JP2013230296A - Fixing structure of endoscope component - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fixing structure of endoscope components, having a configuration to prevent damage of fixing object members by attachment/detachment of a fixing member, suppressing a useless replacement of the fixing object members fixed to each other by the fixing member, and reducing costs for repair and maintenance.SOLUTION: A fixing structure of an endoscope 2 includes: a first fixing object member 21 formed with a recess 22; a second fixing object member 30 that covers the first fixing object member 21 and is formed with a hole part 31b facingly superposed on an outward side of the recess 22; and a fixing member 50 having a projection 53 to be inserted into the recess 22 and a pressing part 51 to be engaged with the hole part 51b. When the fixing member 50 is rotated by a prescribed angle θ, the pressing part 51 presses, by its contact with an edge part 31c forming the hole part 31b, the edge part 31c and the recess 22 to fix the first fixing object member 21 to the second fixing object member 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope component fixing structure at a distal end portion of an insertion portion.

  As is well known, endoscopes are widely used for observation and treatment of living bodies (inside body cavities), inspections and repairs in industrial plant facilities, and the like. Such an endoscope has an imaging unit provided with an objective optical system, an illumination unit provided with an illumination optical system, a channel unit for a treatment instrument channel, a nozzle unit for air supply / water supply, etc. at the tip. It is fixed to the part by a screw member. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, such various units are fixed by contacting a screw member screwed into a screw hole of a distal end hard portion provided at the distal end portion.

JP 2006-130002 A

  However, in the conventional endoscope, when the various units are repaired or maintained, the metal distal end hard portion of the fixed member is fixed by screwing the screw member of the fixing member that fixes the various units as the fixed member. Screw holes may be cut and damaged. If the screw hole of the member to be fixed is damaged in this way, it is necessary to replace the hard tip portion.

  In particular, in an endoscope having a bending portion, along with the bending operation of the bending portion, a stress is generated in the connecting portion that connects the distal end hard portion and the bending tube in the axial direction of the insertion portion, causing a load on the connecting portion. In addition, not only the fixing member that fixes the distal end hard portion and the connecting portion is detached or loosened, but also the bending tube of the connecting portion may be deformed by the loosening of the fixing member. In this manner, when the fixing member is pulled out or loosened, and not only the fixing member of the connecting portion is replaced, but also the bending portion is deformed, the entire bending tube may have to be replaced. As a result, the conventional endoscope has a problem that costs for repair and maintenance are high.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and as a configuration for preventing the fixed member from being damaged by the attachment and detachment of the fixing member, useless replacement of the fixed members fixed to each other by the fixing member An object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope component fixing structure that can reduce the cost of repair and maintenance.

  An endoscope component fixing structure according to an aspect of the present invention is an endoscope component fixing structure including an insertion portion provided with a bending portion, and is disposed in the insertion portion and has a recess. A first fixed member, a second fixed member that is fitted so as to cover the first fixed member, and is formed with a hole that overlaps and faces the outer side of the recess, And a fixing member having a pressing part that engages with the hole, and the pressing part forms the hole when the fixing member is rotated at a predetermined angle. The first fixed member and the second fixed member are fixed by pressing the peripheral portion and the concave portion by contact with the peripheral portion.

  According to the present invention, as a configuration for preventing the fixed member from being damaged by the attachment and detachment of the fixing member, useless replacement of the fixed members fixed to each other by the fixing member is suppressed, and the cost for repair, maintenance, and the like is reduced. It is possible to provide an endoscope component fixing structure that can be reduced.

The perspective view which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention and shows the whole structure of an endoscope apparatus. The exploded perspective view showing the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion, The exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the step part hole of a rivet, a front-end | tip hard part, and the hole part of the connection pipe | tube of a bending unit. The perspective view which shows the state by which the rivet was mounted | worn with the step hole of the front-end | tip hard part, and the hole of the connection pipe | tube of a bending unit. The perspective view which shows the state with which the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were assembled | attached same as the above The top view which shows the state with which the tip hard part and the bending unit were assembled | attached same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the state in which the tip hard part and the bending unit were assembled | attached The perspective view which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed similarly The top view which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed similarly Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated similarly and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed The perspective view which expanded and showed the state by which the rivet with which the step hole and the hole of the connecting pipe were mounted | worn was rotated, and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were being fixed. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the rivet which the front-end | tip hard part and curved unit of a modified example fix The perspective view which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention and shows the structure of the rivet which is a fixing member. The top view which shows the state by which the tip hard part and the bending unit were assembled | attached, and the rivet was mounted | mounted. The top view which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed similarly Sectional view showing the rivet rotation process Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated similarly and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed Sectional drawing which shows the state which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the tip hard part and the bending unit were assembled | attached, and the rivet was mounted | worn. Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the convex part of the rivet was inserted in the hole part of the stepped hole of a front-end | tip hard part similarly Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated similarly and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated and the convex part was mounted in the hole part of the stepped hole The top view which shows the rivet in the state which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed. The top view which shows the rivet in the state to which the front-end | tip hard part and curved unit of the modification were fixed similarly The perspective view which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention and shows the structure of the rivet which is a fixing member. Sectional drawing which shows the state with which the rivet was mounted | worn with the step hole of the front-end | tip hard part, and the hole of the connecting pipe of a bending unit similarly Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated similarly and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed The perspective view which shows the structure of the rivet which is a fixing member of a modification same as the above Sectional drawing which shows the state with which the rivet of the modified example was mounted | worn with the step hole of the front-end | tip hard part, and the hole of the connection pipe of a bending unit Sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet of the modification was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed similarly

  Hereinafter, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, the drawings based on each embodiment are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and width of each part, the thickness ratio of each part, and the like are different from the actual ones. It should be noted that the drawings may include portions having different dimensional relationships and ratios between the drawings.

  Note that the endoscope in the following description of the configuration will be described by taking a so-called flexible endoscope having an insertion portion flexible for insertion into the digestive organs of the upper or lower part of the living body, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the technique can be applied to a so-called rigid endoscope having a hard insertion portion used for surgery.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing an internal configuration of a distal end portion of an insertion portion, and FIG. 3 is a rivet FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the stepped hole of the distal end hard portion and the hole of the connecting pipe of the bending unit, and FIG. 4 shows that the rivet is mounted in the stepped hole of the distal end hard portion and the hole of the connecting tube of the bending unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the distal end hard portion and the bending unit are assembled, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which the distal end hard portion and the bending unit are assembled, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the hard portion and the bending unit are assembled, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the rivet is rotated and the distal end hard portion and the bending unit are fixed, and FIG. Fixed part and bending unit FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the rivet is rotated and the distal end rigid portion and the bending unit are fixed, and FIG. 11 is a step in which the rivet mounted in the stepped hole and the hole portion of the connecting pipe is rotated and the tip is rotated. The perspective view which expanded and showed the state where the hard part and the bending unit were fixed, and FIG. 12 is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the rivet which the front-end | tip hard part and bending unit of a modification fix.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic endoscope system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes an endoscope 2, a light source device 3, a video processor 4, and a monitor 5. The endoscope 2 has a long and narrow insertion portion 9, an operation portion 10, and a universal cable 19 that is an electric cable. The insertion portion 9 of the endoscope 2 includes a distal end portion 6, a bending portion 7, and a flexible tube portion 8 in order from the distal end.

  The operation section 10 is provided with a bending operation knob 14 for bending the bending section 7 of the insertion section 9 and is provided with switches for various endoscope functions. In the bending operation knob 14, a UD bending operation knob 12 for bending the bending portion 7 in the vertical direction and an RL bending operation knob 13 for bending the bending portion 7 in the left-right direction are superimposed. It is arranged.

  The connecting portion between the insertion portion 9 and the operation portion 10 includes a gripping portion 11 that also serves as a gripping portion by the user, and a bend preventing portion provided between the gripping portion 11 and one end of the flexible tube portion 8 of the insertion portion 9. And a treatment instrument channel insertion portion 18 serving as an opening of a treatment instrument channel through which various treatment instruments arranged in the insertion portion 9 are inserted.

  The universal cable 19 extending from the operation unit 10 has an endoscope connector 19a that is detachable from the light source device 3 at the extended end. The endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment illuminates from the light source device 3 to the distal end portion 6 by a light guide bundle (not shown) of illumination means disposed in the universal cable 19, the operation unit 10, and the insertion unit 9. It transmits light. Further, the endoscope connector 19a is provided with a coiled coil cable 20 extending, and an electric connector detachably attached to the video processor 4 is provided at an extended end of the coil cable 20.

  The video processor 4 is electrically connected to a monitor 5 that displays an endoscopic image, and receives an imaging signal photoelectrically converted by an endoscope imaging unit (not shown) that is an imaging unit to be described later of the endoscope 2. It is processed and output to the monitor 5 as an image signal. In the electronic endoscope system 1, although not shown, the light source device 3 is provided with an air / water supply function for ejecting air and water from the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 9 of the endoscope 2. In addition, an imaging unit having an imaging optical system, an illumination optical system, and the like (not shown) are disposed at the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 9, and a light guide bundle, an air / water supply channel, a front water supply channel, and the like are connected thereto. Yes. An electric cable (not shown) is extended from the imaging unit.

Here, the internal configuration of the distal end portion of the insertion portion 9 of the endoscope 2 will be described below based on FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the distal end portion 6 of the insertion portion 9 is provided with a distal end hard portion 21 which is a hard substantially cylindrical metal block such as stainless steel here. The distal end hard portion 21 is connected so as to cover the bending unit 30 disposed in the bending portion 7. The distal end rigid portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are fixed to each other by a rivet 50 of a fixing member in a component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 to be described later.

  In the bending unit 30, a connecting tube 31 as a connecting portion into which the distal end hard portion 21 is inserted is disposed at the tip, and a plurality of bending pieces 32 that are rotatably connected to the rear of the connecting tube 31 are provided continuously. Has been. The connecting pipe 31 has a rectangular shape for fixing the inserted hard end portion 21 by a rivet 50 to be described later, and a hole portion 31b having a substantially square surface here. It is formed on the outer periphery on the tip side.

  Further, the hard tip portion 21 has a stepped hole 22 formed in the side periphery. The stepped hole 22 has a surface circular opening recess 22a as a large-diameter hole formed on the outer peripheral portion side of the distal end hard portion 21, and a cylindrical hole as a smaller-diameter hole than the opening recess 22a. 22b is a hole formed in the center toward the center (deep part) on the inner side of the distal end hard part 21.

  The plurality of bending pieces 32 are connected to the bending operation knob 14 and are rotated by pulling and loosening the four bending operation wires 33 here. Since the configuration of the bending portion 7 in which the plurality of bending pieces 32 are bent by the pulling / relaxation of the plurality of bending operation wires 33 is well known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The rivet 50 as a fixing member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is made of a softer (lower hardness) metal than a hard metal such as resin or stainless steel such as aluminum. The rivet 50 has a substantially rectangular shape as a pressing portion in the present embodiment, here a head portion 51 having a substantially square surface, and a columnar protrusion protruding from the back surface (the lower surface of the paper surface) of the head portion 51. Part 53.

  The head 51 of the rivet 50 is formed in a substantially square surface having substantially the same shape as the hole 31 b of the connecting pipe 31. Further, the convex portion 53 of the rivet 50 has substantially the same shape as the cylindrical hole portion 22 b in the stepped hole 22. By the way, the rivet 50 here is an exchange member (disposable) each time it is used. Further, a slit 52 is formed on a surface portion that is an upper surface of the head 51.

  Here, regarding the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the distal end hard portion 21 provided at the distal end portion 6 and the bending unit 30 are assembled and fixed by the rivet 50 which is a fixing member. The component fixing structure to be performed will be described in detail below based on the assembly procedure. The distal end rigid portion 21 and the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 constitute a member to be fixed that is fixed to each other by a rivet 50 as a fixing member.

  When the distal end hard portion 21 serving as the first fixed member here is inserted from the distal end opening 31a of the connecting tube 31 of the bending unit 30 serving as the second fixed member here, the distal end hard portion The distal end hard portion 21 is attached to the bending unit 30 so that the stepped hole 22 of the 21 and the hole portion 31b of the connecting pipe 31 overlap each other. At this time, when the distal end hard portion 21 is assembled and fixed to the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30, the distal end hard portion 21 faces the stepped hole 22 with the hole 31 b of the connecting tube 31 of the bending unit 30 superimposed. Rotation adjusted to position.

  Note that the diameter of the surface circular opening concave portion 22a formed in the distal end hard portion 21 is the diagonal line of the substantially square hole portion 31b formed in the connecting pipe 31 (two adjacent corners that are not adjacent to each other are connected). Line)) or longer.

  The above-described rivet 50, which is a fixing member, is inserted into the hole portion 31b of the connecting pipe 31 and the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 that are arranged in an overlapping manner. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the rivet 50 is inserted from the convex portion 53 side into the hole portion 31 b of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 where the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 overlaps. Is done. At this time, the convex portion 53 of the rivet 50 is engaged with the hole portion 22b of the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 (see FIGS. 4 and 7).

  As described above, the head 51 of the rivet 50 has substantially the same surface cross-sectional shape as the hole 31 b of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30, and the convex portion 53 of the rivet 50 is stepped on the distal end hard portion 21. Since it has substantially the same shape as the hole 22b of the hole 22, the head 51 engages with the hole 31b when the rivet 50 is engaged with and fitted into the hole 31b and the stepped hole 22. The rotational position is adjusted so that the four corners of each of the four corners coincide with each other, and the convex portion 53 is engaged with and fitted into the hole portion 22b.

  As described above, in the state where the rivet 50 is engaged with the hole 31b and the stepped hole 22, the head 51 has a curved portion in the outer diameter direction of the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 (upper portion in the drawing). Engage with the hole 31b by the thickness of the connecting tube 31 of the unit 30, and the distal end hard portion 21 and the inner diameter direction portion (the lower portion in the drawing) of the bending unit 30 enter the opening recess 22a of the distal end hard portion 21. . In this state, the height (thickness) of the head 51 with respect to the thickness dimension of the connecting pipe 31 so that the surface of the rivet 50 and the surface of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 are located in the same plane. The dimensions and the depth dimension of the opening recess 22a of the stepped hole 22 may be set.

  Next, in the rivet 50, a minus driver or the like is used for the slot 52 from the state shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, and as shown in FIGS. Rotated 45 °. At this time, the rivet 50 is pivotally supported by the hole 22 b into which the convex portion 53 is engaged, and is rotated around the central axis of the convex portion 53. In addition, you may provide index parts, such as a mark which prescribes | regulates the rotation amount (here rotation of 45 degrees) of the rivet 50 in the outer peripheral part of the connection pipe 31 near the hole 31b.

  The rotated rivet 50 is in contact with each of four sides (including the edge) 31c of the hole 31b of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 with which the four corners 51a of the head 51 are engaged. It is deformed or cut by the thickness of the connecting pipe 31 in contact with the one side 31c. That is, since the rivet 50 is formed of a metal having a lower hardness than a hard metal such as resin or stainless steel, only the surface side (upper side in the drawing) of the four corners 51a of the head 51 is a hard metal. It is easily deformed or scraped by the wall portion of each side 31c forming the hole 31b and is in contact with the wall portion of each side 31c and the inner surface of the connecting pipe 31 (see FIGS. 10 and 11). At this time, the back surface side (lower side in the drawing) of the deformed or shaved corner portion 51a is left in the opening concave portion 22a of the stepped hole 22, and the head portion 51 as the pressing portion is fixed to the first fixed portion. It enters between the distal end hard portion 21 as the member and the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 as the second fixed member, and stress is applied in a direction in which the distal end hard portion 21 and the connecting tube 31 are separated.

  As a result, the rivet 50 is prevented from falling out (dropping out) from the hole 31 b of the connecting pipe 31 and the stepped hole 22 of the hard tip 21. When the rivet 50 is rotated, the back surface side (lower side in the drawing) of the four corners 51a of the head 51 is the opening recess 22a of the stepped hole 22 of the hard tip portion 21. Has a length equal to or longer than the diagonal line of the hole 51b, and therefore rotates in the opening recess 22a without being deformed or scraped.

  Thus, in the rivet 50, the convex portion 53 is engaged with the hole portion 22b of the stepped hole 22, and only the surface side of each corner portion 51a of the head portion 51 is deformed or scraped, so that the head portion 51 is removed. The distal end hard portion 21 and the connecting tube 31 of the bending unit 30 are fixed in a state where they contact and come into contact with the edge portions of the four sides 31 c forming the hole 31 b of the connecting tube 31. In this manner, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 press the portion where the head 51 as the pressing portion engages with the inner surface of the connecting pipe 31 and the stepped hole 22 by the rotation mounting of the rivet 50. The assembled state is fixed without rattling.

  For example, a resin tip cover (not shown) is fixed to the front end portion of the front end hard portion 21. Further, the bending unit 30 is covered with a curved rubber (not shown) as an outer skin including the connecting pipe 31 so as to cover the rivet 50, and the tip end portion of the curved rubber is fixed by pincushion bonding or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the surface of the head 51 of the rivet 50 may be a curved surface, and the apex of the curved surface may slightly protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the connecting pipe 31. With such a configuration, the curved rubber is less likely to be caught on the rivet 50 and can be easily coated on the curved unit 30, and the surface of the connecting tube 31 can be recessed to prevent the cleaning and disinfection from deteriorating. . Furthermore, if the rivet 50 is formed of resin, the tip portion 6 can be reduced in weight compared to metal.

  In the above description, the fixing structure for fixing the distal end rigid portion 21 and the bending unit 30 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an imaging unit and an illumination optical system in which an imaging optical system and an imaging device are arranged are provided. The same component fixing structure can also be applied when fixing the arranged illumination unit, the channel unit for the treatment instrument channel, or the nozzle unit for air supply / water supply to the distal end hard portion 21.

  As described above, in the component fixing structure of the distal end rigid portion 21 and the bending unit 30 in the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment, the rivet 50 is rotated 45 ° around the central axis here, and the head 51 Only the surface side of each corner 51a is deformed or scraped by the thickness of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30, so that the head 51 hits the edge of the connecting pipe 31 around the hole 31b (four sides 31c). The distal end hard portion 21 is fixed so as not to come out of the bending unit 30 with the convex portion 53 engaged with the hole portion 22b of the stepped hole 22 in contact with and in contact with each other.

  Thereby, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are firmly fixed to each other without any backlash. In addition, since the convex part 53 of the rivet 50 is engaged with the hole part 22b from the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction (attachment direction) to the bending unit 30 of the front-end | tip hard part 21, the convex part 53 is the hole part 22b. As a result, the fixing of the distal end hard portion 21 to the bending unit 30 in the mounting direction becomes strong.

  As described above, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are configured so that the communication cables, light guides, and various channels of the various units provided in the distal end hard portion 21 move along with the bending operation of the bending portion 7. Even if a load is generated due to stress in the axial direction, the rivet 50 does not rattle and the mutual fixation is strong, so that these connecting portions are not easily deformed.

  From the above, the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is a wasteful use of the fixed members that are fixed to each other by the fixing member as a configuration that prevents the fixed members from being damaged by the attachment and detachment of the fixing member. Replacement is suppressed, and the cost for repair and maintenance can be reduced.

  Further, the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 forms an incomplete screw portion because the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 of the fixed member and the rivet 50 that is the fixing member are not configured to be screw-fixed. There is no need, and since the dimension in the depth direction for engaging the rivet 50, that is, the length is shorter than that of the screw fixing structure, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 can be downsized in the radial direction. There is an advantage that the diameter of the tip portion 6 can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. This embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIGS. 13 to 17 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the structure of a rivet as a fixing member, and FIG. 14 is a view in which a hard tip portion and a bending unit are assembled. FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a state where the rivet is rotated and the distal end rigid portion and the bending unit are fixed, FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing the rivet rotating process, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which the rivet was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed.

  Here, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the reverse rotation of the rivet 50 is prevented from the rotation fixing position (predetermined angle θ, here also 45 °) of the rivet 50 that fixes the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30. An example of the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 provided with means will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the rivet 50 here has a guide surface 54 formed on the head 51 as a pressing portion from the surface to one side surface, and a corner 51 c on which the guide surface 54 is formed. And a recessed locking portion 55 formed. The locking portion 55 is formed at the position of the corner portion 51 c corresponding to the rotation direction of the rivet 50. Here, since the rivet 50 is rotated clockwise (clockwise), the rivet 50 is formed at the right corner 51 c toward the guide surface 54.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 here is provided on one side 31 c forming the hole portion 31 b, and an elastic claw 34 that engages with the engaging portion 55 of the rivet 50. Is formed. The elastic claw 34 is formed so as to be elastically deformable in the outer and inner directions of the connecting pipe 31 by providing two slits parallel to one side 31c forming the hole 31b in a part of the connecting pipe 31. Has been. Other configurations of the endoscope 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  In the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the steps of the hole portion 31b and the distal end hard portion 21 of the connecting pipe 31 that are arranged in an overlapping manner, as in the first embodiment. The aforementioned rivet 50 as a fixing member is inserted into the hole 22 (see FIG. 14).

  Next, the rivet 50 is rotated from the state shown in FIG. 14 by a predetermined angle θ, here 45 °, around the central axis until a state shown in FIG. The Also in this process, the rivet 50 is brought into contact with the one side 31c forming the hole 31b with which the four corners 51a of the head 51 come into contact with each other, and the thickness of the connecting pipe 31 is reached. Only deformed or shaved.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the elastic claw 34 rides on the guide surface 54 of the rivet 50, and is elastically deformed outward (upward in the drawing) of the connecting pipe 31. Then, in a state where the rivet 50 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ (45 °), the elastic claw 34 is fitted into the engaging portion 55 of the rivet 50 and returns to the original state as shown in FIG. In this state, the elastic claw 34 abuts against the wall surface of the locking portion 55 of the rivet 50 and restricts the reverse rotation of the rivet 50, here, the counterclockwise rotation.

  As described above, in the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the function and effect of the first embodiment, the elastic claw 34 fitted into the locking portion 55 of the rivet 50 The reverse rotation of the rivet 50 is prevented, and the state where the fitting between the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 is fixed by the rivet 50 is maintained, and loosening of the fixing by the rivet 50 can be prevented.

  In addition, although it was set as the structure which provided the one elastic nail | claw 34 which fits in the latching | locking part 55 here in the one latching | locking part 55 and the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 in the head 51 of the rivet 50, it was set as this. Without limitation, a plurality of locking portions 55 may be provided on the rivet 50, and a plurality of elastic claws 34 that fit into the locking portions 55 may be provided on the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is also a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIGS. 18 to 21 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a state in which the distal end hard portion and the bending unit are assembled and a rivet is mounted. FIG. 19 is a rivet. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the convex portion is inserted into the hole of the stepped hole of the hard tip portion, FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the hard tip portion and the bending unit are fixed by rotating the rivet. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a rivet is rotated and a convex portion is attached to a hole portion of a stepped hole.

  Here, with respect to the configuration of the first embodiment, the shape of each of the convex portion 53 of the rivet 50 and the hole portion 22b of the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 is made more rigid with a rectangular cross section. An example of the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 that can fix the 21 and the bending unit 30 will be described. The configuration of the present embodiment may be combined with the configuration provided with the means for preventing reverse rotation of the rivet 50 of the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the rivet 50 here has a columnar shape, here, a convex portion 53 having a substantially square cross section. In accordance with this, the hole 22b of the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21 with which the convex portion 53 of the rivet 50 engages is also substantially the same columnar shape as the convex portion 53, and here has a substantially square cross section. Yes.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the rivet 50 rotated by a predetermined angle θ, also 45 ° from the state of FIGS. It is deformed or scraped by coming into contact with the four wall surfaces of the distal end hard portion 21 forming the hole portion 22 b of the attached hole 22. That is, since the rivet 50 is formed of a metal having a lower hardness than a hard metal such as resin or stainless steel, the stepped holes 22 in the distal end hard portion 21 made of metal in which the four corner portions of the convex portion 53 are hard are provided. The four wall surfaces forming the holes 22b are easily scraped or deformed without damaging and flattened. Note that the corners of the rivet 50 may be formed into a curved surface instead of being pointed to facilitate rotation.

  Thus, in the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment, the rivet 50 is rotated 45 ° around the central axis here, and the four corner portions of the convex portion 53 are steps of the distal end hard portion 21. The four inner walls forming the hole 22b of the attached hole 22 are deformed or scraped to form a plane that comes into surface contact with the inner wall, and each of the planes comes into contact with the pressed inner wall to generate frictional force. Then, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are fixed. Thereby, the front end hard part 21 and the bending unit 30 are the same as the first embodiment, only the surface side of each corner 51a of the head 51 of the rivet 50 is the thickness of the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30. While being deformed or scraped, the head 51 comes into contact with and contacts the edge portion around the hole 31b (four sides 31c) in the connecting pipe 31 (see FIG. 20), and the four corners of the convex portion 53 are at the tip. By deforming or scraping the four inner walls forming the hole 22b of the stepped hole 22 of the hard portion 21, a plane that comes into surface contact with the inner wall is formed (see FIG. 21), and the inner wall with which each plane abuts is pressed and held. A frictional force is generated in contact with the state, and the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are more firmly fixed to each other without any backlash compared to the configuration of the first embodiment.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, based on FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the 4th Embodiment of this invention is described. This embodiment is also a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  22 and FIG. 23 relate to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the rivet in a state where the distal end rigid portion and the bending unit are fixed, and FIG. 23 is a modified distal end rigid. It is a top view which shows the rivet in the state to which the part and the bending unit were fixed.

  Here, in place of the slot 52 of the head 51 of the rivet 50, an engagement hole 56 for engaging a jig for rotating the head of the rivet 51 is provided in the configuration of the first embodiment. An example of the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 will be described. The configuration of this embodiment may be a combination of the configurations described in the second and third embodiments described above.

  By the way, when the rivet 50 is provided with a slot for rotating the head 51 (reference numeral 52 in the first embodiment), it is necessary to form a concave groove. As described above, when the slot 51 is formed as a groove having a predetermined depth from the surface portion, the portion where the slot is formed is likely to bend with respect to the load applied in the lateral direction, and has rigidity. It will decline.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 22, the rivet 50 according to the present embodiment has two engagement holes 56 formed on the surface of the head 51. A dedicated jig (not shown) for rotating the rivet 50 is engaged with these two engagement holes 56. These two engagement holes 56 are positions separated from the center (center axis) O around which the rivet 50 rotates by a predetermined distance, and the rivet 50 is rotated by a predetermined angle θ (45 °). In a state where the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are fixed, the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are formed at a position separated from the axis along the front-rear direction of the insertion portion 9 by a predetermined distance away from the center O. That is, the head portion 51 of the rivet 50 has a thickness of a predetermined width (distance) in the front-rear direction including the center O in a state where the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are fixed, There is no concave groove such as, and it is configured to maintain rigidity as an uncut solid.

  With the configuration described above, the rivet 50 that fixes the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 has the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 directed rearward with respect to the distal end hard portion 21 by the bending operation of the bending portion 7. Even if a load F in the direction of movement is applied (see FIG. 22), bending is unlikely to occur due to the thickness without a concave groove in the direction of the force line of the load F, and the amount of deformation can be reduced.

  As a result, the component fixing structure of the present embodiment is less likely to be loose due to the rivet 50 that fixes the distal end hard portion 21 of the endoscope 2 and the bending unit 30 in addition to the operational effects of the first embodiment. Since the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are firmly fixed to each other, these connecting portions are not easily deformed.

  The head 51 of the rivet 50 is not cut by the engagement hole 56 by a predetermined width (distance) in the front-rear direction including the center O in a state where the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are fixed. What is necessary is just to make it the structure which keeps rigidity as a solid, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, it is good also as a structure which provided the engagement hole part 56 in this example in plural at the edge part.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This embodiment is also a modification of the first embodiment, and the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the present embodiment may be combined with the configurations described in the second and fourth embodiments described above.

  FIGS. 24 to 29 relate to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing the structure of a rivet that is a fixing member, and FIG. 25 is a step hole and a curve of the hard end portion of the rivet. 26 is a sectional view showing a state where the unit is connected to the hole of the connecting pipe, FIG. 26 is a sectional view showing a state in which the rivet is rotated and the distal end rigid portion and the bending unit are fixed, and FIG. 27 is a modified fixing member. FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing the structure of a certain rivet, FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the modified rivet is mounted in the stepped hole of the tip rigid portion and the connecting tube hole of the bending unit, and FIG. 29 is the modified rivet. It is sectional drawing which shows the state by which was rotated and the front-end | tip hard part and the bending unit were fixed.

  Here, in contrast to the configuration of the first embodiment, the rivet 50 is formed of a hard material, and the part of the endoscope 2 that fixes the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 without deformation or shaving. An example of the fixing structure will be described.

  The rivet 50 as a fixing member here is made of hard resin or metal, and as shown in FIG. 24, four guide surfaces are formed on the head 51 as the pressing portion from the surface to the four side surfaces. 57 is formed. That is, the head 51 has a trapezoidal cross section.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the rivet 50 is inserted into the hole portion 31b of the connecting pipe 31 and the stepped hole 22 of the distal end hard portion 21, which are arranged in a superimposed manner, as in the above-described embodiments. The rivet 50 is rotated from the state of FIG. 25 by a predetermined angle θ, here 45 °, around the central axis until a state shown in FIG. .

  In the rotated rivet 50, including the rotation process, each guide surface 57 formed on the head 51 has an inner corner (downward on the paper surface) of each side 31 c forming the hole 31 b of the connecting pipe 31. The distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are firmly fixed by abutting each other and pressing each in a direction in which the distal end hard portion 21 and the connecting tube 31 are separated from each other. That is, in the rivet 50 here, the four guide surfaces 57 formed on the head 51 press the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 in the outer diameter direction without the head 51 being deformed or scraped. Accordingly, the convex portion 53 side presses the distal end hard portion 21 in the inner diameter direction, and the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are pressed in directions away from each other and firmly fixed.

  Even in such a configuration, the component fixing structure of the endoscope 2 according to the present embodiment is configured to have the same functions and effects as those of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the head 51 of the rivet 50 is formed to have a trapezoidal cross section so that the diameter of the lower part is enlarged, and is provided with a skirt 51d having four guide surfaces 57. It is also good. This rivet 50 is also rotated around the central axis by a predetermined angle θ, here 45 °, from the state shown in FIG. 28 to the state shown in FIG. 29, and each guide surface 57 of the skirt portion 51d includes the rotation process. Each contact | abuts to the inner corner | angular part of each edge | side 31c which forms the hole 31b of the connection pipe 31, and each is pressed in the direction which the front-end | tip hard part 21 and the connection pipe 31 separate.

  Also in the rivet 50 of this modification, the four guide surfaces 57 formed on the skirt portion 51d of the head 51 press the connecting pipe 31 of the bending unit 30 in the outer diameter direction without the head 51 being deformed or shaved. The convex portion 53 side presses the distal end hard portion 21 in the inner diameter direction, and the distal end hard portion 21 and the bending unit 30 are pressed in directions away from each other and firmly fixed.

  The invention described in the above-described embodiment is not limited to the embodiment and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements.

  For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the described requirements can be deleted if the stated problem can be solved and the stated effect can be obtained. The configuration can be extracted as an invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electronic endoscope system 2 ... Endoscope 3 ... Light source device 4 ... Video processor 5 ... Monitor 6 ... Tip part 7 ... Curve part 8 ... Flexible tube part 9 ... Insertion part 10 ... Operation part 11 ... Grasping part 12 ... UD bending operation knob 13 ... RL bending operation knob 14 ... bending operation knob 18 ... treatment instrument channel insertion part 19 ... universal cable 19a ... endoscope connector 20 ... coil cable 21 ... distal end hard part 22 ... stepped hole 22a ... opening Recess 22b ... hole 30 ... bending unit 31 ... connecting tube 31a ... tip opening 31b ... hole 31c ... side (edge)
32 ... bending piece 33 ... bending operation wire 34 ... elastic claw 50 ... rivet 51 ... head 51a ... corner 51b ... hole 51c ... corner 51d ... skirt 52 ... slit 53 ... convex 54, 57 ... guide surface 55 ... locking part 56 ... engagement hole F ... load O ... center θ ... angle

Claims (12)

An endoscope component fixing structure including an insertion portion provided with a bending portion,
A first fixed member disposed in the insertion portion and having a recess formed therein;
A second fixed member that is fitted so as to cover the first fixed member and is formed with a hole that overlaps and faces the outer side of the recess;
A fixing member having a convex portion inserted into the concave portion and a pressing portion engaged with the hole portion;
Comprising
When the fixing member is rotated at a predetermined angle, the pressing portion presses the edge portion and the concave portion by contact with the edge portion forming the hole portion, so that the first fixing member and A part fixing structure for an endoscope, wherein the second fixed member is fixed.   The pressing portion is deformed or scraped to the edge portion forming the hole portion, and comes into contact with and comes into contact with the edge portion and the recess, so that the first fixed member and the second fixed member The part fixing structure for an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein:   3. The endoscope component fixing according to claim 1, wherein a material forming the fixing member has a hardness lower than a hardness of a material of the second fixed member. Construction.   The pressing part is deformed or scraped only by contact with an edge part forming the hole part on the front side, and the back side is left in the concave part to prevent the fixing member from falling off. The component fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   5. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the fixing member is rotated at the predetermined angle, the convex portion is scraped or deformed by a wall surface forming the concave portion to be flattened and brought into surface contact. The endoscope component fixing structure according to any one of the preceding claims. The convex portion has a columnar shape,
6. The endoscope component fixing structure according to claim 5, wherein a corner portion of the convex portion is scraped or deformed into a surface contact with the different wall surface of the concave portion.   The part fixing structure for an endoscope according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a slit is formed on a surface of the pressing portion. A plurality of holes into which a jig for rotating at the predetermined angle is engaged are formed on the surface of the pressing portion,
The plurality of hole portions include a surface center of the pressing portion along the front-rear direction of the insertion portion in a state where the fixing member fixes the first fixed member and the second fixed member. The endoscope component fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the endoscope component fixing structure is formed at a position separated from the shaft by a predetermined distance.   When the fixing member is formed of a hard member having a guide surface at the pressing portion and rotated at the predetermined angle, the guide surface comes into contact with the edge portion, and the first fixed member and the The internal view according to claim 1, wherein the first fixed member and the second fixed member are fixed by pressing in a direction in which the second fixed member is separated from each other. Mirror component fixing structure.   10. The drop-off of the fixing member is prevented by sandwiching the pressing portion between the first fixed member and the second fixed member. 11. The component fixing structure described in the item. A concave locking portion is provided on the fixing member,
The rotation prevention means which restricts rotation of the said fixing member by engaging with the said latching | locking part in the said 2nd to-be-fixed member was provided, The any one of Claims 1-10 characterized by the above-mentioned. The component fixing structure described. The recess is formed in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the second fixed member of the first fixed member,
The endoscope component fixing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the fixing member is engaged with the hole from the orthogonal direction.

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