JPH0367406B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a connecting tube that connects an objective part and a grip with a bendable flexible part, and an operating wire that engages with the distal end side of the flexible part. The present invention relates to an objective part operating device for a fire-eye scope that bends a flexible part by pulling.

(Prior art and its problems) This type of objective part operating device is designed to pull the operating wire by winding it with a reel of a grip, but as a conventional reel drive mechanism, for example, The reel is simply fixed to a rotating shaft with a handle, or the reel and rotating shaft are connected via a clutch.

However, when bending the objective section, the operation is often performed while looking at the object to be observed through the eyepiece section, so there is a risk that the wire may be stretched or damaged due to over-rotation. In addition, if a clutch is provided, it is possible to prevent the object part from moving inadvertently when the handle is rotated inadvertently, but when normally operating the handle, the clutch must first be engaged and then the handle must be operated. It is a time-consuming operation.

(Purpose of the Invention) By automatically engaging the clutch and rotating the reel just by operating the handle, it is possible to simplify the operation and to reliably prevent damage to the wire, clutch mechanism, etc. due to over-rotation. It is to do so.

(Means for Achieving the Object) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes a grip that rotatably supports a rotating shaft having a handle,
A wire take-up reel rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft, a clutch ring movable in the axial direction but fixed in the rotational direction relative to the rotating shaft, and a sleeve screwed to the rotating shaft are sequentially connected in the axial direction. Place them side by side,
Dog teeth that can freely mesh are formed between the clutch ring and the reel, and the clutch spring urges the clutch ring to a non-meshing position, and the sleeve, clutch ring, take-up reel, and clutch spring drive the winding. A clutch mechanism for force interruption is configured, in which the sleeve is brought into contact with the clutch ring, an elastic ring is fitted into the outer peripheral groove of the sleeve, and the elastic ring is inserted into the grip so that it slides in the rotational direction at a predetermined rotational torque or more. The sleeve is pressed against the peripheral wall and rotated in one direction of the rotary shaft to move the sleeve axially toward the ring and engage the dog teeth, and subsequently rotate the take-up reel.

(Embodiment) FIG. 2 shows an overall side view of a fiberscope, in which a connecting tube 2 extending forward is connected to the grip 1, and an objective section 3 is provided at the front end of the continuous tube 2. An eyepiece 5 is provided at the rear end of the grip 1. Connecting tube 2
A flexible portion 2a having a certain length is formed at the front end portion of the holder, and is bendable in the vertical direction as shown by the imaginary line.

In FIG. 3 showing an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the flexible portion 2a, a large number of knot rings 6 are arranged on the same axis at intervals in the front-rear direction, and each knot ring Arc-shaped bearing recesses 7 are formed at both left and right ends of the front and rear surfaces of the roller 6, and a horizontal roller shaft 8 is disposed between the recesses 7. The full-section ring 6 has two left and right fastening wires 1 extending in the front and back direction.
0, and are rotatable in the vertical direction using each roller shaft 8 as a rotation fulcrum. Operation wire insertion holes 11, 11 are formed at the upper and lower ends of each node ring 6, respectively, and an upper operation first wire 15 and a lower operation second wire 16 are inserted therethrough, respectively. The front head portions 15a, 16a of each of the operating wires 15, 16 engage with the node ring 6 at the frontmost end, and the rear end portions of the operating wires 15, 16 extend rearward within the connecting tube 2.

Also, inside the connecting tube 2 is an image guide 18.
and a light guide 19 are built in, and the front ends of both guides 18 and 19 extend into the objective part (objective hardware) 3 through the center hole of the node ring 6. Although not shown, an objective lens is disposed at the front edge of the image guide 18 in the objective section.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the grip 1, and in this FIG. 4, the grip 1 includes a lower grip body 25 and a cover 26 covering the lower grip body 25. The image guide 18 passes through the grip 1 and extends into the eyepiece 5.
An eyepiece lens 21 is arranged behind the eyepiece lens 8, and the eyepiece lens 21 is configured to look through a viewing window 22 behind the eyepiece lens 21. Further, the light guide 19 passes through the adapter 24 and extends rearward and downward to connect a light source.

Inside the grip body 25 are first and second rotating shafts 28 and 29 for pulling and operating the wires 15 and 16.
Also, operating devices such as the first reel 31, the second reel 32, and the like are arranged. The first and second rotation shafts 28 and 29 are rotatably supported in the grip main body 25 in a horizontal, horizontal (left-right) orientation in order from the rear side.
The first rotating shaft 28 on the rear side is located slightly higher than the second rotating shaft 29 on the front side. The first and second wire winding reels 31 and 32 are connected to each rotating shaft 2, respectively.
8 and 29 so as to be rotatable with respect to the rotating shafts 28 and 29.

On the other hand, both the operation wires 15 and 16 are connected to the guide body 3.
5 through the guide holes 35a and 35b, respectively,
The first wire 15 is wound around the first reel 31 at the rear, and the second wire 16 is wound around the second reel 32. The guide body 35 is the grip body 2
It is fixed on the top surface of 5.

In FIG. 5, which shows a - sectional view of FIG. 4,
The right end portion of the first rotating shaft 28 protrudes rightward from the grip body 25, and an operating handle 36 is fixed to the tip end thereof. Both rotating shafts 28 and 29 are rotatably supported by the grip body 25 via a pair of left and right bearings 40 and 41, respectively.

Transmission gears 44 and 45 are fixed to the right side of the right bearing 41 on each rotating shaft 28 and 29, respectively.
Both gears 44 and 45 mesh with each other. Between the left and right bearings 40 and 41 of each rotating shaft 28 and 29,
The first and second reels 3 in order from the right side, respectively.
1, 32, first and second clutch rings 47, 48
And first and second sleeves 50, 51 are arranged.

In FIG. 1 showing an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of the first rotating shaft 28, the first transmission gear 44 is fixed to the first rotating shaft 28 with a bolt (not shown), and the first sleeve 50 on the left side is fixed to the first rotating shaft 28 with a bolt (not shown). The inner circumferential female threaded portion 50a is screwed into the male threaded portion 28a of the first rotating shaft 28. Male thread part 28a and female thread part 50a
is a left-handed thread, and is screwed in by rotating the rotating shaft 28 to the left (rotating in the U1 direction), so that the first sleeve 50 moves to the right relative to the first rotating shaft 28. . The left end surface of the first sleeve 50 is in contact with the locking ring 55, and the right end surface is in contact with the first sleeve 50.
It is in contact with the left end surface of the clutch ring 47. An annular groove 57 is formed on the outer periphery of the first sleeve 50, and an elastic O-ring 58 is fitted into the annular groove 57. The radial outer circumferential portion of the O-ring 58 is pressed against the inner circumferential surface of the grip body 25 with a constant pressure, and a frictional force is generated. It is designed to slide in one direction.

The first clutch ring 47 has an axial groove 47a on its inner circumferential surface, and a guide pin 60 protruding in the radial direction is fixed to the first rotating shaft 28, and the groove 47a is engaged with the guide pin 60. It matches. That is, the first clutch ring 47 is movable in the axial direction with respect to the first rotation shaft 28, but
It is designed to rotate integrally with 8.

A large number of dog teeth 61 and 62 are formed along the circumferential direction on opposing surfaces of the first clutch ring 47 and the first reel 31, respectively, and both dog teeth 6
1 and 62 can be freely engaged with each other. Further, a clutch spring 64 is compressed between the first clutch ring 47 and the first reel 31.
4 urges the first clutch ring 47 to the left and maintains both dog teeth 61 and 62 in a non-engaged state. The dog teeth 61 and 62 have sloped relief surfaces that move to the right as they move toward the rotation direction U1, as shown by the imaginary lines in FIG.

Operation first wire 15 wound on first reel 31
is inserted into the recess 68 of the first reel 31 through the cut groove 67 of the first reel 31, and the wire head 15b is engaged with the recess 68.

A first stopper ring 70 for regulating the maximum rotation range of the first reel 31 is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the right bearing 41, and the stopper ring 70 is attached to the grip main body 25 by a bolt 71. Direction position change adjustable and fixed.

To explain the structure of the stopper ring 70 in detail, as shown in FIG. End surfaces 70a and 70b of 72 in the circumferential direction each serve as a stopper surface. A movable ring 75 is rotatably fitted into the inner peripheral surface of the stopper ring 70, and a protrusion 76 is formed on the movable ring 75.
is arranged within the stepped portion 72 of the stopper ring 70. In other words, the movable ring 75 is rotatable within a range of approximately 180 degrees from a position where its projection 76 abuts on one end surface 70a to a position where it abuts on the other end surface 70b. On the other hand, a protrusion 77 is formed on the right end surface of the first reel 31.
7 is movable in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface of the stopper ring 70 and can freely engage with the inner peripheral end portion of the protrusion 76 of the movable ring 75.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial view of the stopper ring 70, clearly showing the positional relationship of the step 72, the protrusion 76, and the protrusion 77.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the stopper ring 71, and the position of the reel protrusion 77 shown by the solid line is such that the reel 31 is rotated to the maximum extent in the D1 direction and the protrusion of the rotation ring 75 is rotated by one end surface 70a. 76. The state shown in FIG. When the first reel 31 rotates in the U1 direction from the state shown by the solid line in FIG. Further while moving
When the movable ring 75 rotates in the U1 direction and reaches the position of the imaginary line, the protrusion 76 of the movable ring 75 comes into contact with the other end surface 70b, thereby preventing the rotation in the U1 direction.
That is, the first reel 31 is restricted to rotate within a maximum range of about one and a half revolutions.

The second reel 32 for the second wire, the second rotating shaft 29, the second sleeve 51 and the second clutch ring 48 in FIG.
1. The first rotating shaft 28, the first sleeve 50, and the first
It has a similar structure to the clutch ring 47.

Also, the second reel 32 also has the first
A second stopper ring 59 similar to stopper ring 70 is provided.

However, when the stopper rings 70 and 59 are provided as in this embodiment, for example, the stopper ring 70 for the first reel 31 can deflect the maximum amount of upward deflection of the flexible portion 2a (FIG. 2). The maximum rotational position of the first reel 31 in the U1 direction is restricted so as to restrict the maximum rotational position of the first reel 31 in the U1 direction, and the maximum downward deflection of the flexible portion 2a (Fig. 2) is restricted by the stopper ring 59 for the second reel 32. Thus, the maximum rotational position of the second reel 32 in the D2 direction is regulated. That is, both stopper rings 70 and 59 share the regulating direction.

In FIG. 5, the first rotating shaft 28 includes the rotating shaft 2.
A locking mechanism 81 is provided so that the locking mechanism 8 can be locked at any rotational position, and the locking mechanism 81 is composed of a boss 83 having a locking lever 82, a flange 85, and a locking sleeve 86.

In FIG. 6, the locking sleeve 86 is fitted onto the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 28 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and is provided with ring-shaped meshing teeth 86a at the left end, and a guide pin 86b projecting in the radial direction. It is integrally equipped with. A radial pin 87 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the first transmission gear 44 to protrude and oppose the meshing teeth 86a with a distance therebetween. The flange 85 is fixed to the grip cover 26 and fitted onto the outer peripheral side of the locking sleeve 86, and is provided with an axial elongated hole 90 into which the pin 86b of the locking sleeve 86 is inserted. . A cam groove 91 that is inclined with respect to the axis is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the boss 83.
is engaged with the tip of the pin 86b of the locking sleeve 86. That is, the boss 83 is moved by the lever 82.
By rotating in the D1 direction, the cam action of the cam groove 91 pushes the pin 86b to the left,
As the locking sleeve 86 moves to the left in the elongated hole 90, the meshing teeth 86a mesh with the pin 87 to prevent the transmission gear 44 from rotating.

(Function) When bending the flexible portion 2a of FIG. 2 upward, by rotating the handle 36 in the U1 direction, the upper first wire 15 of FIG. 3 is pulled and the lower second wire 16 is bent. Warm up and bend the flexible portion 2a upward.

To explain in detail, in Fig. 5, the handle 3
6 in the U1 direction, the first rotating shaft 2
8 rotates in the U1 direction (left rotation), while the second rotating shaft 29 rotates in the U2 direction (right rotation) via transmission gears 44 and 45.

In FIG. 1, when the first rotating shaft 28 rotates in the U1 direction, the first sleeve 50 moves to the right by the screw feeding action. At this time, the elastic O-ring 58
Rotation of the sleeve 50 is prevented by the pressing action of the sleeve 50. When the first sleeve 50 moves to the right, the first clutch ring 47 is also pushed to the right and the dog teeth 61 and 62 engage to engage the clutch.

After that, the first reel 31 rotates in the U1 direction together with the first rotating shaft 28, winds up the first wire 15, and pulls the first wire 15 backward. That is, the second
The flexible portion 2a shown in the figure is bent upward.

On the other hand, the second rotating shaft 29 in FIG.
Since the second reel 32 rotates in the U2 direction, which is the opposite direction, the clutch of the second reel 32 remains disengaged. Therefore, the second reel 32 is connected to the second rotating shaft 29
Since the second wire 16 is in a rotatable state relative to U2, the second wire 16 is pulled forward by the upward curvature of the flexible portion 2a shown in FIG. direction, and the second wire 16 is loosened.

To maintain the desired curved state, by rotating the locking lever 82 in FIG. 5 in the direction of arrow D1, the locking sleeve 86 in FIG. 6 is moved to the left, and the meshing teeth 86a is engaged with the pin 87.

Further, when the set maximum bending state is reached in the upward direction, the projection 76 of the movable ring 75 comes into contact with the other end surface 70b of the first stopper ring 70, as shown by the imaginary line in FIG.
The protrusion 77 of the first reel 31 comes into contact with this, thereby preventing the first reel 31 from rotating in the U1 direction.

When the operator rotates the handle 36 in FIG. 5 in the U1 direction and the dog teeth 61 and 62 engage, the elastic O-ring 58 in FIG. with sleeve 50
It begins to rotate in the U1 direction. This prevents the first sleeve 50 from moving too far to the right, and prevents damage to the threaded portions 28a, 50a and dog teeth 61, 62 due to excessive rotation of the handle 36.

To return the flexible portion 2a of FIG. 2 to its original linear state, the handle 36 is rotated in the D1 direction.
That is, in FIG. 4, the first rotating shaft 28 rotates in the D1 direction, and the second rotating shaft 29 rotates in the D2 direction, so that the clutch on the first rotating shaft 28 is disengaged, and the clutch on the second rotating shaft side is also released. The second reel 32 starts rotating in the direction of arrow D2,
The second wire 16 is wound up, the first wire 15 is loosened and pulled forward, and the flexible portion 2a in FIG. 2 returns to its straight state.

When the handle 36 shown in FIG. 2 is further rotated in the D1 direction, the second wire 16 shown in FIG. The flexible portion 2a curves downward.

In addition, when bending downward, when the predetermined maximum bending state is reached, the second reel is
The maximum rotational position of the reel 32 in the D2 direction is regulated. Of course, in this case as well, damage to the clutch etc. due to over-rotation of the handle can be prevented by the sliding of the O-ring 60 on the second rotating shaft side.

(Other Embodiments) (1) Although the illustrated embodiment shows a structure in which the flexible portion is curved vertically, it can be similarly applied to a fiberscope having a structure in which the flexible portion is curved left and right.

(2) The illustrated embodiment has a structure in which two wires are used to bend the wire up and down, but for example, one wire may be bent either upward or downward, and returned to a straight state using an appropriate return means such as a leaf spring. It can also be configured to return.

(3) Fig. 11 shows a modification of the stopper ring, in which the circumferential range of the notch step 72 is approximately 360 degrees, and the movable ring 75 is approximately 360 degrees.
This is an example of rotating nearly 360 degrees.
According to the structure shown in FIG. 11, the maximum rotation regulation range of the reel can be set to nearly two rotations.

(Effects of the Invention) As explained above, the present invention has a wire winding that rotatably supports the rotary shaft 28 having the handle 36 on the grip 1, and that is fitted to the rotary shaft 28 so as to be rotatable and immovable in the axial direction. A take-up reel 31, a clutch ring 47 that is axially movable with respect to the rotational shaft 28 and fixed in the rotational direction, and a sleeve 50 that is screwed onto the rotational shaft 28 are arranged in order in the axial direction,
Dog teeth 61 and 62 that can freely mesh are formed between the clutch ring 47 and the reel 31, and a clutch spring 64 is compressed, and the spring 64 biases the clutch ring 47 toward the non-meshing position. , the sleeve 50, the clutch ring 47, the take-up reel 31, and the clutch spring 64 constitute a clutch mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the winding drive force, and the sleeve 50 is brought into contact with the clutch ring 47, and the outer circumferential groove 57 of the sleeve 50 is Since the ring 58 is fitted and the elastic ring 58 is pressed against the inner circumferential wall of the grip main body 25 so as to slide in the rotational direction at a predetermined rotational torque or more, there are the following advantages.

(1) By rotating the handle 36, the clutch is automatically engaged and the take-up reel 31 rotates to take up the wire 15 and connect the connecting tube 2.
Since the flexible portion 2a of the object is stretched and bent, there is no need to specially engage and close the clutch before operating the handle, and the bending operation of the objective section is simple.

(2) Since the reel 31 is always maintained in the clutch disengaged state by the clutch spring 64, the wire 15 is not in use when the fiberscope is not in use.
The wire 15 is in a loose state, so even if it is stored for a long time, the wire 15 may stretch or
Or never become weaker.

(3) Since the over-rotation of the handle 36 is absorbed by the sliding movement of the elastic ring 58, it is possible to reliably prevent damage to the clutch mechanism such as dog teeth or damage to the reel etc. due to over-rotation of the handle.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a partially enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of an objective operating device to which the present invention is applied, Fig. 2 is an overall side view of the fiberscope, Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the front end portion of the fiberscope, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the front end portion of the fiberscope. An enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of the grip, Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 4, and Fig.
The figure is a detailed sectional view of the part shown in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional view of the part shown in Fig. 6.
Figure 8 is a top view of the locking sleeve, Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of the reel rotation range regulating mechanism, and Figure 9 is a top view of the locking sleeve.
An enlarged partial view of the part shown in the figure, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the stopper ring of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 is a longitudinal section showing a modification of the stopper ring It is a diagram. 1...Grip, 2...Connection tube, 2a...
...flexible part, 3...objective part, 5...eyepiece part, 15,
16... Wire, 50, 51... Sleeve, 5
8, 60... O-ring, 28, 29... Rotating shaft,
31, 32... Winding reel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Operation of the objective part of a fiberscope in which a flexible part that can be bent freely is formed in the connecting tube that connects the objective part and the grip, and the flexible part is bent by pulling a manipulation wire that engages with the tip end side of the flexible part. In the device, a rotating shaft having a handle is rotatably supported by a grip, a wire take-up reel rotatably fitted to the rotating shaft, and a wire winding reel that is movable in the axial direction and fixed in the rotational direction with respect to the rotating shaft. A clutch ring and a sleeve that is screwed onto the rotating shaft are arranged in sequence in the axial direction, and dog teeth that can freely mesh are formed between the clutch ring and the reel, and a clutch spring moves the clutch ring to a non-meshing position. energizes the sleeve, clutch ring,
A take-up reel and a clutch spring constitute a clutch mechanism for intermittent winding drive force, the sleeve is brought into contact with the clutch ring, an elastic ring is fitted into the outer circumferential groove of the sleeve, and the elastic ring is rotated to a predetermined rotational torque or higher. The sleeve is pressed against the inner circumferential wall of the grip so as to slide in the rotational direction, and the rotation of the rotating shaft in one direction moves the sleeve in the axial direction toward the clutch ring, engaging the dog teeth, and subsequently rotating the take-up reel. 1. An objective part operating device for a fiberscope, characterized in that the objective part operating device is adapted to be operated.