JPH0328412Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Purpose of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a device for optically connecting optical systems having different optical axes.

(Prior Art) A device using a reflecting mirror is known as a device for optically connecting optical systems having different optical axes. Conventionally, this reflecting mirror was fixed to the main body of the device.

(Problem that the invention attempts to solve) With the above device, it is difficult to accurately correct the position and orientation of the reflecting mirror, especially when the diameter of one or both optical systems is very small. It has been difficult to reliably supply light passing through one optical system to the other optical system.

Structure of the invention (means for solving the problems) The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and its gist is that in a device for optically connecting two optical systems with different optical axes, (a) A device main body having a storage recess extending inward from the proximal end surface, and (b) A movable body that is stored in the storage recess of the device main body and is rotatable around the axis of the device main body and movable in the axial direction. (c) a leaf spring having a bent shape and having one side fixed to the distal end surface of the movable body, and (d) screwed into a screw hole penetrating from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface of the movable body. , a male threaded member whose tip portion is in contact with the other side of the leaf spring; (e) a reflecting member that is fixed to the other side of the leaf spring and optically connects the two optical systems; and (f) (g) an elastic body disposed between the device main body and the movable body and elastically biasing the movable body toward the proximal end of the device main body; An optical connection device comprising: a screw ring that cooperates with an elastic body to clamp the movable body.

(Function) The position and posture of the reflecting member can be corrected three-dimensionally by the rotation and axial movement of the movable body and the deformation of the leaf spring by advancing and retracting the male threaded member, allowing optical systems with different optical axes to be corrected. A reliable optical connection can be made. In addition, when performing the above three-dimensional correction work,
Since the operator can perform all the operations from the same direction at the base end of the device main body, work efficiency is extremely high.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example in which the present invention is applied to an endoscope for endodontic examination will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an endoscope 1 for endodontic examination. This endoscope 1 has a first rigid insertion section 2. A connecting device 3, which constitutes the gist of the present invention, is fixed to the tip of the first insertion section 2, and this connection device 3 includes an ultra-fine and hard wire that extends in a direction crossing at 90 degrees with respect to the first insertion section 2. The second insertion portion 4 is fixed. First insertion part 2
A hand portion 5 is fixed to the base end of. This hand portion 5 is provided with an eyepiece portion 6 and is connected to one end of a light guide cable 7. A plug 7a is connected to the other end of the light guide cable 7, and this plug 7a is adapted to be connected to a light source device (not shown). Then, the optical fiber bundle 9 for transmitting illumination light is connected to the plug 7.
a to light guide cable 7, hand portion 5, first
The illumination light passes through the insertion section 2, the connection device 3, and the second insertion section 4, faces the tip of the second insertion section 4, and directs the illumination light to the second insertion section 4.
It is designed so that it can be supplied from the tip.

Next, the structure of each part will be explained in detail. 1st above
As shown in FIG. 2, the insertion section 2 has a main pipe 21 made of metal and an auxiliary pipe 22 welded to the outer peripheral surface of the main pipe 21 and having an arc-shaped cross section. Main pipe 21
The proximal end of the auxiliary tube 22 extends longer than the proximal end of the auxiliary tube 22. Further, the distal end of the main pipe 21 extends slightly longer than the distal end of the auxiliary pipe 22. An image transmission optical system 24 consisting of a plurality of lenses 23 is housed within the main tube 21 . Further, an optical fiber bundle 9 for transmitting illumination light is housed in the auxiliary tube 22.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second insertion section 4 has an outer tube 41 and an inner tube 42 that are coaxial and made of metal. The outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42 match at their distal ends, and the inner tube 42 extends longer than the outer tube 41 at the proximal end. The optical fiber bundle 9 for transmitting the illumination light is housed between the outer tube 41 and the inner tube 42. Furthermore, cover glasses 43 and 44 are housed at both ends of the inner tube 42, and an image transmission optical system 45 is housed between the cover glasses 43 and 44. The image transmission optical system 45 is composed of an objective lens 46 and a relay lens 47. As these lenses 46 and 47, ultra-thin rod-shaped lenses, so-called rod lenses, are used.

The connection device 3 has a case (device main body) 3A. This case 3A is a case structure 3
1, 32 and a cap 33. The first case structure 31 includes a bottomed cylindrical base 34, a thin cylindrical support portion 35 protruding from the bottom of the base 34, and a small diameter portion 36 formed on the bottom side of the base 34. ing. The base 34 has a storage recess 34a extending axially from the base end surface to the bottom.
have. The storage recess 34a has a step 34b on its base end, and a female threaded portion 34c formed further toward the base end than the step 34b. Furthermore, a circular insertion hole 34d is formed in the peripheral wall of the base 34. The support portion 35 is coaxial with the base portion 34 and has an insertion hole 35a communicating with the storage recess 34a of the base portion 34. In the small diameter portion 36,
A recess 36a is formed adjacent to the insertion hole 34d.

The second case structure 32 has a cylindrical portion 37 and a conical portion 38 coaxial with the cylindrical portion 37 . The end of the cylindrical portion 37 has a notch 37a corresponding to the storage recess 34a of the first case structure 31.
is formed. An insertion hole 38a is formed at the bottom of the conical portion 38. Then, the cylindrical portion 37
By inserting and fixing into the small diameter portion 36, the first case structure 31 and the second case structure 32 are
are connected.

The cap 33 is fixed so as to close the opening of the first case structure 31.

The first insertion portion 2 described above is fixed to the case 3A in the following manner. That is, the tip of the main pipe 21 is inserted into the insertion hole 34 of the first case component 31.
d, and the distal end of the auxiliary tube 22 is inserted and fixed into the notch 37a of the second case structure 32.

The second insertion portion 4 described above is fixed to the case 3A in the following manner. That is, the proximal end of the inner tube 42 is inserted and fixed into the insertion hole 35a of the first case component 31, and the proximal end of the outer tube 41 is inserted and fixed into the insertion hole 38a of the second case component 32. . An end of the image transmission optical system 45 faces into the storage recess 34a of the first case component 31.

The optical fiber bundle 9 for transmitting illumination light is the first optical fiber bundle described above.
A second
It is guided between an outer tube 41 and an inner tube 42 of the insertion section 4.

A reflecting mirror (reflecting member) 80 is disposed within the storage recess 34 a of the first case structure 31 .
The position and posture of this reflecting mirror 80 are adjusted by an adjustment mechanism 81. More specifically, the movable body 82 is housed in the housing recess 34a of the first case structure 31. This moving body 82
has a circular cross section, and has a flange part 8 in the middle of its outer circumferential surface.
It has 2a. An elastic ring (elastic body) 83 is interposed between the flange portion 82a and the step 34b of the first case structure 31. Due to the elastic force of the elastic ring 83, the movable body 82 is urged toward the base opening side of the first case structure 31. This elastic ring 83 is preferably made of a material that exhibits low friction even under strong pressure, such as fluorocarbon rubber. A locking hole 82b is formed in the upper surface of the movable body 82, and a rotation jig (not shown) is inserted into the locking hole 82b.
It is designed so that it can be inserted and turned. Further, a screw ring 84 is arranged around the end of the movable body 82 on the opposite side from the elastic ring 83. This threaded ring 84 has a male threaded portion 84a on its outer peripheral surface, and is screwed into the female threaded portion 34c of the first case structure 31. The screw ring 84 is
The upper surface has a plurality of locking grooves 84b, and the locking grooves 8
A rotation jig (not shown) can be inserted into 4b and rotated. The screw ring 84 and the elastic ring 83 cooperate to hold the flange 82a of the movable body 82.

A leaf spring 85 is fixed to the distal end surface of the movable body 82. The leaf spring 85 is bent at 45 degrees and has a substantially L-shaped cross section, and has a fixed side (one side) 8.
6, a supporting side portion (other side portion) 87, and a hinge portion 88 connecting these. The fixed side portion 86 is formed with one large insertion hole 86a and a plurality of small insertion holes 86b. screw (not shown)
The leaf spring 85 is fixed by inserting it into a small insertion hole 86b and screwing it into a small screw hole (not shown) formed on the lower surface of the movable body 82. In this fixed state, the supporting side portion 87 is aligned with the optical axis 24a, 45a of each image transmission optical system 24, 45.
It is tilted at 45 degrees. A notch 88a is formed in the center of the hinge portion 88, which facilitates elastic deformation of the hinge portion 88, thereby making it easier to adjust the inclination angle of the support side portion 87. The reflecting mirror 80 is connected and fixed to the supporting side portion 87 . Support side 87
Three upright pieces 87a are formed on the holder, and the reflecting mirror 80 can be positioned by these upright pieces 87a.

In the moving body 82, at a position eccentric from the central axis,
A screw hole 82c is formed passing through from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface. A male threaded member 89 is screwed into this threaded hole 82c. This male thread member 89
has a locking groove 89a on the end surface, and by inserting a screwdriver into the locking groove 89a and turning the screw, the tip 89b moves forward and backward within the storage recess 34a. This tip 89b has a conical shape, and the fixed side 86 of the leaf spring 85
It is inserted through an insertion hole 86a formed in the support side part 87 so as to come into contact with the back surface of the support side part 87.

The main tube 21 passes through the hand portion 5 and extends toward the eyepiece side, and an eyepiece lens 62 is attached to the end portion on the eyepiece side.
is installed.

The operation of the endoscope 1 having the above configuration will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, drill a hole 10 into the cavity 100.
1 is drilled and the nerve housed in the thin hole 102 is removed from the hole 101, and then the endoscope 1 is used to inspect the inside of the thin hole 102. Specifically, the hand portion 5 of the endoscope 1 is grasped by hand, the first insertion portion 2 is inserted into the patient's mouth, and the second insertion portion 4 is inserted into the narrow hole 102. At this time, the first insertion section 2
Since the second insertion portion 4 is hard, the second insertion portion 4 can be easily positioned. Further, since the second insertion portion 4 is hard and extremely thin, it can be easily inserted into the hole 102.

With the second insertion portion 4 inserted into the hole 102 as described above, illumination light from the light source device is applied to the optical fiber bundle 9.
from the tip of the second insertion section 4 through the hole 102.
Irradiate inside. The reflected light from inside the hole 102 passes through the image transmission optical system 45 of the second insertion section 4, is reflected by the reflecting mirror 80, and is reflected by the image transmission optical system 2 of the first insertion section 2.
4 and reaches the eyepiece lens 62. As a result, the image inside the hole 102 can be observed through the eyepiece 6, and it can be confirmed whether the hole 102 is clean or not. After confirming that it is clean, this hole 12 and drill hole 101
Fill with cement.

The position and attitude of the reflecting mirror 80 can be adjusted as follows. That is, by inserting a rotation jig into a locking hole 82b formed on the upper surface of the moving body 82 and turning it, the reflecting mirror 80 follows the moving body 82 and rotates the optical axis 45a of the image transmission optical system 45. Rotates around the center. In addition, by inserting another rotating jig into the locking groove 84b formed on the upper surface of the screw ring 84 and turning it, the movable body 82 follows the screw ring 84 in the direction of the optical axis 45a of the image transmission optical system 45. Move to. As a result, the moving body 8
A reflecting mirror 80 fixed to 2 moves along the optical axis 45a of the image transmission optical system 45. At this time, the elastic ring 83 is elastically deformed, and its elastic force allows the collar 82a of the movable body 82 to always come into contact with the end surface of the screw ring 84.
4 can be reliably followed.

In addition, by inserting a screwdriver into the locking groove 89a formed on the upper surface of the male threaded member 89 and turning it, the male threaded member 89 is moved forward and backward, and this male threaded portion 8
The supporting side portion 87 of the leaf spring 85 that is in contact with the tip portion 89b of the plate spring 9 is rotated about the hinge portion 88 as a fulcrum, thereby correcting the inclination angle of the reflecting mirror 80.

As described above, since the reflecting mirror 80 is finely adjusted to the correct position and posture, the light from the small-diameter image transmission optical system 45 can be reliably supplied to the image transmission optical system 24, and the image can be transmitted reliably. can be done.

Also, the locking hole 82a of the movable body 82, the locking groove 84b of the screw ring 84, and the locking groove 8 of the male screw member 89.
9a are all formed on the opening side of the first case structure 34, so all the adjustment operations described above can be performed from one direction, that is, from the opening side of the first case structure 34, and the operation Good performance and operability.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified in various ways. In the above embodiment, the two image transmission optical systems intersect at 90 degrees, and the reflecting mirror is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to each image transmission optical system, but the crossing angle may be larger or smaller than 90 degrees. Good too. The angle of inclination of the reflecting mirror is determined by this angle of intersection. Also,
A prism may be used as the reflective member. A coil spring may be used instead of the elastic ring.
Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to optical instruments other than endoscopes.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, in the present invention, the position and orientation of the reflecting member can be corrected in three dimensions, and optical systems having different optical axes can be reliably optically connected. Also, the mechanism for adjustment is simple and compact. Furthermore, when performing the three-dimensional correction work described above, the operator can perform all the work from the same direction at the base end of the apparatus main body, so work efficiency is extremely high.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, in which Fig. 1 is an overall perspective view of an endoscope for endodontic examination, Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the vicinity of the connecting device, and Fig. 3 is a mechanism for adjusting the reflector. Figure 4 is a bottom view of the leaf spring, Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of
The figure is a cross-sectional view of the tooth. 1... Endoscope, 3... Connection device, 3A... Case (device body), 24, 45... Image transmission optical system,
34a... Storage recess, 34c... Female threaded part, 80
...Reflector (reflection member), 81 ...Adjustment mechanism, 8
2... Moving body, 82c... Screw hole, 83... Elastic ring (elastic body), 84... Screw ring, 85...
... leaf spring, 86... fixed side part (one side part of leaf spring),
87...Support side part (other side part of leaf spring), 88...
Hinge portion, 89...Male thread member, 89b...Tip portion.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A device for optically connecting two optical systems with different optical axes, (a) a device main body having a storage recess extending inward from the base end surface, and (b) storage of the device main body. A movable body that is housed in a recess and is rotatable around the axis of the device body and movable in the axial direction, and (c) has a bent shape and one side is fixed to the tip surface of the movable body a leaf spring; (d) a male threaded member that is screwed into a threaded hole penetrating from the proximal end surface to the distal end surface of the movable body, the distal end of which is in contact with the other side of the leaf spring; and (e) the other side of the leaf spring. At the same time as being fixed to the
a reflecting member that optically connects the two optical systems; (f) an elastic body that is disposed between the device main body and the movable body and elastically biases the movable body toward the proximal end of the device main body; (G) An optical connection device comprising: a screw ring that is screwed into the base end of the storage recess of the device main body and cooperates with the elastic body to clamp the movable body.