JP2693979B2 - Connector device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a connector device which prevents a temporary excessive current from being generated when connecting or disconnecting contacts.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In recent years, by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity, an organ or the like in the body cavity is diagnosed, and a treatment using a treatment tool is performed if necessary. Endoscope devices that can be used are widely used.

Further, not only for medical purposes, but also for industrial purposes, endoscopes are used for observing and inspecting the smoke tubes of boilers, the pipes of chemical plants, or the inside of equipment.

In general, a signal cable is extended in the operation section of the endoscope device, and the signal cable is connected to a control device or the like via a connector device. For example, in JP-A-60-80429, an endoscope is connected via a connector device to a control device having a built-in light source device to illuminate the inside of a body cavity with illumination light from the light source, and a charge imaging device. (CCD) or other solid-state image sensor, or an image of the inside of the body cavity, etc. obtained by an image pickup means such as a video camera
A technique is disclosed in which the image is displayed on a monitor so that it can be observed.

By the way, the connector device is only configured to mechanically connect or disconnect the male and female contacts, and turns on / off the signal current between the solid-state imaging device or the video camera or the like and the control device. The operation is generally configured to be performed by a main switch provided in this control device.

Therefore, for example, the connector device may be attached or detached when the switch is turned on. If the connector is erroneously attached / detached even though it is turned on, a temporary excessive current may flow to the solid-state image pickup device or the video camera at the time of attachment / detachment. Alternatively, the camera or the like may be adversely affected.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a connector device in which a temporary excessive current is prevented from being generated during attachment / detachment.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] A connector device according to the present invention is a connector device for connecting a signal cable extending from an operating portion of an endoscope and a control device for the endoscope, wherein A first contact provided on the fixed member on the side and connected to the power supply device in the control device, and an engagement member engaged with the fixed member, and mechanically connected to the first contact. The second contact on the signal cable side, which is supplied with current from the first contact, the detection means for detecting that the engagement member is gripped, and the second state depending on the output state of the detection means. A first control means for cutting off at least a part of the electric current supplied to the contact point, and a second control means for controlling the detachment prevention means between the fixing member and the engaging member according to the output state. It is characterized by

With this configuration, even if the second contact provided on the engaging member is connected to the first contact provided on the fixed member, the gripping is performed while the engaging member is held. Is detected by the detection means, while at least part of the current supplied to the second contact is cut off by the control means,
When the gripping of the engaging member is stopped, the current of the power supply device is supplied to the engaging member side via the first contact.

Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the connector device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
1A is a side view of a plug, FIG. 1B is a side view of a jack, FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of a connector device, FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram, and FIG. 4 is a connector device of the present invention. It is a whole figure of the endoscope apparatus which is an example of use.

As shown in FIG. 4, the endoscope device 1 is composed of, for example, an electronic endoscope 2, a light source device 3, a control device 4, and a CRT monitor 5 connected to the control device 4.

The electronic endoscope 2 has an elongated and flexible insertion portion 2a.
A large diameter operation part 2b is connected to the rear end of this operation part.
A first cable 7 having flexibility and having a light transmitting means and the like therein is extended to the side of 2b, for example. An intermediate connector 8 is provided at the tip of the first cable 7, and one end of the light transmitting means is connected to a lighting connector formed on the intermediate connector 8. The intermediate connector 8
The illumination connector is configured to be connected to the illumination device 3, and the illumination light of the light source (not shown) provided in the illumination device 3 is transmitted to the electronic endoscope 2 via the light transmission means. It is like this.

A second cable 9 is provided so as to extend on the intermediate connector 8. A plug 11 as an example of an engaging member is formed at the tip of the second cable 9,
The jack 12 as an example of a fixing member provided on the panel surface 4a of the control device 4 is fitted.
The plug 11 and the jack 12 form the connector device 13 according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the plug 11 has a large-diameter gripping portion 11a formed to have a predetermined length, and a fitting portion 11a that is concentrically projected to the gripping portion 11a via a stepped portion 11b. A joint portion 11c is formed. A positioning pin 11d is provided on one side of the fitting portion 11c so as to project in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the plug 11.

In addition, a hollow portion 11e is formed in the axial direction of the plug 11, and an insulating fixing member 14 is fixed to a portion of the hollow portion 11e that is separated from the plug tip surface 11f by a predetermined distance. . A plurality of male contacts 16a to 16c, which are an example of the second contact 16, are fixed to the fixing member 14 in parallel with the axis of the plug 1.

On the other hand, an opening 20a is formed in a portion to be gripped by the hand 20b or the like of the gripping portion 11a, and a photosensor 17 including a light emitting element 17a and a light receiving element 17b is arranged in the opening 20a, and A relay device 18, which is an example of control means, is fixed to the circuit board 18a at a portion of the hollow portion 11e corresponding to the grip portion 11a.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the contact 16b and the photosensor 17 are electrically connected by a plurality of conducting lines 19a, and the photosensor 17 is supplied with current through the conducting line 19a. It is like this. Further, one of the conducting wires 19a is connected to the male contact 16a via the relay device 18 by the conducting wire 19b, while the photosensor 17 and the relay device are connected.
The signal line 19c is connected to the signal line 18. Then, when the opening 20a is closed by the hand 20b or the like, gripping of the gripping portion 11a is detected by the photosensor 17 and a signal is transmitted to the relay device 18, and conduction between the male contacts 16b, 16a. Are disconnected by the relay device 18.

The male contact 16c is connected to one end of the signal current transmission line 19d. The signal current transmission line 19d is inserted into the second cable 9 and the first cable 7 and is connected to a solid-state image sensor 2c such as a CCD provided at the tip of the insertion portion 2a. A control signal, a drive pulse, etc. by the control device 4 are transmitted to the solid-state image pickup device 2c via the signal current transmission line 19d.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the jack 12 provided in the control device 4 has a fixed frame 21 on the panel surface 4 a of the control device 4 in which the fitting portion 11 c of the plug 11 is engaged. It is fixed. A groove 21a into which the positioning pin 11d of the fitting portion 11c is slidably engaged is formed inside the solid frame 21, and rotation of the fitting portion 11c of the plug 11 and the fixed frame 21 is performed. Directional positioning is performed.

An insulator 22 having a diameter substantially the same as that of the hollow portion 11e of the fitting portion 11c is fixed to a portion of the fixed frame 21 that is separated from the panel surface 4a by a predetermined distance. This insulator 22 has a first contact
Female contacts 23a to 23c, which are an example of 23, are provided corresponding to the male contacts 16a to 16c.

In the control device 4, a power supply circuit 24, which is an example of a power supply device provided on a circuit board 24a, and the solid-state image sensor 2c.
And the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the power supply circuit 24 is connected to a female contact 23b opposed to the male contact 16b by a plurality of conducting wires 26a. One of the plurality of conducting wires 26a is connected to the power supply circuit 2
4 and the female contact 23b are branched in the middle and connected to the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 through another conduction line 26b, and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 and the male contact 16 are connected.
The female contact 23a facing a is further connected via another conducting wire 26c, and the relay device 18 is provided between the male contacts 16b and 16a.
The drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is activated when it is conducted through the.

The drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is electrically connected to a female contact 23c opposed to the male contact 16c via a signal current transmission line 26d provided in the control device 4.

In addition, a solenoid provided on one side of the fixed frame 21 is branched in the middle of the signal current transmission line 26d by a conduction line 26e.
Connected to 27. As shown in FIG. 1 (b), in this solenoid 27, a cylindrical locking member 27b is slidably inserted in a wound coil 27a. This locking member 27b
Has one end directed toward the inside of the fixed frame 21 through an opening 21b formed in the fixed frame 21, and when the coil 27a is energized, the locking member 27b is projected to the inside of the fixed frame 21. In addition, when the coil 27a is de-energized, it is retracted from the inside of the fixed frame 21 by the urging force of an elastic body (not shown).

On the other hand, a locking hole 11g is formed in a portion of the plug 11 facing the opening 21b, and when the fitting portion 11c is inserted into the fixed frame 21, the locking member 27b is projected, The plug 11 is prevented from coming off by engaging one end of the locking member 27b with the locking hole 11g.

Next, the operation of the connector device having the above configuration will be described.

When the plug 11 and the jack 12 are not connected,
The power supply circuit 24 and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 are connected to each other by a conductive line 26.
Although it is conducted at b, no current is supplied through the other conducting wire 26c connected to the female contact 23a, and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is not activated.

Further, since the current does not flow through the signal current transmission line 26d connected to the drive and output signal processing circuit 25, the solenoid 27 is not operated, and the locking member of the solenoid 27 receives the biasing force of the elastic body (not shown). And is retracted from the inside of the fixed frame 21.

When the plug 11 and the jack 12 are connected in this state, as shown in FIG.
The gripping part 11a is gripped while covering the opening 20a formed in 11a with the hand 20b.

Then, the position of the positioning pin 11d provided in the fitting portion 11c is aligned with the groove 21a formed in the fixed frame 21, and the fitting portion 1 is formed.
When 1c is inserted in the direction of the control device 4, the stepped portion 11b of the plug 11
This plug 11 is stopped by abutting against the panel surface 4a, the male contacts 16a to 16c are connected to the female contacts 23a to 23c, and the locking hole 11g formed in the fitting portion 11c of the fixing frame 21. It faces the opening 21b.

In this case, since the locking member 27b is retracted from the inside of the fixed frame 21, the locking member 27b causes the fitting portion 11c to move.
Does not hinder the engagement (state of FIG. 3 (b)).

When the female contact 23b and the male contact 16b are connected, the power supply circuit
The current of 24 is supplied to the photo sensor 17 through these contacts, and the light emitting element 17a of the photo sensor 17 emits light. The light emitted from the light emitting element 17a is reflected by the hand 20b covering the opening 20a and is incident on the light receiving element 17b, and a detection signal is transmitted to the relay device 18 through the signal line 19c.

As a result, this relay device 18 becomes OF by the detection signal.
F, so that the connection between the male contacts 16b, 16a is cut off,
The current of the signal circuit 24 is not supplied to this male contact 16a. Therefore, the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 to which the male contact 16a is connected is not operated, and signals and currents are transmitted through the signal current transmission lines 26d and 19d to the endoscope apparatus 2
Direction is not transmitted, and the locking member 27b is not projected.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the grip portion 11a is
When the gripping by the hand 20b of the
The photo sensor 17 detects that the light emitted from the light emitting element 17a is not received by the light receiving element 17b and the grip of the grip 11a is stopped. Then, this detection signal is transmitted to the relay device 18 and the relay device 18 is turned on.
Then, the male contacts 16b and 16a are connected via the relay device 18.

As a result, both the conductive lines 26b and 26c connected to the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 are connected to the power supply circuit 24, and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is operated by the current from the power supply circuit 24. . Then, the signal current transmission line 26
Drive pulses and current for the solid-state imaging device 26c are supplied via d and 19d, and a video signal is sent to the control device 4,
The observation image obtained by the electronic endoscope 2 can be projected on the CRT monitor 5 connected to the control device 4.

Further, by supplying a current to the signal current transmission line 26b, a current is also supplied to the coil 27a of the solenoid 27 connected to the signal current transmission line 26b via the conduction line 26e, and the solenoid 27 The locking member 27b is projected inward of the fixed frame 21 against the biasing force of the elastic body. Then
One end of the locking member 27b is engaged with the locking hole 11g of the fitting portion 11c through the opening 21b to fix the plug 11 and the jack 12.

On the other hand, when the connection between the plug 11 and the jack 12 is released, if the gripping part 11a is gripped by the hand 20b or the like, the hand 20b
Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting element 17a is reflected to the light receiving element 17b, and the electrical connection between the power supply circuit 24 and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is disconnected via the relay device 18. Further, since the locking member 27b is retracted from the inside of the fixed frame 21 by the urging force of the elastic body, the fixation of the plug 11 by the locking member 27b is released.
It is possible to easily move the plug 11 in the opposite direction to the jack 12.

Thus, when the gripping of the gripping part 11a by the hand 20b is stopped, that is, the current of the power supply device 24 is supplied to the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 only after the connection of the male and female contacts 16 and 23 is completed. While the current and the drive pulse are supplied to the solid-state imaging device 2c and the like, the supply of the current by the power supply circuit 24 is stopped before the connection of the contacts 16 and 23 is released.
Therefore, no excessive current is generated when the contacts 16 and 23 are connected or disconnected, and the excessive current does not flow toward the electronic endoscope 2.

In this embodiment, the solenoid linked to the relay device 18
Since 27 is provided, even if a force for urging the plug 11 in the opposite direction to the jack 12 acts by, for example, accidentally touching the second cable 9, the connection between the plug 11 and the jack 12 is made. It has the effect of not being released.

In addition, although the example in which the connector device of the present invention is used in the endoscope device 1 has been described in the present embodiment, the connector device of the present invention is not limited to this example, and is supplied with current such as a video camera. It can be used for all devices operated by the

Further, in the present embodiment, the photo sensor 17 is used as an example of the detection means, but other detection means such as a pressure sensor can be used and the grip portion 11 can be used.
It is also possible to provide a movable member in c and to control ON / OFF of current etc. by a lever connected to this movable member.

Further, in the present embodiment, it is configured to control both the current flowing through the current signal transmission lines 26d, 19d and the drive pulse,
It is also possible to protect the solid-state imaging device 2c by controlling only the driving pulse.

Further, in the present embodiment, the insertion portion 2a has been described by taking an example of a flexible electronic endoscope having flexibility, but it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a rigid endoscope and a fiberscope. is there.

5 and 6 relate to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the connector device, and FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of the connector device. The same members as those in the first embodiment and members having the same functions as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a protrusion is provided on the side opposite to the fitting portion 11c of the grip 11a of the plug 11, and the light emitting element 17a is arranged on this protrusion, while the light emitting element 17a of the control device 4 faces the light emitting element 17a. The light receiving element 17b is provided at the designated portion. When the gripping part 11a is gripped by the hand 20b or the like, the light emitted from the light emitting element 1a is prevented from reaching the light receiving element 17b by the hand 20b.

As shown in FIG. 2 (a), the light emitting element 17a is a plug 1
It is connected to one male terminal 16b via a conducting wire 19a, and is supplied with current from a female terminal 23b connected to the male terminal 16b.

Further, the relay device 18 is arranged in the control device 4, and the relay device 18 and the light receiving element 17b are connected to the signal line 19c.
Connected by This light receiving element 17b is a power supply circuit 2
Power is constantly supplied via a conducting wire 19b connected to a conducting wire 26a connecting the 4 and the female terminal 23b. Further, the power supply circuit 24 and the drive and output signal control circuit
25 is connected by a conducting wire 26b, while the other conducting wire 26c connected to the power supply circuit 24 is connected to the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 via the relay device 18.

With this configuration, when the male contact 16 and the female contact 23 are connected while the grip 11a of the plug 11 is gripped, the contact 23
The light emitting element 17a emits light by the current of the power supply device 24 supplied via b and 16b, but this light emission is blocked by the hand 20b or the like holding the holding portion 11a and does not reach the light receiving element 17b. Therefore, the relay device 18 is maintained in the OFF state, and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is not operated.

On the other hand, when the gripping of the upper gripping portion 11a is stopped while the male contact 16 and the female contact 23 are still connected, the light emitting element 1
Light emitted from 7a reaches the light receiving element 17b, and the relay device 1
8 is turned on and the drive and output signal processing circuit 25 is activated. And the current and drive pulse, etc. are the signal current transmission line 26d,
It is transmitted to the electronic endoscope 2 direction via 19d.

In this embodiment, since the male contact 16a is eliminated from the plug 11 and the relay device 18 is moved from the plug 11 to the control device 4, there is an effect that the plug 11 can be made light and small.

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of the connector device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the relay device 18 connects the drive / output signal processing circuit 25 and the female contact 23c to the current signal transmission line 2
It is installed in 6d.

With this configuration, only the drive pulse transmitted through the signal current transmission line 26d is ON / OFF controlled by the relay device 18.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, both the light emitting element 17a and the light receiving element 17b of the photo sensor 17 are provided on the panel surface 4a of the control device 4. Then, only when the light emitted from the light emitting element 17a is reflected by the hand 20b or the like and is incident on the light receiving element 17b, the drive pulse, the current, etc. are stopped and the solenoid is actuated.
27 is configured to be retracted from the inside of the fixed frame 21.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), when the plug 11 is not engaged with the jack 12, the solenoid 27 is constantly projected into the fixed frame 21, while the hand 20b grasped by the plug 11 is above the photo. When it comes close to the sensor 17, the light emitting element 20a
The light emitted at and reflected by the hand 20b is incident on the light receiving element 17b, the solenoid 27 is retracted from the fixed frame 21, and the current and drive pulse are stopped.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8 (c), with the plug 11 engaged with the jack 12, the hand 20b is moved to the photo sensor 17
When it is further separated, the incidence on the light receiving element 17b is stopped again, the current and the driving pulse are transmitted through the plug 11, and the solenoid 27 protrudes and the plug 11
Is prevented from coming off.

Thus, when the plug 11 is attached / detached, the current and the drive pulse are stopped and the solenoid 27 is retracted, so that an excessive current is prevented from being generated at the time of attachment / detachment.

In these examples, a female contact is used as the first contact,
Further, although the example in which the male contact is used as the second contact has been described, it is needless to say that these contacts can be formed by reversing male and female.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the connector device according to the present invention, a temporary excessive current does not occur when the first contact and the second contact are attached and detached, and the connector current is caused by this excessive current. This has the effect that the devices in which the devices are connected are not adversely affected.

In addition, in the use state in which the second control means is once connected, the removal preventing means does not act and the engaging member does not come off from the fixing member, so that it is possible to provide a safe connector device. To be done.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1 to 4 relate to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is a side view of a plug, FIG. 1 (b) is a side view of a jack, and FIG. 2 is a wiring of a connector device. FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view, FIG. 4 is an overall view of an endoscope apparatus which is a usage example of the connector device of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are related to a second embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a side view of the connector device, FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of the connector device, FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram of the connector device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is an operation explanatory view concerning. 11 ... Engaging member 12 ... Fixing member 13 ... Connector device 16 ... Second contact point 17 ... Sensing means 18 ... Control means 23 ... First contact point 23 ... Power supply device

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A connector device for connecting a signal cable extending from an operation section of an endoscope and a control device for the endoscope, wherein the connector device is provided on a fixing member on the control device side and is provided in the control device. A first contact connected to a power supply device and an engaging member engaging with the fixing member, mechanically connected to the first contact, and supplied with current from the first contact A second contact on the signal cable side, a detection means for detecting that the engagement member is gripped, and at least a part of the current supplied to the second contact depending on the output state of the detection means. A connector device comprising: first control means for shutting off; and second control means for controlling detachment prevention means between the fixing member and the engaging member according to the output state.