JP3665531B2

JP3665531B2 - Endoscope operation device

Info

Publication number: JP3665531B2
Application number: JP2000132203A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 喜則藤井; 章杉山
Original assignee: ペンタックス株式会社
Priority date: 2000-05-01
Filing date: 2000-05-01
Publication date: 2005-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2020-05-01
Also published as: JP2001309883A

Description

【０００１】
【技術分野】
本発明は、内視鏡操作装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来技術及びその問題点】
内視鏡では、操作装置としてノブやレバー等の回動操作部材が用いられることが多い。例えば、体腔などの観察対象内に挿入される挿入部の先端を湾曲操作可能なタイプの内視鏡で、特定の湾曲状態で挿入部先端を固定させるためのロック操作用として回動操作部材を用いたものがある。
【０００３】
ところで、この種の回動操作部材は通常、その操作中心軸（回動軸）に対して軸線方向へ脱落しないように抜止機構を介して保持されている。さらに上述のような内視鏡のロック操作用の回動操作部材では、ロック位置とアンロック（ロック解除）位置でクリック感を与えて回動規制させる回動位置制御機構を備えることが多く、これらの回動位置制御機構や抜止機構を備えたことで回動操作部材周りの構成が複雑になりがちである。
【０００４】
また、回動操作部材に対する抜止機構として、操作中心軸の軸端部に、操作中心軸とは別部材からなる環状の抜止部材を嵌めた構造が周知である。このように中心軸と環状の部材を嵌合させる構造では、当該嵌合部分において操作中心軸の軸線と直交する平面方向へクリアランス（遊び）を有するが、抜止部材を操作中心軸に取り付けた状態では、このクリアランスによるがたつきが生じないようにすることが望ましい。
【０００６】
【発明の目的】
本発明は、簡単な構成で、回動操作部材の抜け止めと回動位置制御が可能な内視鏡操作装置を得ることを目的とする。本発明はまた、簡単な構成で、操作中心軸に対し抜止部材を安定保持可能な内視鏡操作装置を得ることを目的とする。
【００１３】
本発明は、観察対象内に挿入される挿入部を有し、該挿入部の先端を湾曲操作可能な内視鏡の操作装置において、操作中心軸を中心に回動操作可能に設けられ、該回動操作により挿入部先端を湾曲させる湾曲操作部材；操作中心軸に回動操作可能に嵌められ、その回動操作によって該湾曲操作部材の回動操作を規制または許容させるロック操作部材；及び、操作中心軸の軸端部に固定され、該操作中心軸に対しロック操作部材を軸線方向へ抜け止めする抜止部材；を備え、この抜止部材が、ロック操作部材の一部を当接させてその回動可能範囲を規制する回動規制部と、この回動規制部によってロック操作部材の回動が規制されるときに、該ロック操作部材と共に回動するクリックばねが係合するクリック凹部とを備えることを特徴としている。この構成によれば、抜止部材が回動操作部材（ロック操作部材）の回動位置を制御する機構としても機能するので、部品点数を削減して構成を簡略化し、内視鏡操作装置のコストダウンを図ることができる。
【００１４】
この内視鏡操作装置では、抜止部材の回動規制部とクリック凹部を操作中心軸を挟んだ径方向の略対向位置に配置することが好ましい。径方向の略対向位置に配置される回動規制部とクリック凹部はそれぞれ一対を設けてもよい。さらに、クリックばねが、操作中心軸の軸線に接近する方向へ向けて抜止部材を押圧することが好ましい。
【００１５】
この内視鏡操作装置では、操作中心軸の軸端部を非円形断面形状とし、この非円形断面の軸端部に嵌まる非円形断面孔を抜止部材に形成し、固定ねじによって抜止部材を軸線方向に移動不能に軸端部へ固定することができる。
【００１６】
本発明はまた、以上のような湾曲操作部材と、ロック操作部材と、該ロック操作部材の抜止用の抜止部材とを有する内視鏡操作装置において、ロック操作部材に、操作中心軸を挟んだ径方向の略対向位置に設けた、回動規制突起と、該回動規制突起に接近する方向への付勢力を有するクリックばねを設け、抜止部材に、ロック操作部材の回動規制突起を当接させてその回動可能範囲を規制する回動規制面と、この回動規制面によってロック操作部材の回動が規制されるときにクリックばねが係合するクリック凹部；を備えたことを特徴としている。この構成によれば、回動操作部材（ロック操作部材）の抜止機構と回動位置制御機構の部品が共用されるので内視鏡操作装置の構成を簡略化できるとともに、操作中心軸に対して抜止部材をがたつくことなく安定して保持させることができる。径方向の対向位置にある回動規制突起とクリックばねに対応して抜止部材に設ける回動規制面とクリック凹部は、例えば、それぞれ一対設けることができる。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
本実施形態は、医療用内視鏡の操作装置に本発明を適用したものである。最初に内視鏡の全体構造及び操作装置の概要を説明し、次に本発明の特徴部分を説明する。
【００１８】
図１に示す内視鏡１０は、操作部１１と挿入部１２を有し、挿入部１２の先端部は、操作部１１に設けた湾曲操作装置１３の操作に応じて上下及び左右方向に湾曲される湾曲部１２ａとなっている。
【００１９】
湾曲部１２ａ先端には、図示しない観察窓（対物窓）と照明窓が設けられている。観察窓を介して得られる画像は操作部１１近傍に設けた接眼部１５から観察することができる。湾曲部１２ａ先端の照明窓には、コネクタ１４に接続された光源装置１７からライトガイド可撓管を介して照明用光が送られる。また、操作部１１と挿入部１２の間には、処置具を挿入するための鉗子口１８が設けられていて、鉗子口１８から挿入された処置具は湾曲部１２ａの先端から突出する。
【００２０】
図２は湾曲操作装置１３付近の断面を示している。湾曲操作装置１３は、湾曲部１２ａを左右方向に湾曲させるための左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲと、湾曲部１２ａを上下方向に湾曲させるための上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤを有している。図３と図４はそれぞれ、各部の動作を分かりやすくするために、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲと上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤにおいて一体的に回動される部材を一部材として表したものである。なお、図３では、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲにおいて一体的に回動される部分のみにハッチングを付し、図４では、上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤにおいて一体的に回動される部分のみにハッチングを付している。まず左右方向用の湾曲機構を説明する。
【００２１】
操作部１１のハウジング１１ａ内には基板１１ｂが固定されており、この基板１１ｂ上に回動基軸２０が固定されている。回動基軸２０は、ハウジング１１ａに形成した貫通孔１１ｃを通して上方に突出している。貫通孔１１ｃは、後述する固定台座５０とハウジング１１ａとの間に配した蓋体１１ｄによって塞がれている。
【００２２】
回動基軸２０の外側には、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲを構成する操作軸体２１が回動可能に支持されている。操作軸体２１は金属材料で形成されており、回動基軸２０に嵌まる、該回動基軸２０と同心の筒状部２１ａと、この筒状部２１ａの上端部に位置する円板状部２１ｂを有し、円板状部２１ｂには、周方向に等間隔で複数の円孔２１ｃが形成されている（図５参照）。
【００２３】
操作軸体２１には、プラスチックの成形品である湾曲操作ノブ２３が固定される。湾曲操作ノブ２３は、等角度間隔で４つの指掛部２３ａを外径方向に突出させ、内部は中空に形成されている。湾曲操作ノブ２３の対向する上面と下面には、それぞれ大径開口２３ｂと小径開口２３ｃが形成されており、小径開口２３ｃは操作軸体２１の円板状部２１ｂに嵌まっている。湾曲操作ノブ２３において小径開口２３ｃの近傍には、周方向に等間隔で複数の凸部２３ｄが形成され、この凸部２３ｄを円孔２１ｃ内に溶着させることによって、湾曲操作ノブ２３が操作軸体２１と固定される。
【００２４】
操作軸体２１の下端部にはプーリー２４が固定されている。プーリー２４には一対の操作ワイヤ２５、２６が固定されており、プーリー２４の正逆の回動によって、操作ワイヤ２５と操作ワイヤ２６の一方がプーリー２４に巻き取られ、他方がプーリー２４から繰り出される。操作ワイヤ２５と操作ワイヤ２６はそれぞれ挿入部１２の湾曲部１２ａを構成する節輪に接続しており、この操作ワイヤ２５と操作ワイヤ２６相互に対する牽引及び繰出動作によって、湾曲部１２ａが左右方向に湾曲される。本実施形態では、図１０中のＬ方向に湾曲操作ノブ２３と操作軸体２１の結合体を回動させると湾曲部１２ａが左方に湾曲され、同結合体をＲ方向に回動させると湾曲部１２ａが右方に湾曲される。
【００２５】
続いて上下方向用の湾曲機構を説明する。操作軸体２１の筒状部２１ａの外側には、上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤを構成する操作軸体３１が回動可能に支持されている。操作軸体３１は金属材料で形成されており、筒状部２１ａに回動可能に嵌まる、回動基軸２０と同心の筒状部３１ａと、この筒状部３１ａの上端部に位置する円板状部３１ｂを有している。円板状部３１ｂには、周方向に等間隔で複数の円孔３１ｃが形成されている。
【００２６】
操作軸体３１には、プラスチックの成形品である湾曲操作ノブ３３が固定される。湾曲操作ノブ３３は、等角度間隔で５つの指掛部３３ａを外径方向に突出させ、内部は中空に形成されている。湾曲操作ノブ３３の対向する下面と上面には、それぞれ大径開口３３ｂと小径開口３３ｃが形成されており、小径開口３３ｃは操作軸体３１の円板状部３１ｂに嵌まっている。湾曲操作ノブ３３において小径開口３３ｃの近傍には、周方向に等間隔で複数の凸部３３ｄが形成され、この凸部３３ｄを円孔３１ｃ内に溶着させることによって、湾曲操作ノブ３３が操作軸体３１と固定される。また湾曲操作ノブ３３内には、大径開口３３ｂの内側に金属材料からなる環状の内枠３３ｅが固定されている。この環状の内枠３３ｅは、内周面に雌ねじが形成されている。
【００２７】
操作軸体３１の下端部には、プーリー３４が固定されている。プーリー３４には一対の操作ワイヤ３５、３６が固定されており、プーリー３４の正逆の回動によって、操作ワイヤ３５と操作ワイヤ３６の一方がプーリー３４に巻き取られ、他方がプーリー３４から繰り出される。操作ワイヤ３５と操作ワイヤ３６はそれぞれ挿入部１２の湾曲部１２ａに接続されており、この操作ワイヤ３５と操作ワイヤ３６相互に対する牽引及び繰出動作によって、湾曲部１２ａが上下方向に屈湾曲される。本実施形態では、図１０中のＵ方向に湾曲操作ノブ３３と操作軸体３１の結合体を回動させると湾曲部１２ａが上方に湾曲され、同結合体をＤ方向に回動させると湾曲部１２ａが下方に湾曲される。
【００２８】
左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲと上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤはそれぞれ、ロック機構によって湾曲操作ノブ２３、３３の回動操作を規制することができ、挿入部１２の湾曲部１２ａを所望の湾曲状態にさせることができる。まず左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲのロック機構を説明する。
【００２９】
回動基軸２０の上端部には、回動基軸２０と同心の筒状部４１ａと円板状部４１ｂを備えたロック軸体４１が設けられている。筒状部４１ａは回動基軸２０に回動可能に嵌まっており、円板状部４１ｂ上には固定ナット４３を介してロック操作ノブ４２が固定されていて、外部からロック操作ノブ４２を回動操作するとロック軸体４１も一体に回動される。回動基軸２０の上端部には、このロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体の脱落を防止する抜止部材４４が取り付けられている。図９に示すように、抜止部材４４の中央には非円形孔４４ｃが形成され、回動基軸２０の上端部はこの非円形孔４４ｃに挿通可能な非円形断面形状に形成されており、互いの非円形部を嵌合させることにより、抜止部材４４は回動基軸２０に対して回動が規制された状態で支持される。抜止部材４４はさらに、固定ねじ２０ａによって回動基軸２０の軸線方向にも脱落しないように固定される。
【００３０】
図７ないし図９に示すように、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体は、円板状部４１ｂ上に突設した回動規制突起４１ｃが、周方向に位置を異ならせて抜止部材４４に設けた一対の回動規制面４４ａに当接する範囲内で回動させることができる。抜止部材４４にはさらに、各回動規制面４４ａと径方向の対向位置に、一対のクリック凹部４４ｂが形成されており、回動規制突起４１ｃが各回動規制面４４ａに当接する、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の回動規制位置では、該ロック操作ノブ４２に固定されたクリックばね４５が、径方向の対向位置にあるクリック凹部４４ｂと係合して、ロック操作ノブ４２にクリック感を与える。
【００３１】
筒状部４１ａの外周面には雄ねじ４１ｄが形成され、この雄ねじ４１ｄには、移動ロック部材４６の雌ねじ４６ａが螺合している。図５に示すように、回動基軸２０はその長手方向の一部が非円形断面部２２として形成されており、この非円形断面部２２に対して、移動ロック部材４６と相対回動不能に結合された回動規制体４７が嵌まることによって、移動ロック部材４６は該回動基軸２０に対する回動が規制されている。したがって、ロック操作ノブ４２とロック軸体４１の結合体を回動させると、雄ねじ４１ｄと雌ねじ４６ａの螺合関係によって、移動ロック部材４６は回動基軸２０の軸線に沿って回動することなく上下動される。
【００３２】
ロック操作ノブ４２とロック軸体４１の結合体を回動させて移動ロック部材４６が上下動すると、該移動ロック部材４６に固定された摩擦係合部４６ｂが、固定ロック部材４８に固定された摩擦係合部４８ａに対して接離する。摩擦係合部４６ｂ、４８ａは摩擦係数の高い材料、例えばコルクやシリコンゴムで形成されている。固定ロック部材４８は、大径開口２３ｂを覆うように湾曲操作ノブ２３の一部を構成しており、湾曲操作ノブ２３を回動操作したときには、該湾曲操作ノブ２３及び操作軸体２１と共に回動される。そして、移動ロック部材４６が上方に移動して摩擦係合部４６ｂが摩擦係合部４８ａに押し付けられると、摩擦力によって固定ロック部材４８の回動が規制される。固定ロック部材４８の回動が規制されると、操作軸体２１と湾曲操作ノブ２３の結合体の回動が規制され、プーリー２４が回動しないように係止される。その結果、湾曲部１２ａの左右方向への湾曲動作が規制され、湾曲状態が維持される。詳細には、図１０中のＦ’方向（ロック方向）にロック操作ノブ４２を回動させたときに、移動ロック部材４６が上方へ移動して固定ロック部材４８と摩擦係合して湾曲操作ノブ２３が回動規制され、Ｆ方向（フリー（アンロック）方向）に回動させたときに、移動ロック部材４６が下方へ移動して固定ロック部材４８との摩擦係合を解除して湾曲操作ノブ２３の回動が許容される。上述のように、ロック操作ノブ４２は２つの回動位置でクリック感を伴って係止されるが、一方のクリック位置で湾曲操作ノブ２３が係止され、他方のクリック位置で湾曲操作ノブ２３の回動が許容される。このロック操作ノブ４２の前者の回動位置をロック位置、後者の回動位置をアンロック位置と呼ぶ。なお、移動ロック部材４６と固定ロック部材４８はそれぞれが環状に形成されており、湾曲操作ノブ２３と共に回動される固定ロック部材４８がいずれの回動位置にあっても、摩擦係合部４６ｂが摩擦係合部４８ａに係合することが可能になっている。
【００３３】
さらに、摩擦係合部４６ｂは下部に調整ねじ４９を備え、この調整ねじ４９は移動ロック部材４６に形成したねじ孔４９ａに螺合している。調整ねじ４９を回転させると、ねじ孔４９ａとの螺合関係に従って、摩擦係合部４６ｂが移動ロック部材４６に対して上下方向に移動される。なお、図２ないし図４には調整ねじ４９及びねじ孔４９ａが２つ示されているが、これらは周方向に位置を異ならせて３つ以上設けてもよい。移動ロック部材４６に対して摩擦係合部４６ｂの上下方向位置が変化すると、ロック操作ノブ４２をロック位置に回動操作したときの摩擦係合部４６ｂと摩擦係合部４８ａの摩擦係合力が変化するため、湾曲操作ノブ２３に対するロック強さを調整することができる。例えば、湾曲部１２ａの湾曲状態であっても、該湾曲部１２ａに加わる外力に応じて湾曲操作ノブ２３に対するロックが解除される、いわばハーフロックとなるように、摩擦係合部４６ｂと摩擦係合部４８ａの間の摩擦力を設定することも可能である。固定ロック部材４８を回動させてその上下方向位置を変化させることにより、こうした摩擦力の調整を容易に行うことができる。
【００３４】
続いて上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤのロック機構を説明する。操作軸体３１の外側には、回動基軸２０と同心の筒状に形成された固定台座５０が設けられている。固定台座５０は、その下端部が回動基軸２０と共に基板１１ｂに固定されており、固定台座５０と回動基軸２０との間の空間には、操作軸体２１、３１、プーリー２４、３４が支持されている。一方、固定台座５０の外周面にはロック軸体５１が支持されている。ロック軸体５１は、回動基軸２０と同心の筒状部５１ａと円板状部５１ｂを備え、筒状部５１ａは固定台座５０の外周面に対して回動可能に、かつ軸方向（上下方向）には移動しないように嵌まっている。円板状部５１ｂには周方向に位置を異ならせて複数の円孔５１ｃが形成されており、この円孔５１ｃに凸部５２ａを嵌めて溶着することによってロック操作レバー５２が固定される。つまり、ロック操作レバー５２はロック軸体５１と共に、固定台座５０（回動基軸２０）を中心として回動可能に支持されている。上述した中空状のロック操作ノブ４２とは異なり、ロック操作レバー５２は、回動操作を行いやすくするために、回動基軸２０の軸線に対して径方向に長く延出されたレバー形状に形成されている。
【００３５】
ロック軸体５１とロック操作レバー５２の結合体は、ロック軸体５１の筒状部５１ａと固定台座５０との間に設けた図示しない回動規制機構によって２つの回動位置で係止され、各回動位置において、クリックばね５５がクリック感を発生させるストッパとして作用する。
【００３６】
筒状部５１ａの外周面には雄ねじ５１ｄが形成され、この雄ねじ５１ｄには、移動ロック部材５６の雌ねじ５６ａが螺合している。図６に示すように、固定台座５０はその上端部が非円形断面部５４として形成されており、この非円形断面部５４に対して、移動ロック部材５６に固定された回動規制体５７が嵌まることによって、移動ロック部材５６は固定台座５０及び回動基軸２０に対する回動が規制されている。したがって、ロック操作レバー５２とロック軸体５１の結合体を回動させると、雄ねじ５１ｄと雌ねじ５６ａの螺合関係によって、移動ロック部材５６が回動基軸２０の軸線に沿って回動することなく上下動される。回動規制体５７は移動ロック部材５６と別部材としてから固定してもよいし、回動規制体５７に相当する部分を移動ロック部材５６に一体に形成してもよい。
【００３７】
ロック操作レバー５２とロック軸体５１の結合体を回動させて移動ロック部材５６が上下動すると、該移動ロック部材５６の一部に形成された摩擦係合部５６ｂが、固定ロック部材５８に固定された摩擦係合部５８ａに対して接離する。固定ロック部材５８は、湾曲操作ノブ３３の内枠３３ｅに対し、周方向には一体に回動するように係合しており、湾曲操作ノブ３３を回動操作したときには共に回動される。そして、移動ロック部材５６が下方に移動して摩擦係合部５６ｂが摩擦係合部５８ａに押し付けられると、摩擦力によって固定ロック部材５８の回動が規制される。固定ロック部材５８の回動が規制されると、操作軸体３１と湾曲操作ノブ３３の結合体の回動が規制され、プーリー３４が回動しないように係止される。結果として、上下方向への湾曲部１２ａの湾曲動作が規制され、特定の湾曲位置に保たれる。詳細には、図１０中のＦ’方向（ロック方向）にロック操作レバー５２を回動させたときに、移動ロック部材５６が下方へ移動して固定ロック部材５８と摩擦係合して湾曲操作ノブ３３が回動規制され、Ｆ方向（フリー（アンロック）方向）に回動させたときに、移動ロック部材５６が上方へ移動して固定ロック部材５８との摩擦係合を解除して湾曲操作ノブ３３の回動が許容される。上述のように、ロック操作レバー５２は２つの回動位置でクリック感を伴って係止されるが、一方のクリック位置で湾曲操作ノブ３３が係止され、他方のクリック位置で湾曲操作ノブ３３の回動が許容される。このロック操作レバー５２の前者の回動位置をロック位置、後者の回動位置をアンロック位置と呼ぶ。なお、移動ロック部材５６と固定ロック部材５８はそれぞれが環状に形成されており、湾曲操作ノブ３３と共に回動される固定ロック部材５８がいずれの回動位置にあっても、摩擦係合部５６ｂが摩擦係合部５８ａに係合することが可能になっている。
【００３８】
一方、固定ロック部材５８は、内枠３３ｅに対して上下方向移動可能に嵌まっている。湾曲操作ノブ３３の内枠３３ｅには雌ねじが形成されており、この雌ねじに螺合する雄ねじを備えたロック調整ナット６０が、固定ロック部材５８を下方から支えている。湾曲操作ノブ３３と操作軸体３１の結合体を回動規制しつつロック調整ナット６０を回動させると、内枠３３ｅに対してロック調整ナット６０の上下方向位置が調整され、これに応じて移動ロック部材５６に対する固定ロック部材５８の上下方向位置を調整することができる。固定ロック部材５８の上下方向位置が変化すると、ロック操作レバー５２をロック位置に回動操作したときの摩擦係合部５６ｂと摩擦係合部５８ａの間の摩擦力が変化するため、ロック強さを調整することができる。例えば、ロック調整ナット６０の調整によって、上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤに関して上述のようなハーフロック状態を設定することが可能である。
【００３９】
以上のようなロック機構を有する左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲと上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤの構成部材は、最終的には回動基軸２０を介して操作部１１に組み付けられている。上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤは、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲを構成する操作軸体２１（円板状部２１ｂ）とプーリー２４に挟まれて上下方向位置が定められており、回動基軸２０の軸方向の途中位置には、操作軸体２１の上端部と係合する中間抜止部材６１が設けられている。この中間抜止部材６１によって、上下湾曲機構１３ＵＤ全体と、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲにおける操作軸体２１及び湾曲操作ノブ２３の結合体とが、回動基軸２０から脱落しないように保持される。また、上述の抜止部材４４によって、湾曲操作ノブ２３よりも上方に位置するロック軸体４１やロック操作ノブ４２が、回動基軸２０から脱落しないように保持されている。つまり、回動基軸２０に対して、湾曲操作装置１３全体が抜け止めされた状態で保持されている。
【００４０】
湾曲操作装置１３には、内部を水密に保ったり、埃などの異物の侵入を防ぐために、弾性を有するＯリングなどからなるシール材が配されている。シール材はその機能上、ハウジング１１ａ内をシールするもの（符号Ｓ１）と、湾曲操作ノブ２３内をシールするもの（同Ｓ２）と、湾曲操作ノブ３３内をシールするもの（同Ｓ３）と、ロック操作ノブ４２内をシールするもの（同Ｓ４）と、操作軸体２１、３１の間をシールするもの（同Ｓ５）とに分けられる。例えば内視鏡１０を薬液で消毒する場合、外部に露出する箇所は確実に消毒されるが、中空に形成された各操作ノブ２３、３３及び４２内や操作部１１のハウジング１１ａ内への薬液は浸入は、シール材Ｓ１〜Ｓ５によって防がれる。
【００４１】
【本発明の特徴部分の説明】
図７ないし図９、及び図１２を参照して本発明の特徴部分を説明する。上述したように、固定ナット４３を介して一体にされたロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体（回動操作部材、ロック操作部材）は、ロック位置とアンロック位置への回動によって、左右湾曲機構１３ＬＲ側の操作軸体２１と湾曲操作ノブ２３の結合体（湾曲操作部材）の回動を規制または許容させることができる。図１２に拡大して示すように、このロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体は、回動基軸２０（操作中心軸）の上端部付近に回動可能に支持されている。詳細には、ロック軸体４１の筒状部４１ａ内周面と回動基軸２０の外周面との嵌合関係によって、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体が、回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘを中心として回動可能となっている。ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体は、図２に示すように、操作軸体２１及び湾曲操作ノブ２３と一体で回動する固定ロック部材４８により、軸線２０ｘに沿って図１２中の下方には移動されないように規制されている。
【００４２】
回動基軸２０は、ロック軸体４１の筒状部４１ａとの嵌合部分よりもさらに上部が、図１２中の上方に向けて開放された軸端部となっており、この軸端部は図９に示すように軸線２０ｘと平行な一対の平行平面７０ａを有する非円形断面部７０となっている。回動基軸２０にはさらに、一対の平行平面７０ａに連続して、軸線２０ｘと直交する方向へ段部７１が形成されている（図１２）。上述したように、回動基軸２０の非円形断面部７０に対しては抜止部材４４の非円形孔４４ｃが嵌合可能であり、この非円形孔４４ｃに形成した一対の平行平面４４ｄが上記の平行平面７０ａと係合することによって、抜止部材４４は、回動基軸２０に対して回動規制された状態で段部７１に支持される。
【００４３】
回動基軸２０の上端面からは、軸線２０ｘに沿う方向へ向けてねじ孔７２が形成されている。このねじ孔７２に上述の固定ねじ２０ａを螺合させると抜止部材４４が共締めされ、抜止部材４４は軸線２０ｘ方向において上方へ脱落しないように非円形断面部７０、すなわち回動基軸２０の軸端部に固定される。
【００４４】
こうして段部７１と固定ねじ２０ａに挟まれる状態で回動基軸２０に固定された抜止部材４４は、回動基軸２０よりも大径であり、図１２に示すように、該抜止部材４４の下面がロック軸体４１の円板状部４１ｂに対向している。したがって、ロック軸体４１は抜止部材４４によって同図中上方への移動が規制され、回動基軸２０の軸端部から脱落しないように保持される。なお、抜止部材４４を回動基軸２０に固定した状態では、該抜止部材４４の下面とロック軸体４１の円板状部４１ｂとの間にはわずかな隙間が確保されており、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体は、固定ねじ２０ａの締め付け力に関わらず、軸線２０ｘを中心として回動可能である。
【００４５】
以上のように抜止部材４４は、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体に対し、軸線２０ｘを中心とする回動は許容しつつ回動基軸２０の軸端部方向への脱落を阻止する抜止機構として機能する。上述したように、本実施形態の抜止部材４４はさらに、同結合体の回動操作位置を制御する手段としても機能する。その具体的構成を説明する。
【００４６】
図９は抜止部材４４の単体形状を示している。概ね環状をなす抜止部材４４は、その外縁部に、回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘを中心とする周方向に位置を異ならせて一対の回動規制面（回動規制部）４４ａが形成されている。各回動規制面４４ａには、ロック操作ノブ４２をロック位置とアンロック位置に回動操作したときに、ロック軸体４１の一部を構成する回動規制突起４１ｃがそれぞれ当接する（図８）。言い換えれば、一対の回動規制面４４ａの周方向における間隔は、ロック位置とアンロック位置の間のロック操作ノブ４２の回動量に対応して設定されている。なお、抜止部材４４で一対の回動規制面４４ａを接続する接続面４４ｅは、軸線２０ｘを中心とする部分円弧状に形成されており、この接続面４４ｅに対し、回動規制突起４１ｃの内径側の円弧状面４１ｅが接触している。
【００４７】
抜止部材４４の外縁部にはさらに、周方向に位置を異ならせて一対のクリック凹部４４ｂが形成される。一対のクリック凹部４４ｂの周方向間隔は、一対の回動規制突起４４ａの周方向間隔に対応しており、さらに一対のクリック凹部４４ｂの一方と他方は、一対の回動規制突起４４ａの一方と他方に対して、回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘを挟んだ径方向の略対向位置にある。
【００４８】
ロック操作ノブ４２には、その内面にばね支持部４２ａが形成されている（図１２）。クリックばね４５は、このばね支持部４２ａに挿入固定される直線状の固定部４５ａと、該固定部からロック軸体４１方向へ屈曲された弾性自由端部４５ｂとを有するＬ字状のばね部材であり、ロック操作ノブ４２と共に軸線２０ｘを中心として回動される。クリックばね４５の弾性自由端部４５ｂは、回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘから偏心した位置に延出されており、ロック操作ノブ４２の回動操作に応じて抜止部材４４のクリック凹部４４ｂに係合可能である。弾性自由端部４５ｂの先端付近は、クリック凹部４４ｂの形状に対応する半環状の断面形状となっている（図８）。弾性自由端部４５ｂには、クリック凹部４４ｂと係合する方向、つまり回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘに接近する方向への押圧力が作用している。同押圧力の方向は、図８及び図１２に矢印Ｐで表されている。この弾性自由端部４５ｂと上述の回動規制突起４１ｃは、回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘを挟んだ径方向の略対向位置に位置しており、弾性自由端部４５ｂの押圧力の作用方向Ｐの延長線上に回動規制突起４１ｃが位置している（図８）。なお、クリックばね４５が設けられている湾曲操作ノブ４２と回動規制突起４１ｃが形成されているロック軸体４１とは一体に回動するものであるから、その回動位置に関わらず、弾性自由端部４５ｂと回動規制突起４１ｃは常に径方向の対向位置にある。
【００４９】
ロック軸体４１の回動規制突起４１ｃが抜止部材４４の一対の回動規制面４４ａのいずれかに当接するとき、すなわち上記ロック操作ノブ４２のロック位置またはアンロック位置では、クリックばね４５の弾性自由端部４５ｂがその付勢力によって一対のクリック凹部４４ｂのいずれかに係合しており、該係合によりロック操作ノブ４２はロック位置またはアンロック位置に保持される。この保持状態からロック操作ノブ４２を当該回動規制位置とは反対の回動規制方向へ回動させると、クリックばね４５の弾性自由端部４５ｂが付勢力に抗して軸線２０ｘから離れる方向に開かれ、クリック凹部４４ｂとの係合が解除される。ロック操作ノブ４２の同方向への回動を続けると、回動規制突起４１ｃが他方の回動規制面４４ａに当接し、同時にクリックぱね４５の弾性自由端部４５ｂが他方のクリック凹部４４ｂに係合し、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体は、再び安定保持される。こうして、ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体であるロック操作部材は、抜止部材４４に形成した各一対の回動規制面４４ａ、クリック凹部４４ｂと、ロック操作ノブ４２と一体に回動するクリックばね４５と、ロック軸体４１に形成した回動規制突起４１ｃとによって、ロック位置とアンロック位置でクリック感をもって係止されるように回動制御される。
【００５０】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本実施形態による内視鏡の湾曲操作装置１３では、回動基軸２０に対してロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体を抜け止めする抜止部材４４が、同結合体をロック位置とアンロック位置でクリック感をもって係止させる回動位置制御機構の構成部材としても機能する。これにより、回動操作部材の抜止用と回動位置制御用の各機構で部品を共用化して部品点数を少なく抑え、操作装置の構成の簡略化を図ることができる。
【００５１】
また本実施形態の湾曲操作装置１３では、図８に示されるように、ロック軸体４１の回動規制突起４１ｃとクリックばね４５の弾性自由端部４５ｂを回動基軸２０の軸線２０ｘを挟んだ径方向の対向位置に配置し、これに対応して、抜止部材４４においてロック位置とアンロック位置に対応する回動規制面４４ａとクリック凹部４４ｂの各組を、該径方向の略対向の位置に形成している。端的に言えば、ロック操作部材（ロック軸体４１とロック操作ノブ４２の結合体）に設けた回動規制突起４１ｃとクリックばね４５とで、抜止部材４４を軸線２０ｘと直交する方向に弾性的に挟み込むように構成している。この構成によると、ロック操作部材がロック位置またはアンロック位置にあるときに、Ｐ方向へ作用する弾性自由端部４５ｂの押圧力によって、抜止部材４４の接続面４４ｅが回動規制突起４１ｃの円弧状面４１ｅに押し付けられるため、軸線２０ｘと直交する方向における回動基軸２０と抜止部材４４の間のがたつきを抑え、抜止部材４４を安定して保持することができる。
【００５２】
以上、図示実施形態に基づいて本発明を説明したが、本発明は実施形態に限定されるものではない。例えば、実施形態ではロック位置とアンロック位置の２位置で係止される回動操作部材（ロック操作部材）を説明したが、係止位置が一つの回動操作部材についても本発明を適用することができる。この場合、抜止部材には一組の回動規制部とクリック凹部を設ければよい。あるいは、係止位置が３以上の回動操作部材についても本発明は適用可能である。この場合、抜止部材には三組以上の回動規制部とクリック凹部を設ければよい。
【００５４】
【発明の効果】
以上のように本発明によれば、簡単な構成で、回動操作部材の抜け止めと回動位置制御が可能な内視鏡操作装置を得ることができる。また、簡単な構成で、操作中心軸に対し抜止部材を安定保持可能な内視鏡操作装置を得ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による操作装置を有する内視鏡の全体構造を示す外観図である。
【図２】図１の内視鏡の湾曲操作装置付近の断面図である。
【図３】図２から、左右湾曲機構で一体的に回動される部材を一部材として示した図である。
【図４】図２から、上下湾曲機構で一体的に回動される部材を一部材として示した図である。
【図５】図２のV-V断面線に沿う図である。
【図６】図２のVI-VI断面線に沿う図である。
【図７】図２のVII-VII断面線に沿う図である。
【図８】図２の矢印VIII方向から見た抜止部材付近の平面図である。
【図９】図８の抜け止め部材の単体形状を表す図である。
【図１０】湾曲操作装置の平面図である。
【図１１】内視鏡ハウジング内にある部材を除いて示す、湾曲操作装置を底面側から見た図である。
【図１２】図２における左右湾曲機構付近を拡大した図である。
【符号の説明】
１０内視鏡
１１操作部
１１ａハウジング
１１ｂ基板
１１ｃ貫通孔
１１ｄ蓋体
１２挿入部
１２ａ湾曲部
１３湾曲操作装置
１３ＬＲ左右湾曲機構
１３ＵＤ上下湾曲機構
１４コネクタ
１５接眼部
１７光源装置
１８鉗子口
２０回動基軸（操作中心軸）
２０ａ固定ねじ
２０ｘ軸線
２１操作軸体（湾曲操作部材）
２１ａ筒状部
２１ｂ円板状部
２１ｃ円孔
２２非円形断面部
２３湾曲操作ノブ（湾曲操作部材）
２３ａ指掛部
２３ｂ大径開口
２３ｃ小径開口
２３ｄ凸部
２４プーリー
２５操作ワイヤ
２６操作ワイヤ
３１操作軸体
３１ａ筒状部
３１ｂ円板状部
３１ｃ円孔
３３湾曲操作ノブ
３３ａ指掛部
３３ｂ大径開口
３３ｃ小径開口
３３ｄ凸部
３３ｅ内枠
３４プーリー
３５操作ワイヤ
３６操作ワイヤ
４１ロック軸体（回動操作部材、ロック操作部材）
４１ａ筒状部
４１ｂ円板状部
４１ｃ回動規制突起
４１ｄ雄ねじ
４１ｅ円弧状面
４２ロック操作ノブ（回動操作部材、ロック操作部材）
４２ａばね支持部
４３固定ナット
４４抜止部材
４４ａ回動規制面（回動規制部）
４４ｂクリック凹部
４４ｃ非円形孔
４４ｄ平行平面
４４ｅ接続面
４５クリックばね
４５ａ固定部
４５ｂ弾性自由端部
４６移動ロック部材
４６ａ雌ねじ
４６ｂ摩擦係合部
４７回動規制体
４８固定ロック部材
４８ａ摩擦係合部
４９調整ねじ
４９ａねじ孔
５０固定台座
５１ロック軸体
５１ａ筒状部
５１ｂ円板状部
５１ｃ円孔
５１ｄ雄ねじ
５２ロック操作レバー
５２ａ凸部
５４非円形断面部
５５クリックばね
５６移動ロック部材
５６ａ雌ねじ
５７回動規制体
５６ｂ摩擦係合部
５８固定ロック部材
５８ａ摩擦係合部
６０ロック調整ナット
６１中間抜止部材
７０非円形断面部
７０ａ平行平面
７１段部
７２ねじ孔[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to an endoscope operating device .
[0002]
[Prior art and its problems]
In an endoscope, a rotation operation member such as a knob or a lever is often used as an operation device. For example, an endoscope of a type that can bend the distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into an observation target such as a body cavity, and a rotation operation member for locking operation for fixing the distal end of the insertion portion in a specific curved state. There is something used.
[0003]
By the way, this kind of rotation operation member is normally held via a retaining mechanism so as not to drop in the axial direction with respect to the operation center axis (rotation axis). Furthermore, the rotation operation member for the lock operation of the endoscope as described above often includes a rotation position control mechanism that provides a click feeling at the lock position and the unlock (unlock) position to restrict the rotation. The configuration around the rotating operation member tends to be complicated due to the provision of the rotating position control mechanism and the retaining mechanism.
[0004]
Further, as a retaining mechanism for the rotation operation member, a structure in which an annular retaining member made of a member different from the operation center shaft is fitted to the shaft end portion of the operation center shaft is well known. Thus, in the structure in which the central shaft and the annular member are fitted, the fitting portion has a clearance (play) in a plane direction orthogonal to the axis of the operation central axis, but the retaining member is attached to the operation central shaft. Then, it is desirable to prevent the rattling caused by this clearance.
[0006]
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope operation device that can prevent a rotation operation member from being detached and can control a rotation position with a simple configuration. Another object of the present invention is to obtain an endoscope operating device that can stably hold a retaining member with respect to an operation center axis with a simple configuration.
[0013]
The present invention has an insertion portion to be inserted into the observation target, Oite the operating device of the bending operation can endoscope the tip of the insertion section, disposed rotatably operated around the operating central axis A bending operation member that bends the distal end of the insertion portion by the rotation operation; a lock operation member that is fitted to the operation center axis so as to be capable of rotation operation and restricts or allows the rotation operation of the bending operation member by the rotation operation; And a retaining member that is fixed to the shaft end portion of the operation center shaft and prevents the lock operation member from coming off in the axial direction with respect to the operation center shaft. And a click recess that engages a click spring that rotates with the lock operation member when the rotation of the lock operation member is restricted by the rotation restriction portion. It is characterized by having . According to the configuration of this, the stop member also functions as a mechanism for controlling the rotational position of the rotating operation member (lock operation member), to simplify the structure by reducing the number of parts, an endoscope operation device Cost reduction .
[0014]
In this endoscope operating device, it is preferable that the rotation restricting portion and the click recess of the retaining member are arranged at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction across the operation center axis. A pair of the rotation restricting portion and the click recessed portion that are arranged at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction may be provided. Furthermore, it is preferable that the click spring presses the retaining member in a direction approaching the axis of the operation center axis.
[0015]
In this endoscope operating device, the shaft end portion of the operation central axis and non-circular cross-sectional shape to form the non-circular fitting the shaft end portion of the cross-sectional circle non-circular cross-section bore in the retaining member, the retaining member by a fixing screw Can be fixed to the shaft end so as not to move in the axial direction.
[0016]
The present invention also provides an endoscope operation apparatus having the bending operation member as described above, a lock operation member, and a retaining member for retaining the lock operation member, and an operation center axis is sandwiched between the lock operation members. A rotation restricting protrusion provided at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction and a click spring having a biasing force in a direction approaching the rotation restricting protrusion are provided, and the rotation restricting protrusion of the lock operating member is applied to the retaining member. A rotation restricting surface that contacts and restricts the rotatable range; and a click recess that engages a click spring when the rotation of the lock operating member is restricted by the turn restricting surface. It is said. According to this configuration, since the parts of the rotation operation member (lock operation member) retaining mechanism and the rotation position control mechanism are shared, the configuration of the endoscope operation device can be simplified and the operation center axis can be reduced. The retaining member can be stably held without rattling. For example, a pair of a rotation restricting surface and a click recess provided on the retaining member corresponding to the rotation restricting projection and the click spring at the radially opposed positions can be provided, respectively.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an operating device for a medical endoscope. First, the overall structure of the endoscope and the outline of the operation device will be described, and then the characteristic part of the present invention will be described.
[0018]
The endoscope 10 shown in FIG. 1 has an operation unit 11 and an insertion unit 12, and the distal end of the insertion unit 12 is bent in the vertical and horizontal directions in accordance with the operation of the bending operation device 13 provided in the operation unit 11. The curved portion 12a is formed.
[0019]
An observation window (object window) and an illumination window (not shown) are provided at the distal end of the curved portion 12a. An image obtained through the observation window can be observed from an eyepiece unit 15 provided in the vicinity of the operation unit 11. Illumination light is sent from the light source device 17 connected to the connector 14 to the illumination window at the distal end of the curved portion 12a through the light guide flexible tube. A forceps port 18 for inserting a treatment tool is provided between the operation unit 11 and the insertion unit 12, and the treatment tool inserted from the forceps port 18 protrudes from the distal end of the bending portion 12a.
[0020]
FIG. 2 shows a cross section near the bending operation device 13. The bending operation device 13 includes a left / right bending mechanism 13LR for bending the bending portion 12a in the left / right direction and an up / down bending mechanism 13UD for bending the bending portion 12a in the up / down direction. FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 each represent a member that is integrally rotated in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD for easy understanding of the operation of each part. In FIG. 3, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the left and right bending mechanism 13LR is hatched, and in FIG. 4, only the portion that is integrally rotated in the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is hatched. Yes. First, the bending mechanism for the left-right direction will be described.
[0021]
A substrate 11b is fixed in the housing 11a of the operation unit 11, and the rotation base shaft 20 is fixed on the substrate 11b. The rotation base shaft 20 protrudes upward through a through hole 11c formed in the housing 11a. The through hole 11c is closed by a lid 11d disposed between a fixed base 50 and a housing 11a, which will be described later.
[0022]
On the outer side of the rotation base shaft 20, an operation shaft body 21 constituting a left / right bending mechanism 13LR is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 21 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 21 a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and a disk-shaped portion located at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 21 a. A plurality of circular holes 21c are formed in the disc-like portion 21b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction (see FIG. 5).
[0023]
A bending operation knob 23 which is a plastic molded product is fixed to the operation shaft body 21. The bending operation knob 23 has four finger hooks 23a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 23 b and a small-diameter opening 23 c are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the bending operation knob 23, respectively. The small-diameter opening 23 c is fitted into the disc-like portion 21 b of the operation shaft body 21. In the bending operation knob 23, a plurality of convex portions 23d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 23c. By welding the convex portions 23d in the circular holes 21c, the bending operation knob 23 is operated by the operation shaft. Fixed to the body 21.
[0024]
A pulley 24 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 21. A pair of operation wires 25 and 26 are fixed to the pulley 24, and one of the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 is wound around the pulley 24 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 24, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 24. It is. The operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26 are respectively connected to a node ring constituting the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is moved in the left-right direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 25 and the operation wire 26. Curved. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21 is rotated in the L direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent leftward, and the combined body is rotated in the R direction. The bending portion 12a is bent to the right.
[0025]
Next, the vertical bending mechanism will be described. On the outer side of the cylindrical portion 21a of the operation shaft body 21, an operation shaft body 31 constituting the vertical bending mechanism 13UD is rotatably supported. The operation shaft body 31 is formed of a metal material, and is fitted to the cylindrical portion 21a so as to be rotatable. The cylindrical portion 31a concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 and a circle positioned at the upper end portion of the cylindrical portion 31a. It has a plate-like portion 31b. A plurality of circular holes 31c are formed in the disc-shaped portion 31b at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
[0026]
A bending operation knob 33, which is a plastic molded product, is fixed to the operation shaft body 31. The bending operation knob 33 has five finger hook portions 33a protruding in the outer diameter direction at equal angular intervals, and the inside is formed hollow. A large-diameter opening 33 b and a small-diameter opening 33 c are respectively formed on the lower surface and the upper surface of the bending operation knob 33, and the small-diameter opening 33 c is fitted into the disc-shaped portion 31 b of the operation shaft body 31. In the bending operation knob 33, a plurality of convex portions 33d are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the vicinity of the small-diameter opening 33c. By welding the convex portions 33d in the circular hole 31c, the bending operation knob 33 is operated by the operation shaft. The body 31 is fixed. In the bending operation knob 33, an annular inner frame 33e made of a metal material is fixed inside the large diameter opening 33b. The annular inner frame 33e has an internal thread formed on the inner peripheral surface.
[0027]
A pulley 34 is fixed to the lower end portion of the operation shaft body 31. A pair of operation wires 35, 36 are fixed to the pulley 34, and one of the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 is wound around the pulley 34 by the forward / reverse rotation of the pulley 34, and the other is drawn out from the pulley 34. It is. The operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36 are respectively connected to the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12, and the bending portion 12a is bent in the vertical direction by the pulling and feeding operations with respect to the operation wire 35 and the operation wire 36. In the present embodiment, when the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft body 31 is rotated in the U direction in FIG. 10, the bending portion 12a is bent upward, and when the combined body is rotated in the D direction, the bending is performed. The portion 12a is bent downward.
[0028]
The left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD can restrict the turning operation of the bending operation knobs 23 and 33 by the lock mechanism, respectively, and can make the bending portion 12a of the insertion portion 12 in a desired bending state. First, the lock mechanism of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR will be described.
[0029]
A lock shaft body 41 having a cylindrical portion 41 a and a disc-like portion 41 b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided at the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. The cylindrical portion 41a is rotatably fitted to the rotation base shaft 20, and a lock operation knob 42 is fixed on the disk-like portion 41b via a fixing nut 43. The lock operation knob 42 is externally attached. When the rotation operation is performed, the lock shaft body 41 is also rotated integrally. A retaining member 44 that prevents the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 from falling off is attached to the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. As shown in FIG. 9, a non-circular hole 44c is formed in the center of the retaining member 44, and the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20 is formed in a non-circular cross-sectional shape that can be inserted into the non-circular hole 44c. By fitting the non-circular portions, the retaining member 44 is supported in a state in which the rotation is restricted with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. The retaining member 44 is further fixed by the fixing screw 20a so as not to drop in the axial direction of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, in the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42, the rotation restricting projection 41c projecting on the disk-like portion 41b is prevented from being displaced in the circumferential direction. The member 44 can be rotated within a range in contact with a pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44 a provided on the member 44. The retaining member 44 is further formed with a pair of click recesses 44b at positions opposed to the respective rotation restricting surfaces 44a in the radial direction, and the rotation restricting projections 41c abut against the respective turn restricting surfaces 44a. In the rotation restricting position of the lock operation knob 42, the click spring 45 fixed to the lock operation knob 42 engages with the click recess 44 b at the radially opposing position, and the lock operation knob 42 has a click feeling. give.
[0031]
A male screw 41d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41a, and a female screw 46a of the movement lock member 46 is screwed into the male screw 41d. As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the rotation base shaft 20 in the longitudinal direction is formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 22, and the non-circular cross-sectional portion 22 cannot rotate relative to the movement lock member 46. By fitting the coupled rotation restricting body 47, the movement lock member 46 is restricted from rotating with respect to the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41 is rotated, the moving lock member 46 does not rotate along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 41d and the female screw 46a. Moved up and down.
[0032]
When the movable lock member 46 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation knob 42 and the lock shaft body 41, the friction engagement portion 46 b fixed to the movable lock member 46 is fixed to the fixed lock member 48. It contacts / separates with respect to the friction engagement part 48a. The friction engagement portions 46b and 48a are made of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as cork or silicon rubber. The fixed lock member 48 constitutes a part of the bending operation knob 23 so as to cover the large-diameter opening 23b. When the bending operation knob 23 is rotated, the fixing lock member 48 rotates together with the bending operation knob 23 and the operation shaft body 21. Moved. When the movement lock member 46 moves upward and the friction engagement portion 46b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 48a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 48 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 is restricted, and the pulley 24 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the left-right direction is restricted, and the bending state is maintained. Specifically, when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 46 moves upward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 48 to perform a bending operation. When the knob 23 is restricted from rotating and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 46 moves downward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 48 and bend. The operation knob 23 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation knob 42 is locked with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 23 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 23 is locked at the other click position. Is allowed to rotate. The former rotation position of the lock operation knob 42 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Each of the movement lock member 46 and the fixed lock member 48 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 46b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 48 rotated together with the bending operation knob 23. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 48a.
[0033]
Further, the friction engagement portion 46 b is provided with an adjustment screw 49 at the lower portion, and the adjustment screw 49 is screwed into a screw hole 49 a formed in the movement lock member 46. When the adjustment screw 49 is rotated, the friction engagement portion 46 b is moved in the vertical direction with respect to the movement lock member 46 according to the screwing relationship with the screw hole 49 a. 2 to 4 show two adjustment screws 49 and two screw holes 49a, three or more of them may be provided at different positions in the circumferential direction. When the vertical position of the frictional engagement portion 46b changes with respect to the movement lock member 46, the frictional engagement force between the frictional engagement portion 46b and the frictional engagement portion 48a when the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position. Since it changes, the lock strength with respect to the bending operation knob 23 can be adjusted. For example, even when the bending portion 12a is in a bent state, the lock to the bending operation knob 23 is released according to an external force applied to the bending portion 12a. It is also possible to set the frictional force between the joint portions 48a. The frictional force can be easily adjusted by rotating the fixed lock member 48 and changing its vertical position.
[0034]
Next, the lock mechanism of the up / down bending mechanism 13UD will be described. A fixed base 50 formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotation base shaft 20 is provided outside the operation shaft body 31. The fixed pedestal 50 has its lower end fixed to the substrate 11b together with the pivot base 20, and in the space between the fixed pedestal 50 and the pivot base 20, operation shaft bodies 21, 31 and pulleys 24, 34 are provided. It is supported. On the other hand, a lock shaft 51 is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50. The lock shaft 51 includes a cylindrical portion 51a and a disc-like portion 51b concentric with the rotation base shaft 20, and the cylindrical portion 51a is rotatable with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the fixed base 50 and is axially (vertical) (Direction) so as not to move. A plurality of circular holes 51c are formed in the disc-like portion 51b at different positions in the circumferential direction, and the lock operation lever 52 is fixed by fitting and projecting the convex portions 52a into the circular holes 51c. That is, the lock operation lever 52 is supported so as to be rotatable about the fixed base 50 (the rotation base shaft 20) together with the lock shaft body 51. Unlike the hollow lock operation knob 42 described above, the lock operation lever 52 is formed in a lever shape extending in the radial direction with respect to the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 in order to facilitate the rotation operation. Has been.
[0035]
A combined body of the lock shaft body 51 and the lock operation lever 52 is locked at two rotation positions by a rotation restriction mechanism (not shown) provided between the cylindrical portion 51a of the lock shaft body 51 and the fixed base 50, At each rotation position, the click spring 55 acts as a stopper that generates a click feeling.
[0036]
A male screw 51d is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 51a, and a female screw 56a of the movement lock member 56 is screwed into the male screw 51d. As shown in FIG. 6, the fixed base 50 has an upper end portion formed as a non-circular cross-sectional portion 54, and a rotation restricting body 57 fixed to the movement lock member 56 is against the non-circular cross-sectional portion 54. By fitting, the movement lock member 56 is restricted from rotating with respect to the fixed base 50 and the rotation base shaft 20. Therefore, when the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51 is rotated, the moving lock member 56 is not rotated along the axis of the rotation base shaft 20 due to the screwed relationship between the male screw 51d and the female screw 56a. Moved up and down. The rotation restricting body 57 may be fixed as a separate member from the movement locking member 56, or a portion corresponding to the rotation restricting body 57 may be formed integrally with the movement locking member 56.
[0037]
When the movable lock member 56 moves up and down by rotating the combined body of the lock operation lever 52 and the lock shaft body 51, the friction engagement portion 56 b formed in a part of the movable lock member 56 becomes the fixed lock member 58. It contacts / separates with respect to the fixed friction engagement part 58a. The fixed lock member 58 is engaged with the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33 so as to rotate integrally in the circumferential direction, and is rotated together when the bending operation knob 33 is rotated. When the movement lock member 56 moves downward and the friction engagement portion 56b is pressed against the friction engagement portion 58a, the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted by the frictional force. When the rotation of the fixed lock member 58 is restricted, the rotation of the combined body of the operation shaft body 31 and the bending operation knob 33 is restricted, and the pulley 34 is locked so as not to rotate. As a result, the bending operation of the bending portion 12a in the vertical direction is restricted and kept at a specific bending position. Specifically, when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated in the F ′ direction (lock direction) in FIG. 10, the movement lock member 56 moves downward and frictionally engages with the fixed lock member 58 to perform the bending operation. When the knob 33 is restricted in rotation and rotated in the F direction (free (unlocked) direction), the movement lock member 56 moves upward to release the frictional engagement with the fixed lock member 58 and bend. The operation knob 33 is allowed to rotate. As described above, the lock operation lever 52 is locked with a click feeling at two rotation positions, but the bending operation knob 33 is locked at one click position, and the bending operation knob 33 is locked at the other click position. Is allowed to rotate. The former rotation position of the lock operation lever 52 is called a lock position, and the latter rotation position is called an unlock position. Note that each of the movement lock member 56 and the fixed lock member 58 is formed in an annular shape, and the friction engagement portion 56b is provided regardless of the rotation position of the fixed lock member 58 rotated together with the bending operation knob 33. Can be engaged with the friction engagement portion 58a.
[0038]
On the other hand, the fixed lock member 58 is fitted to the inner frame 33e so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A female screw is formed in the inner frame 33e of the bending operation knob 33, and a lock adjusting nut 60 having a male screw screwed into the female screw supports the fixed lock member 58 from below. When the lock adjustment nut 60 is rotated while restricting the combined body of the bending operation knob 33 and the operation shaft 31, the vertical position of the lock adjustment nut 60 is adjusted with respect to the inner frame 33 e, and accordingly. The vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 with respect to the movement lock member 56 can be adjusted. When the vertical position of the fixed lock member 58 is changed, the frictional force between the frictional engagement portion 56b and the frictional engagement portion 58a when the lock operation lever 52 is rotated to the lock position is changed. Can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the lock adjustment nut 60, it is possible to set the half-lock state as described above with respect to the vertical bending mechanism 13UD.
[0039]
The constituent members of the left / right bending mechanism 13LR and the up / down bending mechanism 13UD having the lock mechanism as described above are finally assembled to the operation unit 11 via the rotation base shaft 20. The vertical bending mechanism 13UD is positioned between the operation shaft body 21 (disk-shaped portion 21b) and the pulley 24 constituting the left / right bending mechanism 13LR, and the vertical position is determined. Is provided with an intermediate retaining member 61 that engages with the upper end of the operating shaft 21. The intermediate retaining member 61 holds the entire vertical bending mechanism 13UD and the combined body of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 in the left / right bending mechanism 13LR so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. In addition, the above-described retaining member 44 holds the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 positioned above the bending operation knob 23 so as not to drop off from the rotation base shaft 20. In other words, the entire bending operation device 13 is held with respect to the rotation base shaft 20 in a state in which it is prevented from coming off.
[0040]
The bending operation device 13 is provided with a sealing material made of an elastic O-ring or the like in order to keep the inside watertight and prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering. In terms of function, the sealing material seals the inside of the housing 11a (reference S1), seals the bending operation knob 23 (S2), seals the bending operation knob 33 (S3), It is divided into one that seals the inside of the lock operation knob 42 (same S4) and one that seals between the operation shaft bodies 21 and 31 (same S5). For example, when the endoscope 10 is sterilized with a chemical solution, the portion exposed to the outside is surely sterilized, but the chemical solution in each of the operation knobs 23, 33 and 42 formed in the hollow and in the housing 11a of the operation unit 11 is used. Intrusion is prevented by the sealing materials S1 to S5.
[0041]
[Description of features of the present invention]
The features of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIG. As described above, the combined body (the rotation operation member and the lock operation member) of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 integrated through the fixing nut 43 is rotated to the lock position and the unlock position. Rotation of the combined body (bending operation member) of the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23 on the left and right bending mechanism 13LR side can be restricted or allowed. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 12, a combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 is rotatably supported near the upper end portion of the rotation base shaft 20 (operation center axis). Specifically, the coupling body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 is connected to the rotation base shaft 20 by the fitting relationship between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 41 a of the lock shaft body 41 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotation base shaft 20. It can be rotated around the axis 20x. A combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 is shown in FIG. 12 along the axis 20x by a fixed lock member 48 that rotates together with the operation shaft body 21 and the bending operation knob 23, as shown in FIG. It is restricted so that it is not moved below.
[0042]
The rotation base shaft 20 has a shaft end portion opened upward in FIG. 12 from the portion where the lock shaft body 41 is fitted to the tubular portion 41a, and this shaft end portion is As shown in FIG. 9, the non-circular cross section 70 has a pair of parallel planes 70a parallel to the axis 20x. Further, a stepped portion 71 is formed in the rotation base shaft 20 in a direction orthogonal to the axis 20x, continuing from the pair of parallel planes 70a (FIG. 12). As described above, the non-circular hole 44c of the retaining member 44 can be fitted to the non-circular cross-sectional portion 70 of the rotation base shaft 20, and the pair of parallel planes 44d formed in the non-circular hole 44c has the above-described configuration. By engaging with the parallel plane 70 a, the retaining member 44 is supported by the stepped portion 71 in a state in which the rotation is restricted with respect to the rotation base shaft 20.
[0043]
A screw hole 72 is formed from the upper end surface of the rotation base shaft 20 in a direction along the axis 20x. When the fixing screw 20a is screwed into the screw hole 72, the retaining member 44 is fastened together, so that the retaining member 44 does not fall upward in the direction of the axis 20x, that is, the axis of the rotating base shaft 20 Fixed to the end.
[0044]
The retaining member 44 fixed to the pivot base 20 in a state sandwiched between the stepped portion 71 and the fixing screw 20a is larger in diameter than the pivot base 20, and the lower surface of the retaining member 44 is shown in FIG. Is opposed to the disc-like portion 41 b of the lock shaft body 41. Therefore, the lock shaft body 41 is restricted from moving upward in the figure by the retaining member 44 and is held so as not to drop off from the shaft end portion of the rotation base shaft 20. In the state where the retaining member 44 is fixed to the rotation base shaft 20, a slight gap is secured between the lower surface of the retaining member 44 and the disk-like portion 41 b of the lock shaft body 41, and the lock shaft body is secured. The combined body of 41 and the lock operation knob 42 can rotate about the axis 20x regardless of the tightening force of the fixing screw 20a.
[0045]
As described above, the retaining member 44 prevents the rotation base shaft 20 from dropping in the axial end portion while allowing the rotation of the rotation shaft about the axis 20x to the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42. Functions as a retaining mechanism. As described above, the retaining member 44 of this embodiment further functions as a means for controlling the rotational operation position of the combined body. The specific configuration will be described.
[0046]
FIG. 9 shows a single shape of the retaining member 44. The generally annular retaining member 44 has a pair of rotation restricting surfaces (rotation restricting portions) 44a formed on the outer edge portion thereof in different positions in the circumferential direction around the axis 20x of the turning base shaft 20. Yes. When the lock operation knob 42 is rotated to the lock position and the unlock position, the rotation restriction projections 41c that constitute a part of the lock shaft body 41 are in contact with the rotation restriction surfaces 44a (FIG. 8). . In other words, the circumferential interval between the pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44a is set in accordance with the amount of rotation of the lock operation knob 42 between the lock position and the unlock position. The connection surface 44e that connects the pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44a with the retaining member 44 is formed in a partial arc shape centering on the axis 20x, and the inner diameter of the rotation restricting protrusion 41c with respect to the connection surface 44e. The arcuate surface 41e on the side is in contact.
[0047]
A pair of click recesses 44b are further formed on the outer edge of the retaining member 44 at different positions in the circumferential direction. The circumferential interval between the pair of click recesses 44b corresponds to the circumferential interval between the pair of rotation restricting projections 44a. Further, one and the other of the pair of click recesses 44b are connected to one of the pair of rotation restricting projections 44a. On the other hand, it is at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction across the axis 20x of the rotation base shaft 20.
[0048]
The lock operation knob 42 is formed with a spring support portion 42a on its inner surface (FIG. 12). The click spring 45 is an L-shaped spring member having a linear fixing portion 45a inserted and fixed to the spring support portion 42a, and an elastic free end 45b bent from the fixing portion toward the lock shaft body 41. It is rotated around the axis 20x together with the lock operation knob 42. The elastic free end 45b of the click spring 45 is extended to a position eccentric from the axis 20x of the rotation base shaft 20, and is engaged with the click recess 44b of the retaining member 44 according to the rotation operation of the lock operation knob 42. Is possible. The vicinity of the tip of the elastic free end 45b has a semi-annular cross-sectional shape corresponding to the shape of the click recess 44b (FIG. 8). A pressing force is applied to the elastic free end 45b in a direction that engages with the click recess 44b, that is, a direction that approaches the axis 20x of the rotation base shaft 20. The direction of the pressing force is indicated by an arrow P in FIGS. The elastic free end 45b and the above-described rotation restricting protrusion 41c are located at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction across the axis 20x of the rotation base shaft 20, and the direction P of the pressing force of the elastic free end 45b is applied. The rotation restricting protrusion 41c is positioned on the extended line (FIG. 8). Since the bending operation knob 42 provided with the click spring 45 and the lock shaft body 41 formed with the rotation restricting projection 41c rotate integrally, the elastic operation is performed regardless of the rotation position. The free end 45b and the rotation restricting projection 41c are always in the radially opposed positions.
[0049]
When the rotation restricting protrusion 41c of the lock shaft body 41 comes into contact with one of the pair of turn restricting surfaces 44a of the retaining member 44, that is, when the lock operation knob 42 is locked or unlocked, the click spring 45 is elastic. The free end 45b is engaged with one of the pair of click recesses 44b by the biasing force, and the lock operation knob 42 is held in the lock position or the unlock position by the engagement. When the lock operation knob 42 is rotated in the rotation restricting direction opposite to the rotation restricting position from this holding state, the elastic free end 45b of the click spring 45 resists the urging force and moves away from the axis 20x. It is opened and the engagement with the click recess 44b is released. When the lock operation knob 42 continues to rotate in the same direction, the rotation restricting projection 41c comes into contact with the other turn restricting surface 44a, and at the same time, the elastic free end 45b of the click panel 45 engages with the other click recessed portion 44b. Accordingly, the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 is stably held again. Thus, the lock operation member, which is a combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42, rotates integrally with the pair of rotation restricting surfaces 44a, the click recesses 44b formed on the retaining member 44, and the lock operation knob 42. The click spring 45 and the rotation restricting protrusion 41c formed on the lock shaft body 41 are controlled to rotate so as to be locked with a click feeling at the lock position and the unlock position.
[0050]
As is clear from the above description, in the bending operation apparatus 13 for the endoscope according to the present embodiment, the retaining member 44 that prevents the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42 with respect to the rotation base shaft 20 is provided. Also, it functions as a constituent member of a rotation position control mechanism that locks the combined body with a click feeling at the lock position and the unlock position. As a result, parts can be shared by the mechanisms for preventing the rotation operation member from being removed and the rotation position control, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the configuration of the operation device.
[0051]
In the bending operation device 13 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the rotation restricting projection 41 c of the lock shaft body 41 and the elastic free end 45 b of the click spring 45 are sandwiched between the axis 20 x of the rotation base shaft 20. Corresponding to this, each pair of the rotation restricting surface 44a and the click recess 44b corresponding to the locked position and the unlocked position in the retaining member 44 is arranged at a substantially opposed position in the radial direction. Is formed. In short, the rotation restricting protrusion 41c and the click spring 45 provided on the lock operation member (the combined body of the lock shaft body 41 and the lock operation knob 42) elastically move the retaining member 44 in the direction perpendicular to the axis 20x. It is comprised so that it may pinch | interpose. According to this configuration, when the lock operation member is in the lock position or the unlock position, the connection surface 44e of the retaining member 44 is caused to be circular on the rotation restricting protrusion 41c by the pressing force of the elastic free end 45b acting in the P direction. Since it is pressed against the arcuate surface 41e, rattling between the rotation base shaft 20 and the retaining member 44 in the direction orthogonal to the axis 20x can be suppressed, and the retaining member 44 can be stably held.
[0052]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on illustration embodiment, this invention is not limited to embodiment. For example, in the embodiment, the rotation operation member (lock operation member) that is locked at the two positions of the lock position and the unlock position has been described, but the present invention is also applied to a rotation operation member that has one lock position. be able to. In this case, the retaining member may be provided with a pair of rotation restricting portions and a click recess. Or this invention is applicable also to the rotation operation member whose latching position is 3 or more. In this case, the retaining member may be provided with three or more rotation restricting portions and click recesses.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an endoscope operation device capable of preventing the rotation operation member from being detached and controlling the rotation position with a simple configuration. Further, with a simple configuration, the retaining member to operate the central axis can be obtained stably retainable endoscope operation device.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view showing an overall structure of an endoscope having an operating device according to the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bending operation device of the endoscope of FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a member that is integrally rotated by a left / right bending mechanism as a single member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a member that is integrally rotated by a vertical bending mechanism as a member from FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view taken along the line VV in FIG. 2;
6 is a view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG.
7 is a view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 2;
8 is a plan view of the vicinity of a retaining member as seen from the direction of arrow VIII in FIG.
9 is a diagram showing a single shape of the retaining member of FIG. 8. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the bending operation device.
FIG. 11 is a view of the bending operation device as viewed from the bottom side, excluding the members in the endoscope housing.
12 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the left / right bending mechanism in FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endoscope 11 Operation part 11a Housing 11b Board | substrate 11c Through-hole 11d Cover body 12 Insertion part 12a Bending part 13 Bending operation apparatus 13LR Left and right bending mechanism 13UD Vertical bending mechanism 14 Connector 15 Eyepiece part 17 Light source apparatus 18 Forceps port 20 Rotation Base axis (operation center axis)
20a Fixing screw 20x Axis 21 Operation shaft body (curving operation member)
21a Cylindrical part 21b Disk-like part 21c Circular hole 22 Non-circular cross-sectional part 23 Bending operation knob (bending operation member)
23a Finger hook portion 23b Large diameter opening 23c Small diameter opening 23d Protruding portion 24 Pulley 25 Operation wire 26 Operation wire 31 Operation shaft body 31a Tubular portion 31b Disk portion 31c Circular hole 33 Bending operation knob 33a Finger hook portion 33b Large diameter opening 33c Small-diameter opening 33d Protruding portion 33e Inner frame 34 Pulley 35 Operation wire 36 Operation wire 41 Lock shaft body (rotating operation member, lock operation member)
41a Cylindrical part 41b Disk-like part 41c Rotation restricting protrusion 41d Male screw 41e Arc-shaped surface 42 Lock operation knob (rotation operation member, lock operation member)
42a Spring support portion 43 Fixing nut 44 Detachment member 44a Rotation restriction surface (rotation restriction portion)
44b Click recess 44c Non-circular hole 44d Parallel plane 44e Connection surface 45 Click spring 45a Fixed portion 45b Elastic free end portion 46 Movement lock member 46a Female screw 46b Friction engagement portion 47 Rotation restricting body 48 Fixed lock member 48a Friction engagement portion 49 Adjustment screw 49a Screw hole 50 Fixed pedestal 51 Lock shaft 51a Cylindrical part 51b Disk-like part 51c Circular hole 51d Male screw 52 Locking lever 52a Convex part 54 Non-circular cross section 55 Click spring 56 Moving lock member 56a Female screw 57 Rotation Regulating body 56b Friction engagement portion 58 Fixed lock member 58a Friction engagement portion 60 Lock adjustment nut 61 Intermediate retaining member 70 Non-circular cross section 70a Parallel plane 71 Step portion 72 Screw hole

Claims

In an endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target and capable of bending the distal end of the insertion portion,
A bending operation member which is provided so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis and which bends the distal end of the insertion portion by the rotation operation;
A lock operation member that is fitted to the operation center shaft so as to be capable of rotating operation, and restricts or permits the rotation operation of the bending operation member by the rotation operation; and fixed to the shaft end of the operation center shaft, A retaining member for retaining the locking operation member in the axial direction with respect to the central axis;
When the retaining member restricts the pivotable range by bringing a part of the lock operation member into contact, and when the rotation of the lock operation member is restricted by the rotation restricting portion, An endoscope operating device comprising: a click recess engaged with a click spring that rotates together with the lock operating member.

The endoscope operating device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation restricting portion and the click recess of the retaining member are located at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction across the operation center axis.

The endoscope operation device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the rotation restricting portion and the click recess of the retaining member are provided in different positions in a circumferential direction around the operation center axis,
One of the pair of rotation restricting portions and one of the pair of click concave portions are located at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction across the operation center axis, and the other of the pair of rotation restricting portions and the pair of clicks An endoscope operation device in which the other of the recesses is located at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction across the operation center axis.

The endoscope operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the click spring presses the retaining member in a direction approaching an axis of the operation center axis.

The endoscope operation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an axial end portion of the operation center axis has a noncircular cross-sectional shape,
The retaining member has a non-circular cross-sectional hole that fits into the shaft end of the non-circular cross-section,
An endoscope operating device provided with a fixing screw for fixing a retaining member so as not to move in the axial direction with respect to the shaft end.

In an endoscope having an insertion portion to be inserted into an observation target and capable of bending the distal end of the insertion portion,
A bending operation member which is provided so as to be rotatable about an operation center axis and which bends the distal end of the insertion portion by the rotation operation;
A lock operation member that is fitted to the operation center axis so as to be rotatable, and restricts or allows the rotation operation of the bending operation member by the rotation operation;
A rotation restricting protrusion provided on the lock operation member at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction across the operation center axis, and a click spring having a biasing force in a direction approaching the rotation restricting protrusion;
A retaining member fixed to the shaft end of the operation center shaft and preventing the lock operation member from coming off in the axial direction with respect to the operation center shaft; and a rotation restricting protrusion of the lock operation member provided on the retaining member. A rotation restricting surface that contacts and restricts the rotatable range; and a click recess that engages the click spring when the rotation of the lock operating member is restricted by the rotation restricting surface;
An endoscope operating device comprising:

The endoscope operation device according to claim 6, wherein a pair of the rotation restricting surface and the click recess of the retaining member are provided at different positions in a circumferential direction around the operation center axis,
One of the pair of rotation restricting surfaces and one of the pair of click recesses are positioned at substantially opposite positions in the radial direction across the operation center axis, and the other of the pair of turn restricting surfaces and the pair of clicks An endoscope operation device in which the other of the recesses is located at a substantially opposite position in the radial direction across the operation center axis.