JPH05228104A - Fluid supplying device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the weight of the body operating part of an endoscope and to improve operability and the washability of flow passages by providing a selector valve mechanism in the light source connecting part of the endoscope or in the position nearer the liquid supply tank side than this part and providing a valve operating part for operating the change over of the selector valve mechanism in the body operating part. CONSTITUTION:A resetting spring 26 acts on a piston 23 of the valve operating part 21 and an atm. communicating passage 25 provided in the piston 23 is normally held communicated with an atm. open path connected to a casing 22. The communication between the atm. communicating passage 25 and the atm. open path is shut off when the operating button 24 of the valve operating part 21 is pushed down against the resetting spring 26. A pressure oil is supplied via a hydraulic pipeline 28 and a hydraulic piping to the selector valve mechanism 14 and the changeover operation of the selector valve mechanism 14 is executed when the piston 23 is pushed down. As a result, the size and weight of the body operating part are reduced and the operability is improved. Only the fluid flow passage 17, air outflow path 15 and washing water path 16 are provided within the endoscope and, therefore, the washability of the fluid flow passages is improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid supply device for an endoscope used for cleaning an observation window provided at the tip of an insertion portion of the endoscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an endoscope, the observation window is washed,
Further, a fluid supply device is used for cleaning the inside of the body cavity or for expanding the inside of the body cavity. This fluid supply device is provided with a nozzle near the observation window at the tip of the insertion portion and selectively supplies a liquid such as a cleaning liquid or pressurized air to the nozzle. In order to control the supply of liquid and pressurized air to this nozzle, a switching valve mechanism is provided in the main body operating section, and this switching valve mechanism can be operated by the fingers of the hand holding the main body operating section. That is, a fluid flow path is connected to a nozzle, and the fluid flow path is branched to form a liquid outflow path and an air outflow path. The liquid outflow path and the air outflow path are connected to a liquid tank, and an air pump. And an air supply passage connected to a pressurized air supply source such as the above, and is connected to a switching valve mechanism provided in the main body operation unit.

The switching valve mechanism is connected to an air supply path and an air outflow path to supply pressurized air to the nozzle, and a liquid outflow path is connected to the liquid supply path to supply liquid. A valve body is provided for switching between a liquid supply state in which the nozzle can be supplied, and an operation button is connected to the valve body to perform a switching operation of the valve body with a finger of a hand holding the main body operation unit. .. An atmosphere opening path is provided to open the pressurized air supplied from the valve body to the operation button to the air supply path to the atmosphere, and the atmosphere opening path is opened as an atmosphere opening port at the portion where the fingers of the operation button contact. is doing.

The valve body is always kept in the air supply state, but is made to communicate with the atmosphere through the air atmosphere opening port from the pressurized air supply source, so that the air is released to the atmosphere. In this state, the pressurized air supply source can be operated without a load. When the atmosphere opening port of the operation button is closed with fingers, the pressure in the air supply passage increases, and the pressurized air is ejected from the air supply passage through the air outflow passage and the fluid passage. When the operation button is pushed in, the valve body is switched to the liquid supply state, the pressurized air supplied from the pressurized air supply source to the liquid tank pressurizes the liquid surface of the liquid tank, and the liquid is supplied to the liquid supply path. The liquid is ejected from the nozzle through the liquid outflow passage and the fluid flow passage in order.

[0005]

By the way, in the above-mentioned switching valve mechanism, a valve casing having four ports including an air supply passage, an air outlet passage, a liquid supply passage, and a liquid outlet passage is provided with these four ports. Since it is necessary to provide a valve body for communicating and shutting off, the structure of the entire switching valve mechanism is quite large, and the valve body and the valve casing must be made of metal by their nature. Since it is a heavy object, it not only hinders a space in the main body operating portion and reduces the size of the main body operating portion, but also increases the burden of the operation of gripping the main body operating portion. Also, after using the endoscope, the entire part including the fluid supply device must be washed, but since the position of the switching valve mechanism is separated from the nozzle by the length of the insertion part, this switching There is an undeniable possibility that the valve mechanism will come into direct or indirect contact with body waste, and the flow path formed inside the switching valve mechanism is complicated. Is difficult to clean, etc.
There is also the problem of poor maintainability.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, and its object is the convenience of the operation of performing the switching operation with the fingers of the hand holding the main body operation portion. In addition, the switching valve mechanism is provided at a position separated from the main body operation unit to reduce the weight of the main body operation unit, reduce the burden on the operator, and save space inside the main body operation unit. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a fluid supply device for an endoscope, which has a good cleanability of the flow path.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a liquid flow channel and an air flow channel connected to a nozzle provided at the tip of an insertion portion, and the liquid flow channel is a liquid supply tank. The air flow path is connected to the pressurized air supply source and the liquid supply tank, and at least the pressurized air supplied from the gas supply source is supplied to the nozzle and the pressurized air is supplied to the liquid supply tank. To the light source connection part of the endoscope or the liquid supply tank side from the light source connection part of the endoscope to supply the liquid to the nozzle and pressurize the inside of the liquid supply tank to switch the liquid supply state in which the liquid is pumped toward the nozzle. It is characterized in that the main body operation portion is provided with the valve operation portion for performing the switching operation of the switching valve mechanism.

[0008]

[Operation] By operating the valve operating portion provided on the main body operating portion of the endoscope with the fingers of the hand holding the main body operating portion,
By the signal from the valve operating portion, the valve body of the switching valve mechanism can be switched from the air supply state to the liquid supply state and from the liquid supply state to the air supply state. Thus, since the valve operating section may be means for generating a signal for switching to the valve body of the switching valve mechanism, the structure of the valve operating section provided in the main body operating section is simplified, miniaturized and lightweight. Be converted.
Therefore, the operability of the endoscope itself, which is performed by gripping the main body operation unit, is improved. Further, since the switching valve mechanism is provided at a position far away from the nozzle, there is no risk of the switching valve mechanism being contaminated, and the entire fluid passage that is used after the use of the endoscope can be extremely easily cleaned. It will also be.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of an endoscope 1. As is clear from the figure, a main body operation unit 2 for an operator or the like who performs the operation to hold and operate the main body, and this main body. An insertion portion 3 that is provided continuously to the operation portion 2 and is inserted into a body cavity or the like, and a connector 4a that is detachably connected to a light source device (a light source device and a processor in the case of an electronic endoscope) at its tip.
And a light guide flexible portion 4 provided with.
As shown in FIG. 2, an illumination window 5 for illuminating the inside of the body cavity to be observed, an observation window 6 for observing the inside of the body cavity and the like, forceps and other treatment tools are provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 3. A treatment instrument outlet 7 for leading out is provided. Observation window 6
Since the observation field of view cannot be obtained sufficiently if the object is contaminated with dirt such as body fluid, the observation window 6 must be washed. In order to wash the observation window 6, and to clean the inside of the body cavity together with the observation window 6, and to inflate the body cavity, a nozzle 8 for supplying washing water or air is provided toward the observation window 6. There is. When the observation window 6 is soiled, first, cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 8 toward the observation window 6 to wash away the contaminants, and then pressurized air is supplied to the droplets adhering to the observation window 6. To remove. Since this operation is appropriately performed during the operation of the endoscope, the fluid supply operation can be performed in the main body operation unit 2 in consideration of its operability.

FIG. 3 shows the overall structure of the fluid supply device. In the figure, 10 is an air pump as a pressurized air supply source, 11 is a wash water tank, respectively.
0 is connected to an air supply pipe 12, and the wash water tank 11 is provided with a connection pipe 13 including a double pipe of an inner pipe 13a through which a cleaning liquid flows and an outer pipe 13b through which air flows. The pipe 12 and the connection pipe 13 are connected to the switching valve mechanism 14. Further, an air outflow passage 15 and a wash water outflow passage 16 are provided inside the endoscope 1, and the air outflow passage 15 and the wash water outflow passage 16 merge with each other in the vicinity of the insertion portion 2 to form a fluid passage 17. And the fluid passage 17 is connected to the nozzle 8. The other ends of the air outflow passage 15 and the wash water outflow passage 16 are connected to the switching valve mechanism 14.

Of the inner pipe 13a and the outer pipe 13b constituting the air supply pipe 12 and the connection pipe 13, the air supply pipe 12
The outer pipe 13b and the outer pipe 13b are always in communication with each other, and when pressurized air is supplied from the air supply pipe 12, the inside of the wash water tank 11 is pressurized and the wash water is directed toward the inner pipe 13a. Will be pumped. Therefore, the outer pipe 13b functions as a tank pressurizing flow path for pressurizing the wash water tank 11. Also, the operation of the switching valve mechanism 14 causes the outer pipe 13b to
And the air outflow passage 15 are in communication with each other, and the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage 16 are cut off from each other so that air can be supplied to the nozzle 8, and the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 1 are connected.
5 is cut off, the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage 16 are communicated with each other, and the nozzle 8 is switched to a wash water supply state in which wash water is supplied. However, the air supply pipe 12 is designed to open to the atmosphere via the atmosphere open passage 20, and in the state where the atmosphere open passage 20 is open, no pressure is generated in the air supply pipe 12 and therefore the switching valve is opened. Even if the mechanism 14 is in the air supply state, air is not supplied to the nozzle 8 and the cleaning water tank 11 is not pressurized. The atmosphere release passage 20 is a double pipe together with the air outflow passage 15 at the position of the connector 4a. This can reduce the number of pipe connecting portions, but both may be connected via separate pipe connecting portions.

From the above, in this fluid supply apparatus, the air supply pipe 12 is in an atmosphere open state in which the atmosphere open passage 20 is opened to the atmosphere, an air supply state in which air is supplied to the nozzle 8, and washing water is in the nozzle. It is configured such that it can be switched to three states, that is, a washing water supply state to be supplied to No. 8. This switching is performed by operating the valve operating unit 21 provided on the main body operating unit 2 with fingers. There are two modes of operation of the valve operation unit 21, that is, opening / closing of the atmosphere open path 20 and switching operation of the switching valve mechanism 14. In order to enable these two modes of operation with a single operating member, the valve operating unit 21 has a piston 22 slidably mounted in a casing 22 attached to the housing 2a of the main body operating unit 2,
An operation button 24 that can be operated by fingers is connected to the piston 23.

An atmosphere communication passage 25 is provided in the piston 23 and the operation button 24, and an atmosphere opening port 25a is formed at a position where the operation button 24 is in contact with a finger so that the atmosphere opening port 25a can be opened and closed by the finger. It has become. Further, the atmosphere open passage 20 is connected to the casing 22, the return spring 26 acts on the piston 23, and the atmosphere communicating passage 25 provided in the piston 23 is in a state of communicating with the atmosphere open passage 20 at all times. Has become. And
When the operation button 24 is pushed down against the return spring 26 with fingers, the communication between the atmosphere communication path 25 and the atmosphere release path 20 is cut off. The piston 23 faces an oil chamber 27 formed in the casing 22, the oil chamber 27 communicates with a hydraulic passage 28, and the hydraulic passage 28 communicates with a hydraulic pipe 29 connected to the switching valve mechanism 14. .. Therefore, when the piston 23 is pushed down, the hydraulic passage 28 and the hydraulic pipe 2 are removed from the oil chamber 27.
The pressure oil is supplied to the switching valve mechanism 14 via 9, and the switching operation of the switching valve mechanism 14 is performed by the supply of the pressure oil.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the switching valve mechanism 14, and FIG. 5 shows a state in which the switching valve mechanism 14 is switched. In the figure, 30 is a male coupling member, 31 is a female coupling member, and the male coupling member 30 is fixedly mounted on the connector 4a.
1 is detachably connected by a bayonet mechanism. The main body portion 30a of the male coupling member 30 has an air supply pipe 1
2, air outflow passage 15, wash water outflow passage 16 and hydraulic piping 2
9 is connected. Further, the female coupling member 31 is connected to the connection pipe 13. And the main body 30
A valve chamber 32 is formed in a, and a first air communication passage 33 for constantly communicating the air supply pipe 12 with the outer pipe 13b of the connection pipe 13 and a communication for blocking the outer pipe 13b from the air outflow passage 15 are formed. A second air communication passage 34 is provided. A valve body 35 is slidably mounted in the valve chamber 32, and the valve body 35 is seated on and off a valve seat 36, whereby the inner pipe 1
3a and the flush water outflow passage 16 are connected and disconnected.

The valve element 35 disposed in the valve chamber 32 is
A valve portion 35 in which an elastic member is attached to a ridge bulging toward the outer peripheral side at a position near the lower end of a cylindrical sliding portion 35a having an open upper end.
b is formed and a spring receiving portion 35c is continuously provided at the lower end of the valve portion 35b, and the valve portion 35b is normally moved by the urging force of the spring 37.
Seated on the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outlet 16 in this state.
It has been cut off between and. Further, when the valve body 35 is separated from the valve seat 36 against the biasing force of the spring 37, the inner pipe 13a and the flush water outflow passage 16 communicate with each other. In this communication state, in order to prevent the spring 37 from intervening in the flow path of the washing water, the spring receiving portion 35c is provided with communication holes 38a and 38b forming a bypass flow path, and the sliding portion 35a.
Also, a communication hole 38c is formed in the inner tube 13a, so that when the valve is opened, the inner pipe 13a has a communication hole 38a, 38b, a valve chamber 32,
The cleaning water outflow passage 16 is communicated from the space inside the sliding portion 35a through the communication holes 38c in order. Also, the second
The air communication passage 34 includes a tank-side passage portion 34a that opens to the outer pipe 13b, and an arc-shaped passage portion that is formed in an arc shape to change the direction from the tank-side passage portion 34a by 90 ° as shown in FIG. It is composed of a portion 34b and a pump side passage portion 34c which is open to the arcuate passage portion 34b and has the other end communicating with the air outflow passage 15, and a valve seat between the tank side passage portion 34a and the arcuate passage portion 34b. 39 is formed. And
A valve element 40 can be mounted on and separated from the valve seat 39. When the valve element 40 is seated on the valve seat 39, the communication between the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 15 is cut off and the valve seat 39 is closed. When they are separated from each other, they will communicate with each other. The valve body 40 is integrally provided with an operating rod 41, and the operating rod 41 is connected to the interlocking operating member 42. A spring 43 acts on the interlocking operation member 42, and the action of the spring 43 keeps the valve body 40 separated from the valve seat 39.

The valve element 35 and the valve element 40 are arranged to be displaced in conjunction with each other, and the valve elements 35 are normally seated on the valve seat 36 by the action of the springs 37 and 43 so that the inner tube 13 is closed.
The communication between a and the flush water outflow passage 16 is cut off, and the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 39 so that the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 15 are in communication. In this state, when pressure is generated in the air supply pipe 12, air is supplied to the nozzle 8 in an air supply state. Further, when the valve body 35 is seated on the valve seat 36 against the spring 37 and the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 39 against the spring 43, the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 15 are removed.
Between the inner pipe 13a and the flush water outflow passage 16
And the pressure is generated in the air supply pipe 12, the air pipe 12 is always in communication with the outer pipe 13b through the first communication passage 33.
The inside is pressurized, and the washing water is supplied to the nozzle 8 by this pressure. Valve body 35, 40
As described above, is provided in the main body portion 30a of the male coupling member 30 via the hydraulic passage 28 and the hydraulic pipe 29 connected to the oil chamber 27 of the valve operating portion 21, and the hydraulic pressure which the interlocking operation member 42 faces. When pressure oil is supplied to the working chamber 44,
It switches in tandem. For this reason, as described above, the operation rod 41 of the valve body 40 is connected to the interlocking operation member 42, and the operation finger piece 43a is continuously provided so as to contact the upper end of the sliding portion 35a of the valve body 35. ing. And the operating finger piece 43
In a, a flow passage 45 is provided to allow the cleaning liquid to flow while the valve element 35 is open.

Although the fluid supply device according to the present embodiment is constructed in this manner, pressure oil is not supplied to the hydraulic working chamber 44 when the valve operating portion 21 is not operated, so that the spring 37,
By the action of 43, the valve body 35 is seated on the valve seat 36, and the communication between the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage 16 is blocked,
In addition, the valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 39 so that the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 15 communicate with each other. However, since the atmosphere opening port 25a formed in the operation button 24 is opened, the air supplied from the air pump 10 is opened to the atmosphere even when the air pump 10 is in the operating state, and a pressure is generated in the air supply pipe 12. No cleaning water or air is ejected from the nozzle 8. Further, the air pump 10 operates in a no-load state.

Therefore, when the atmosphere opening port 25a of the operation button 24 constituting the valve operation section 21 is closed, the communication between the air supply pipe 12 and the atmosphere is cut off, and the pressure of the air supplied from the air pump 10 rises. As a result, the pressurized air from the air pump 10 is supplied with the air supply pipe 12, the first air passage 33, the outer pipe 13b of the connection pipe 13, and the second air passage 3.
Pressurized air is supplied to the air outflow path 15 via 4, and this pressurized air is supplied to the nozzle 8 through the fluid flow path 17,
The air is jetted from the nozzle 8. In addition,
In this air supply state, the pressurized air is also supplied to the washing water tank 11, but the inner pipe 13 is operated by the valve body 35.
Since the connection between “a” and the cleaning liquid pipe 19 is cut off, the cleaning water is not supplied.

Next, when the operation button 24 of the valve operating portion 21 is pushed against the return spring 26, pressure oil is supplied from the oil chamber 27 into the hydraulic working chamber 44 through the hydraulic passage 27 and the hydraulic pipe 28. As a result, the interlocking operation member 42 is slidably displaced. As a result, the valve body 35 is seated on the valve seat 36 against the spring 37,
The valve body 40 is separated from the valve seat 39 against the spring 43, so that the outer pipe 13b and the air outflow passage 15 are shut off, and the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage 16 are connected. In addition, the air supply pipe 12 is connected to the outer pipe 13b via the first air passage 33, and the sliding movement of the piston 23 disconnects the atmosphere opening passage 20 from the atmosphere communicating passage 25. Then, pressure is generated in the air supply pipe 12, and the liquid surface of the wash water tank 11 is pressurized by this pressure, so that the wash water in the wash water tank 11 is washed by the inner pipe 13a, the valve chamber 32, and the wash chamber. The cleaning water is ejected from the nozzle 8 through the water flow path 16 and the fluid flow path 17 in sequence, and the cleaning water is supplied. In this state, since the valve body 40 is seated on the valve seat 39, there is no possibility that pressurized air will be supplied to the nozzle 8.

As described above, the main body operating section 2 is provided with the valve operating section 21, and by operating the valve operating section 21, the fluid supply device is opened to the atmosphere, supplied with air, and supplied with washing water. Since it is possible to switch between the two states, the convenience of the switching operation is maintained. Further, the main body operating portion 2 is provided with a valve operating portion 21 having a casing 22 having two ports of an atmosphere opening passage 20 and a hydraulic passage 28, and the switching valve mechanism 14 is connected to the connector 4a in the light guide flexible portion 4. Since it is mounted, the structure of the fluid supply control mechanism provided in the main body operation unit 2 is extremely simplified, and the size and weight are reduced, which is extremely advantageous in reducing the size of the main body operation unit 2 as a whole. In addition, the weight reduction of the main body operation unit 2 can reduce the burden on the operator who performs the operation. Moreover, the air outflow passage 15 and the washing water passage 16 directly communicating with the nozzle 8 pass through the valve operating portion 21. In the inside of the endoscope 1, the fluid passage 17 and the air outflow passage 15 are provided.
Further, since only the cleaning water flow path 16 is provided and a complicated path such as a valve mechanism is not provided, the fluid flow path of the endoscope 1 has good cleaning performance. Further, the switching valve mechanism 14 is provided in the connector 4a of the light guide flexible portion 4, and since a long flow path is interposed between the nozzle 8 and the switching valve mechanism 14,
There is no risk that the switching valve mechanism 14 will be contaminated by in-body dirt or the like, and therefore the switching valve mechanism 14 can be reused by simple cleaning.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the atmosphere opening path is formed in the switching valve mechanism.
Further, in the valve operating section, the pushing operation of the operation button is performed in two stages. Except for the above points, it is substantially the same as the first embodiment described above. Therefore, in this embodiment,
The same or equivalent members as those in the first embodiment are referred to by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Thus, FIG. 7 shows an atmosphere open state, FIG. 8 shows an air supply state, and FIG. 9 shows a cleaning water supply state.

The switching valve mechanism 14 'has an atmosphere opening passage 50 formed at a position above the second air passage 34'. As shown in FIG. 10, the air release passage 50 has an arc-shaped passage portion 34b 'of the second air passage 34' in the rubber sheet member 51 provided on the upper portion of the main body portion 30a of the male coupling member 30. Communicating with the valve body 40 '
Passes through the atmosphere open passage 50 and passes through the annular passage portion 34b '.
Once inside, this second air passage 34 'is cut off from the communication with the atmosphere. That is, the valve body 40 'facing the second air passage 34' shuts off the air from the air supply pipe 12 to the atmosphere, and shuts off the atmosphere, so that the air pressurized in the air outflow passage 15 is pressurized. Can be switched between three positions: an air supply state for supplying air and an air cut-off state for cutting off the communication between the air supply pipe 12 and the air outflow passage 15. On the other hand, the valve body 35 'for connecting and disconnecting the inner pipe 13a of the connection pipe 13 and the wash water outflow passage 16 is provided with a valve when the valve body 40' is in the atmosphere open state and the air supply state. The body 35 ′ is seated on the valve seat 39 and held in a state where the inner pipe 13 a and the wash water outflow passage 16 are blocked from each other,
When 0'is displaced from the air supply state to the air cutoff state,
In conjunction with this, the valve body 35 'is separated from the valve seat 39, and the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage 16 communicate with each other, and the wash water is supplied.

In order to cause the valve bodies 35 'and 40' in the switching valve mechanism 14 'to perform the above-mentioned operations, the valve body 3
5'is seated on the valve seat 36, the sliding portion 35a 'thereof is separated from the operating finger 42a' of the interlocking operating member 42 'directly connected to the valve body 40' by a predetermined distance. And the operating finger piece 42 after the valve body 40 'has moved a predetermined amount.
The a'abuts on the sliding portion 35a 'to separate the valve body 35' from the valve seat 36. Therefore, in the switching valve mechanism 14 ', the valve body 35' is normally seated on the valve seat 36 to shut off the inner pipe 13a from the flush water outflow passage 16, and the atmosphere release passage 50 to the second air passage. With the atmosphere open to the communication with the valve 34 ', the valve body 35' retains its position and only the valve body 40 'is displaced to open the atmosphere 50.
Air supply state for closing the valve
To block the communication between the air supply pipe 12 and the air outflow passage 15 and separate the valve body 35 'from the valve seat 36 to form an inner pipe 13a which constitutes a cleaning water supply route. It is adapted to be displaced to three positions, that is, a washing water supply state in which the washing water outflow passage 16 communicates. In order to perform such switching control, the main body operation unit 2 is provided with a valve operation unit 52, and the operation button 53 in this valve operation unit 52 is made of an elastic member such as rubber and is directly pressed by this operation button 53. It has a pushing rod 54 that is moved and a piston 55 that is pushed down via the pushing rod 54. The piston 55 is slidably mounted on a casing 56, and a return spring 57 acts on the operation button 53. ing. Pushing rod 54 and piston 55
And a first oil chamber 58 is formed between
The second oil chamber 59 is formed between the casing 56 and the casing 56.
The first oil chamber 58 and the second oil chamber 59 are communicated with each other by a communication passage 60. The second oil chamber 59 is connected to the hydraulic passage 28 that communicates with the hydraulic operating chamber 44 'exposed by the interlocking operating member 42'.

Therefore, as long as the operation button 53 is not operated, as shown in FIG. 7, the switching valve mechanism 14 'is held in the atmosphere open state, and the air from the air supply pipe 12 passes through the atmosphere open passage 50. Open to the atmosphere. Then, when the operation button 53 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation button 53 bends, the push rod 54 in contact with the operation button 53 descends, and the first oil chamber 58 contracts. The pressure oil corresponding to this amount is first supplied to the hydraulic operating chamber 44 ', and the interlocking operating member 42' is displaced. Here, the valve body 40 'is directly connected to the interlocking operation member 42'.
Since it is separated from a ', only the valve body 40' is displaced first, and as a result, the atmosphere open path 50 is closed and the air is supplied. When the operation button 53 is further pushed down, the push rod 54 contacts the piston 55, pushes down the piston 55, and the second oil chamber 59 is contracted. As a result, the amount of pressure oil supplied to the hydraulic working chamber 44 'increases, and the interlocking operating member 42' is further displaced.
As a result, as is apparent from FIG. 9, the valve element 35 'is seated on the valve seat 32, the air supply from the air supply pipe 12 to the air outflow passage 15 is cut off, and the inner pipe 13a and the wash water outflow passage are blocked. 16 communicates with each other and switches to a cleaning water supply state in which cleaning water is supplied to the nozzle 8.

Further, FIG. 11 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the switching valve mechanism 70 mounted on the connector 4a of the light guide flexible portion 4 is shown.
, A spool valve 72 is slidably provided in the valve casing 71, and the lands 72a and 72b are attached to the spool valve 72.
And 72c are provided, an air chamber 73 is formed between the land 72a and the land 72b, and a washing water chamber 74 is formed between the land 72b and the land 72c. When the spool valve 72 is in the position shown in the drawing, the air pump 75
From the cleaning water tank 79, and a cleaning water supply passage 80 from the cleaning water tank 79 and a cleaning water outflow path 81 communicating with the nozzle 77. Was blocked by land 72b,
It is in the air passage communication position. The spool valve 72 slides in the direction of the arrow from the position shown in the drawing to move the land 72c.
Is displaced to a position where it comes into contact with the stepped portion 71a of the valve casing 71, the air supply passage 76 and the air outflow passage 78 are blocked by the land 72a, and the flush water supply pipe 80
The wash water outlet passage 81 is in a wash water passage communication position where the wash water chamber 74 communicates with the wash water outflow passage 81.

The spool valve 72 is normally kept at the air passage communicating position where the land 72a is in contact with the step portion 71a of the valve casing 71 by the action of the biasing force of the spring 82, and the spool 72 is connected to the land 72a. Casing 71
When pressurized air is supplied to the working chamber 83 formed between and, the pressure switches to the communication position of the wash water passage. A valve operating portion 85 for performing switching control in the switching valve mechanism 70 is provided in the main body operating portion 2. The valve operating portion 85 includes a valve member 87 slidably mounted on the casing 86 and an operation button 88 connected to the valve member 87. The operation button 88 can be operated by fingers. An air guide passage 89 connected to the air pump 75 and a working air supply passage 90 communicating with the working chamber 83 are connected to the casing 86, and the valve member 87 connects the air guide passage 89 and the working air supply passage 90 to each other. Demonstrate the function of connecting and blocking between.

In normal times, the return spring 91 acting on the valve member 87 causes the air guide passage 89 and the working air supply passage 90.
Is cut off, and in this state, the atmosphere opening passage 9 formed from the valve member 87 toward the operation button 88 is cut off.
2 and the air passage 89 communicate with each other, and the atmosphere open passage 92
Is opened as an atmosphere opening port 92a on the upper end surface of the operation button 88. Then, when the operation button 88 is pushed down against the return spring 91, the air guide passage 89 is opened to the atmosphere open passage 9.
2 and is communicated with the working air supply passage 90. As a result, pressurized air is supplied from the air guide passage 89 to the working chamber 82 via the working air supply passage 90, and the spool valve 72 is moved to the air passage communicating position. To the wash water passage communication position. The air supply passage 76 from the air pump 75 is always in communication with a portion on the liquid surface of the wash water tank 79.

This embodiment is constructed as described above, and unless the fingers are brought into contact with the operation button 88, the air sent from the air pump 75 to the air supply passage 76 is discharged from the atmosphere release passage 92 to the atmosphere. Since the air is held open to the atmosphere, no pressure is generated in the air supply passage 76. Although the spool valve forming the switching valve mechanism 70 is in the air passage communicating position, since no pressure is generated in the air supply passage 76, pressurized air is not supplied to the nozzle 77.

Next, when the air opening 92a formed in the operation button 88 is closed with fingers, pressure is generated in the air supply passage 76, and the pressurized air flows from the air supply passage 76 to the air outflow passage 78. The air is supplied to the nozzle 79 via the air supply state. When the operation button 88 is pushed down, the air guide passage 89 is cut off from the atmosphere open passage 92 and communicates with the working air supply passage 90. As a result, the pressurized air supplied from the air pump 75 is supplied from the air guide path 89 to the operating air supply path 9
The pressure is supplied to the working chamber 83 in the valve casing 71 via 0, the spool valve 72 is switched to the washing water passage communicating position by this pressure, and the washing water supply pipe 80 moves the washing water chamber 7 into the washing water chamber 7.
The cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water outflow passage 81 via 4 and the cleaning water is ejected from the nozzle 77.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the fluid pressure is used as the switching signal of the switching valve mechanism by the valve operating section,
Although the structure in which the valve body is switched by the action of this fluid pressure is shown, the valve body in the switching valve mechanism is configured as an electromagnetic switching valve, the valve operating unit is configured by the switch means, and the output from this switch means is provided. The solenoid of the solenoid operated directional control valve may be energized and de-energized by the generated electric signal. In addition, the valve operating part and the valve body of the directional control valve are connected by a control cable, and the control cable is pushed and pulled. It is also possible to configure the valve bodies to be mechanically switched by operation.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, the valve operating portion is provided in the main body operating portion of the endoscope, and the switching valve mechanism for switching between the air supply state and the liquid supply state is introduced. It is provided at the light source connection part of the mirror or at a position closer to the liquid supply tank than the light source connection part, and is configured to perform the switching operation of the switching valve mechanism based on the signal from the valve operation part. The switching valve mechanism is provided at a position separated from the main body operating part while ensuring the convenience of the operation for switching the fluid supply, and the main body operating part is provided with a valve operating part having a simpler structure than this switching valve mechanism. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator by reducing the weight of the main body operation unit, to save space inside the main body operation unit, and to further separate the switching valve mechanism with a complicated flow path from the nozzle. Can be placed in different positions, Switching valve mechanism can hold in a clean state, it exhibits various effects such as becomes excellent cleanability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of the end face of the distal end portion of the insertion portion of the endoscope.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view of a fluid supply device showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a switching valve mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the switching valve mechanism showing an operating state different from that of FIG.

6 is a structural explanatory view of a fluid passage at a position along line XX in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a structural explanatory view showing an atmosphere open state of a fluid supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a valve operating portion and a switching valve mechanism showing an air supply state.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a valve operating portion and a switching valve mechanism showing a wash water supply state.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of an atmosphere open path.

FIG. 11 is a structural explanatory view of a fluid supply device showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Endoscope 2 Main body operation part 3 Insert part 4 Light guide flexible part 4a Connector 8 Nozzle 10,75 Air pump 11,79 Wash water tank 12,76 Air supply pipe 13 Connection pipe 14, 14 ', 70 Switching valve mechanism 15 Air Outflow channel 16 Wash water outflow channel 20, 50, 92
Atmospheric release path 21, 52, 85 Valve operating part 23, 55 Piston 24, 53, 88 Operation button 27 Hydraulic flow path 29 Hydraulic piping 32 Valve chamber 35, 35 ', 40, 40' Valve body 42, 42 'Interlocking operation member 42a, 42a 'Operating finger 44 44 Hydraulic operating chamber 54 Pushing rod 58 First oil chamber 59 Second oil chamber 72 Spool valve 83 Operating chamber 89 Air guide passage 90 Operating air supply passage

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A liquid flow path and an air flow path connected to a nozzle provided at a tip of an insertion portion, the liquid flow path is connected to a liquid supply tank, and the air flow path is a pressurized air supply source and a liquid supply tank. And at least an air supply state in which the pressurized air supplied from the gas supply source is supplied to the nozzle, and the pressurized air is supplied to the liquid supply tank to pressurize the inside of the liquid supply tank to discharge the liquid into the nozzle. A switching valve mechanism for switching between the liquid supply state in which the liquid is pumped toward the camera is provided at the light source connection part of the endoscope or at a position closer to the liquid supply tank side than that, and the main body operation part is provided with the switching valve mechanism. A fluid supply device for an endoscope, wherein a valve operating portion for performing an operation is provided. 2. A nozzle is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope,
The liquid outflow passage and the air outflow passage are connected to the nozzle, and the liquid outflow passage and the air outflow passage are pressurized at the liquid source connection portion of the endoscope or at a position outside thereof with the liquid supply passage from the liquid tank. It is connected to the switching valve mechanism together with the air supply path from the air supply source, and the tank pressurizing flow path for pressurizing the liquid tank is always in communication with the air supply path, and the switching valve mechanism supplies the air outflow path with air. An air supply state in which communication between the liquid outflow passage and the liquid supply passage is cut off, and a communication between the air outflow passage and the air supply passage is established by connecting the liquid outflow passage with the liquid supply passage. A valve element that switches between the shutoff liquid supply state is provided, and the main body operation unit
A valve operating section is provided for generating a signal for switching the valve element between the air supply state and the liquid supply state by operating it with fingers, and this valve operation section is connected to the pressurized air supply source. The fluid supply device for an endoscope is characterized in that an air open path that can be opened and closed with fingers is provided. 3. A nozzle is provided at the tip of the insertion portion of the endoscope,
A liquid outflow passage and an air outflow passage are connected to the nozzle, and the liquid outflow passage and the air outflow passage are provided so as to extend to the light source connection portion of the endoscope or outside thereof, and are connected to the liquid supply passage from the liquid tank. , An air supply path from a pressurized air supply source,
A tank pressurizing flow path for constantly pressurizing the liquid tank and an atmosphere opening path for opening air to the atmosphere are provided to constantly communicate with the air supply path, and these fluid outflow path, air outflow path, liquid supply path, An air supply path and an atmosphere opening path are connected to a switching valve mechanism, and the switching valve mechanism connects the pressurized air supply source and the atmosphere opening path, and also connects a liquid outflow path and a liquid supplying path. And the air supply state in which the liquid outflow passage is communicated with the liquid supply passage, the air release passage is closed, and the communication between the liquid outflow passage and the liquid supply passage is cut off, and the liquid outflow. A valve body is provided for connecting the passage to the liquid supply passage, closing the atmosphere open passage, and switching between the air outflow passage and the air supply state in which the communication between the air supply passage is blocked. To always be open to the atmosphere Holding, by providing an endoscope valve control unit capable of opening and closing with a finger of the hand gripping the main body operation portion of the endoscope into the body operation portion, by the valve operating part two-stage pressing operation,
A fluid supply device for an endoscope, wherein the valve body is configured to be switchable from an atmosphere open state to an air supply state and from an air supply state to a liquid supply state. 4. The valve body is of a fluid pressure type,
The fluid supply device for an endoscope according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the valve operating portion is a means for supplying and discharging a fluid pressure to and from the switching valve mechanism. 5. The valve body is of an electromagnetically actuated type, the valve operating portion is a switch means, and the drive signal is supplied from the switch means to the valve body. The fluid supply device for an endoscope according to claim 2 or 3. 6. The valve body is a mechanically-operated type, and the valve operating portion is a displacement transmitting means connected to the valve body and transmitting displacement of the valve operating portion to the valve body. The fluid supply device for an endoscope according to claim 2 or 3.