a device that improves the safety of the user against smoke and ignition that may occur due to overheating at the time of poor contact of the power cable. In addition, the present invention provides a power cable fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an overheat protection circuit that can be easily replaced in order to solve variations in fixing strength by an operator in a power cable having the above-described protection function.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus power cable fixture according to an embodiment includes overheat protection means for stopping power supply in the event of abnormal overheating, and the overheat protection means, to which a power plug is connected. An overheat protection jig and a connecting member for holding the power plug are provided.

It is the perspective view and top view which showed the example of the metal plate, overheat protection jig | tool, and power plug in 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic which showed an example of the overheat protection circuit in 1st Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the example which fixes the overheat protection jig | tool which has an overheat protection circuit, and a power plug in 1st Embodiment using a sheet metal. It is the perspective view and top view which showed the example of the sheet metal, the overheat protection jig | tool, and the power plug in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the invention will be described.

(First embodiment)
An outline of the power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view and a plan view showing examples of the sheet metal 10, the sheet metal 20, the overheat protection jig 40, and the power plug 50 in the first embodiment. FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing examples of the sheet metal 10, the sheet metal 20, the overheat protection jig 40, and the power plug 50, and a plan view when they are viewed from the Z-axis direction is shown in FIG. It becomes. As shown in FIG. 1 (c), an overheat protection jig 40 having an overheat protection circuit is detachably provided in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. A power plug 50 is connected to the overheat protection jig 40, and the sheet metal 10 The power plug 50 is held by the sheet metal 20. Further, the screwing portion 11 of the sheet metal 10 is screwed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1. The procedure and method for attaching these to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The sheet metal 10 includes a screwing part 11 for fixing the sheet metal 10 and a female part 12 for connecting to the sheet metal 20 in the vicinity of a power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  The sheet metal 20 includes a male part 21 for attaching to the sheet metal 10 and a slope part 22. The inclined surface portion 22 matches the shape of the power plug 50, and prevents the power plug 50 from pulling out when the power plug 50 is held, thereby maintaining the connection strength of the power plug 50.

The overheat protection jig 40 can be connected to a power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and has a power plug insertion port 45 on a surface different from the surface to be connected. There is an overheat protection circuit inside.

The overheat protection circuit includes a temperature sensing element such as a bimetal and a heating element. The overheat protection circuit is provided inside the overheat protection jig 40 having the power plug insertion port 45 so that it can be connected to the conductor portion of the power plug 50. The overheat protection circuit will be described below with reference to FIG.

2A and 2B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the overheat protection circuit 41 using the temperature sensing block 42 and the heating element 43. FIG.

In the case of normal use, it is used as shown in FIG. 2 (a). In the case of abnormal heat generation, the circuit on the heating element 43 side is closed and the power supply line from the power cable 51 is disconnected. As a result, the system is stopped (FIG. 2B). The abnormal heat generation state refers to a state where the electrical resistance value increases due to cable breakage or loose connection, and Joule heat increases. When this abnormal heat generation state continues, the heat-generating element 43 generates heat, and the temperature-sensitive element 42 maintains the state shown in FIG. In this way, the two electric circuits are switched by the temperature sensing element 42 to play the role of overheat protection.

Here, an example of electric circuit switching using a bimetal as the temperature sensing element 42 will be given. Bimetal is obtained by bonding at least two kinds of metals or alloys having different thermal expansion coefficients into a plate shape. Since the metal or alloy has a different coefficient of thermal expansion depending on the type, the metal or alloy bends toward a material having a smaller coefficient of thermal expansion as the temperature rises. By utilizing a mechanism in which the degree of bending changes along with this temperature change, if an abnormal heat generation state is detected, the heating element 43 side is closed by the bending, and the temperature sensing element 42 side when the normal bending state is small Is a closed circuit.

FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the overheat protection circuit 41 using the thermal fuse 44. A thermal fuse 44 that does not perform switching as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and blows at a certain temperature is used. Although the switching circuit according to FIGS. 2A and 2B is suitable, the usefulness of this embodiment is not impaired even if the thermal fuse 44 is used.

Hereinafter, the flow of attaching the power plug 50 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an example in which an overheat protection jig having an overheat protection circuit and a power plug are fixed using a sheet metal in the present embodiment.

First, the overheat protection jig 40 having the overheat protection circuit 41 is attached to the power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (FIG. 3A).

And the screwing part 11 with which the sheet metal 10 is equipped is screwed in the vicinity of the power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 (FIG. 3B). At this time, the sheet metal 20 is attached to the power plug 50. At this time, the slope 22 is attached so as to match the shape of the power plug 50.

Finally, the power plug 50 is inserted into the power plug insertion port 45 of the overheat protection jig 40 (FIG. 3C). At this time, the male part 21 of the sheet metal 20 is inserted into the female part 12 of the sheet metal 10 to fix the sheet metal 20. Since the screwing portion 11 is screwed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the sheet metal 20 holding the overheat protection jig 40 and the power plug 50 is connected to the sheet metal 10, for example, a force is applied to the power cable 51. Even so, the possibility of poor connection due to loose connection of the power plug 50 is reduced.

Here, when the male part 21 can be contracted inside the U-shaped sheet metal 20, it is suitable for insertion into the female part 12. Although not shown, a mechanism using a spring or the like may be provided.

  Although the example in which the screwing portion 11 of the sheet metal 10 is screwed in advance near the power cable insertion port of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 is shown here, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The power plug is inserted into the sheet metal 10 and the sheet metal 20 in advance, and then the power plug 50 is inserted into the power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, and then the screw of the sheet metal 10 is inserted. The stopper 11 may be screwed.

When replacing the overheat protection circuit 41, the overheat protection jig 40 may be replaced, or only the overheat protection circuit 41 in the overheat protection jig 40 may be replaced.

  Hereinafter, the effect of the power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  According to the present embodiment, the provision of the overheat protection circuit 41 improves the safety by preventing smoke and ignition in the event of abnormal heat generation in an unexpected situation such as loosening or breakage of the power plug 50. .

  Furthermore, by providing the overheat protection jig 40 including the overheat protection circuit 41 outside the power plug 50, when the circuit breaks down, it can be easily replaced with a new overheat protection circuit 41 at a low cost. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace the entire power cable 51, leading to cost reduction.

  Further, by holding the power plug 50 by the sheet metal 10 fixed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the sheet metal 20 connected to the sheet metal 10, the force received from the outside by the power plug 50 can be minimized. it can. Further, by providing the inclined surface portion 22 on the sheet metal 20, it is possible to suppress the force applied in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the power plug 50. That is, even if some unexpected force is applied when moving the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the connection strength between the overheat protection jig 40 and the power plug 50 held by the sheet metal 10 and the sheet metal 20 is maintained.

Further, since the overheat protection jig 40 is not screwed by screwing and fixing the sheet metal 10 to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, the overheat protection jig 40 or the overheat in the overheat protection jig 40. The protection circuit 41 can be easily detached. That is, when replacing the overheat protection circuit 41, the trouble of removing the screw can be saved. Further, since the sheet metal 10 is configured to be screwed in the direction in which the power plug is inserted (Z-axis direction), there is also an advantage that the installation work can be easily performed for the operator.

  In addition to the above, another advantage of providing the overheat protection function outside the power plug is that overheat protection can be performed while using the power cable currently used as it is. In other words, it is easy to manufacture and implement, and by simple means (attaching the overheat protection jig 40 including the overheat protection circuit 41 between the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 and the power plug 50), Smoke can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
The outline of the power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

4A is a perspective view of the sheet metal 30 and the power plug 50, and FIG. 4B shows an example in which the overheat protection jig 40 and the power plug 50 are pressed and fixed by the sheet metal 30. FIG. Is a plan view in the Z-axis direction in FIG.

In the present embodiment, the screw fixing portion 31 of the sheet metal 30 is fixed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 by screwing. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the sheet metal 30 is preferably shaped to support the lower portion of the power plug.

The sheet metal 30 has, for example, a U-shape, and includes a sloped portion 32 that matches the shape of the power plug 50 as in the case of the sheet metal 20 in the first embodiment. The distance between the two opposing planes of the U-shape is slightly narrower than the width of the power plug 50, so that pressure is applied inward when the power plug 50 is sandwiched.

Hereinafter, the flow of implementation will be described.

1. The overheat protection jig 40 is connected to the power plug insertion port (not shown) of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

2. The sheet metal 30 is attached to the power plug 50. At this time, the sheet metal 30 is attached while widening the two opposing U-planes. In addition, 1. And 2. Is out of order.

3. 1. For the overheat protection jig 40 connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1, The power plug 50 to which the sheet metal 30 obtained in step 1 is attached is connected.

4). The sheet metal 3 is screwed to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1.

  Since only one sheet metal is used in the present embodiment, it can be easily implemented at low cost.

Although several embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, 20, 30 Sheet metal 11, 31 Screwing part 12 Female part 20 Sheet metal 21 Male part 22, 32 Slope part 40 Overheating protection jig 41 Overheating protection circuit 42 Temperature sensing element 43 Heating element 44 Temperature Fuse 45 Power plug socket 50 Power plug 51 Power cable

Claims (6)

An overheat protection means for stopping the power supply to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus when abnormal heat is generated;
An overheat protection jig including the overheat protection means, connected to the power plug insertion port of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and connected to a power plug on a surface different from the surface to which the power plug is connected,
A connecting member that is attached to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and that holds the power plug and the overheat protection jig,
A power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The overheat protection means is an overheat protection circuit having a temperature fuse that cuts off the current by fusing at the time of abnormal overheating, or when the temperature sensing element and the temperature sensing element sense an overheat state, The power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, which is an overheat protection circuit having a heat generating element that generates heat to continue the power supply stop. The connection member has a surface that is provided on a side opposite to an insertion portion of the power plug and intersects the insertion direction when the connection member holds the power plug and the overheat protection jig. The power cable fixing tool for ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses according to 1 or 2. The power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein there are at least two types of connection members, and the connection members are connected to hold the power plug. 5. The power plug fixing tool for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection member has two types, one having a male part for connecting to another connection member and one having a female part connected to the male part. . A main body that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by a probe and generates an ultrasonic image from the received signal;
Overheat protection means for stopping power supply to the main body when abnormal heat is generated;
An overheat protection jig including the overheat protection means, connected to the power plug insertion port of the main body, and connected to a power plug on a surface different from the surface to which the power plug is connected,
A connecting member that is attached to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and that holds the power plug and the overheat protection jig,
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.

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