JP4418437B2 - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus in which a drum portion around which an insertion portion of an endoscope is wound is housed in a case.

When winding the endoscope insertion portion around the rotating drum, the operator wipes off the dirt adhering to the insertion portion. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-16518 discloses a winding type endoscope apparatus (see Patent Document 1), but this conventional example has the above-mentioned problems. US Patent No. 4,913,369 accommodates the tip of the insertion part on the side of the drum so that it can be flattened with a lid. However, when the insertion part is wound around the drum, there is the above problem. (See Patent Document 2).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-16518 US Pat. No. 4,913,369

  The wiping operation of the insertion portion is complicated, which has been one of the causes of a decrease in inspection efficiency such as an increase in the total time for endoscopic inspection. Further, when the film is wound up without being wiped off, the dirt may adhere to drum peripheral devices and cause a failure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of the winding operation of the insertion portion and reliably prevent dirt on the insertion portion from adhering to the rotating drum peripheral device.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention includes a rotating drum capable of winding or feeding an insertion portion of an endoscope, and a case storing the rotating drum. A first elastic member projecting outward from the case and gently inserting the insertion portion; and the insertion portion provided at a distal end portion of the first elastic member, the insertion portion not being inserted. And a second elastic member having a hole having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion portion and allowing the insertion portion to be inserted therethrough.

In the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the first elastic member has an accordion-shaped extending portion, a screw portion is formed on the outer periphery, and a hole having a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The drilled first metal member is fixed to the tip of the first elastic member, a hole having the same diameter as the hole of the first metal member is drilled and screwed into the screw portion, and It has the 2nd metal member which pinches | interposes 2 elastic members between said 1st metal members, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
The endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that a brush-like member composed of a thin line is disposed around the hole of the second elastic member.
In the endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, the first space of the endoscope is disposed in the internal space of the rotary drum.
The peripheral device group is housed, and the second peripheral device group is housed in the case together with the rotating drum.

  According to the present invention, the contamination of the insertion portion is automatically scraped off by the second elastic member that functions as a squeeze plate when the insertion portion is wound around the drum. Further, the second elastic member can be easily replaced even when the hole is shaved and becomes larger due to the insertion of the insertion portion and does not function. Further, regardless of the direction of insertion, the second elastic member can follow the movement of the insertion portion by deforming the bellows shape of the first elastic member that functions like a rubber boot.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 24 relate to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a drum-type endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the insertion of an industrial endoscope. FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the case (FIG. 3 (A) is a left side view, FIG. 3 (B) is a front view, FIG. 3 (C) is a plan view), and FIG. The inside of the case is shown in a cross-sectional view, FIG. 5 shows an A-arrow view of FIG. 3 and an enlarged view (FIG. 5B) of the concavo-convex portion of FIG. 5A, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 6 (FIG. 7A) and an enlarged view of the packing portion in FIG. 7A (FIG. 7B), and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the handle portion (FIG. 8). (A)) and a front view and a plan view (FIGS. 8B and 8C) of the top of the handle fixing part, FIG. 9 shows a front panel (FIG. 9A) with an upper lid opened, and AC inlet (Fig. 9 (B ), DC inlet (FIG. 9 (C)) and CC sectional view of FIG. 9 (A), showing the air supply / exhaust duct part, FIG. 10 is a front panel side view (FIG. 10 (A)) and the rubber boot part. FIG. 11 shows an enlarged view (FIG. 10B), FIG. 11 shows the structure of the first exhaust duct and the intake cylinder portion, and FIG. 12 shows a spiral holding mechanism and the like of the drum portion (FIG. 12A). FIG. 13 shows a flange portion of FIG. 12A and a bearing (FIG. 13A) that rotatably holds the flange portion at a plurality of locations, and an enlarged sectional view of the bearing. (FIG. 13B) and a portion (FIG. 13C) through which the cable is passed from the cable storage portion of FIG. 12 into the drum portion, FIG. 14 is a view of the inside of the case viewed from the back side. 15 is a structure of the rotation detection part in the state which pulled out the insertion part and the state wound up 16 shows the structure of the peripheral part including the moving member (FIG. 16A) and the slide volume (FIG. 16B), and FIG. 17 shows the inside of the drum part as seen from the handle side (FIG. 17A). )) And its FF cross section (FIG. 17B), FIG. 18 shows the inside of the drum part exposed to the opening by removing the first drum cover, and FIG. 19 shows the drum around which the insertion part is wound up. FIG. 20 shows the vicinity of the operation lever on the front panel (FIG. 20A) and the periphery of the moving plate in which the second side plate can be rotated only in one direction by the one-way gear by the operation of the operation lever ( 20 (B)), the periphery of the moving plate in the released state (FIG. 20 (C)), and the state of the push pin as viewed in the direction of arrow G in FIGS. 20 (B) and 20 (C) (FIG. 20 (D)) and (FIG. 20 (E)), and FIG. FIG. 22 shows the internal structure of the telescopic pole (FIG. 22 (A)) and the upper surface of the third cover (FIG. 22 (B)). FIG. 23 shows DD and EE cross sections in FIG. 22A, and FIG. 24 shows a front view of the liquid crystal monitor (FIG. 24A), a bottom view thereof (FIG. 24B), and light shielding. The side view (FIG.24 (C)) which attached the board is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the drum-type endoscope apparatus 1 used for industrial use according to the first embodiment of the present invention is an industrial endoscope provided with an elongated insertion portion 2-1 having flexibility. 2, a cylindrical drum portion 3 that winds the long insertion portion 2-1 around the outer periphery, a frame portion 4 that holds the drum portion 3 in a rotatable state, and an upper end of the frame portion 4. The front panel 5 in which various switches, connectors, and air supply / exhaust ducts are arranged, the remote controller 6 connected to the front panel 5 via the cable 6-1, the telescopic pole 7-1 and the rotating mechanism 7- Commercial power is supplied through a liquid crystal monitor unit 7 having 2, a case 8 provided with a buffer material 8-1a for suppressing the impact force applied to the accommodated equipment, and an AC cable 5-11 connected to the front panel 5. Enabling and DC It consists supplies battery 9 Metropolitan DC power via the Buru 5-12.

Further, in the drum section 3, a light source section 3-36 that supplies illumination light to a light guide as illumination light transmission means of the industrial endoscope 2 and a hard tip of the insertion section 2-1 of the industrial endoscope 2 are provided. A CCU 3-39 that performs signal processing on the image sensor provided in the section 2-2, a motor of an electric bending unit 3-37 that drives the bending section 2-3 of the insertion section 2-1, and the like are housed.

The insertion part 2-1 is provided in order from the distal end side to the hard distal end hard part 2-2 and the rear end of the distal end hard part 2-2, so that the distal end hard part 2-2 can be bent in a desired direction. The curved portion 2-3 and an elongated and flexible flexible tube portion 2-4 are connected to each other.

FIG. 2 shows the internal structure of the distal end side of the insertion part 2-1. As shown in FIG. 2, a light guide 21 that transmits illumination light is inserted into the insertion portion 2-1. A light guide connector section 3-41 (see FIG. 17A) at the rear end of the light guide 21 is fixed to the light source section 3-36, transmits illumination light supplied from the light source section 3-36, and has a hard tip. From the front end surface fixed to the illumination window of the front end member 22 constituting the part 2-2, the light is emitted forward through the illumination lens 23 disposed immediately before it, and illuminates the subject side such as the inside of the plant.

An observation window (imaging window) is provided adjacent to the illumination window in the hard tip portion 2-2, and an objective optical system 24 is attached to the observation window. For example, a charge-coupled device (abbreviated as CCD) 25 is arranged as an imaging device, and a signal line 26 extending from the CCD 25 is connected to the CCU 3-39 in the drum unit 3 and is standardized from a signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD 25. A video signal is generated and output to the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3 of the liquid crystal monitor unit 7 so that the subject image can be displayed on the display surface of the liquid crystal monitor 7-3.

A curved portion 2-3 is provided at the rear end of the distal end hard portion 2-2. The bending portion 2-3 is formed by connecting a plurality of ring-shaped joint pieces 27 with a rivet 28 so as to be rotatable. The plurality of joint pieces 27 that are rotatably connected are covered with a rubber tube 29. And the said insertion part 2-1 is covered with the outer braid | blade 30 of a metal mesh wire for protection over the full length.

Pipe-shaped wire receivers 31 having holes are fixed at positions corresponding to the upper, lower, left and right of the inner peripheral surface of the joint piece 27. The bending wires 32u, 32d, 32l, and 32r are slidably inserted into the holes of the wire receivers 31. In FIG. 2, only the bending wires 32u and 32d arranged in the vertical direction are shown.

The distal ends of the bending wires 32u, 32d, 32l, and 32r are fixed at positions corresponding to the vertical and horizontal directions of the rear end of the distal end member 22, respectively. For this reason, when the bending wires 32u, 32d, 32l, and 32r corresponding to the respective directions are pulled, the bending portion 2-3 is bent in a desired direction, and the distal end hard portion 2-2 is directed in the desired direction. It is like that.

The rear ends of the bending wires 32u, 32d, 32l, and 32r are connected to an electric bending unit 3-37 inside the drum unit 3 as shown in FIG. Then, by performing an operation of tilting the joystick 6-2 of the remote controller 6, the rotation of the motor of the electric bending unit 3-37 is controlled so that the bending portion 2-3 can be bent in the tilted direction. Yes.

The joint pieces 27 constitute a bending portion 2-3 by increasing or decreasing the number of the joint pieces 27 according to a desired maximum bending angle. That is, it is not limited to the number of joint pieces 27 shown in FIG.

A long flexible tube 2-4 is connected to the bending portion 2-3. Coil pipes 33u, 33d, 33l, and 33r are provided in the flexible tube 2-4. The coil pipes 33u, 33d, 33l, and 33r are integrally fixed to the distal end portion of the flexible tube 2-4 by, for example, brazing, and the bending wire 32u is placed in the coil pipes 33u, 33d, 33l, and 33r. 32d, 32l and 32r are slidably inserted. In the drawing, only the coil pipes 33u and 33d arranged in the vertical direction are shown.

The coil pipes 33u, 33d, 33l and 33r and the bending wires 32u, 32d, 32l and 32r are inserted into the flexible tube 2-4 and extended to the electric bending unit 3-37.

This industrial endoscope 2 is an electronic endoscope incorporating an image sensor, and a signal line 26, a light guide 21 and the like are inserted into the insertion portion 2-1.

In addition, various optical adapters that convert a viewing direction, a viewing angle, and the like can be connected to the distal end hard portion 2-2.

Next, the structure of the case 8 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 8 includes a first case main body 8-2 and a second case main body 8-3 that are open on the upper side and divided in the front-rear direction (in front of FIG. 3B). The case main body 8-4 configured, an upper lid 8-5 that can be opened and closed with respect to the case main body 8-4, a gripping portion 8-6 provided on the upper surface of the upper lid 8-5, a case main body 8-4, A cushioning material 8-1a such as rubber that is disposed on the outer surface of the upper lid 8-5 and absorbs the impact force applied when dropped, etc., and a cushioning material that is disposed on the inner surface of the case and absorbs the impact force as shown in FIG. 8-1b. The case body 8-4 and the upper lid 8-5 are made of resin, and more specifically are formed by resin molding or die casting.

The case main body 8-4 combines the first case main body 8-2 and the second case main body 8-3 on the bottom surface and two side surfaces, and is fixed with the screw 34 to be an integrated case main body 8-4. . The workability at the time of assembly can be improved by comprising two bodies.

The fitting portions between the case body 8-4 and the upper lid 8-5 are provided with thick portions 8-7, respectively. A hinge 8-8 and a buckle 8-9 are provided at the position on the back side and the position on the front side of the thick portion 8-7, respectively, so that the upper lid 8-5 can be freely opened and closed with respect to the case body 8-4. It has become.

As shown in FIG. 5 (A), a concavo-convex portion 8-10 is formed on the entire contact surface of the upper surface of the thick portion 8-7, and when the upper lid 8-5 is closed, FIG. As shown in the enlarged view of), the concave and convex portions 8-10 are engaged with each other and can be closed without a gap. The thick portion 8-7 is provided with two female screws 8-11 (see FIG. 3), and a strap or the like can be attached as necessary.

As shown in FIG. 3, rubber cushioning materials 8-1a are provided at the corners of the case 8 and the upper four corners of the case body 8-4 to absorb the impact and to affect the case 8. It is mitigating. Therefore, for example, even if the case 8 falls to the ground or the like in any posture, the cushioning material 8-1a always comes into contact with the ground first and directly contacts the hinge 8-8, the buckle 8-9, or the resin portion of the case 8. The buffer material 8-1a is shaped so that no impact is applied.

In other words, the thickness of the hinge 8-8 and the like is prevented from becoming larger than the thickness of the buffer material 8-1a. Since the cushioning material 8-1a is also attached to the upper side of the case main body 8-4, even when the upper lid 8-5 is opened, the cushioning material 8-1a is held so as to be caught by the hand. Can carry 8 whole.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a cushioning material 8-1b is disposed on the inner surface of the case body 8-4, and is attached to the frame portion 4 or the like in the case body 8-4 as an exterior case. The built-in objects are protected from impact.

In this case, when protecting the built-in object from the impact received by the exterior case, adopting a structure in which a buffer is disposed between the exterior case facing the direction in which the impact is applied and the built-in object, that direction (specifically, the vertical direction) ), The case body 8-4 is provided with a plurality of cushioning materials 8-1b on the side surface portion as described below. We are trying to protect it.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, a front panel 5 is attached to the upper surface of the frame part 4, and a liquid crystal monitor part 7-3 or the like is provided between the front panel 5 and the upper lid 8-5 above it. It is desirable to store precision electrical equipment and protect it against impacts in the vertical direction. Further, precise electric devices such as the light source unit 3-36 and the CCU 3-39 are accommodated in the drum unit 3 held in a freely rotatable state by the frame unit 4.

Further, when the upper cover 8-5 is opened for attaching or detaching connectors or the like to the front panel 5, it is desirable to expose the front panel 5 so that it can be easily operated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, no cushioning material is provided in the vicinity of the front panel 5, and as will be described below, the cushioning material is provided between the inner surface of the case main body 8-4 and the opposed frame portion 4 adjacent to the inside thereof. 8-1b is arranged to protect the built-in objects such as the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3 and the light source unit 3-36 from impacts in the vertical direction.

Here, the impact means an impact such as vibration when the case 8 is mainly transported (the case itself 8 remains without being packed with a packing material) with the upper lid 8-5 closed.

The case main body 8-4, that is, the inner surfaces of the first case main body 8-2 and the second case main body 8-3 are provided with receiving surfaces 8-16 perpendicular to the vertical direction. The frame portion 4 is provided with a receiving portion 4-27 that faces the receiving surface 8-16 and is spaced apart in the vertical direction. Between the receiving surface 8-16 and the receiving part 4-27, it arrange | positions so that the upper end and lower end of plate-shaped buffer material 8-1b may contact | abut. Further, the side surface of the plate-shaped cushioning material 8-1b is in contact with the inner surface of the case body 8-4 and the outer surface of the frame portion 4.

That is, the receiving surface 8-16 is provided at an appropriate position in the vertical direction on the inner surfaces of the first case main body 8-2 and the second case main body 8-3, and one end of the receiving portion 8-16 is in contact with the space portion adjacent to the receiving surface 8-16. The cushioning material 8-1b is disposed so as to be in contact with the other end of the cushioning material 8-1b disposed in the vertical direction, and the receiving member 4-38 is fixed to the frame portion 4 with screws 4-39 (see FIG. 5). It compresses and fixes so that it may contact | abut with the receiving part 4-27, and it is trying to hold | maintain the frame part 4 elastically to the case main body 8-4 via the buffer material 8-1b.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the size, and when an impact is applied in the vertical direction, for example, when an impact is applied to the case 8 that causes the case to drop with the upper lid 8-5 side down, The applied impact can be absorbed by the buffer material 8-1b.

Next, the structure of the handle cover 3-1 to which the handle 3-11 for rotating the drum portion 3 is attached will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7B, and the handle 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The structure of -11 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7A of the BB cross section of FIG. 6, the first case body 8-2 is provided with a circular opening 8-12 (also shown by a broken line in FIG. 6). A rubber packing 8-13 is provided over the entire circumference of the opening 8-12.

A substantially disc-shaped handle cover larger than the opening 8-12 so that the inner surface (back surface) of the circumference is pressed against the packing 8-13 provided on the circumference (periphery) of the opening 8-12. 3-1 is attached to the drum portion 3 inside the opening 8-12 with the shock absorbing material 3-10 interposed therebetween. Then, the pressure contact between the packing 8-13 and the handle cover 3-1 ensures drip-proof / dust-proof between them.

In other words, the first case body 8-2 is provided with an opening 8-12 that faces the side surface of the drum portion 3, and the tip of the extending portion that protrudes through the opening 8-12 from the side surface of the drum portion 3. A circular cover member having a diameter larger than that of the opening 8-12 is provided in the opening 8-12, and an elastic member that presses the inner side surface of the cover member is provided on the periphery of the opening 8-12 to ensure watertightness.

The packing 8-13 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 7B, the mounting portion 8-14 having a U-shaped cross section and a fin contacting the handle cover 3-1. Part (fin shape) 8-15.

The fin portion 8-15 normally has a shape protruding outward as indicated by a two-dot chain line (a protruding free end shape), and by attaching the handle cover 3-1, the handle cover 3-1 is indicated by a solid line. The state of being pressed and bent on the back surface of 3-1 and being in pressure contact is maintained, and a watertight structure or the like is secured.

A cylindrical drum portion 3 is rotatably held between the first frame 4-3 and the second frame 4-4 constituting the frame portion 4 inside the handle cover 3-1. The insertion portion 2-1 is wound around the cylindrical member 3-5 of the drum portion 3 so that it can be stored.

Further, the first frame 4-3 on the handle cover 3-1 side is provided with an opening 4-40 by cutting out a portion facing the circular opening 8-12 of the first case body 8-2 in a circular shape. It is. Also, a first side plate 3-6 and a second side plate which are provided so as to face the inner sides of the first frame 4-3 and the second frame 4-4, respectively, and cover both open ends of the cylindrical member 3-5. The side plates 3-7 are also provided with openings 3-8 and 3-21, respectively, and the openings 3-8 and 3-21 are closed by the first drum cover 3-9 and the second drum cover 3-22, respectively. ing.

As shown in FIG. 18, two openings 3-8 on the first side plate 3-6 side are actually formed, and in these portions, the bending drive of the lamp unit 3-40 and the electric bending unit 3-37, respectively. The mechanism adjustment unit is exposed so that it can be easily used for lamp replacement and bending drive mechanism adjustment and repair, respectively.

That is, by removing the handle cover 3-1 and further removing the first drum cover 3-9, lamp replacement, curve angle adjustment, and repair can be easily performed. The bending angle can be adjusted by adjusting the elongation of the bending operation wires 32u and 32d of the electric bending unit 3-37.

A handle cover 3-1 is attached by screws 3-48 at a plurality of positions outside the opening 3-8 in the first side plate 3-6 with the shock absorbing material 3-10 interposed therebetween. Further, a recess 3-12 is provided on the outer surface of the handle cover 3-1, so that a retractable handle 3-11 for performing an operation of rotating the drum portion 3 together with the handle cover can be stored.

As shown in FIG. 8 (A), the handle 3-11 includes a grip portion 3-13 to be gripped by the user, a spring 3-14, a shaft 3-15, and a handle fixing base portion 3-16. The proximal end of the grip portion 3-13 is brought into pressure contact with the outer surface of the handle fixing base portion 3-16 by a spring 3-14 which is compressed and accommodated on the outer periphery of the inner shaft 3-15 in the hollow portion of the portion 3-13. I am doing so.

The end of the shaft 3-15 on the handle fixing base 3-16 side has a spherical shape and is housed in a substantially hemispherical recess of the handle fixing base 3-16. The handle fixing base 3-16 The outer surface has a hemispherical shape, and is urged so that the grip portion 3-13 falls down by the elastic force of the spring 3-14.

Accordingly, the grip portion 3-13 of the handle 3-11 is normally in a position where the handle 3-11 is tilted (state shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 7), and is stored so as not to protrude from the handle cover 3-1. That is, when the handle 3-11 is not used, it does not get in the way, so it is convenient.

When the drum unit 3 is rotated, the grip portion 3-13 of the handle 3-11 is raised so as to be parallel to the rotation axis (solid line in FIG. 7). When the hand is released from the grip portion 3-13, it returns to its original collapsed position with the force of the spring 3-14 provided inside the grip portion 3-13.

The drum unit 3 is rotated by the handle 3-11 only when the insertion unit 2-1 is wound up (rotation operation in the clockwise direction is performed). When the insertion unit 2-1 is pulled out, the handle 3-11 is rotated. The operation of pulling out the insertion part 2-1 by hand without using is performed.

Therefore, if the handle 3-11 is turned when the insertion portion 2-1 is pulled out (counterclockwise direction), the retractable grip portion 3-13 falls down and no force is applied. Further, when the grip portion 3-13 is in the vertical direction (the solid line in FIG. 6 and the state in FIG. 3B) when the insertion portion 2-1 is housed, the grip portion 3 is clear. As shown in FIG. 8 (B) and FIG. 8 (C), the guide of the shaft 3-15 is fixed to the handle fixing base 3-16 so that it starts to fall counterclockwise at the beginning of −13 and in the vertical direction when stored. 3-45 was provided.

By providing the handle 3-11 in a tilting manner as described above, the handle 3-11 is easily tilted when the drum unit 3 is rotated in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the insertion portion 2-1. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an erroneous operation such as rotating in the direction opposite to the winding direction.

Next, a configuration around the front panel (operation panel) 5 will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the front panel 5 is made of resin and has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and is installed so as to cover the entire opening 41 of the case body 8-4. A concave portion 5-1 (see FIG. 5 (see FIG. 5D and FIG. 10A)) is formed in the contact portion of the front panel 5 with the case body 8-4 over the entire circumference. Is provided with a rubber packing 5-2. The rubber packing 5-2 keeps the case main body 8-4 from drip-proof and dust-proof. The front panel 5 is fixed to the frame portion 4 and is integrated with the frame portion 4.

An inlet portion 5-3 is provided on one side of the rectangular front panel 5. In the inlet portion 5-3, an AC inlet 5-4 and a DC inlet 5-5 are disposed adjacent to the upper surface of the panel.

A partition plate 5-6 is provided so as to surround the AC inlet 5-4 and the DC inlet 5-5, and a drip-proof lid 5-7 that covers an opening of the partition plate 5-6 is provided. The partition plate 5-6 has a small window 5-8, and the drip-proof lid 5-7 is secured by tightening the screw knob 5-10 while being hooked on the convex portion 5-9 provided on the drip-proof lid 5-7. Close.

When the L-shaped AC cable 5-11 is inserted into the AC inlet 5-4 as shown in FIG. 9B, the AC cable 5-11 covers the insertion port of the DC inlet 5-5. 11 and the DC cable 5-12 cannot be inserted at the same time. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the L-shaped DC cable 5-12 is inserted into the DC inlet 5-5, the AC cable 5-11 cannot be inserted.

In addition, a groove is cut in the inner wall of the partition plate 5-6 so that the slide plate 5-13 can move. When the slide plate 5-13 is slid to one side, one of the AC inlet 5-4 and the DC inlet 5-5 is blocked. This prevents the AC cable and the DC cable from being connected at the same time even if the L-shaped cable is not used.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the front panel 5 is provided with one intake duct 5-15 and first and second exhaust ducts 5-16, 5-17. A first exhaust duct 5-16 is provided beside the inlet portion 5-3, and exhausts heat generated by the power supply unit 4-1 below the first exhaust duct 5-16. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 11, the second exhaust duct 5-17 is provided above the exhaust cylinder 4-28 of the sirocco fan 4-2 that exhausts the heat generated inside the drum section 3. It is.

As shown in FIG. 9 (A), the intake duct 5-15 is provided in an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction of the front panel 5, and sucks air into the case. All three ducts prevent rainwater from above from entering the interior of the case through the ducts. For example, as shown in FIG. 9D, an exhaust opening 5-18 is provided on the side surface of the duct 5-17 and the like, and a plurality of eaves 5-19 that are inclined are provided in the opening 5-18. Further, a mesh 5-20 is provided on the inner side of the eaves 5-19 so that a foreign substance having a certain size or more does not enter the case through the opening 5-18.

The number and interval of the eaves 5-19 and the size of the mesh 5-20 were determined in consideration of the exhaust efficiency. In addition, the intake duct 5-15 is provided with a large eaves so as to cover the upper portion of the intake opening, and is bent at the tip thereof so that rainwater or the like from above does not enter. Also in this case, it was determined in consideration of intake efficiency.

A receiving member 5-28 for holding the distal end of the insertion portion on the front panel 5 so that the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2-1, particularly the optical system, is not damaged by vibrations or the like generated when the endoscope apparatus 1 is transported. Is attached. The receiving member 5-28 has a pipe shape, and houses and holds the distal end portion of the insertion portion 2-1 inside thereof.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a metal sub-panel 5-29 having a controller connector, a video input / output connector, an audio connector, a slot for a recording medium such as a PC card or a CF card, etc. The screw is fixed to.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the sub panel 5-29 is provided with an opening 5-30, and a drip-proof rubber cap 5-31 is fitted therein. Of the connectors and slots, those not having a drip-proof structure are covered with a drip-proof rubber cap 5-31.

The cable 6-1 is connected to the controller connector 5-32 via a detachable connector. As shown in FIG. 1, the cable 6-1 is slender and flexible, has a signal cable or an optical communication cable (not shown), and transmits a control signal and a video signal. A controller 6 serving as a remote control unit is provided at the base end of the cable 6-1. The controller 6 is provided with a joystick 6-2 that serves as a bending input control unit that serves as a means for operating the bending operation of the bending unit 2-3, and various control buttons 6-3.

By doing so, the front panel 5 can be easily assembled and connectors and the like can be easily connected, and the reliability when connected can be ensured. Further, watertightness between the front panel 5 and the case main body 8-4 can be secured.

Next, the structure of the portion serving as the entrance / exit from the drum portion 3 side of the insertion portion 2-1 wound and fed around the drum portion 3 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9 (A) and 10 (A), a bellows-like rubber boot 5-21 whose front end is squeezed is fixed to the front panel 5. As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 10B, the rear end of the first metal member 5-22 having a substantially ring shape is fixed to the opening of the rubber boot 5-21. A male screw 5-23 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the first metal member 5-22 projecting from the tip of the rubber boot 5-21, and the second metal member 5-24 having a cap nut is screwed into the female screw portion. It is attached detachably.

In addition, a packing 5-26 provided with an opening is provided between the first metal member 5-22 and the second metal member 5-24. This packing 5-26 has an opening 5-27 having a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the endoscope insertion portion 2-1, through which the endoscope insertion portion 2-1 is pulled out and rolled up. Is done.

When the insertion part 2-1 is stored, moisture or the like adhering to the insertion part 2-1 can be squeezed off by the opening wall of the packing 5-26. When the packing 5-26 is worn out by repeated drawing and storing, the second metal member 5-24 can be replaced by releasing the screwing. In addition, the shape of the opening part of packing 5-26 is made into brush shape, for example so that the dirt adhering to the outer peripheral surface of the insertion part 2-1 can be rubbed off. In this way, the deposits on the outer peripheral surface of the insertion portion 2-1 can be squeezed off, so that it is possible to prevent dirt from entering the drum portion and becoming a cause of failure. Moreover, the operation | work which an operator winds up the insertion part 2-1 while wiping off dirt can be reduced.

Next, the structure and the like of the cable portion that transmits and receives signals between the inside of the rotating drum portion 3 and the non-rotated portion outside the drum portion 3 will be described. As will be described below, an electric signal can be transmitted at low cost by employing a spiral cable 3-2 without employing a slip ring. As shown in FIG. 12A (and FIG. 15), there is a thick portion 3-17 on the outer periphery of the second side plate 3-7, and a gear 3-18 is provided on the outermost periphery thereof. As shown in FIG. 15, the gear 3-18 transmits the rotation to the gear 4-43 of the rotation detection unit 4-42 that detects the rotation speed of the drum unit 3 around which the insertion unit 2-1 is wound. It has become.

An opening 3-21 is provided in the central portion of the second side plate 3-7, and in this portion, a cable 3-2 that electrically connects the inside of the drum portion 3 and the outside of the drum portion 3 is housed in a spiral shape. The cable storage portion 3-3.

The cable 3-2 exchanges necessary information such as power, control signals, and video signals between the electrical circuit of the device inside the drum and the electrical circuit of the device outside the drum. The cable 3-2 is wound in a spiral shape in a state where one or a plurality of flexible flat cables are overlapped. FIG. 12B shows, for example, a spiral cable 3-2 made into two sheets.

When the number of cores of the cable 3-2 is large, since the width of the cable 3-2 is increased when a single flat cable is used, the volume of the cable storage unit 3-3 is increased. It is divided into 3-2a and 3-2b. Such a flat cable 3-2 can be constituted by a flat cable, a ribbon cable, an FFC, or the like. In addition, when the number of cores of the cable 3-2 is small, it can be configured by one flat cable 3-2.

As shown in FIG. 12A, the second drum cover 3-22 is fixed to the inside of the drum of the opening 3-21 of the second side plate 3-7. A hollow shaft 3-23 for fixing the cable 3-2 is attached to the outside of the drum at the center of the second drum cover 3-22. The cable 3-2 is fixed to the shaft 3-23 via a fixing member 3-25 to which an elastic member 3-24 is attached, and one end of the cable 3-2 enters the inside of the drum through a hollow portion (see FIG. 13 (see C) and connected to a relay board 3-26 (see FIG. 17A) inside the drum.

A cover member 3-27 is disposed outside the spiral cable 3-2. The outer peripheral side of the cover member 3-27 is bent in an L-shape, and is provided with a convex portion 3-46 for preventing the cable 3-2 from spreading beyond a certain diameter, and is wound in the axial direction. This limits the range that is formed and prevents the spiral shape from collapsing. A plurality of extending pieces 4-47 extending further outward from the convex portion 3-46 of the cover member 3-27 is attached to the second frame 4-4.

As shown in FIG. 14, the cable 3-2 is pulled out to the outside of the cover member 3-27 through the slit 3-43 formed in the outer peripheral portion of the cover member 3-27 and connected to the relay board 3-28. The cable 3-2 pulled out from the cover member 3-27 is fixed between the fixing member 3-29 and the cover member 3-27 by the fixing member 3-29 fixed to the cover member 3-27 in the vicinity of the slit 3-43. It is sandwiched between and fixed.

In order to reduce the width of the drum storage portion, the second drum cover 3-22 is fixed from the inside of the drum of the second side plate 3-7. Thereby, the width | variety for the plate | board thickness dimension of the 2nd side plate 3-7 is made small.

Since the primary power supply line flows through the flat cable 3-2, it is necessary to ensure electrical insulation with the neighboring members. In the present endoscope apparatus 1, since the GND 4 of the AC inlet 5-4 is securely connected to the frame unit 4, the frame unit 4 is grounded, but the drum unit 3 that is rotatably held is grounded. Is not removed. Therefore, the following measures are taken so as to satisfy a predetermined standard regarding electric shock prevention and the like.

Since the second drum cover 3-22 and the hollow shaft 3-23 are fixed to the second side plate 3-7 of the drum portion 3 that is not grounded, the second drum cover 3-22 and the hollow shaft 3-23 are made of an insulating member such as a resin. Alternatively, an insulating member such as a mylar sheet is disposed between the second drum cover 3-22, the hollow shaft 3-23, and the cable 3-2.

Since the second side plate 3-7 of the drum unit 3 is made of metal, the distance between the cable 3-2 and the second side plate 3-7 is set to be equal to or greater than a specified distance. In the present endoscope apparatus 1, it is about 3.2 mm or more (the dimension marked with * in FIG. 12A).

Inside the drum unit 3, an insulating member such as a mylar sheet is disposed between the cable 3-2, the relay board 3-26 in the drum unit 3, and other secondary signal lines.

The cover member 3-27 and the fixing member 3-29 are made of metal, and are electrically integrated with the second frame 4-4 of the frame part 4 that is grounded.

Outside the cover member 3-27, an insulating member such as a mylar sheet is disposed between the cable 3-2, the relay board 3-28 outside the drum portion 3, and other secondary signal lines.

As shown in FIG. 17 (A), a plurality of support columns 3-30 are set up (near the outer periphery of the first side plate 3-6 and the second side plate 3-7), and the first support plate 3-30 is inserted through the support columns 3-30. The first side plate 3-6 and the second side plate 3-7 are connected. The cylindrical member 3-5 is provided at a position in contact with the outside of the column 3-30. U-shaped packings 3-31 are attached to openings at both ends of the cylindrical member 3-5 (see FIG. 17B), and the first side plate 3-6 and the second side plate 3-7 Drip-proof and dust-proof at the connecting part.

The base end portion 3-32 of the insertion portion 2-1 is fixed inside the drum portion 3, and the insertion portion 2-1 protrudes from the notch portion 3-33 of the cylindrical member 3-5. A packing 3-34 is mounted between the cutout portion 3-33, the insertion portion 2-1, and the first side plate 3-6. Secured.

When the insertion portion is stored, the insertion portion 2-1 is wound around the outer periphery of the drum portion 3 by rotating the drum portion 3 in a predetermined direction.

As shown in FIG. 19, a lead member 3-35 is fixed in the vicinity of the notch portion 3-33 of the cylindrical member 3-5, and the insertion portion 2-1 makes one rotation from the base end portion 3-32. Sometimes it doesn't overlap.

(As shown in part in FIGS. 12, 14, and 15), the frame portion 4 includes a first frame 4-3, a second frame 4-4, and both frames disposed at positions sandwiching the drum portion 3. 4-3 and 4-4, a fixing member 4-5, a power supply unit 4-6, a rotation detection unit 4-42 for detecting the number of rotations of the drum, and an excessive winding and withdrawal of the insertion unit 2-1. Stopper 4-7 to prevent over-running, stopper 4-8 to prevent drum rotation during case transport, and insertion portion 2-1 from bulging outward when winding insertion portion 2-1 around the drum And a regulating member 4-9.

Next, a structure for holding the drum portion in a cantilevered manner will be described. As shown in FIG. 12A, a ring-shaped (donut-shaped) flange 4-10 is concentric with the rotation center of the drum portion 3 in a space facing the second side plate 3-7 in the second frame 4-4. It is fixed to become. An inner peripheral portion of the flange 4-10 forms a V-shaped portion 4-11 having a wedge shape or a V shape.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the V-shaped portion 4-11 is engaged with the second side plate 3-7 so that the outer peripheral portions of a plurality of (three to four) bearing members 4-12 are engaged. The hollow portion is fixed with screws, and the outer peripheral side is rotatable.

Further, the structure of the bearing member 4-12 is shown enlarged in FIG. In this bearing member 4-12, a ball bearing is disposed between an inner peripheral side provided with a hollow portion and an outer peripheral side thereof, and the outer peripheral side is rotatably held with respect to the inner peripheral side. In addition, a V-shaped groove that abuts on the V-shaped portion 4-11 indicated by a two-dot chain line is provided on the outer peripheral surface, and the V-shaped portion 4-11 abuts on the V-shaped groove and can rotate freely. It has become.

Then, the flange 4-10 fixed to the second frame 4-4 is used as a circumferential guide rail, and the second side plate 3-7 side provided with the bearing formed by the bearing member 4-12 is rotatably held. Yes. Thereby, the drum part 3 is rotatably held with respect to the second frame 4-4. In addition, since members such as the flange 4-10 and the bearing 4-12 are disposed between the second side plate 3-7 and the second frame 4-4, an extra space is not required.

In other words, in order to avoid a structure near the rotation center of the drum unit 3, it is mounted on one side surface of the drum unit on a plurality of bearings concentric with the rotation center of the drum unit 3 and a frame on which the drum unit is supported and fixed. By forming a rotating drum support structure comprising a donut-shaped rail concentric with the rotation center, the bearing surface of the formed bearing is formed. 3), the cable housing portion 3-3 and the like can be arranged, so that the entire drum can be reduced in size.

The bearing is made of a ball bearing so that the drum 3 can rotate smoothly. Also, the bearings and rails are formed with irregularities with a V-shaped cross section that match each other, so that smooth rotation is possible regardless of whether the drum section 3 is placed vertically or horizontally. It was made to become.

Next, a detection mechanism that detects the length of the insertion portion 2-1 wound around the drum portion 3 (or the length of the portion that is not wound) will be described. As shown in FIG. 15, the periphery of the drum portion, specifically, the bottom side position is parallel to the rotation axis of the drum portion 3 so as to pass through the first frame 4-3 and the second frame 4-4. A shaft 4-13 for detecting the rotational speed is provided. A holding member 4-14 having a low friction coefficient is fixed to both the frames 4-3 and 4-4, and both ends of the shaft 4-13 are rotatably held. A gear 4-43 that meshes with the outer peripheral gear 3-18 of the second side plate 3-7 is provided at a position corresponding to the second side plate 3-7 of the shaft 4-13.

Further, a male screw 4-15 is provided at a position of the shaft 4-13 facing the drum cylindrical member 3-5, and a moving member 4-16 having a female screw engaged with the male screw 4-15 is provided. It is provided.

As shown in FIG. 16A, a concave portion 4-17 is provided at the lower end of the moving member 4-16, and the moving member 4-16 has a shaft 4 at a position corresponding to the concave portion 4-17. A regulating rod 4-18 for preventing rotation with respect to -13 is fixed to both frames 4-3 and 4-4.

Moreover, the receiving part 4-19 is provided in the moving member 4-16, and it fixes so that the lever 4-21 of the slide volume (slide resistor) 4-20 may be pinched | interposed. The slide volume 4-20 is fixed to a fixing member 4-5 (see FIG. 14) connecting both the frames 4-3 and 4-4. When the drum unit 3 rotates, the shaft 4-13 rotates, and the moving member 4-16 moves on the shaft in the left-right direction in FIG. When the moving member 4-16 moves on the axis, the lever 4-21 (connected to the variable resistance end) of the slide volume 4-20 moves, so that the amount of movement can be taken out as an electric signal.

The moving member 4-16 is made of metal, and has a notch portion 4-22 at the drum side end. The notch portion 4-22 has a slippery resin insertion portion receiving member 4-23. Is installed. The insertion portion receiving member 4-23 is formed with a curved surface 4-24 along the surface of the insertion portion 2-1.

When the drum is rotated in the direction in which the insertion portion 2-1 is wound, the curved member 4-24 of the insertion portion receiving member 4-23 is in contact with the insertion portion 2-1, while the moving member 4-16 is in the first frame. Move from the 4-3 side to the second frame 4-4 side. For example, when the drum is rotated in the state shown in FIG. 16A, the moving member 4-16 moves upward in the drawing while being in contact with the insertion portion 2-1.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 16B, the lever 4-21 protruding from the slide volume 4-20 is sandwiched between the receiving portions 4-19 of the moving member 4-16 as shown in FIG. And move together with the moving member 4-16, and the resistance value of the variable resistance end changes. Therefore, the rotation amount of the insertion portion 2-1 wound around the drum portion 3 can be detected from the resistance value.

When the ratio of the gears 3-18 and 4-43 and the screw pitch of the shaft 4-13 is adjusted and the drum rotates once, that is, when the insertion portion 2-1 is wound once, the moving member 4-16 is moved to the insertion portion 2-1. Since the distance of the outer diameter is moved, the insertion portion 2-1 can be wound around the drum cylindrical portion 3-5 in a line. For example, an arbitrary winding state is set from the state in which the insertion portion 2-1 shown in FIG. 15A is most pulled out to the state where the insertion portion 2-1 is completely wound up as shown in FIG. 15B. The resistance value of the slide volume 4-20 is variably set corresponding to the state of the arbitrary winding number, and the state of the winding number or the insertion portion 2-1 is wound from the information of the resistance value. You can see the length.

The rotation detection unit 4-42 using the slide volume 4-20 has information in a nonvolatile manner. That is, the resistance value has information on the length of the insertion portion 2-1 wound even when the power is turned on again after the power is turned off. For this reason, there is a great advantage over the volatile case where the resetting must be performed every time the power is turned on to perform the initial setting.

Then, by sending this information to, for example, an electric bending control circuit unit (control circuit unit) 3-38 that performs bending control of the electric bending unit 3-37 (see FIG. 17A), the winding of the insertion unit 2-1. It can be used to perform bending control suitable for the state corresponding to the removal state.

For example, if the bending operation wire is pulled in the same way with respect to the bending operation when the ratio of the insertion portion 2-1 wound around the drum portion 3 is large and when the insertion portion 2-1 is hardly wound and can be bent freely. The bending amount (bending angle) of the bending portion 2-3 is different.

That is, when the drum unit 3 is wound, it is close to a state in which bending is restricted. Therefore, the amount of driving for bending in response to the bending instruction of the operator is made larger than when the winding is not performed. It is desirable that the same curvature can be obtained almost independently of the winding amount.

In the case where the bending instruction is given and the bending portion 2-3 is bent in a state where almost all of the bending operation is performed, the bending operation wire cannot be driven to be driven unless an excessive force is applied to the bending operation wire. In such a case, it is possible to prevent the bending operation wire from being extended or disconnected by controlling the bending so as not to bend.

The outer diameters of the first side plate 3-6 and the second side plate 3-7 are at least twice as large as the insertion portion diameter than the outer diameter of the drum cylindrical member 3-5, and the insertion portion 2-1 is the side plate. So that it does not slip out of

A first block 4-25 and a second block 4-26 are fixed to inner side surfaces near the outer peripheries of the first side plate 3-6 and the second side plate 3-7, respectively. As shown in FIG. 15A, the first block 4-25 is arranged so that the metal moving member 4-16 abuts when the entire insertion portion 2-1 is pulled out. Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, the second block 4-26 is arranged so that the metal moving member 4-16 abuts when the entire insertion portion 2-1 is wound.

Therefore, the insertion member 2-1 cannot be pulled out further than the state shown in FIG. 15A because the movement member 4-16 abuts on the first block 4-25 and the movement is restricted. Further, the insertion portion 2-1 cannot be wound further than the state shown in FIG. 15B because the movement member 4-16 abuts against the second block 4-26 and the movement is restricted. In this way, the stopper 4-7 that prevents the insertion portion 2-1 from being excessively wound and pulled out is configured.

Next, the arrangement inside the drum unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 17A, in the space inside the drum unit 3, a light source unit 3-36 that supplies illumination light for observation to the endoscope, and a drive mechanism that curves the bending unit 2-3 by electric operation. An electric bending unit 3-37 having a driving source, a control circuit unit 3-38 for controlling electric bending based on an instruction signal from a joystick 6-2 of the controller 6 and a CCD 25. A camera control unit (hereinafter referred to as CCU) 3-39 having an image processing circuit that converts an image signal that has been captured and photoelectrically converted into a TV signal, a timing generation circuit that generates a timing signal for driving a CCD, and the drum A relay board 3-26 for electrically connecting the inside of the section 3 and the outside of the drum section 3 is disposed.

The light source unit 3-36 includes a lamp unit 3-40 composed of a detachable metal halide lamp and a reflector, and a light guide connector unit 3-41 that transmits the condensed light to a light guide in the insertion unit 2-1. And a lamp lighting device 3-42. The lamp lighting device 3-42 has a chamfered portion 3-46 so that it can be efficiently stored in the cylindrical member 3-5.

A relay board 3-26 is disposed between the light source unit 3-36 and the other electric bending unit 3-37, the control circuit unit 3-38, and the CCU 3-39. The relay board 3-26 serves as a heat insulating material. To fulfill. That is, the heat from the light source unit 3-36 is insulated by the relay board 3-26 so that the heat is not transmitted to the electric bending unit 3-37, the control circuit unit 3-38, and the CCU 3-39 side.

FIG. 18 shows the main part inside the drum part 3 with the first drum cover 3-9 removed and facing the opening 3-8. In this case, a portion of the electric bending unit 3-37 that adjusts the extension of the bending operation wires 32u, 32d, etc. is exposed, so that the bending angle can be easily adjusted.

In other words, if the bending operation is repeated for a long period of time, the bending operation wire is stretched compared to the state adjusted at the initial setting, and the angle that can be bent with the same bending driving amount is smaller than in the case of the initial setting. obtain. In such a case, by operating the elongation adjusting unit, the elongation can be absorbed and adjusted to the initial setting. In FIG. 18, the adjustment part for the extension of the vertical and left and right bending operation wires is exposed, but the adjustment part for the extension of the left and right or vertical bending operation wires is disposed below the adjustment part so that the adjustment can be easily performed. it can. Further, when the first drum cover 3-9 is removed, the lamp unit 3-40 is also exposed so that the user can easily replace the lamp.

Next, the stopper structure 4-8 for preventing the drum from rotating during transportation will be described. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 20A, the front panel 5 is provided with an operation lever 4-35. As shown in FIGS. 20 (B) and 20 (C), a push pin 4-36 protrudes downward on the back side of the front panel 5 from the operation lever 4-35, and at the tip of the push pin 4-36. A movable plate 4-30 that is rotatable by a rotary shaft 4-29 is fixed to the second frame 4-4 so as to be engaged.

A one-way gear 4-31 having a clutch mechanism that can rotate only in one direction is fixed to one end of the moving plate 4-30 via a gear shaft 4-32. Since the leaf spring 4-33 is fixed to the second frame 4-4 and the moving plate 4-30 is always urged, the one-way gear 4-31 is the gear 3 on the outer peripheral portion of the second side plate 3-7. It is designed to be fitted to -18.

When the gear 3-18 is engaged, the drum portion 3 can rotate in the direction in which the insertion portion 2-1 is wound (the direction in which the handle is rotated clockwise) due to the clutch characteristics of the one-way gear 4-31. It cannot be rotated in the pulling out direction. That is, when the endoscopic examination is completed and the insertion portion 2-1 is wound up to clean up the endoscope apparatus 1, when the winding member 4-16 is wound up to the end, the moving member 4-16 is moved to the second block 4-26. At the end, the drum part 3 does not rotate in the direction of further winding. And since it does not rotate in the direction pulled out by the one-way gear 4-31, the rotation of the drum portion 3 is locked.

On the other end side of the moving plate 4-30, a release mechanism 4-34 for releasing the fitting between the one-way gear 4-31 and the gear 3-18 of the second side plate 3-7 is provided. The release mechanism 4-34 includes an operation lever 4-35, a push pin 4-36, and a spring 4-37. For storage of the endoscope apparatus 1, the operation lever 4-35 is in the position of the broken line in FIG. 20A, that is, in the position of FIG.

In this state, when the operation lever 4-35 is pushed in, the push pin 4-36 is pushed and the moving plate 4-30 is pushed, so that the one-way gear 4-31 and the gear 3-18 are disengaged. The insertion part 2-1 can be pulled out. When the push of the operation lever 4-35 is stopped, the spring 4-37 returns to the original position.

When the operation lever 4-35 is pushed and turned about 90 °, the push pin 4-36 is pushed and the released state shown in FIG. 20C is maintained. That is, as shown in FIG. 20D, the push pin 4-36 has a convex portion, and the push pin 4-36 is held in a state where the key groove of the holding plate 4-44 is passed through. When pushed against the elastic force of the spring 4-37 from this state, the convex part is released from the key groove and can be freely rotated. For example, when rotated about 90 °, the convex part is removed from the key groove as shown in FIG. Held in a state.

That is, in the normal use state, the operation lever 4-35 is pushed in and rotated to be in the state shown in FIG. Further, when the operation lever 4-35 is at the position shown in FIG. 20C, the operation lever 4-35 is positioned at the fitting portion between the upper lid 8-5 of the case 8 and the case body 8-4 (FIG. 20). (A) (solid line state), the upper lid 8-5 is not closed.

Next, the configuration of the liquid crystal monitor unit 7 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, the liquid crystal monitor unit 7 includes a liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3 (shown from the back side in the figure), a telescopic pole 7-1, and a liquid crystal monitor unit 7-. 3 and a rotation mechanism portion 7-2 that rotatably connects the telescopic pole 7-1.

In the telescopic pole 7-1, a plurality (three in this embodiment) of cylinders 7-4a, 7-4b, and 7-4c having different diameters are nested. Each cylinder 7-4i (ia, b, c) has a circular cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the axial direction, and there is a recess 7-6 at one place as shown in FIG. Can be expanded and contracted in the axial direction (without rotating).

As shown in FIG. 22 (A), the first cover 7-5a is fixed to the upper end portion of the thickest first cylinder 7-4a with screws 7-7 (see also FIG. 23 (A)). Similarly, the second cover 7-5b is fixed to the upper end of the second cylinder 7-4b having the second largest diameter, and the third cover 7-5c is fixed to the upper end of the third cylinder 7-4c having the smallest diameter. ing.

The first cover 7-5a is provided with a through hole 7-8 toward the axial center, and a female screw portion 7-9 is provided near the entrance of the through hole 7-8 (FIG. 23A). reference). As shown in FIG. 23A, a friction pin 7-10 is inserted into the through hole 7-8, and a spring 7-12 is disposed in a concave portion of the friction pin 7-10.

Further, a presser screw 7-11 is screwed into the female screw portion 7-9. The hollow portion 7-6 is fixed at a position corresponding to the friction pin 7-10 of the first cylinder 7-4a, and there is an opening larger than the outer diameter of the friction pin 7-10. Accordingly, the friction pin 7-10 is in contact with the indented portion 7-6 of the second cylinder 7-4b by the biasing force of the spring 7-12.

The first cylinder 7-4a and the second cylinder 7-4b can be stopped at an arbitrary position in the axial direction by the frictional force at the contact portion. The same applies to the second cylinder 7-4b and the third cylinder 7-4c (see FIG. 23B).

As shown in FIG. 22A, a curled cable 7-13 wound in a spiral shape is inserted inside the third cylinder 7-4c having the narrowest diameter. The curl cable 7-13 is connected to the relay board 3-28 fixed to the frame unit 4 and the connector 7-16 of the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3, and supplies a video signal and power to the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3. ing.

Both ends of the curled cable 7-13 are straight cables, and the middle part is a curled cable. The curl portion has a length that can be accommodated in the cylinder 7-4 in a natural state, and when each cylinder is extended, the curl portion can be extended by the amount of extension (in this embodiment, the natural length is about 3). Can be doubled).

One side of the straight portion is fixed to the lower end of the first cylinder 7-4a via a cap 7-14. The other end side of the straight portion is fixed by a cable holding mechanism 7-15 provided at the lower end of the first rotation mechanism 7-17. A cylindrical portion 7-18 is provided at the center of the third cover 7-5c, and a spring 7-19 is mounted on the outer periphery thereof.

Further, the shaft portion 7-21 of the rotating member 7-20 is rotatably inserted inside the cylindrical portion 7-18. A straight portion of the curl cable 7-13 is inserted in the central portion of the shaft portion 7-21, and a male screw is provided in the lower end portion.

A fixing member 7-22 having a female screw to be fitted to the male screw and a slit holding portion for sandwiching the straight portion of the curl cable 7-13 is fitted to the male screw portion of the rotating member 7-20. ing. There is a receiving portion at the upper end portion of the fixing member 7-22, and a spring 7-19 is in contact therewith. A male screw is provided at the lower end of the fixing member 7-22, and a tightening member 7-23 is fitted to the male screw. By tightening the tightening member 7-23, the inner diameter of the slit portion of the fixing member 7-22 becomes small, and the cable can be fixed. A friction plate 7-24 is interposed between the upper surface of the third cover 7-5c and the lower end of the rotating member 7-20.

Note that FIG. 22B shows the upper surface side of the third cover 7-5c. A pin 7-40 is provided on the lower end surface of the rotating member 7-20. The pin 7-40 restricts the rotation angle of the rotation member 7-20 with respect to the third cover 7-5c at the position of the groove 7-41 on the upper surface of the third cover 7-5c as shown in FIG. This prevents the rotating member 7-20 from rotating indefinitely and tangling the curl cable 7-13.

Further, a hollow first block 7-25 is fixed to the upper part of the rotating member 7-20. A hole through which the curl cable 7-13 passes is opened at a lower portion of the first block 7-25, and the curl cable 7-13 that has passed through the shaft portion 7-21 of the rotating member 7-20 is guided. Furthermore, there is an opening on the side surface of the first block 7-25, and the curl cable 7-13 is exposed to the outside of the first block 7-25.

As shown in FIG. 21A, one end of a second rotation mechanism member 7-26 is fixed to the first block 7-25. The other end side has a holding portion 7-27 of the liquid crystal monitor 7-3 and a second block 7-28 to which a connector 7-16 of the monitor cable extending from the liquid crystal monitor 7-3 is detachably connected. It is fixed to the pan head 7-29. The curl cable 7-13 that has come out of the first block 7-25 enters the space inside the second block 7-28 again and is connected to the connector 7-16.

As shown in FIG. 24, a female screw hole 7-30 and two slit-like grooves 7-32 are provided on the lower surface of the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3. A fixed screw 7-30, which is a male screw, is rotatable on the pan head 7-29, and a liquid crystal monitor 7-3 is fixed thereto. Further, two rotation stop pins 7-31 are provided at positions corresponding to the two slit-shaped grooves so that they do not rotate when the liquid crystal monitor 7-3 is fixed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 24C, a light shielding plate 7-33 is attached so as to be freely opened and closed, and the light shielding plate 7-33 is set at a position indicated by a solid line so that the monitor screen can be easily viewed. As shown by the dotted line, the monitor screen can be protected by closing.

With the above structure, the liquid crystal monitor unit 7-3 can rotate about the axis of the telescopic pole 7-1 and can tilt the monitor surface with respect to the axis.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the frame that is disposed around the drum portion 3 in which the insertion portion 2-1 of the industrial endoscope 2 can be wound up, and rotatably holds the drum portion 3. A plate-shaped cushioning material 8-1b is disposed on the side surface portion of the portion 4 and the case main body 8-4 as an exterior case member that accommodates the frame portion 4 so as to face each other, and the cushioning material 8-1b Since the upper end and the lower end are held in contact with the receiving surface 8-16 and the receiving portion 4-27 of the case main body 8-4, respectively, the impact due to vertical vibrations parallel to the side surface during transportation, etc. Is absorbed by the cushioning material 8-1b to effectively protect the built-in material of the case body 8-4, and is provided on the side receiving the impact (that is, the upper surface and the bottom surface of the case body 8-4). So that case 8 can be made smaller It is.

Moreover, in this Embodiment, the resistance with respect to an impact is securable by providing in plate shape long in an up-down direction. In FIG. 4 and the like, the upper end of the cushioning material 8-1b is in contact with the receiving surface 8-16 of the case body 8-4, and the lower end of the cushioning material 8-1b is in contact with the receiving portion 4-27 of the frame portion. Although held elastically, the upper end side of the cushioning material 8-1b is brought into contact with the receiving portion 4-27, and the lower end side of the cushioning material 8-1b is brought into contact with the receiving surface 8-16. good.

[Appendix]
a-1. A rotatable drum capable of winding and unwinding an insertion portion of an endoscope, a frame disposed around the drum and rotatably holding the drum, a case storing the frame, A cushioning material that is disposed between the outer surface and the inner surface of the case facing the outer surface and absorbs an impact from a direction parallel to the outer surface and the inner surface, and each end of the cushioning material along the direction An endoscope apparatus comprising: holding means for holding the respective parts in contact with the case and the frame.

a-2. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-1, wherein the case can be divided in a direction perpendicular to the direction.
a-3. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-1, wherein the case includes a case body that can be opened and closed in the direction and a case lid.
a-4. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-1, wherein the case has a box shape, and cushioning materials for absorbing an impact are respectively attached to corner portions of the outer surface thereof.

a-5. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-1, wherein the cushioning material has a plate shape that is longer in the direction than the thickness of the outer surface and the inner surface.
a-6. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-1, wherein the case is made of a resin mold or die-cast, and the frame is made of metal.
a-7. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-3, wherein a panel fixed to the frame is provided in an opening on the case lid portion side of the case main body in a direction perpendicular to the direction.
a-8. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix a-7, wherein a monitor or the like that displays an endoscopic image captured by an imaging unit of the endoscope is disposed between the panel and the inner surface of the case lid.

b-1. A rotating drum capable of winding or feeding the insertion portion of the endoscope, a case for storing the rotating drum, a panel provided on the case surface on the winding or feeding side of the insertion portion, and A first elastic member that protrudes outward from the case and loosely inserts the insertion portion, and a second elastic member that has a hole having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the insertion portion in a natural state and through which the insertion portion can be inserted. An endoscope apparatus comprising: a member provided at a distal end portion of the first elastic member.

b-2. The first elastic member has a bellows-shaped extending portion extending from the mounting portion to the tip portion with the panel, and a screw portion is formed on the outer periphery, and a hole having a larger diameter than the insertion portion of the endoscope is formed. The first metal member thus fixed is fixed to the tip of the first elastic member, a hole having the same diameter as the hole of the first metal member is formed, screwed into the screw portion, and the second metal member. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix b-1, which includes a second metal member that sandwiches an elastic member with the first metal member.

b-3. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix b-1, wherein a brush-like member made of a thin wire is disposed around the hole of the second elastic member.
b-4. The internal space according to appendix b-1, wherein a first peripheral device group of the endoscope is accommodated in the internal space of the rotating drum, and a second peripheral device group is also accommodated in the case together with the rotating drum. Endoscopic device.

Background of Group b (b-1 to b-4) (Prior Art) When the endoscope insertion portion is wound around the rotating drum, the operator wipes off the dirt adhering to the insertion portion. (Problem) The operation of wiping the insertion portion is complicated, which has been one of the causes of a decrease in inspection efficiency such as an increase in the total time for endoscopic inspection. Further, when the film is wound up without being wiped off, the dirt may adhere to drum peripheral devices and cause a failure.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-16518 discloses a take-up type endoscope apparatus, but this conventional example has the above-mentioned problems. US Patent No. 4,913,369 accommodates the tip of the insertion part on the side of the drum so that it can be flattened with a lid. However, when the insertion part is wound around the drum, there is the above problem. It was.

(Purpose) To improve the efficiency of the winding operation of the insertion section and reliably prevent dirt on the insertion section from adhering to the peripheral equipment of the rotating drum. In order to achieve this object, the group b was used.

(Operation and Effect) The dirt on the insertion portion is automatically scraped off by the second elastic member functioning as a squeeze plate when the insertion portion is wound around the drum. Further, the second elastic member can be easily replaced even when the hole is shaved and becomes larger due to the insertion of the insertion portion and does not function. Further, regardless of the direction of insertion, the second elastic member can follow the movement of the insertion portion by deforming the bellows shape of the first elastic member that functions like a rubber boot.

c-1. A circular opening facing the side surface of the rotary drum body is provided on one surface of the case that houses the rotary drum body capable of winding or feeding the insertion portion of the endoscope, and the opening is opened from the side surface of the rotary drum body. A circular cover member having a diameter larger than the inner diameter of the opening portion is provided at the tip of the extending portion that protrudes through the portion, and an elastic member that press-contacts the inner side surface of the cover member is provided at the periphery of the opening portion. An endoscope apparatus characterized by the above.

c-2. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix c-1, wherein the elastic member has a fin shape in which a proximal end side is fixed to the opening portion and a distal end side has a free end pressed against the circular cover.
c-3. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix c-1, wherein a handle member for rotating the rotary drum is attached to an outer side surface of the circular cover member.
c-4. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix c-3, wherein at least a grip portion of the handle member can be bent and held toward a side surface of the rotating drum.

c-5. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix c-4, wherein a bending direction of the handle member is opposite to a winding direction of the insertion portion of the endoscope.
c-6. The handle member has a handle fixing base fixed to the circular cover member, and the handle fixing base has a cylindrical shape that is continuous with the hemispherical top and has a cylindrical hollow portion that is continuous with the hemispherical top. The ball formed on the lower part of the shaft of the handle is slidably gripped, penetrates from the hollow part to the outside at the top of the handle fixing base, and goes vertically to the bottom surface of the handle fixing base. A groove is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the handle base portion spirally toward the bottom surface, and the shaft of the handle passes through the groove, and between the handle gripping portion provided on the outer periphery of the shaft and the shaft. An elastic member for biasing the base end portion of the handle gripping portion so as to contact the handle fixing base portion is interposed, and in the natural state, the shaft is tilted along the groove by the biasing force. C-1 The endoscope apparatus according.

c-7. The handle fixing base so that the axis of the handle member is tilted in a direction opposite to a direction in which the handle member is rotated when winding the endoscope insertion portion along a line connecting the center of the handle fixing base and the center of the rotating drum. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix c-6, which is attached to the circular cover member.
c-8. The endoscope device according to attachment c-1, wherein the extending portion is an elastic material such as rubber.

Background (conventional technology) of group c (c-1 to c-8) In an endoscope apparatus composed of an endoscope insertion portion winding rotary drum and an outer case housing other peripheral devices, the outer side surface of the outer case For example, as disclosed in JP-A-1-138522, the drum is rotated by providing an opening on the side surface of the exterior case and directly attaching a drum rotation handle to the side surface of the drum.
(Problem) Rainwater or the like may enter the exterior case from the opening on the side surface of the exterior case, and there is a possibility that the equipment stored in the interior may break down.
(Purpose) In an endoscope apparatus in which the drum is rotated by a rotary handle arranged on the side surface of the exterior case, the entry of liquid such as water from the rotary handle portion is prevented. In order to achieve this object, the group c was used.

(Function, effect)
c-1: It is possible to prevent water and other liquids from entering the exterior case from the drum rotating handle mounting portion. In addition, the light source lamp can be easily replaced by enabling access to the opening for taking out the light source device from the circular opening.
c-4: When the handle is not used, it can be stored so as not to get in the way.
c-5: If the drum is rotated in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the insertion portion, the handle falls down and winding becomes difficult. As a result, the drum is rotated in the wrong direction to prevent the insertion portion from being damaged.

c-6: When the hand is released from the handle, it is automatically folded to the handle storage position. Further, when the drum is rotated in the direction opposite to the winding direction of the insertion portion, the handle can easily fall down and the operator can be notified that the drum has been rotated in the wrong direction.
c-7: Since the handle in the handle storage position is folded from the handle base end toward the drum rotation center, the appearance is refreshed and the design is effective.

d-1. A case in which a frame on which a rotating drum body capable of winding or unwinding an insertion portion of an endoscope and its peripheral device group is mounted is stored in the case via a shock absorbing cushioning material, and at least the operation of the peripheral device group An endoscope apparatus, wherein an operation panel having a switch and a winding or feeding opening portion of an insertion portion of the endoscope is exposed on one surface of the case and fixed to the frame.

d-2. The operation panel is provided with an intake duct and an exhaust duct of the peripheral device group, and openings of these ducts are provided in a side surface direction perpendicular to the vertical axis of the case placed in a use posture. The endoscope apparatus described in d-1.
d-3. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix d-2, having a hook-shaped member protruding from an upper side portion of the opening portion of the duct.
d-4. The endoscope apparatus according to appendix d-1, wherein an elastic member for ensuring watertightness with the case is provided around an outer periphery of the operation panel.

Background (prior art) of group d (d-1 to d-4) In an endoscope apparatus having an outer casing for housing and transporting an endoscope insertion portion and various peripheral electrical devices, Since it is necessary to open the lid of the case when using a mirror, each device is exposed to the external environment, and there is a risk that the electrical device will break down if water falls. Therefore, it was necessary to provide a panel on the surface with the lid open. (Problem) When the electric device has a high heating element such as a light source device, it is necessary to provide a heat radiating opening in the panel. However, liquid such as water may enter from the opening. Further, when the panel is fixed to the case main body, it is necessary to provide a shock absorbing member such as a drop applied to the internal storage device on the panel, which causes an increase in the size of the entire storage case.

Further, various operation switches wired to the internal storage device are arranged on the panel surface, and the wiring unit changes between the internal device floating with respect to the exterior case and the panel surface at the time of the impact. Disconnection may occur, and the storage device and the panel are assembled separately, so that there is a problem that the assemblability is poor. Japanese Patent Application No. 10-261767 shows an endoscope apparatus provided with an exterior case, but does not show one provided with an operation panel.
(Purpose) When using an endoscope, while preventing liquids such as water from entering various devices housed in the outer case, heat dissipation of the various housing devices, downsizing of the entire outer case, and various operation switches To provide an operation panel provided on a lid opening surface of an endoscope equipment storage outer case, which improves reliability and improves the assembly of the operation switch. In order to achieve this purpose, a d-group configuration was adopted.

(Function, effect)
d-1: Improving assembly, miniaturization, and reliability of operation switch connection part.
d-2: Prevents liquid from entering from the heat radiating duct when the endoscope is used.
d-4: It is possible to secure the nectar between the periphery of the operation panel and the outer case.

1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of a drum-type endoscope apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the front end side of the insertion part of an industrial endoscope. The figure which shows the external appearance of a case. Sectional drawing inside a case. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the A arrow view and uneven | corrugated | grooved part of FIG. The front view which shows the case by the side of a handle. Sectional drawing which shows the BB cross section etc. of FIG. The figure which shows a handle | steering-wheel part. The figure which shows the front panel which opened the upper cover, its CC cross section, etc. The figure which shows the side surface and rubber boot part of a front panel. The figure which shows the structure of the 1st exhaust duct and the cylinder part for intake. Sectional drawing which shows the rotation holding mechanism etc. of a drum part. The figure which shows the flange part, bearing, etc. of FIG. The figure which looked at the inside of a case from the back side. The figure which shows the structure of the rotation detection part in the state which pulled out the insertion part, and the state wound up. The figure which shows the structure of a peripheral part including a moving member, and a slide volume. The figure which shows the drum part inside etc. which were seen from the handle | steering-wheel side. The figure which shows the inside of a drum part which removes a 1st drum cover and exposes to an opening part. The side view of the drum part by which an insertion part is wound up. The figure which shows the operation lever vicinity in a front panel, the movement board periphery, etc. The figure which shows the liquid crystal monitor unit in the state which extended the pole and contracted. The figure which shows the internal structure etc. of a telescopic pole. DD and EE sectional views of Drawing 22 (A). The figure which shows the front surface and bottom face, etc. of a liquid crystal monitor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope apparatus 2 ... Industrial endoscope 2-1 ... Insertion part 2-2 ... Hard tip part 2-3 ... Bending part 2-4 ... Flexible tube 3 ... Drum part 3-1 ... Handle cover 3 -2 ... Cable 3-3 ... Cable housing 3-4 ... Flange 3-5 ... Cylindrical member 3-6 ... First side plate 3-7 ... Second side plate 3-8 ... Opening 3-9 ... First Drum cover 3-11 ... handle 3-18 ... gear 3-22 ... second drum cover 3-26, 3-28 ... relay board 3-27 ... cover member 3-31 ... packing 3-36 ... light source section 3-37 ... Electric bending unit 3-38 ... Control circuit section 3-39 ... CCU
3-40 ... Lamp unit 3-41 ... Light guide connector part 4 ... Frame part 4-1 ... Power supply unit 4-2 ... Sirocco fan 4-3 ... First frame 4-4 ... Second frame 4-5 ... Fixing member 4-6 ... Power supply section 4-10 ... Flange 4-11 ... V-shaped section 4-12 ... Bearing member 4-16 ... Moving member 4-20 ... Slide volume 4-21 ... Lever 4-27 ... Receiving section 4- DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 30 ... Moving plate 4-31 ... One-way gear 4-34 ... Release mechanism 4-35 ... Operation lever 4-36 ... Push pin 4-42 ... Rotation detection part 5 ... Front panel 5-1 ... Recessed part 5-2 ... Rubber packing 5-3 ... Inlet portion 5-4 ... AC inlet 5-5 ... DC inlet 5-7 ... Dust cover 5-11 ... AC cable 5-12 ... DC cable 5-15 ... Intake duct 5-16, 5 17 ... Exhaust duct 5-19 ... Eaves 5-21 ... Rubber boots 5-22, 5-24 ... Metal members 5-26 ... Packing 6 ... Controller 6-1 ... Cable 6-2 ... Joystick 7 ... LCD monitor unit 7- DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Telescopic pole 7-2 ... Rotating mechanism 7-3 ... Liquid crystal monitor part 7-4a, 7-4b, 7-4c ... Tube 7-5a, 7-5b, 7-5c ... Cover 7-7 ... Screw 7 -13 ... Curl cable 7-16 ... Connector 7-29 ... Pan head 8 ... Case 8-1a ... (Outside case) cushioning material 8-1b ... (Inside case) cushioning material 8-2 ... First case body 8-3 ... Second case body 8-4 ... Case body 8-5 ... Upper cover 8-6 ... Holding part 8-7 ... Thick part 8-8 ... Hinge 8-9 ... Buckle 8-10 ... Uneven part 8-13 ... Packing 8-15 ... fin part 8-16 ... receiving part 9 ... battery Re 21 ... Light guide 23 ... Illumination lens 24 ... Objective lens 25 ... CCD
32u, 32d ... bending operation wire

Claims (6)

A rotating drum capable of winding or unwinding the insertion portion of the endoscope;
A case for storing the rotating drum;
A first elastic member projecting outward from the case and loosely inserting the insertion portion;
A second elastic member provided at a distal end portion of the first elastic member and having a hole having a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the insertion portion in a state where the insertion portion is not inserted;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: The first elastic member includes a first metal member having a bellows-shaped extension portion, a screw portion formed on an outer periphery thereof, and a hole having a diameter larger than that of the insertion portion of the endoscope. The first elastic member is fixed to the tip of the first metal member, and a hole having substantially the same diameter as the hole of the first metal member is formed and screwed into the screw portion, and the second elastic member is connected to the first metal member. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second metal member sandwiched therebetween. The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a brush-like member made of a thin line is disposed around the hole of the second elastic member. The endoscope according to claim 1, wherein a first peripheral device group of the endoscope is accommodated in an internal space of the rotating drum, and a second peripheral device group is also accommodated in the case together with the rotating drum. Mirror device. A rotating drum capable of winding or unwinding the insertion portion of the endoscope;
A case for storing the rotating drum;
Rubber boots projecting outward from the case and gently inserting the insertion portion;
A packing provided at the distal end of the rubber boot, having a hole smaller in diameter than the outer diameter of the insertion portion in a state where the insertion portion is not inserted, and the insertion portion can be inserted;
An endoscope apparatus comprising: The endoscope apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a brush-like member made of a thin wire is disposed around the hole of the packing.

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