JPH0497312A - Light source device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To sufficient transmit heat generated at a plug part to the heat sink of a socket part by providing a heat radiating means to a socket part main body or an energizing means, energizing the socket part main body to the plug part by the energizing means sufficiently, and transmitting the heat of the plug part to the heat radiating means. CONSTITUTION:The endoscope light source device is equipped with the socket part 2 into which the plug part 6 provided to one end part of an illumination light transmission cable is inserted detachably and the socket part 2 is equipped with the socket part main body 24 where the plug part 6 of the illumination light transmission cable is fitted, the energizing means 26 which energizes the inner peripheral surface of the socket part main body 24 so that the inner peripheral is brought into contact to the outer peripheral surface of the plug part 6, and the heat radiating means 33 provided to at least one of the socket main body 24 and energizing means 24. Therefore, the plug part 6 and socket main body 24 are energized by the energizing means 26 and the mutual contact state is improved to increase the transmission efficiency of heat to radiation fins 33. Consequently, the heat of the plug part 6 is radiated to the outside speedily to prevent an LG fiber 11 from burning.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a light source device for an endoscope, which is connected to an endoscope and supplies illumination light to a light guide of the endoscope.

[Prior Art] In recent years, organs within the body cavity can be observed by inserting an elongated insertion section into the body cavity, and if necessary, various therapeutic procedures can be performed using a treatment instrument inserted into the treatment instrument channel. Endoscopes that can be used are widely used.

In addition, industrial endoscopes are widely used for observing and inspecting internal scratches and corrosion in boilers, gas turbine engines, piping in chemical plants, and the bodies of automobile engines.

The endoscope has an optical fiber that guides illumination light, and a plug portion of the optical fiber is connected to a socket portion of a light source device. Illumination light from the light source device is supplied from the input end of the plug section and guided to the distal end of the endoscope insertion section.

The light source device includes a lamp and a lens that collects light emitted from the lamp and makes it enter an input end of the plug section. The condensed illumination light is incident on the input end of the plug section, and the plug section becomes hot, so that it is necessary to prevent the optical fiber from burning out.

Therefore, U.S. Patent No. 3,051,035 and JP-A-62
Japanese Patent No. 94306 discloses a technique for dissipating heat generated in a plug by providing a heat sink in a socket of a light source device.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-256317 discloses a technique in which a material with good thermal conductivity is used for the member that holds the optical fiber inside the plug part, and the heat generated in the optical fiber is radiated. has been done.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the prior art, there is a gap between the socket part and the plug part to facilitate attachment and detachment. For this reason, the heat generated in the plug portion was not sufficiently transferred to the heat sink in the socket portion, resulting in poor efficiency.

Furthermore, even if measures are taken to improve the heat dissipation effect on the plug section side, sufficient heat dissipation cannot be achieved because most of the plug section is covered by the socket section. or,
Even if a material with good thermal conductivity is used, the portion using the material is covered by the socket, so a sufficient heat dissipation effect cannot be obtained.

In addition to the above, blow cold air around the plug and socket.
There are also devices that use air blowing to cool the area, but the equipment becomes larger and the cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a light source device for an endoscope that can efficiently transmit heat from a plug portion to a heat sink of a socket portion and obtain a sufficient heat dissipation effect. .

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the light source device for an endoscope of the present invention includes a socket portion into which a plug portion provided at one end of the illumination light transmission cable is removably inserted. The light source device for an endoscope is provided with a socket main body into which the plug of the illumination light transmission cable is fitted, and an inner circumferential surface of the socket main body is attached so as to be brought into close contact with an outer circumferential surface of the plug. The socket portion includes an urging means for applying force, and a heat dissipation means provided on at least one of the socket main body and the urging means.

[Function] In the present invention, the socket main body or the biasing means is provided with a heat dissipation means, and the biasing means sufficiently biases the socket main body toward the plug, thereby efficiently transmitting the heat of the plug to the heat dissipation means. .

[Example code] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a side view of the plug part showing the structure of the socket part and the plug part, FIG. 5 is a side view of the plug part after the socket part is attached,
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the light source device and the plug section, Fig. 7
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a signal line connector, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a light emitting diode and a light guide, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope device.

As shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope device used in this embodiment includes an endoscope 1 and a light source device 2 to which this endoscope 1 is connected.
0, the TV camera 41 fixed to the endoscope 1, and this T.
The camera controller 12 is connected to the V camera 41.

The TV camera 41 is connected to one end of a signal cable 43 and to a connector 44 provided at the other end of the signal cable 43.
The camera controller 12 is detachably connected to the camera controller 12 via the camera controller 12 .

The endoscope 1 includes an elongated insertion section 2, an operation section 3 connected to the rear end of the insertion section N2, an eyepiece section 4 provided at the rear end of the operation section 3, and an operation section N2. 3 and a light guide plug 6 (hereinafter referred to as
It will be referred to as the LG plug section. ). The LG plug section 6 is configured to be detachably connected to the light source device 20.

The insertion section 2 includes, in order from the distal end side, a hard distal end section 7. Bendable curved portion 8. It has an oval shape with a soft part 9.

Further, the operating section 3 is provided with a bending operation knob 10 for operating the bending section 8 in a bending manner.

The tip portion 7 is provided with an illumination window and an observation window (not shown). A light distribution lens (not shown) is provided inside the illumination window, and a light guide fiber (hereinafter referred to as L
It is written as G fiber. ) are provided consecutively. This LG fiber is inserted through the insertion section 2, the operating section 3, and the light guide cable 5, and its input end is connected to the LG plug section 6. Illumination light emitted from the light source device 20 passes through the input end of the LG fiber and is irradiated onto the subject from the illumination window of the tip 7. Further, the observation window is provided with an objective optical system (not shown), and the distal end surface of an image guide fiber (not shown) is disposed at the imaging position of the objective optical system. This image guide fiber is connected to the insertion section 2 and the operation section 3.
The rear end face faces an eyepiece optical system (not shown) inside the eyepiece section 4. The optical image of the subject formed by the objective optical system is transmitted through the image guide fiber, passed through the eyepiece section 4, and is electrically imaged by the TV left camera 1 in the example shown in FIG. converted into a signal. This TV left camera 1 outputs an imaging signal to a camera controller/roller 12, and the camera controller 12 converts it into a standard video signal and outputs it to the outside.

In the illustrated example, an optical endoscope using an image guide fiber is used, but an electronic endoscope may also be used.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, the LG plug section 6
, the light source device 7'120 and the socket section will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 1, the LG plug part 6 includes a large-diameter cylindrical grip part 12 whose one end is fixed to the Lie I/guide cable 5, and a small-diameter cylindrical grip part 12 attached to the other end of the grip part 12. It is provided with a fitting part 13 having a shape. Said fitting part 13
The input end of the LG fiber 11 is inserted and fixed inside. Further, the fitting portion 13 has a click 14 provided therebetween. When the click 14 is inserted into the socket section described later, the LG plug section 6 (fitting section 13)
It is designed to stop the removal of the paper. The grip part] 2 has a mounting hole 15, and the neck hole 15 has a substantially triangular shape as shown in FIG. When inserted into the socket part, this mounting hole 15 engages with a fitting part of the socket part, which will be described later, and prevents the LG plug part 6 from rotating.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
A socket portion 21 into which the G plug portion 6 is inserted is provided. Further, a lamp 22 is provided in the light source device 20, and the lamp 22 is located between the lamp 22 and the socket section 21, and between the input end of the LG fiber 11 and the lamp 22.
A condenser lens 23 is provided on the optical axis connecting the 9
The lamp 22 emits illumination light, and the illumination light is condensed by a condenser lens 23 and enters the LG fiber 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the socket section 21 includes a main body section 24 as a socket main body that fits into the LG plug section 6, and heat sinks 25, 25.
It has a spring 2G as a biasing means for biasing 5.25 in the direction of the divided opposing surfaces.

The main body part 24 has a pair of plug fixing parts 28 and 28 standing upright before and after the plate-shaped fixing part 27, and among these, a cylindrical fitting part 30 is provided on the front surface of the front plug fixing part 28. The plug fixing part 28, 28 and the fitting part 3 are protruding from each other.
0 has a cylindrical insertion hole 29 extending in the front-rear direction.

The insertion hole 29 is provided at a position where its central axis and the optical axis of the illumination light coincide. The insertion hole 29 has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the fitting part 13 of the plug part 6, and expands in a tapered shape on the fitting part 30 side, so that the fitting part 13 can be easily inserted. It looks like this.

Further, the plug fixing part 28.28 is formed with a heat sink mounting part 31, while the front plug fixing part 28 is formed with a heat sink mounting part 31.
A fitting convex portion 36 is provided on the rear side of the heat sink mounting portion 8 so as to protrude toward the heat sink mounting portion 31 .

On the other hand, the heat sink 25.25 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape obtained by dividing a cylindrical body into two in the axial direction, and has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 33, 33... provided as heat dissipation means on the outer circumferential side thereof, and also has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 33, 33, etc. Fitting grooves 34, 34 having the same curvature as the outer diameter of the fitting portion 13 of the plug portion 6 and having a substantially semi-cylindrical shape are formed in the plug portion 6. This fitting part 34 includes, from the rear, a heat conductive surface 34a that comes into close contact with the fitting part 13 of the plug part 6, a tapered part 34c whose diameter increases toward the front, and a heat conductive surface located at the front end. Click fitting part 34b with a larger diameter than 34a
It has Note that the heat conductive surface 34a occupies most of the fitting groove 34.

Further, the heat sinks 25, 25 are formed symmetrically 4-below each other, and the fitting convex portion 3 of the plug fixing portion 28
It has a fitting part at a position where it abuts on the heat sink mounting part 31 between the front and rear plug fixing parts 28, 28. When the heat sinks 25, 25 are fitted and installed, the fitting grooves 34 are arranged symmetrically about the optical axis and communicate with the insertion hole 29, as shown in FIG. There is. Furthermore, the heat sink 25°25
, four pairs of upper and lower spring fixing parts 34 are protruded from left to right, front and back, and a spring 26 is installed between the pairs of upper and lower spring fixing parts 34, 34 to connect the upper and lower heat sinks 25, 25 to each other. The opposing surfaces of the two are biased toward each other.

Further, the fixed part 27 is provided with four fixed types 32,
The socket portion 21 is fixed to the light source device B 20. In addition, two fixed types 32 are shown in FIG. 2, and the other two fixed types 32 are not shown.

As shown in FIG. 7, the connector 44 includes a resin connecting portion 44; L, a metal shield portion 44b that fits into the connecting portion 44a, and a resin cap portion that screws into the connecting portion 44a. 44c. The connection portion 44a has a pin 4 to which the signal 143a of the signal cable 43 is connected.
5.

Further, the shield wire 43b of the signal cable 43 is connected to the shield portion 44b by soldering or the like. signal line 4
3a is covered by a metal shield portion 44b, so that it is less susceptible to noise.

Incidentally, in FIG. 8, a light emitting diode 45 is used as the lamp 22.
The figure shows the one using . The light emitting diode 45 is installed inside one end of the LG fiber 46, and the light emitted by the light emitting diode 45 is prevented from leaking to the outside of the LG fiber 46, thereby increasing the light transmission efficiency.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

When using the endoscope l, connect the LG plug part 6 to the socket part 21 of the light source device 20, and connect the connector 44.
is connected to the camera controller 12.

To connect the LG plug part 6, connect the fitting part 13 to the light source device 2.
This is done by inserting it into the socket part 21 of 0. When inserted, the fitting part 13 passes through the insertion hole 29 of the socket part 21 and abuts against the tapered part 34c of the socket part 21, and as shown in FIG. and spread it out. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the click 14 fits into the click fitting portion 34b with the taper portion 34c4 in contact with the click 14. At this time, the heat sink 25.25 is moved by the four springs 26.
It is biased in the optical axis direction. Therefore, the circumferential surface on the distal end side of the fitting portion 13 is in close contact with the heat conduction surface 33a. Further, in this state, the mounting holes 15 of the L and G plug parts 6 and the fitting part 30 of the socket part 21 are fitted.

When light is emitted from the lamp 22, this light is condensed by the condenser lens 23 and enters the input end face of the LG fiber 11. Due to this focused light, the fitting portion 13 of the LG plug portion 6 gradually generates heat.

This heat is transferred to the heat conduction surface 33a of the heat sink 25.25,
33a, and is radiated to the atmosphere via the radiation fins 33, 33, .

On the other hand, the light incident on the LG fiber 11 is
The light is irradiated onto the subject through the fiber 11 and the light distribution lens provided at the tip 7. The object reflects the irradiation light,
It enters the image guide fiber as an optical image of the subject. The image guide fiber transmits the optical image to the TV right camera 1, which converts the optical image into an electrical imaging signal and outputs it. Camera controller 12
receives the image signal, converts it to a standard video signal, and outputs it to the outside.

In this embodiment, the heat sinks 25, 25 are urged by springs 26 in the direction of the divided opposing surfaces. Therefore, the inset part 1
The circumferential surface on the distal end side of the heat sink 3 is in close contact with the heat conduction surface 33a, and the heat generated in the fitting portion 13 is efficiently transmitted to the heat conduction surfaces 33a, 33a of the heat sink 25.25. This heat is dissipated to the atmosphere via the heat dissipation fins 33, 33...
The temperature of the fiber 11 does not rise above its heat-resistant temperature, and the fiber 11 does not seize.

Note that the number, size, arrangement, etc. of the springs 26 and the radiation fins 33, 33, etc. are not particularly limited to those shown in this embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

This embodiment includes a leaf spring as a biasing means in place of the spring 26 of the first embodiment.

The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the socket section 50 includes a heat sink mounting section 56 that is larger than the heat sink mounting section 31 of the first embodiment and has a portion for attaching a leaf spring.

One of the leaf springs 52.52 is fixed to the upper surface side of the plug fixing part 28 by screws 53.53. The other leaf spring 52 is located inside the heat sink mounting portion 50 and faces the one leaf spring 52 and is connected to the screw 5.
3.53, it is fixed to the plug fixing part 28.

The leaf springs 52 and 52 respectively sandwich the heat sinks 25 and 25, and bias the heat sinks 25 and 25 in the optical axis direction.

Note that the number, size, arrangement, etc. of the leaf springs 52 are not particularly limited to those shown in this embodiment.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 relate to the third embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the socket portion, and FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the heat sink.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, in place of the heat sink 25 and spring 26 of the first embodiment, a heat synchronizer 0 is provided in which the biasing means is provided with heat radiation means.

The heat sink 60 includes a pipe-shaped fitting member 61 made of, for example, an elastic material with good thermal conductivity, and leaf springs 62 and 62 as biasing means. Incidentally, a portion of the main body of the socket is composed of this fitting member 61 and the main body portion 24.

The fitting member 61 is provided with a tapered portion 61a having a larger diameter on the distal end side in order to facilitate insertion of the fitting portion 13 of the plug portion 6 at one end thereof, while most of the inner surface of the fitting member 61 is , has a heat conduction surface 61b having a curvature slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the fitting portion 13. In addition, the leaf spring 62.6
2 is an L-shaped plate consisting of a long side and a short side,
The upper and lower sides of the long side on the side opposite to the short side are joined, and a curved portion having a smaller curvature than the fitting member 61 is provided in the center of the long side on the side where the short side extends. 62a. Radiating fins 65, 65, . . . serving as heat radiating means are provided protruding from the outer surface of the curved portion 62a.

The plate springs 62, 62 are fixed by, for example, four rivets 64, with the fitting member 61 inserted into the curved portion 62a and with their long sides abutting each other. Furthermore, fixing holes 63, 63 are provided on the short sides of the leaf springs 62, 62.

Incidentally, the fitting member 61 is not integral, but may be made of a metal having good thermal conductivity, for example, by abutting halves of the fitting member 61 and attached to the leaf springs 62 and 62. Alternatively, it may be integrated with a slit on one side. In either case, it is necessary to form it in close contact with the insertion part 13.

Note that it is desirable to fill the gap between the curved portion 62a and the fitting portion 61 with, for example, a compound having good thermal conductivity. It is desirable to have as many contact surfaces as possible.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the socket section 55 has a heat sink mounting section 56 into which the heat sink 60 is mounted. The heat sink 60 is fitted into the heat sink mounting portion 56, and the short side portion is in contact with the bottom surface of the heat sink mounting portion 56, and is fixed with a screw 66. When fixed, the central axis of the inner diameter of the fitting member 61 and the optical axis are aligned.

With this configuration, when the fitting part 13 is inserted, the fitting part 61 is expanded in diameter, and the click 14 is turned into the tapered part 61a.
comes into contact with. The curved portion 62a presses the fitting portion 61 in the optical axis direction, and the heat conducting surface 61b and the fitting portion 13
and are in close contact with each other.

Other configurations and effects are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the first to third embodiments, the heat sink, the heat dissipation fins, and the socket main body are made of a material with good thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, so that the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced.

Further, if the fitting portions 13 of the socket portion and the plug portion are formed in the same manner, the heat dissipation effect can be further enhanced.

Alternatively, by applying lubricating oil or lubricating plating with good thermal conductivity to the surface of the socket I part main body that comes into contact with the insertion part 13, not only can the LG plug part 6 be easily attached and detached, but also the insertion hole The inner diameter of 29 can also be made equal to the outer diameter of the fitting part 13. Therefore, the contact surface between the insertion hole 29 and the fitting portion 13 increases, and the heat dissipation effect also increases. Furthermore, heat radiation fins may also be provided on the main body portion 24 in addition to those described above.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the urging means
The plug part and the socket main body are energized, making good contact with each other, increasing the efficiency of heat transfer to the radiation fins, quickly dissipating the heat of the plug part to the outside, and preventing the LG fiber from burning out. It has the effect of

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1 to 9 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The figure shows the configuration of the socket part and the plug part 25... Heat sink 26... Spring 29... Insertion hole 34... Insertion hole 33... Radiation fin 34a... The plug part on the heat conduction surface. 5 is a side view of the plug section after the socket section is manufactured; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the light source device and the plug section; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the signal line connector; FIG. 8 9 is an explanatory diagram of a light emitting diode and a light guide, FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an endoscope device, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams of a second embodiment of the present invention. Regarding the third embodiment, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the socket part, and FIG.
The figure is a perspective view of the heat sink.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] An endoscope light source device comprising a socket portion into which a plug portion provided at one end of an illumination light transmission cable is removably inserted, wherein the plug portion of the illumination light transmission cable is fitted. a socket main body; a biasing means for biasing the inner circumferential surface of the socket main body to come into close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the plug portion; and a heat dissipation device provided in at least one of the socket main body and the biasing means. A light source device for an endoscope, characterized in that the socket portion includes: means.