JPH06133919A - Endscopic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the electrical contact of an equipment side connector from shortcircuiting during connection to other equipment even if moisture remains on the connector having been immersed in a liquid. CONSTITUTION:When a moist plug 8 is fitted into a socket 20, an abutment member 21 is made to abut to and press the end face of a moving member 16, which then moves on the outer periphery of a connecting member 14; since moisture entering the plug 8 is absorbed by a sponge 14, an electrical contact 13 is not moistened and thus prevented from shortcircuiting.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an endoscope apparatus for preventing electrical contacts from being short-circuited by a liquid adhering to a connector when connecting each device of the endoscope apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the medical field, an endoscope capable of observing organs in a body cavity by inserting an elongated insertion portion into the body cavity has been widely used. , Not only for medical use but also for industrial use,
It is used for observing and inspecting objects and the like inside pipes of chemical plants and the like, or inside machines.

The endoscope is an electronic endoscope in which an optical endoscope capable of observing with a naked eye from an eyepiece and a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) is provided in an image pickup unit at the tip of the insertion portion. Image processing for processing an image pickup signal from a light source device for generating illumination light to a subject, a CCD of the electronic endoscope or an external camera attached to an eyepiece of the optical endoscope. The device is connected to an observation monitor or the like that displays a video signal processed by the image processing device through a connector, and is configured and used as an endoscope device.

In this case, among the devices constituting the endoscope apparatus, in the devices such as the endoscope and the external camera which are immersed in the liquid by cleaning and disinfection, the liquid enters the inside. The connector also has a liquid-tight structure so as not to cause a problem, and a prior example thereof is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 60-184501.

That is, as shown in FIG. 12, a retractable electrode terminal pin 101 urged in a direction projecting from the outer peripheral surface is provided on the outer peripheral portion of a connector plug body 100 of an endoscope, and the electrode terminal is also provided. A prior art example is disclosed in which seal members 102 and 103 are provided in front of and behind the pin 101, and is covered with a movable sleeve 104 that is axially biased to be liquid-tight. The connector of this prior art example is disclosed. When the plug of the endoscope is inserted into the socket of the control device, the sleeve 104 moves in the axial direction to open the electrode terminal pin 101, and the electrode member on the other side comes into contact with the electrical connection. Is being done.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-248017,
On the back side of the insulator provided with the pin contact, by providing a waterproof room with a space at the base end of the pin contact,
A connector for an endoscope is disclosed in which even if water enters the interior through a gap between a pin contact and an insulator, the water remains inside the waterproof room and further prevents the water from entering the interior.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
After immersing the device in liquid such as water for disinfection, etc., moisture is stuck to the connector of the device as a lump,
Just wiping with a cloth will leave a small amount of water.

Therefore, even in the case of a device having a connector whose electric contacts are covered by a sleeve or a connector of a liquid-tight structure in which a waterproof chamber is provided at the base end of a pin contact, as in the above-mentioned prior art, If the device is soaked in a liquid such as water by disinfection or the like and then immediately wiped with a cloth or the like and immediately connected to another device, the remaining water may remain on the thin electric contacts, and the electric contacts may be electrically connected to each other to cause a short circuit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if the liquid component remains in the connector of the device immersed in the liquid, the electrical contact of the connector is short-circuited when connecting to another device. It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscopic device that does not have an endoscope.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a device in which a pair of connectors, at least one of which is formed in a liquid-tight manner, are fitted to each other so that the electrical contacts of the connectors are brought into contact with each other to electrically connect the connectors. In the endoscope apparatus, when the pair of connectors are fitted to each other, liquid removing means for absorbing or drying the liquid attached to the liquid-tight connector to remove the liquid is provided.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when the pair of connectors are fitted to each other to electrically connect the respective devices of the endoscope apparatus, the liquid attached to the liquid-tight connector is absorbed or dried by the liquid removing means. Remove to prevent liquid from short circuiting electrical contacts.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the plug, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing a connection state of the plug to the socket, and FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of the endoscope device.

The endoscope apparatus shown in FIG. 3 is a rigid endoscope 1 having an elongated and rigid insertion portion, which is mounted on the rigid endoscope 1 and has a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) not shown therein. An external camera 2 provided, a light source device 3 for supplying illumination light to the rigid endoscope 1, a central control unit (CCU) for controlling the external camera 2 and the light source device 3.
4 and an apparatus such as an observation monitor 5 which displays the video signal processed by the CCU 4.

The rigid endoscope 1 is connected to the light source device 3 via a cable 6 in which a light guide made of a fiber bundle for transmitting illumination light is inserted, and the external camera 2 is attached.
Is a signal line for transmitting the drive signal of the CCD or the CC
It is connected to the CCU 4 via a plug 8 which is a connector provided at an end of the cable 7 through which a signal line for transmitting an image pickup signal from D is inserted. Further, the CCU4
Is a cable 9 through which a signal line for transmitting a video signal is inserted.
A cable 1 which is connected to the observation monitor 5 through a signal line and through which a signal line for transmitting a dimming signal of illumination light is inserted.
It is connected to the light source device 3 via 0.

Then, when the illumination light from the light source device 2 that is dimmed based on the dimming signal from the CCU 4 is irradiated from the tip of the rigid endoscope 1 to the observation region of the subject 11, the observation region of this observation region is irradiated. The optical image is the CC of the external camera 2.
In D, the image is converted into an image pickup signal and sent to the CCU 4, and in the CCU 4, it is converted into a video signal and an image of an observation site is displayed on the observation monitor 5.

In the plug 8 of the external camera 2, as shown in FIG. 1, a cylindrical connecting member 14 is arranged in the center of a cylindrical plug body 12, and the plug 8 is embedded in the connecting member 14. A predetermined number of electric contacts 13 are provided, and the heads thereof are exposed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 14. Further, a sponge 14 as a liquid removing means for absorbing and removing liquid is disposed between the end of the connecting member 14 and the electric contact 13, and the sponge 14 has, for example, a disc shape. Formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 14
Is exposed to the outer peripheral surface of.

A ring-shaped moving member 16 is interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the plug body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 14 and is urged toward the end portion in the axial direction by a spring 15. , A sealing member 17 such as an O-ring mounted in the groove on the inner peripheral surface of the tip portion of the plug body 12, and a seal member 1 such as an O-ring mounted in the groove on the inner peripheral surface of the moving member 16.
8 allows the moving member 16 to move in the axial direction while maintaining waterproofness.

Further, the connecting member 14 is provided with a drying passage 19 which forms a space below the sponge 14, and the air for drying the moisture absorbed by the sponge 14 is supplied to the external camera. A pump or the like (not shown) connected to the second side is caused to flow as indicated by an arrow in the figure.

On the other hand, the socket 20 which is the connector on the CCU 4 side has a disk-shaped insulator 22 provided inside a cylindrical abutting member 21 and an electric contact 23 penetratingly protruding from the insulator 22. Plug 8 of the external camera 2
And the socket 20 on the side of the CCU 4 are paired and fitted with each other, and are prevented from coming off by a locking portion (not shown).

That is, the plug 8 is connected to the socket 2
When fitted to 0, as shown in FIG.
Contacts the end face of the moving member 16 and pushes it, and the electric contact 1
3, 23 are in contact with each other so that the external camera 2 and the C
The electrical connection with the CU4 is made.

In this case, the plug 8 of the external camera 2
Immediately after being immersed in water or the like, water is attached to the outside of the plug 8, and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member 14 and the inner peripheral surface of the moving member 16 can be obtained only by wiping with a cloth or the like. It is not possible to completely remove the water that has entered the gap between and.

Therefore, the plug 8 is connected to the socket 20.
When the moving member 16 moves on the outer periphery of the connecting member 14 when the moving member 16 is pushed into
Although it enters inside, the residual moisture is not absorbed by the sponge 14 and does not reach the electrical contact 13, so that the electrical contact 13 is prevented from being short-circuited by moisture.

The sponge 14 is immediately dried by the air flowing inside the drying passage 19 even if it absorbs moisture, and is ready to absorb water.

FIGS. 4 and 5 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an essential part of a plug, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an essential part showing a state of discharging water from the plug. The same members as those in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the moisture absorbed by the sponge 14 is dried by blowing air in the first embodiment described above, whereas the piston is pressed against the sponge to forcibly discharge the absorbed moisture. Is.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the plug 30 of this embodiment, the axially movable piston 32 is arranged inside the cylindrical connecting member 31 having the embedded electric contact 13 on the outer periphery. A disc-shaped sponge 33 is provided between the end of the connecting member 31 and the electrical contact 13, and the outer peripheral portion of the connecting member 31 is exposed in an arc shape. Has been done.

The sponge 33 is attached to the piston 32.
Is provided with a flange portion 32a facing the side surface of the sponge 33 and having a peripheral edge portion capable of covering the outer peripheral surface of the sponge 33. The flange portion 32a and the sponge 3 are provided.
3 discharge hole 34 communicating with the space formed between the lower part
However, it is opened in the end portion side by being provided in the connecting member 31.

Incidentally, when the plug 30 is dipped in water or the like, the water entering from the discharge hole 34 is absorbed by the sponge 33.
Is prevented (the pressure by the immersion liquid is small), and the electric contact 13 is not reached.

In the plug 30 having such a structure, when the water absorbed by the sponge 33 is discharged, the piston 32 is moved in the axial direction by a driving means (not shown) as shown in FIG. Then, the flange portion 32a of the piston 32 presses the side surface so as to cover the outer peripheral surface of the sponge 33, the moisture in the sponge 33 is squeezed out and discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 34, and the sponge 33 is discharged. It is ready to absorb water.

Therefore, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, when the plug 30 is fitted into the socket 20 of the CCU 4 to be connected, moisture is removed when the moving member 16 moves on the outer circumference of the connecting member 31. The electric contact 13 is absorbed by the sponge 33 and the electric contact 13 is not wetted with water, so that a short circuit can be prevented.

6 to 8 relate to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a general configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus, FIG. 7 is a front view of a plug, and FIG. 8 is a view showing a state when a plug is connected. It is a figure.

This embodiment is an example in which the liquid adhering to the connector is absorbed and removed in the first and second embodiments, whereas the liquid adhering to the connector is dried and removed. Is.

As shown in FIG. 6, the endoscope apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an optical endoscope 40 having an eyepiece portion capable of observing with the naked eye.
An illuminating light is supplied to the optical endoscope 40, which is attached to the eyepiece portion of the optical endoscope 40 and has an external camera 41 in which a solid-state image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) is disposed, and the optical endoscope 40. It comprises a light source device 42, a central control unit (CCU) 43 for controlling the external camera 41 and the light source device 42, and an observation monitor 44 for displaying a video signal processed by the CCU 43.

The optical endoscope 40 is connected to the light source device 42 via a cable 45 through which a light guide is inserted, and the external camera 41 is connected to the signal line for transmitting the drive signal of the CCD and the CCD. Is connected to the CCU 43 via a plug 47 which is a connector provided at an end of a cable 46 through which a signal line for transmitting an image pickup signal from the. Further, the CCU 43 is connected to the observation monitor 44 via a cable 48 in which a signal line for transmitting a video signal is inserted, and a cable 49 in which a signal line for transmitting a dimming signal of illumination light is inserted. It is connected to the light source device 42 through.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plug 47 is a card edge type connector, and an electric contact 52 is provided on a connector portion 51 at the tip of the plug body 50.
Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the CCU 43 is provided with a socket portion 53 into which the plug 47 is fitted, and the socket portion 53 has a micro socket for detecting insertion of the plug 47 on the inlet side. Switch 54 is attached,
An abutting member 55 with which a shoulder portion of the plug body 50 of the plug 47 on the connector portion 51 abuts is attached to the inside of the mounting position of the micro switch 54.

A blower passage 57 connected to a pump 56 as a liquid removing means for drying and removing the liquid by blowing air is communicated with the socket portion 53, and a discharge passage 58 communicates with the outside of the CCU 43. Has been done. The pump 56 is turned on and off by opening and closing the micro switch 54, and the air blown by the pump 56 is discharged to the outside of the CCU 43 from the discharge passage 58.

Further, at the back of the socket portion 53, there is provided an electrical contact 59 with which the connector portion 51 of the plug 47 is fitted and comes into contact with the electrical contact 52. This electrical contact 59 is an internal control circuit. It is connected to 60.

In this embodiment, the external camera 41 is connected to the CCU.
When the plug 47 is inserted into the socket portion 53 for connecting to the plug 43, the micro switch 54 provided on the inlet side of the socket portion 53 operates and the insertion of the plug 47 is detected. Then, the pump 56 is turned on, and as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8, the drying air is blown from the blower passage 57 to the socket portion 53.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, in the plug 47, the shoulder portion of the plug body 50 on the connector portion 51 side abuts on the abutting member 55 of the socket portion 53, and the plug 47 does not enter the inside even if pushed further. It is designed so that there is no connector 5
The electrical contact 52 of No. 1 is the electrical contact 5 of the socket 53.
Do not touch 9. Therefore, even if the plug 47 is immersed in water or the like and the connector portion 51 is wet with water, the air blown from the pump 56 causes the socket portion 53 to be exposed.
Prior to contacting the electrical contacts 59 of the.

Then, when the time for the water in the connector portion 51 to dry sufficiently elapses, the abutting member 55 of the socket portion 53 causes the socket portion 5 to move as shown by an arrow in FIG.
3. The plug 47 is rotated inward, and only then can the plug 47 be inserted into the back. Then, the plug 47 is further inserted further into the electric contacts 52 and 59 to contact each other, and the internal control circuit 60 of the CCU 43 drives and controls the external camera 41.

That is, in this embodiment, the external camera 4
Even if the plug 47 of No. 1 is inserted into the socket portion 53 of the CCU 43 while being wet with water, the insertion is detected, the moisture is automatically dried, and the short circuit of the electrical contact due to the moisture is prevented.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is different from the third embodiment described above in that the moisture attached to the plug 47 of the external camera 41 is dried by using the lamp heat of the light source.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the endoscope apparatus of this embodiment uses a CCU 70 and a light source device 73 for the optical endoscope 40 and the external camera 41 of the above-mentioned third embodiment. The socket portion 71 of the CCU 70
Is connected to the light source device 73 via a connection tube 72 and communicates with the space around the internal illumination light lamp 74.

A fan 75 is disposed at the entrance of the passage communicating from the space around the illumination light lamp 74 to the connection tube 72, and is warmed by a large amount of heat generated from the illumination light lamp 74. The ambient air is sent by the fan 75 and sent to the socket portion 71 of the CCU 70 through the connecting tube 72.

The other structure of the socket portion 71 is the same as that of the third embodiment, and the plug 4 of the external camera 41 is used.
Even if 7 is inserted into the socket portion 71 of the CCU 70 while being wet with water, the insertion is detected and the moisture is automatically dried by the air warmed by the heat of the light source to prevent the electrical contact from being short-circuited by the moisture. It

The CCU 70 and the light source device 73 may be integrally formed, in which case the connection tube 7
2 is unnecessary.

In each of the above embodiments, an example in which the plug of the external camera and the socket between the CCU are connected has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10, an endoscope including an electronic endoscope 80 having a solid-state image pickup device (not shown) such as a charge coupled device (CCD) at its tip, a light source device 81, a CCU 82, and an observation monitor 83. In the mirror device, a connection cable 84 for connecting the electronic endoscope 80 to the light source device 81, and the CCU 82 for connecting the electronic endoscope 80 via the connection cable 84.
The present invention is also applied to each connector such as a connection cable 85 to be connected to an endoscope, and as shown in FIG. 11, an endoscope device including an optical endoscope 90, an external camera 91, a light source device 92, a CCU 93, and an observation monitor 94. In, the present invention can also be applied to each connector such as a connection cable 95 for connecting the optical endoscope 90 to the light source device 92 and a connection cable 96 for connecting the external camera 96 to the CCU 93.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the liquid remains attached to the liquid-tight connector of the device that is immersed in the liquid among the devices that constitute the endoscope device,
Since the liquid is removed by being absorbed or dried by the liquid removing means, the electrical contact of the connector is not short-circuited when connecting with another device, and excellent effects such as the improvement of safety and reliability can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of a plug according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of relevant parts showing a connection state of a plug to a socket according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an essential part of a plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a state in which water is discharged from a plug according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a plug according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a state at the time of plug connection according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope device.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an endoscope device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a plug according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 plugs 13 electrical contacts 14 sponge 20 sockets 23 electrical contacts

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 25, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0015

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

When the illumination light from the light source device 3 which is dimmed based on the dimming signal from the CCU 4 is applied from the tip of the rigid endoscope 1 to the observation region of the subject 11, the observation region of this observation region is irradiated. The optical image is the CC of the external camera 2.
In D, the image is converted into an image pickup signal and sent to the CCU 4, and in the CCU 4, it is converted into a video signal and an image of an observation site is displayed on the observation monitor 5.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An endoscope apparatus having a device in which a pair of connectors, at least one of which is configured to be liquid-tight, are fitted with each other to bring electrical contacts of the connectors into contact with each other to electrically connect the connectors to each other. An endoscope apparatus comprising a liquid removing means for absorbing or drying the liquid adhered to the liquid-tight connector when the connectors are fitted to each other.