JP5232424B2 - Endoscope - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an endoscope in which an insertion portion can be rotated with respect to an operation portion.

In an endoscope, an operation unit that is held and operated by an operator is disposed at a proximal end portion of an elongated insertion unit that is inserted into a body cavity. Patent Document 1 discloses an endoscope in which an insertion unit can be rotated with respect to an operation unit.
JP 2004-305413 A

  In the endoscope of Patent Document 1, the amount of force required for rotation is constant regardless of the rotation position of the insertion portion with respect to the operation portion. Therefore, the rotation position cannot be grasped forcefully in the rotation operation.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an endoscope capable of grasping the relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion with a sense of force. It is to be.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope includes an insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, an operation portion provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, the insertion portion, and the operation portion. A connecting portion that is connected to be rotatable relative to the central axis of the coaxial shaft, and the insertion portion is provided in the connecting portion, and the insertion portion is inserted according to a relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion. A force amount changing mechanism that changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the operation portion and the operation portion, and the insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a neutral position as a reference for relative rotation. And the force change mechanism is configured to change the force so as to decrease with respect to the reference position in accordance with the distance from the reference position in both rotation directions.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope includes an insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, an operation portion provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, the insertion portion, and the operation portion. A connecting portion that is connected to be rotatable relative to the central axis of the coaxial shaft, and the insertion portion is provided in the connecting portion, and the insertion portion is inserted according to a relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion. A force amount changing mechanism that changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the operation portion and the operation portion, and the insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a neutral position as a reference for relative rotation. The force amount changing mechanism changes the force amount with respect to the reference position in accordance with the distance from the reference position in both rotation directions, and the force amount at a rotational position symmetric with respect to the reference position. Are the same as each other .

In a third embodiment of the present invention, an endoscope includes an insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, an operation portion provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion, the insertion portion, and the operation portion. A connecting portion that is connected to be rotatable relative to the central axis of the coaxial shaft, and the insertion portion is provided in the connecting portion, and the insertion portion is inserted according to a relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion. A force amount changing mechanism that changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the operation portion and the operation portion, and the insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a neutral position as a reference for relative rotation. The connecting portion includes a cylindrical insertion portion base portion provided in the insertion portion and a cylindrical operation portion base portion provided in the operation portion; and the insertion portion base And the operation part base part are arranged coaxially with each other and are relatively rotatable around the axis. The force change mechanism, with respect to the reference position, respectively by changing the force in response to the distance from the reference position for both directions of rotation, and said force changing mechanism, the operation and the insertion portion connecter portion A contact assembly provided in one base part of the base part and a continuous contact surface provided in the other base part, and the contact assembly includes the contact assembly. A contact portion that contacts the contact surface; and an elastic portion that biases the contact portion toward the contact surface. The contact surface includes a first diameter portion, And the inner diameter of the first diameter portion is larger than the inner diameter of the second diameter portion, or the outer diameter of the first diameter portion is that of the second diameter portion. It is smaller than the outer diameter.

In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope, when the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at the reference position, the contact portion is disposed at the first diameter portion. It is characterized by that.

In the fifth embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope, when the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at the reference position, the contact portion is disposed at the second diameter portion. It is characterized by that.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope is characterized in that the force change mechanism has a pair of abutting assemblies and abutting surfaces arranged symmetrically with respect to the surface including the axis. Features.

In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, in the endoscope, the insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position serving as a reference for relative rotation, and the contact surface includes the insertion portion and the operation portion. It has an engagement receiving part with which the said contact part is engaged when a part exists in a reference position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the endoscope is configured such that the diameter of the first diameter portion is not in contact with the contact surface when the contact portion is disposed at the first diameter portion. It is set as follows.

In the endoscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention, when the relative rotation position of the operation unit and the insertion unit is in the vicinity of the reference position, the amount of force required for the rotation increases, so that the minute amount near the reference position. Rotation operation can be performed.

In the endoscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when the insertion portion and the operation portion are relatively rotated, changes in the amount of force required for the rotation are the same on both rotation direction sides with respect to the reference position. The operability of the rotation operation is improved without causing any confusion in grasping the rotation position.

In the endoscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the contact portion is displaced in the radial direction according to the arrangement of the contact portion on the contact surface, and the deformation amount of the elastic portion is increased or decreased, so that The contact force between the contact portion is increased or decreased, the friction force between the contact surface and the contact portion is increased or decreased, and the amount of force required for relative rotation between the operation portion and the insertion portion is increased or decreased. It has become.

In the endoscope according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the contact portion moves from the first diameter portion to the second diameter portion as the relative rotational position of the operation portion and the insertion portion moves away from the reference position. In addition, since the amount of force required for rotation is increased, it is possible to accurately grasp the rotational position with respect to the reference position.

In the endoscope according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, when the relative rotational position of the operation portion and the insertion portion is in the vicinity of the reference position, the contact portion is in the vicinity of the second diameter portion on the contact surface. Since the amount of force required for rotation increases, it is possible to perform a fine rotation operation in the vicinity of the reference position.

In the endoscope according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, when the insertion portion and the operation portion are relatively rotated, the change in the amount of force required for the rotation is the same on both rotation direction sides with respect to the reference position. The operability of the rotation operation is improved without causing any confusion in grasping the rotation position.

In the endoscope according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, when the relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion moves away from the reference position, the engagement between the contact portion and the engagement receiving portion is released. When the click feeling occurs and the relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion coincides with the reference position, the contact portion engages with the engagement receiving portion to generate a click feeling. It is possible to grasp easily and accurately.

In the endoscope according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, when the abutting portion is disposed at the first diameter portion, the abutting portion is not abutted against the abutting surface. By aligning the contact portion with the first diameter portion, the other base portion can be inserted into one base portion without deforming the elastic portion of the contact assembly in the radial direction. Can be easily performed.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 2E show a first embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the endoscope has an elongated insertion portion 12 that is inserted into a body cavity. In the insertion portion 12, a distal end rigid portion 13, a bending portion 14 that is operated to bend in two directions, and a long and flexible flexible tube portion 15 are sequentially arranged from the distal end side. The proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12 is connected to an operation portion 16 that is held and operated by an operator. In addition, an oleod portion 17 for preventing the bending of the insertion portion 12 with respect to the operation portion 16 is externally provided at the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12. The central axis of the insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 16 is substantially coaxial and forms the central axis of the endoscope, and the proximal end portion of the insertion portion 12 can be rotated around the central axis with respect to the operation portion 16. It is. An annular rotary knob 19 is disposed on the connecting portion 18 between the insertion portion 12 and the operation portion 16 so as to be rotatable about the central axis. By rotating the rotary knob 19, the insertion unit 12 can be rotated with respect to the operation unit 16. The operation unit 16 is provided with a bending lever 21 that is rotatable in the axial direction of the endoscope. By bending the bending lever 21 in two directions, the bending portion 14 can be bent in two directions.

  Here, the neutral position that is the reference position for the rotation of the insertion portion 12 with respect to the operation portion 16 will be described. That is, the side on which the bending lever 21 is disposed with respect to the operation unit 16 is the front side, and the opposite side is the back side. Then, in a state where the endoscope is in a straight line shape, the bending portion 14 is rearward in parallel with the rotation direction of the bending lever 21 by the rotation of the bending lever 21 from the distal end side to the proximal end side of the endoscope. It is assumed that the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position with respect to the operation portion 16 when being curved from the side to the front side.

  With reference to FIG. 2A thru | or FIG. 2E, the structure of the connection part 18 is demonstrated in detail.

  With reference to FIG. 2A thru | or FIG. 2C, the rotation mechanism which enables rotation of the insertion part 12 with respect to the operation part 16 is demonstrated.

  A cylindrical operation portion base 22 is projected in the axial direction at the distal end portion of the operation portion main body. A cylindrical operation unit housing 23 is extrapolated at an intermediate portion of the operation unit base 22 and is fixed by an operation unit fixing pin 24. The operation unit base 22 and the operation unit housing 23 form an operation unit base. Here, the end portion of the operation portion fixing pin 24 protrudes from the inner surface of the operation portion base 22 and functions as an axial stopper of the insertion portion base 28. In the operation unit housing 23, the outer diameter on the proximal end side is larger than the outer diameter on the distal end side. An annular cover 25 is fitted on and fixed to the proximal end side of the operation portion housing 23. In the cover 25, the cover convex part 26 which protrudes in radial direction is formed in the back side mentioned above. A concave cover index 27 for indicating the neutral position of the insertion portion 12 is formed on the top of the cover convex portion 26.

  On the other hand, a cylindrical insertion portion base 28 protrudes in the axial direction at the proximal end portion of the flexible tube of the insertion portion 12. The proximal end portion of the insertion portion base 28 is inserted into the distal end portion of the operation portion base 22 so as to be rotatable about the central axis. An insertion portion housing 29 is externally mounted on the insertion portion base 28. An insertion portion base portion is formed by the insertion portion base 28 and the insertion portion housing 29. Here, a distal end portion of the insertion portion housing 29 is externally inserted in an intermediate portion of the insertion portion base 28 and is firmly fixed by the insertion portion fixing pin 30. The inner diameter of the insertion portion housing 29 is larger at the intermediate portion than at the distal end portion, and larger at the proximal end portion than in the intermediate portion. An annular elastic member 31, a spacer 32, and a resin are coaxially formed between the step surface between the distal end portion and the intermediate portion of the insertion portion housing 29 and the distal end surface of the operation portion base 22 so as to be coaxial with the insertion portion base 28. The first washer 33a is interposed in order from the tip side. On the other hand, projecting portions are extended over the entire circumference on the outer peripheral surface of the base end of the insertion portion base 28 and the inner peripheral surface of the distal end of the operation portion base 22. An annular resin second washer 33 b is interposed on the same axis as the base 22. A male ring is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the insertion portion base 28, and a fixing ring 34 having a corresponding female screw formed on the inner peripheral surface is screwed so as to be movable in the axial direction. The fixing ring 34 is tightened to the proximal end side, and is held so that the distal end portion of the operation portion base 22 is sandwiched between the insertion portion housing 29 and the proximal end portion of the insertion portion base 28. Even if the elastic member 31 between the insertion portion housing 29 and the operation portion base 22 is compressed and the insertion portion 12 is repeatedly rotated with respect to the operation portion 16 and wear occurs on the rotation contact surface, A constant holding force is maintained by the return action of the elastic member 31.

  The rotary knob 19 described above is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the proximal end side of the insertion portion housing 29 and is fixedly bonded thereto. The rotary knob 19 is formed with a knob projection 35 protruding in the radial direction. On the top of the knob projection 35, a groove-shaped knob indicator 36 is extended in the axial direction. When the knob index 36 is aligned with the cover index 27 of the cover convex portion 26 described above with respect to the circumferential direction, the insertion section 12 is in the neutral position with respect to the operation section 16. Note that the cover convex portion 26 and the knob convex portion 35 are formed in sizes and shapes that are similar but somewhat different in the axial direction.

  A proximal end portion of the oledome portion 17 is extrapolated to the distal end portion of the insertion portion housing 29 and is fixed by an oledome portion fixing pin 37. For this reason, the oleome part 17 can rotate integrally with the insertion part 12.

  With reference to FIG. 2A and FIG. 2D, the rotation control mechanism which controls rotation of the insertion part 12 with respect to the operation part 16 is demonstrated.

  An annular rotation space 38 is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the operation portion base 22 and the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate portion of the insertion portion housing 29. A restriction pin 39 projects radially inward from the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion housing 29 to the rotation space 38. The restriction pin 39 is rotated along the rotation space 38 by the rotation of the insertion portion housing 29 by the rotation operation to the rotary knob 19. On the other hand, an extending portion 41 extends from the distal end surface of the operation portion housing 23 toward the rotational space 38 toward the distal end side in the axial direction. When the restriction pin 39 contacts the extension part 41, the rotation of the insertion part housing 29 is restricted, and the rotation of the insertion part 12 is restricted.

  Here, the rotation regulating mechanism has a symmetrical form with respect to both rotation directions with respect to the neutral position. That is, the restriction pin 39 has a symmetrical form with respect to a reference plane including the central axis and the central axis of the restriction pin 39. Here, the position of the reference plane when the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position is referred to as a neutral position of the reference plane. The extending part 41 has a symmetrical form with respect to the reference plane at the neutral position.

  With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2E, a force amount changing mechanism that changes the amount of rotational force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 according to the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 with respect to the operation portion 16 will be described.

  An annular storage space 42 is formed between the outer peripheral surface on the distal end side of the operation portion housing 23 and the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end portion of the insertion portion housing 29.

  In the accommodation space 42, a contact surface 43 is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion housing 29. In the cross section orthogonal to the axial direction, the contact surface 43 has an elliptical shape. That is, the contact surface 43 has a maximum inner diameter portion 44 as a first diameter portion having a maximum inner diameter, and a minimum inner diameter portion 45 as a second diameter portion having a minimum inner diameter.

  A leaf spring 46 as a contact assembly is disposed on the operation portion housing 23. That is, in the long plate-like leaf spring 46, the arm portion 47 as the elastic portion extends from the center portion to both sides, and the extending end portion of the arm portion 47 is opposite to the bending direction. A spring convex portion 48 is formed as an abutting portion having a convex convex shape. A positioning groove having a width slightly larger than the width of the leaf spring 46 and extending in the circumferential direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion housing 23. The central portion of the leaf spring 46 is accommodated and positioned in the leaf spring 46 positioning groove so that the leaf spring 46 is not inclined with respect to the circumferential direction, and the outer peripheral surface of the operation portion housing 23 is secured by the spring fixing pin 49. It is fixed to. The arm portion 47 of the leaf spring 46 extends so as to spread radially outward along the circumferential direction, and the spring convex portion 48 is urged toward the contact surface 43 by the arm portion 47.

  The spring protrusion 48 of the leaf spring 46 can slide while being in contact with the contact surface 43 by the rotation of the insertion portion housing 29 due to the rotation of the insertion portion 12. The spring convex portion 48 is disposed on the maximum inner diameter portion 44 of the contact surface 43 when the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position. When the spring convex portion 48 is disposed on the maximum inner diameter portion 44, the arm portion 47 is in a natural state, and the spring convex portion 48 is not in contact with the contact surface 43.

  Here, the force variation mechanism has a symmetrical form with respect to both rotation directions with respect to the neutral position. That is, the leaf spring 46 has a symmetrical form with respect to a reference plane including the central axis and the center of the leaf spring 46. Here, the position of the reference plane when the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position is referred to as a neutral position of the reference plane. The reference surface at the neutral position includes the elliptical short axis of the contact surface 43, and the contact surface 43 has a symmetrical form with respect to the reference surface at the neutral position.

  When the leaf spring 46 is bent to form the spring convex portion 48, the top portion of the spring convex portion 48 projects in the projecting direction of the spring convex portion 48 at both ends in the width direction of the leaf spring 46. Square projections may be formed. When the rotary knob 19 is rotated, if the angular protrusion is slid on the contact surface 43, a rough feeling is generated. In order to prevent such a rough feeling, an escape shape for allowing the angular protrusions to escape is formed on the insertion portion housing 29 side. In the present embodiment, an escape groove for escaping the angular protrusion on the distal end side is formed in the contact surface 43, and the insertion portion housing 29 that forms the contact surface 43 to escape the rectangular protrusion on the proximal end side is formed. The base end is arranged on the front end side with respect to the square shape on the base end side.

  Next, the rotation operation of the insertion unit 12 with respect to the operation unit 16 in the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described.

  When the rotary knob 19 is rotated from the neutral position, the insertion unit 12 is rotated from the neutral position with respect to the operation unit 16. In the rotation restricting mechanism, the restricting pin 39 of the insertion portion housing 29 is brought into contact with the extending portion 41 of the operation portion housing 23 to restrict the rotation of the insertion portion 12. This is the maximum rotation position of the insertion portion 12.

  When the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position with respect to the operation portion 16, the knob index 36 of the rotary knob 19 is aligned with the cover index 27 of the cover 25. In the force change mechanism, the spring protrusion of the leaf spring 46 is aligned. The portion 48 is disposed on the maximum inner diameter portion 44 of the contact surface 43 and is not in contact with the contact surface 43.

  When the rotary knob 19 is rotated in a direction away from the neutral position, the spring convex portion 48 is slid toward the smallest inner diameter portion 45 while being in contact with the contact surface 43 and displaced radially inward. Is done. As a result, the amount of bending inward in the radial direction of the arm portion 47 of the leaf spring 46 is increased, the urging force applied from the leaf spring 46 to the spring convex portion 48 is increased, and the spring convex portion 48 and the contact surface The abutting force with 43 is increased, and the frictional force is increased. That is, the amount of force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 is increased. On the other hand, when the rotary knob 19 is rotated in the direction approaching the neutral position, the spring projection 48 is displaced outward in the radial direction, and the above-described bending deformation amount, biasing force, contact force, and friction force are reduced. Thus, the amount of force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 is reduced. Thus, the rotational position with respect to the neutral position is grasped from the force amount required for rotation based on the increase in the amount of force required for rotation as the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 moves away from the neutral position.

  Note that the amount of force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 is equal between the rotational position on one rotational direction side and the rotational position on the other rotational direction side that is symmetrical to the rotational position with respect to the neutral position. That is, when the rotary knob 19 is rotated on one side in the rotational direction with respect to the neutral position, and when the rotary knob 19 is rotated on the other rotational direction, the change in the force is the same, which makes it possible to grasp the sense of force. There will be no confusion.

  Subsequently, a method for assembling the connecting portion 18 in the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described.

  The insertion portion housing 29 is sequentially sheathed from the distal end side to the insertion portion base 28, the operation portion base 22, and the operation portion housing 23. At this time, the leaf spring 46 of the operation portion housing 23 protrudes outward, but when the spring convex portion 48 is disposed at the maximum inner diameter portion 44, it does not come into contact with the contact surface 43. By moving the insertion portion housing 29 in the axial direction while positioning the insertion portion housing 29 in the circumferential direction so that the spring convex portion 48 is aligned with the maximum inner diameter portion 44 in the circumferential direction, The insertion portion housing 29 can be externally mounted on the operation portion housing 23 without pressing the leaf spring 46 to deform inward. Then, the distal end portion of the insertion portion housing 29 is extrapolated to the insertion portion base 28.

  At this time, the cover index 27 of the cover convex portion 26 and the knob index 36 of the knob convex portion 35 are aligned. Since the size and shape of the cover convex portion 26 and the knob convex portion 35 are slightly different from each other, the cover convex portion 26 and the knob convex portion 35 are arranged in the circumferential direction or the axial direction due to processing or assembly errors. Even if they are arranged slightly deviated from each other, it is unlikely to cause a sense of incongruity.

  Therefore, the endoscope of this embodiment has the following effects.

  In the endoscope of the present embodiment, the spring convex portion 48 of the leaf spring 46 is placed on the contact surface 43 between the maximum inner diameter portion 44 and the minimum inner diameter portion 45 according to the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 with respect to the operation portion 16. It is slid while being in contact and displaced in the radial direction, the amount of bending deformation of the arm portion 47 of the leaf spring 46 is increased or decreased, and the contact force and friction force between the spring convex portion 48 and the contact surface 43 are increased or decreased. Thus, the amount of force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 is increased or decreased. For this reason, it is possible to grasp the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 with a sense of force. In particular, as the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 moves away from the neutral position, the amount of force required to rotate the insertion portion 12 is increased, so that the rotational position with respect to the neutral position can be accurately grasped. It has become. In addition, since the change in the amount of force required for the rotation of the insertion portion 12 is the same on both sides of the rotational position with respect to the neutral position, there is no confusion in grasping the rotational position, and the operability of the rotational operation is improved. Has been improved.

  Further, when the spring convex portion 48 is disposed at the maximum inner diameter portion 44, the spring convex portion 48 is not brought into contact with the contact surface 43. By aligning them with the maximum inner diameter portion 44, the insertion portion housing 29 can be externally mounted on the operation portion housing 23 without deforming the leaf spring 46 inward in the radial direction. For this reason, it is possible to easily assemble the connecting portion 18.

  In the rotation restricting mechanism, a restricting pin 39 is disposed in an insertion portion housing 29 that is externally fixed to the insertion portion base 28, and the restriction pin 39 is provided between the insertion portion housing 29 and the operation portion base 22. A rotating space 38 to be rotated is formed, and an extending portion 41 for restricting the rotation of the regulating pin 39 is extended from the operating portion housing 23 that is externally fixed to the operating portion base 22. Yes. Here, when the insertion portion base and the operation portion base are directly formed with a restriction pin and a through groove that forms a rotation space and restricts the rotation of the restriction pin at both ends, the insertion portion base and the operation portion are operated. If the range of rotation relative to the base is set large, the through groove becomes long, and the strength of the base particularly against turning is reduced. On the other hand, in this embodiment, it is possible to set a large relative rotation range between the insertion portion base 28 and the operation portion base 22 without reducing the strength of the base. When the rotation range is set to be large in this way, it is difficult to grasp the rotation position of the insertion portion 12 in particular, but in this embodiment, the rotation position of the insertion portion 12 is sensed by using a force change mechanism. By grasping, it is possible to accurately grasp the rotational position.

  FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.

  The endoscope of this embodiment is different from the endoscope of the first embodiment only in the configuration of the force change mechanism.

  That is, a spring assembly 50 as a pair of contact assemblies is disposed on the outer peripheral portion of the operation unit housing 23 symmetrically with respect to the reference plane including the central axis. The spring assembly 50 is formed by a coil spring 51 as an elastic portion and a metal contact member 52 as a contact portion. That is, the housing hole 53 is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the operation unit housing 23 in a direction perpendicular to the reference plane. A coil spring 51 is accommodated in the accommodation hole 53, and one end of the coil spring 51 is fixed to the bottom wall of the accommodation hole 53. A contact member 52 is fixed to the other end of the coil spring 51. The coil spring 51 is compressed, and the contact member 52 is urged toward the contact surface 43 by the coil spring 51. Similar to the first embodiment, the contact surface 43 has an elliptical shape in a cross section orthogonal to the central axis, and has a maximum inner diameter portion 44 and a minimum inner diameter portion 45. However, when the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position, the reference surface on the spring assembly 50 side is arranged including the elliptical long axis of the contact surface 43, and the contact member 52 of the spring assembly 50 It is disposed in the vicinity of the minimum inner diameter portion 45 of the contact surface 43. At a position where the contact member 52 is disposed, an engagement groove 54 is formed as an engagement receiving portion with which the contact member 52 can be engaged.

  Next, the rotation operation of the insertion unit 12 with respect to the operation unit 16 in the endoscope of the present embodiment will be described.

  When the rotary knob 19 is rotated from the neutral position, the engagement between the contact member 52 and the engagement groove 54 is released, and a click feeling is generated. Further, when the rotary knob 19 is rotated to the neutral position, the contact member 52 is engaged with the engagement groove 54 and a click feeling is generated. Based on the click feeling, it is grasped whether the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 is away from the neutral position or coincides with the neutral position.

  When the rotary knob 19 is rotated in a direction away from the neutral position, the contact member 52 is slid toward the maximum inner diameter portion 44 while being in contact with the contact surface 43 and displaced radially outward. Thus, the amount of compressive deformation of the coil spring 51, the urging force applied from the coil spring 51 to the contact member 52, the contact force between the contact member 52 and the contact surface 43, and the frictional force are reduced. On the other hand, when the rotary knob 19 is rotated in a direction approaching the neutral position, the contact member 52 is displaced inward in the radial direction, and the above-described compression deformation amount, urging force, contact force, and friction force are increased. The As the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 moves away from the neutral position, the rotational position is sensed from the rotational force based on the decrease in the rotational force. As in the first embodiment, the amount of change in force is the same when the rotary knob 19 is rotated on one side in the rotational direction with respect to the neutral position and when it is rotated on the other side. It becomes.

  Therefore, the endoscope of this embodiment has the following effects.

  In the endoscope of the present embodiment, when the rotation position of the insertion portion 12 is in the vicinity of the neutral position, the contact member 52 is disposed in the vicinity of the minimum inner diameter portion 45 on the contact surface 43, and the amount of force required for rotation. Becomes larger. For this reason, it is possible to perform a fine rotation operation in the vicinity of the neutral position.

  Further, when the insertion portion 12 is rotated from the neutral position, the engagement between the contact member 52 and the engagement groove 54 is released, and a click feeling is generated, and the insertion portion 12 is rotated to the neutral position. At this time, since the contact member 52 is engaged with the engagement groove 54 and a click feeling is generated, the neutral position can be easily and accurately grasped.

  FIG. 4 shows a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The force change mechanism of the present modification is the same as the force change mechanism of the second embodiment, instead of the spring assembly 50 formed by the coil spring 51 and the contact member 52 shown in FIG. The leaf spring 46 formed of the arm portion 47 and the spring convex portion 48 is used in the same manner as the force amount changing mechanism. That is, when the rotational position of the insertion portion 12 is in the neutral position, the spring convex portion 48 of the leaf spring 46 is disposed in the vicinity of the minimum inner diameter portion 45 on the contact surface 43, and the amount of force required for the rotation increases. As the rotational position of the portion 12 moves away from the neutral position, the amount of force required for the rotation decreases. Further, when the insertion portion 12 is rotated from the neutral position, the engagement between the spring convex portion 48 and the engagement groove 54 is released, and a click feeling is generated, and the insertion portion 12 is rotated to the neutral position. At this time, the spring protrusion 48 is engaged with the engagement groove 54, and a click feeling is generated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the contact assembly is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of one base part, and the contact surface is formed by the inner peripheral surface of the other base part, but the outer peripheral surface of one base part. The contact surface may be formed by the above, and the contact assembly may be disposed on the inner peripheral surface of the other base part.

The contact surface has an elliptical shape in cross section, but various shapes having at least first and second diameter portions having different diameters, such as a triangular shape having a smooth top portion, can be used. .
Hereinafter, the invention described in the scope of claims of the present application will be appended.
[1] An insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, an operation portion provided at a proximal end portion of the insertion portion, and the insertion portion and the operation portion are relatively rotatably connected. A force change that is provided in the connection portion and the connection portion, and changes the force required for the relative rotation between the insertion portion and the operation portion according to the relative rotational position of the insertion portion and the operation portion. An endoscope comprising the mechanism.
[2] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that serves as a reference for relative rotation, and the force change mechanism increases the force as the rotation position moves away from the reference position. The endoscope according to [1], wherein
[3] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position serving as a reference for relative rotation, and the force change mechanism decreases the force as the rotation position moves away from the reference position. The endoscope according to [1], wherein
[4] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that serves as a reference for relative rotation, and the force change mechanism has the same force at a rotational position that is symmetrical with respect to the reference position. The endoscope according to [1], characterized in that:
[5] The connection portion includes a cylindrical insertion portion base portion provided in the insertion portion and a cylindrical operation portion base portion provided in the operation portion, and the insertion portion base is provided. And the operation part base part are arranged coaxially with each other, and are relatively rotatable around the axis, and the force change mechanism is configured by one of the insertion part base part and the operation part base part. An abutting assembly provided in the base part and a continuous abutting surface provided in the other base part, and the abutting assembly is in contact with the abutting surface. And an elastic portion that urges the contact portion toward the contact surface. The contact surface includes a first diameter portion, a second diameter portion, The inner diameter of the first diameter portion is larger than the inner diameter of the second diameter portion, or the outer diameter of the first diameter portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the second diameter portion, That features The endoscope as described in [1].
[6] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position serving as a reference for relative rotation, and the contact portion is disposed when the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at a reference position. The endoscope according to [5], wherein the endoscope is arranged at the first diameter portion.
[7] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position serving as a reference for relative rotation, and the contact portion is disposed when the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at a reference position. The endoscope according to [5], wherein is arranged at the second diameter portion.
[8] The internal view according to [5], wherein the force change mechanism has a pair of abutting assemblies and abutting surfaces arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane including the axis. mirror.
[9] The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position serving as a reference for relative rotation, and the contact surface is the contact position when the insertion portion and the operation portion are at the reference position. The endoscope according to [5], further including an engagement receiving portion with which the contact portion is engaged.
[10] The diameter of the first diameter portion is set so as not to contact the contact surface when the contact portion is disposed at the first diameter portion. The endoscope according to [5].

The perspective view which shows the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which cuts and shows the connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention along the IIB-IIB line | wire of FIG. 2A. The cross-sectional view which cuts and shows the connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention along the IIC-IIC line | wire of FIG. 2A. The cross-sectional view which cuts and shows the connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention along the IID-IID line | wire of FIG. 2A. The cross-sectional view which cuts and shows the connection part of the endoscope of 1st Embodiment of this invention along the IIE-IIE line | wire of FIG. 2A. The cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the endoscope of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The cross-sectional view which shows the connection part of the endoscope of the modification of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Insertion part, 16 ... Operation part, 18 ... Connection part, 22, 23 ... Operation part base part (22 ... Operation part base, 23 ... Operation part housing), 28, 29 ... Insert part base part (28 ... Insertion part) 43, 46; 43, 50 ... force change mechanism (43 ... contact surface, 46; 50 ... contact assembly (46 ... leaf spring, 50 ... spring assembly)), 44 ... 1st diameter part (maximum inside diameter part), 45 ... 2nd diameter part (minimum inside diameter part), 47, 51 ... elastic part (47 ... arm part, 51 ... coil spring), 48, 52 ... contact part (48 ... spring convex part, 52 ... contact member), 54 ... engagement receiving part (engagement groove).

Claims (8)

An insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
An operation portion provided at a base end portion of the insertion portion;
A connecting portion that connects the insertion portion and the operation portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a coaxial central axis;
A force amount changing mechanism that is provided in the connection portion and changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the insertion portion and the operation portion according to a relative rotation position of the insertion portion and the operation portion;
Comprising
The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a reference neutral position of relative rotation,
The endoscope, wherein the force amount changing mechanism changes the force amount so as to decrease with respect to the reference position in accordance with the distance from the reference position in both rotation directions. An insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
An operation portion provided at a base end portion of the insertion portion;
A connecting portion that connects the insertion portion and the operation portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a coaxial central axis;
A force amount changing mechanism that is provided in the connection portion and changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the insertion portion and the operation portion according to a relative rotation position of the insertion portion and the operation portion;
Comprising
The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a reference neutral position of relative rotation,
The force amount changing mechanism changes the force amount with respect to the reference position in accordance with the distance from the reference position in both rotation directions,
And the same to each other the force in a symmetric rotational position with respect to the reference position, the inner you, wherein the endoscope. An insertion portion having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
An operation portion provided at a base end portion of the insertion portion;
A connecting portion that connects the insertion portion and the operation portion so as to be relatively rotatable about a coaxial central axis;
A force amount changing mechanism that is provided in the connection portion and changes a force amount required for relative rotation between the insertion portion and the operation portion according to a relative rotation position of the insertion portion and the operation portion;
Comprising
The insertion portion and the operation portion have a reference position that is a reference neutral position of relative rotation,
The connection portion includes a cylindrical insertion portion base portion provided in the insertion portion, and a cylindrical operation portion base portion provided in the operation portion, and the insertion portion base portion and the The operation part base part is arranged coaxially with each other, and is relatively rotatable around the axis,
The force amount changing mechanism changes the force amount with respect to the reference position in accordance with the distance from the reference position in both rotation directions,
The force change mechanism includes a contact assembly provided in one base part of the insertion part base part and the operation part base part, and a continuous contact provided in the other base part. The contact assembly includes a contact portion that is in contact with the contact surface and an elastic portion that biases the contact portion toward the contact surface. The abutment surface includes a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion, and an inner diameter of the first diameter portion is larger than an inner diameter of the second diameter portion, or The outer diameter of the first diameter portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the second diameter portion,
Endoscope you, characterized in that. When the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at the reference position, the contact portion is disposed at the first diameter portion.
The endoscope according to claim 3 . When the insertion portion and the operation portion are disposed at the reference position, the contact portion is disposed at the second diameter portion.
The endoscope according to claim 3 . The force change mechanism has a pair of abutting assemblies and abutting surfaces that are arranged symmetrically with respect to the surface including the axis.
The endoscope according to claim 3 . The contact surface includes an engagement receiving portion to which the contact portion is engaged when the insertion portion and the operation portion are at a reference position.
The endoscope according to claim 3 . The diameter of the first diameter portion is set so as not to contact the contact surface when the contact portion is disposed in the first diameter portion.
The endoscope according to claim 3 .

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