JP2016123536A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent separation of a housing member.SOLUTION: There are provided: projection parts 71, 72 which are connected to a housing member 21 and have parts that are inside the housing 2 and extend nearer the housing member 22 side than joint surfaces 21a, 22a of the housing member 21 and the housing member 22; and projection parts 73, 74 which are connected to the housing member 22, have parts inside the housing 2 and extending nearer the housing member 21 side than the joint surfaces 21a, 22a, and cross the projection parts 71, 72 viewed from the cross section orthogonal to the joint surfaces 21a, 22a; and a ceiling agent 11 which is applied to the joint surfaces 21a, 22a and joins the housing member 21 and the housing member 22. A foaming material 10 is filled in a part ranging from an end part opposite the part where the projection parts 71, 72 and the projection parts 73, 74 are in contact with the housing 2 to the part where the projection parts 71, 72 and the projection parts 73, 74 cross and between the projection parts 71, 72 and the projection parts 73, 74.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe used for observing, confirming and diagnosing a body organ from the body surface or body cavity.

  An ultrasonic probe (also referred to as an ultrasonic probe) fixes a piezoelectric vibration part, an electric signal line, and the like inside a housing (sometimes referred to as a casing or a housing case) and between signal lines. The inside of the housing is filled with a foam material (urethane or the like) (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the housing is configured by bonding two housing members with a sealing agent. An electric signal line or the like is housed inside the housing, and the two housing members are bonded together with an adhesive, and then the inside of the housing. The foam material is filled (for example, see Patent Documents 2 and 3 below). In addition, foaming material starts foaming after the time of about 10 to 20 s has elapsed after mixing the two liquids.

  Thus, the ultrasonic probe has a highly confidential structure in which the joint surfaces of the two housing members are sealed in order to ensure chemical resistance and waterproofness.

JP-A-10-85219 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-318897 JP-A-4-30835

  When joining the housing members, a sealing agent is applied between the housing members and joined. It takes some time for the sealant to fully cure. For example, when using a silicone resin as a sealing agent, it takes several days until the silicone resin is sufficiently cured in an environment with low humidity. Further, since the ultrasonic probe has a highly confidential structure, the moisture in the atmosphere is prevented from entering inside the ultrasonic probe, and the curing of the silicon resin is delayed.

  If the inside of the ultrasonic probe is filled with a foam material before the sealant is fully cured, the expansion of the foam material causes separation of the housing member, which makes the ultrasonic probe waterproof. It will deteriorate.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this point, and provides the ultrasonic probe which can prevent isolation | separation of a housing member and can prevent the waterproofness of an ultrasonic probe deteriorating.

  An ultrasonic probe according to an aspect of the present invention is an ultrasonic probe in which one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibration part are housed in a housing, and a foam material is filled in the housing. The housing includes at least a first housing member and a second housing member that are joined to each other, and is connected to the first housing member, and is located inside the housing and the first housing. A first protrusion having a portion extending to the second housing member side with respect to a joint surface between the member and the second housing member, and connected to the second housing member; A second protrusion that has a portion extending toward the first housing member from the joint surface and intersects the first protrusion when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surface; and How A sealing agent that is applied to a joining surface of the sealing member and the second housing member and joins the first housing member and the second housing member, wherein the foam material is the first protrusion. And from the end opposite to the portion where the second projection and the second projection are connected to the housing to the portion where the first projection and the second projection intersect. Between the protrusion and the second protrusion.

  The ultrasonic probe according to one aspect of the present invention includes an ultrasonic probe in which one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibrating portion are housed in a housing and the housing is filled with a foam material. The housing includes at least a first housing member and a second housing member that are joined to each other, and the first housing member is formed by the expansion force of the foam material. A first protrusion that generates a pressing force in the direction of the second housing member, and the second housing member moves the second housing member by the expansion force of the foam material. A second protrusion that generates a pressing force in the direction of the first housing member;

  In addition, a method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of assembling one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibrating portion, and joining each of a first housing member and a second housing member. A step of applying a sealing material to a surface; joining the first housing member and the second housing member so as to house the element therein; and forming a housing; and A step of inserting a tube from the foam filling port so that the tip reaches between the first projection and the second projection, and injecting a foam from the tube, and foaming the housing Filling the material, wherein the first housing member is an interior of the housing, the first housing member and the second housing A first projecting portion having a portion extending toward the second housing member from the joint surface of the material, and the second housing member is inside the housing and the first projecting portion from the joint surface. And a second protrusion that intersects with the first protrusion when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surface.

  In addition, the method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of assembling one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibrating portion, and at least one of a first housing member and a second housing member. Fixing the tube to one side wall so that the tip of the tube faces the first protrusion of the first housing member or the second protrusion of the second housing member; A step of applying a sealing material to the respective joint surfaces of the housing member and the second housing member, and joining the first housing member and the second housing member so as to accommodate the element therein. And forming a housing; and injecting a foam material from the tube to fill the housing with the foam material. The protrusion has an inner portion of the housing and has a portion extending to the second housing member side with respect to the joint surface of the first housing member and the second housing member, and the second protrusion Has a portion that extends inside the housing and extends closer to the first housing member than the joint surface, and intersects the first protrusion as viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surface, In the fixing step, a tip of the tube is directed to a portion between the first protrusion and the second protrusion when the first housing member and the second housing member are joined. It has been.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, separation of a housing member can be prevented and it can prevent that the waterproofness of an ultrasonic probe deteriorates.

1 is an external perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view (before assembly) of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention (during assembly). 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment of the present invention. AA sectional view of FIG. BB sectional view of FIG. Part C enlarged view of FIG. The front view of the housing member of the ultrasonic probe concerning one embodiment of the present invention The bottom view of the housing member of the ultrasound probe concerning one embodiment of the present invention DD sectional view of FIG. The expanded perspective view of the projection part part of the housing member of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The figure explaining the process of injection | pouring of the foam material of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the housing member of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment (variation) of this invention (before attaching a projection part) The perspective view of the housing member of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment (variation) of this invention (after attaching a projection part) The expanded perspective view of the projection part part of the housing member of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment (variation) of this invention The figure explaining the influence of the expansion force of the foam material with respect to the housing member of the conventional ultrasonic probe The figure explaining the influence of the expansion force of the foam material with respect to the housing member of the ultrasonic probe which concerns on one embodiment of this invention, and the effect of this invention

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ultrasonic probe (also referred to as an ultrasonic probe or simply a probe) of the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ultrasonic probe 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the main part of the ultrasonic probe 1 includes a housing 2 and elements housed therein.

  2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a state before assembly, and FIG. 3 shows a state during assembly. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment. 5 and 6 are a sectional view taken along line AA and BB in FIG. 4, respectively. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a portion C in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the ultrasonic probe 1 includes a piezoelectric vibration unit 3 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, a cable 5 that transmits an electrical signal to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus (not shown), and the piezoelectric vibration unit 3. An electric signal line connecting portion 4 for connecting the cable 5 and the cable 5, a cable bush 6 for preventing the cable 5 from being broken due to sudden bending, and a housing 2 (see FIG. 1) that covers them and serves as a gripping portion for the operator. And a cap 8 for fastening one end of the housing 2. The housing 2 is constituted by a combination of two housing halves of a housing member 21 and a housing member 22.

  The ultrasound probe 1 can be configured by wireless communication using radio waves or infrared rays in addition to the cable 5 as means for transmitting an electrical signal to the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. In this case, since the cable 5 is unnecessary, the ultrasonic probe 1 has a simpler configuration. Also in this case, the housing 2 is configured by combining two housing halves of the housing member 21 and the housing member 22.

  Next, an assembly procedure of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. First, internal components such as the piezoelectric vibration unit 3, the electric signal line connection unit 4, the cable 5, and the cable bush 6 are assembled.

  And the sealing agent 11 is apply | coated to the joint surface 21a of the housing member 21, and the joint surface 22a of the housing member 22, and the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are combined so that an internal component may be covered (refer FIG. 7). At this time, one surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 3 is exposed. Hereinafter, the exposed surface of the piezoelectric vibrating portion 3 is referred to as the bottom surface 1a of the ultrasonic probe 1, the bottom surface 1a side of the ultrasonic probe 1 is defined as the lower side, and the cap 8 side is defined as the upper side. explain.

When the sealing material 11 is a rubber material, the airtightness of the bonded housing members 21 and 22 is improved. For this reason, it is desirable to use a rubber material such as silicon resin as the sealing material 11. Below, the case where the sealing material 11 is a silicon resin is demonstrated as an example. The applied silicone resin of the sealing agent 11 undergoes a curing reaction with moisture (H ₂ O) in the air, and at the same time, an adhesive reaction with the hydroxyl group (OH) on the surface of the adherend (housing members 21 and 22) cures. . Thereby, the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are adhere | attached (state of FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, the foam material 10 such as thermosetting, two-component curable, or natural curable is injected from the foam material filling ports 9a and 9b and cured. Thereby, an internal component is fixed and it can prevent that connector connection and soldering connections, such as an electrical connection of the piezoelectric vibration part 3 and the electric signal wire | line connection part 4, are isolate | separated. In addition, the detail of the process of inject | pouring the foam material 10 which concerns on the characteristic of this invention is mentioned later.

  Thereafter, the cap 8 is attached so that the foam filling port 9 is not visible from the exterior (state of FIG. 1). By attaching the cap 8, it is possible to prevent the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 from being separated due to aged deterioration of the sealing agent 11.

  Next, a characteristic configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. 8 and 9 are a front view and a bottom view of the housing member 21 of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment, respectively. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the protrusion 71 portion of the housing member 21 of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in these drawings, protrusions 71 and 72 are provided on the inner sides 21b and 21c near the joint surface 22a of the lower part of the housing member 21, respectively. Similarly, protrusions 73 and 74 are provided on the inner sides of the lower portion of the housing member 22 in the vicinity of the joint surface 22a. The lower part of the housing members 21 and 22 means a lower side than the center of the housing members 21 and 22. In addition, each protrusion part 71-74 may be integrally molded with the housing members 21 and 22, may be produced as a separate part, and may be fixedly attached to the housing members 21 and 22. The housing members 21 and 22 are made of, for example, a thermoplastic resin. Examples of the thermoplastic resin include polyphenyl ether and a mixture of polybutylene terephthalate and polycarbonate. When the protrusions 71-74 are formed as separate parts from the housing members 21, 22, the protrusions 71-74 may be formed of a material (for example, metal) having a higher hardness than the housing members 21, 22. By providing the protrusions 71 and 72 at the lower portion of the housing member 21, it is possible to prevent the cap 2 from separating the bottom surface 1a of the housing 2 in cooperation with the effect of preventing the cap 2 from separating the cable 2 from the cable 5.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the protrusion 71 is formed in a skewer shape by a plurality of annular claws 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d. Similarly, each of the protrusions 72, 73, 74 is formed in a skewer shape by a plurality of annular claws.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tip portions of the protrusions 71 (claws 71a to 71d) and 72 are formed so as to protrude from the end surface 21d including the bonding surface 21a. Similarly, the tip portions of the protrusions 73 and 74 are formed so as to protrude from an end surface including the joining surface 22a (a surface facing the end surface 21d).

  Moreover, when the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are combined, the projecting portion 73 (74) and the projecting portion 73 (74) that face each other are provided between the claws of the projecting portion 71 (72). ) So that the position in the height direction with respect to the bottom surface 1a of the ultrasonic probe 1 is shifted. As a result, in a state where the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are combined, the projecting portions 71 and 73 and the projecting portions 72 and 74 are respectively cylindrical bodies. In the present embodiment, there is no limitation on the number of claws of each projection 71-74.

  Next, the step of injecting the foam material 10 of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 12, after the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are bonded (sealed), in order to fill the foam material 10 into the ultrasonic probe 1, the foam material filling ports 9a and 9b are connected to the tube 12a. , 12b are inserted.

  At this time, the ends of the tubes 12a and 12b are inside the cylindrical body formed by the protrusions 71 and 73 and the protrusions 72 and 74 (between the protrusions 71 (72) and 73 (74). )to go into.

  In this state, the foamed material 10 in which the two liquids are mixed is injected into the ultrasonic probe 1 from the tubes 12a and 12b. At this time, the foam material 10 is filled at least between the protrusion 71 (72) and the protrusion 73 (74). Thereby, a foaming material is continuously formed inside the cylindrical body (between the protrusions 71 (72) and 73 (74)). Moreover, it is the inside of the housing 2, Comprising: Area | regions other than between the projection part 71 (72) and the projection part 73 (74), for example, between the projection part 71 (72) and the housing member 22, and the projection part 73 ( 74) and the housing member 21 are also filled with the foam material 10. In addition, after the injection of the foam material 10 is started, the tubes 12a and 12b are gradually pulled out as the foam material 10 is filled.

  In this case, the density of the foamed material 10 inside the cylindrical body, which is the part to be foamed first, of the foamed material 10 is higher than the density of the foamed material 10 outside the cylindrical body, which is the part to be foamed thereafter. . Therefore, the inside of the cylindrical body in which the density of the foam material 10 is high is the outside of the cylindrical body (for example, the housing member 21 between the protrusion 71 (72) and the housing member 22 and the protrusion 73 (74)). The expansion force of the foamed material 10 pushes the protrusions 71 and 73 and the protrusions 72 and 74.

  As an injection method different from the above-described injection process, there is a method in which the housing members 21 and 22 are bonded after the tubes 12a and 12b are arranged. Hereinafter, this method will be described.

  First, the tubes 12 a and 12 b are fixed to at least one side wall of the housing members 21 and 22. At this time, the tips of the tubes 12a and 12b are not disposed on the protrusions 71 (73) and the protrusions 72 (74), and the protrusions 71 (73) and the protrusions 72 (74) are not provided. Place in the part. For example, the tips of the tubes 12a and 12b are arranged above the housing 2 relative to the positions where the projections 71 (73) and the projections 72 (74) are provided, and the tips are the projections 71 (73) and the projections. 72 (74) is directed to the inside (portion between the protrusion 71 (72) and the protrusion 73 (74) when the housing members 21 and 22 are joined). As a method of fixing the tubes 12a and 12b, a method of fixing the tube to the protruding portion disposed on one side wall of the housing members 21 and 22 may be employed, or a method of fixing the tube to the tape may be employed. .

  Then, after the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are bonded (sealed), the foam material 10 is filled into the ultrasonic probe 1 from the tubes 12a and 12b. For example, when the foamed material 10 in which two liquids are mixed is injected into the ultrasonic probe 1 from the tubes 12a and 12b by a syringe, from the distal ends of the tubes 12a and 12b disposed in the housing member 21 or the housing member 22, The foam material 10 is dropped into the inside of the cylindrical body formed by the protrusions 71 and 73 and the protrusions 72 and 74 (between the protrusions 71 (72) and 73 (74)). After the implantation, it is the same as the implantation step described above.

  The foam material 10 is preferably a hard urethane resin that foams to a volume of about 20 to 25 times the volume of the stock solution. For example, when a polyol as a main agent and an isocyanate as a curing agent are put into a syringe at a predetermined ratio, stirred well, and then poured into the inside of the ultrasonic probe 1 from the tubes 12a and 12b, foaming takes about 10 to 20 seconds. Therefore, production lead time is shortened.

  Next, variations in the shape of the protrusion will be described with reference to FIGS. 13, 14, and 15. In the present embodiment, the shape requirement of the projecting portion is that the first projecting portion connected to the housing member 21 has a portion inside the housing 2 and extending to the housing member 22 side from the joint surface 21a. The second protrusion connected to the housing member 22 has a portion extending inside the housing 2 and extending closer to the housing member 21 than the joint surface 22a, and has a cross section C- perpendicular to the joint surfaces 21a and 22a. It intersects with the first protrusion as viewed from C. In addition, the functional requirement of the protrusion is that the first protrusion connected to the housing member 21 presses the housing member 21 toward the housing member 22 by the expansion force of the foam material 10 and is connected to the housing member 22. The two protrusions press the housing member 22 toward the housing member 21 by the expansion force of the foam material 10. 13 to 15, as the first and second protrusions, the protrusions 131 and 132 are attached to the housing member 21 instead of the protrusions 71 and 72 shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 and the like. An example is shown. In this case, similarly to the housing member 21, a protrusion having the same shape as the protrusions 131 and 132 is attached to the housing member 22 instead of the protrusions 73 and 74. 13 shows a state before the protrusions 131 and 132 are attached to the housing member 21, and FIGS. 14 and 15 show a state after the protrusions 131 and 132 are attached to the housing member 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, the protrusion 131 is formed by bending a sheet metal, and has a skewer shape by a plurality of claws 131 a, 131 b, 131 c, and 131 d. Similarly, each of the protrusion 132 and the protrusion attached to the housing member 22 is formed by bending a sheet metal, and has a skewer shape with a plurality of claws. In addition, in the example of FIGS. 13-15, each nail | claw 131a-131d is L-shaped. It is desirable to prevent the electrical influence on the sheet metal by applying an insulating treatment such as a rigid resin coating, baking coating, or chrome plating.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the tip portions of the protrusions 131 (the claws 131a to 131d) and 132 are formed so as to protrude from the end surface 21d including the joining surface 21a. Similarly, the tip portion of the protrusion attached to the housing member 22 is formed so as to protrude from an end surface including the joining surface 22a (a surface facing the end surface 21d). Note that the tip portions of the protrusions 131 (the claws 131a to 131d) and 132 extend from the joint surfaces 21a and 22a to the inner surface of the housing member 22 when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surfaces 21a and 22a (see FIG. 17). It is preferable to extend further to the housing member 22 side than half of the distance. Similarly, the tip portion of the protrusion attached to the housing member 22 is more than half of the distance from the joint surfaces 21a, 22a to the inner surface of the housing member 21 when viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surfaces 21a, 22a. Furthermore, it is preferable to extend to the housing member 21 side.

  In addition, when the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are combined, the projecting portion (131, etc.) facing each other is such that one of the claws of the other projecting portion is sandwiched between the claws of the projecting portion (131, etc.). The ultrasonic probe 1 is formed so that the position in the height direction with respect to the bottom surface 1a is shifted.

  Next, the effects of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 16 and 17 in comparison with the prior art. FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining the influence of the expansion force of the foam material on the housing members 21 and 22 of the conventional ultrasonic probe. FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the influence of the expansion force of the foam material on the housing members 21 and 22 of the ultrasonic probe 1 according to the present embodiment and the effect of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the conventional ultrasonic probe is similar to the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment in that the sealing agent 11 is formed on the joint surface 22a between the housing member 21 and the housing member 22. Is applied, and the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are bonded together. However, the conventional ultrasonic probe is not provided with the protrusions 131-134 (or 71-74).

  In this state, when the foam material 10 is injected as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the foam material 10 expands, and as shown in FIG. 16 (c), the expansion force of the foam material 10 causes the housing member to expand. 21 and the inner surface of the housing member 22 are pressed, and the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are pulled apart at the joint surface 22a. Then, as shown in FIG. 16D, if the foam material 10 is filled before the silicone resin of the sealing agent 11 is sufficiently cured, the housing members 21 and 22 are separated due to the expansion force of the foam material 10. Resulting in.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 17A, the ultrasonic probe 1 of the present embodiment is provided with protrusions 131-134 (or 71-74) inside. In this state, the sealing agent 11 is applied to the joint surface 22a between the housing member 21 and the housing member 22, and the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are bonded. Conventionally, when a silicon resin is used as the sealing agent 11 in a state where the protrusions 131-134 (or 71-74) are not provided, the silicon resin for adhering the housing members so that the housing members 21, 22 are not separated. It had to be left for several days until it fully cured.

  However, in this embodiment, when the foam material 10 is injected in this state as shown in FIG. 17B, the foam material 10 expands, and eventually, as shown in FIG. The expansion force of the material 10 pushes the protrusions 131 and 133 and acts in a direction in which the housing member 21 and the housing member 22 are brought into close contact with each other at the joint surface 22a. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 17D, even if the foam material 10 is filled before the silicone resin of the sealing agent 11 is sufficiently cured, the housing members 21 and 22 are not separated. In the present embodiment, when the sealing agent 11 is also filled in the portion between the crossing portions of the claws 131a to 131d and the connecting surfaces 21a and 22a of the housing members 21 and 22, the housing member 21 is further filled. , 22 can be further enhanced.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the protrusions 71-74 (131-134) are formed on the inner walls of the housing members 21 and 22 so that the tip portions protrude from the joint surfaces of the housing members. Is attached, and the foam material 10 is filled from between the protrusions 71-74 (131-134). Thereby, separation of the housing member can be prevented, and deterioration of chemical resistance and waterproofness of the ultrasonic probe can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the protrusions 71-74 (131-134) are provided only at the lower portions of the housing members 21, 22 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the upper portions of the housing members 21, 22 are provided. Also, a protrusion may be provided. This protrusion further enhances the above effect and plays a role of a guide when the tubes 12 a and 12 b are inserted into the housing 2.

  In the present invention, the projecting portions 71-74 (131-134) may be provided at two symmetrical positions as shown in FIG. 4, or may be provided at two or more locations.

  Moreover, in this invention, the number of nail | claws of each projection part 71-74 (131-134) may be the same number, and may differ. If the number of claws is the same, all the protrusions can be formed as the same member, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an ultrasonic probe used for observing, confirming and diagnosing a body organ from the body surface or body cavity.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ultrasonic probe 2 Housing 21, 22 Housing member 3 Piezoelectric vibration part 4 Electrical signal wire connection part 5 Cable 6 Cable bush 71, 72, 73, 74 Protrusion part 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d Claw 8 Cap 9a, 9b Foam filling port 10 Foam 11 Sealing agent 12a, 12b Tube 131, 132 Protrusion 131a, 131b, 131c, 131d Claw

Claims (12)

One or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibration part are housed in a housing, and an ultrasonic probe in which a foam material is filled in the housing,
The housing has at least a first housing member and a second housing member joined to each other;
A first housing member connected to the first housing member and having a portion inside the housing and extending to the second housing member side with respect to a joint surface between the first housing member and the second housing member; A protrusion,
The first housing member is connected to the second housing member, and has a portion extending inside the housing toward the first housing member side with respect to the joining surface, and the first housing member is viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joining surface. A second protrusion intersecting with the first protrusion;
A sealing agent that is applied to a joint surface between the first housing member and the second housing member, and joins the first housing member and the second housing member;
With
In the foam material, the first protrusion and the second protrusion intersect from the end opposite to the portion where the first protrusion and the second protrusion are connected to the housing. Between the first projection and the second projection between the first projection and the second projection,
Ultrasonic probe. The foam is filled also between the first protrusion and the second housing member or between the second protrusion and the first housing member,
The density of the foam filled between the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be the foam formed between the first protrusion and the second housing member or the second. Higher than the density of the foam filled between the protrusion of the first housing member and the first housing member,
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1. Each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion has a plurality of parallel claws,
The claws of the first protrusions and the claws of the second protrusions cross alternately.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 or 2. The number of the claws of the first protrusion is equal to the number of claws of the second protrusion;
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 3. The housing has a first end on the side to which the cable is connected and a second end on the side facing the subject;
The first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed at a position closer to the second end than the center of the distance from the first end to the second end.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed of a material having higher hardness than the housing.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The protrusion is formed by bending a sheet metal.
The ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1 to 6. One or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibration part are housed in a housing, and an ultrasonic probe in which a foam material is filled in the housing,
The housing has at least a first housing member and a second housing member joined to each other;
The first housing member has a first protrusion that generates a pressing force in the direction of the second housing member by the expansion force of the foam material.
The second housing member has a second protrusion that generates a pressing force on the second housing member toward the first housing member by an expansion force of the foam material.
Ultrasonic probe. The first protrusion has a portion that protrudes in the direction of the second housing member inside the housing.
The second protrusion has an inner portion of the housing and protrudes in the direction of the first housing member.
The ultrasonic probe according to claim 8. Assembling one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibration part;
Applying a sealing material to each joint surface of the first housing member and the second housing member;
Joining the first housing member and the second housing member so as to house the element therein to form a housing;
Inserting the tube from the foam filling port provided in the housing so that the tip reaches between the first protrusion and the second protrusion;
Injecting foam material from the tube and filling the housing with foam material, and
The first housing member includes a first protrusion having a portion extending inside the housing and extending toward a side of the second housing member with respect to a joint surface between the first housing member and the second housing member. The second housing member has a portion that extends inside the housing and extends closer to the first housing member than the joint surface, and is viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surface. The second protrusions intersecting the first protrusions,
Manufacturing method of ultrasonic probe. Assembling one or more elements including at least a piezoelectric vibration part;
A tube is provided on the side wall of at least one of the first housing member and the second housing member, and the first protrusion of the first housing member or the second housing member has a second tip. A step of fixing so as to face the protrusion of
Applying a sealing material to each joint surface of the first housing member and the second housing member;
Joining the first housing member and the second housing member so as to house the element therein to form a housing;
Injecting foam from the tube and filling the interior of the housing with foam.
The first protrusion has a portion that extends inside the housing and extends closer to the second housing member than a joint surface between the first housing member and the second housing member. The protrusion has an inner portion of the housing that extends to the first housing member side with respect to the joint surface, and the first protrusion as viewed from a cross section perpendicular to the joint surface. Intersect
In the fixing step, a tip of the tube is directed to a portion between the first protrusion and the second protrusion when the first housing member and the second housing member are joined. Being
Manufacturing method of ultrasonic probe. A step of attaching a cap so that the foam filling port is not visible from the outside;
The method for manufacturing an ultrasonic probe according to claim 10 or 11.