JP4349713B2 - Waterproof cap for electrical connector of electronic endoscope - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterproof cap that is attached to an electrical connector of an electronic endoscope during cleaning and disinfection.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An electrical connector provided in an electronic endoscope for conducting an electrical signal to and from a video processor is generally a connection in which a contact group electrically connected to the video processor is mechanically connected to the video processor. The configuration is arranged in a cylinder.
[0003]
A waterproof cap that is attached to an electrical connector so that such contact groups do not get wet when cleaning and disinfecting after using an endoscope, and is attached to the inner peripheral portion of the mouth of the cap member that is detachable to surround the connection tube. An O-ring that seals between the base outer peripheral surface is attached to prevent moisture from entering the connecting cylinder.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in order for the waterproof cap to maintain the sealing performance, it is necessary that the mouth portion of the cap member does not deform. However, the mouth portion of the cap member is originally the most easily deformable portion of the whole, and O Since a groove for mounting the ring is formed and thinned, it is easily deformed by an impact or the like, resulting in poor sealing performance.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof cap for an electrical connector of an electronic endoscope that can maintain a good sealing property because the mouth portion of the cap member is not easily deformed even when an impact due to dropping or the like is applied. And
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the waterproof cap for an electrical connector of an electronic endoscope according to the present invention is an electrical connector of an electronic endoscope in which a contact group electrically connected to a video processor is arranged in a connection cylinder. A cap member that is a detachable waterproof cap, in which a seal member that seals between the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the connection tube is disposed on the inner peripheral portion of the mouth of the cap member that is attached to surround the connection tube. An elastic buffer member is attached to the outer surface portion of the mouth.
[0007]
In addition, the 2nd sealing member which seals between the opening part of a connection cylinder and a cap member may be provided.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the electronic endoscope, and an endoscope observation image is picked up by the solid-state imaging device 2 built in the distal end of the insertion portion 1.
[0009]
A connector 5 connected to a video processor (not shown) is provided at the distal end of the flexible coupling tube 4 extending from the operation unit 3 to which the proximal end of the insertion unit 1 is coupled.
[0010]
The connector 5 is provided with a light guide connector portion 6 that receives illumination light from the light source lamp, and an electrical connector portion 7 for conducting an electrical signal between the video processor.
[0011]
The electrical connector portion 7 has a configuration in which a contact group electrically connected to the video processor is disposed in a connection tube 71 mechanically connected to the video processor, and a waterproof cap is used for cleaning and disinfection after use. 10 is put on.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a waterproof cap 10, and a cap member 11 for enclosing a connection cylinder 71 in a sealed state is made of metal, and is formed with an opening at one end side, and an opening end surface and an outer peripheral surface continuous therewith. Further, the buffer member 20 made of an elastic material is covered.
[0013]
The buffer member 20 is formed of a material having excellent elasticity and chemical resistance, such as silicon rubber, and is attached to the cap member 11 by lining molding or adhesion. However, it does not necessarily have to be fixed to the cap member 11.
[0014]
The bottomless cylindrical guide tube 12 fixed along the inner side of the cap member 11 is formed with an L-shaped guide groove 13 that engages with a guide pin 72 protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the connection tube 71. ing.
[0015]
The guide cylinder 12 is fixed to the cap member 11 by a small screw 14 screwed from the outside. The screw hole has a bottom, and a pair of O-rings 15 and 16 are capped with the small screw 14 interposed therebetween. Since it is attached to the fitting portion between the member 11 and the guide tube 12, there is no intrusion of moisture from the small screw 14 portion into the waterproof cap 10.
[0016]
A lid-like member 17 is disposed at the bottom in the cap member 11. The lid-like member 17 is formed in a shape in which a cylindrical portion 17b of a size loosely inscribed in the connecting cylinder 71 is projected from a disc-like portion 17a slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom surface of the cap member 11.
[0017]
Since the disc-like portion 17a is sandwiched between the guide tube 12 and the cap member 11 with play, the entire lid-like member 17 is disposed in the cap member 11 so as to be slightly movable in the radial direction and the axial direction. It is in the state that was done.
[0018]
In the thus configured waterproof cap 10, the circumferential groove formed on the inner peripheral surface near the mouth of the cap member 11 is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base portion of the electrical connector portion 7 and is first crushed elastically. The O-ring 21 is attached.
[0019]
In addition, a second O-ring 22 that is elastically crushed close to the inner peripheral surface of the opening of the electrical connector portion 7 is attached to the circumferential groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 17 b of the lid-like member 17. Has been.
[0020]
FIG. 3 shows a state in which the waterproof cap 10 configured as described above is attached to the electrical connector portion 7, and the index 19 formed on the outer surface of the buffer member 20 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder 71. The indicator pin 73 is aligned, the guide pin 72 is engaged with the guide groove 13, and the waterproof cap 10 is put on the electrical connector portion 7.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 4, when the waterproof cap 10 is completely covered with the electrical connector portion 7, the first O-ring 21 and the second O-ring 21 are between the waterproof cap 10 and the electrical connector portion 7. The O-ring 22 is sealed at two locations near the base of the connecting cylinder 71 and near the opening.
[0022]
At this time, since the lid-like member 17 to which the second O-ring 22 is attached can move freely with respect to the cap member 11, the first O-ring 21 and the second O-ring 22 are not evenly distorted. It is crushed and a good sealing property is obtained in each.
[0023]
Since the waterproof cap 10 used in this way is covered with the buffer member 20 on the outer surface of the mouth of the opening of the cap member 11, even if it is accidentally dropped, the shock is absorbed by the buffer member 20. Therefore, the mouth of the cap member 11 is not easily deformed, and the initial sealing property can be maintained for a long time.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the elastic cushioning member is attached to the mouth outer surface portion of the cap member, so that the mouth portion of the cap member is not easily deformed even when an impact due to dropping or the like is applied, and a good sealing property is obtained. Can be maintained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a half sectional view of a waterproof cap according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view showing an overall configuration of an electronic endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state immediately before a waterproof cap is attached to the electrical connector portion of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a half sectional view showing a state in which a waterproof cap is attached to the electrical connector portion of the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
7 Electrical connector (electrical connector)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Waterproof cap 11 Cap member 20 Buffer member 21,22 O-ring (seal member)
71 Connection tube

Claims (2)

A waterproof cap that is detachably attached to an electrical connector of an electronic endoscope in which a contact group electrically connected to the video processor is disposed in the connection cylinder, the mouth of the cap member attached to surround the connection cylinder In the inner peripheral part, a seal member that seals between the base outer peripheral surface of the connecting cylinder is arranged,
A waterproof cap for an electric connector of an electronic endoscope, wherein a resilient cushioning member is attached to an outer surface of the cap member. The waterproof cap for an electrical connector for an electronic endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal member that seals between the opening of the connection tube and the cap member.

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