JPH07299031A - Liquid supplying device for endoscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the pressurizing work within a short time when a plurality of liquid tanks are pressurized by the same liquid feeding source, and enhance the responsiveness of the liquid feeding start. CONSTITUTION:This liquid supplying device for endoscope has one air feed pump 2 for generating a pressurized gas, a plurality of liquid tanks for housing a liquid, and a plurality of air feed pipes 4 for independently connecting the air feed pump 2 to each liquid tank. It also has solenoid valves 6a-6e which are arranged in the course of at least a plurality of air feed pipes 4 of the air feed pipes 4, and can select at least the state for allowing the air feed pump 2 to communicate with the liquid tank corresponding to the air feed pipe and the state for releasing the pressurized gas in the liquid tank to the atmosphere, and a supplying tube for supplying the pressurized liquid connected to each liquid tank o the piping of an endoscope.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid supply device for an endoscope for supplying a liquid to a conduit incorporated in an endoscope for cleaning or disinfecting the conduit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an endoscope has various pipe lines incorporated therein for supplying air, water, or suction. A simple cleaning device that removes dirt inside these conduits is one that has a plurality of liquid tanks, sequentially switches each liquid tank, and sequentially feeds the liquid in each tank into the endoscope conduit. Has been proposed (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-43894).

This is configured such that liquids are sequentially fed into the conduit from a plurality of liquid tanks. That is, one pressurizing pump is shared, and from this one pressurizing pump, a pressurizing pipe line communicating with all of the liquid tanks is connected, and pressurized air is sent to all the liquid tanks. While pressurizing, each liquid tank is connected to a feed pipe in which the inlet end opening is immersed below the liquid surface, and the liquid pushed up by the feed pipe is
By operating a solenoid valve, it is selectively flown into each duct of the endoscope for cleaning and disinfection.

[0004]

However, in order to clean the inside of the conduit of the endoscope, it is necessary to inject various liquids into the conduit at a relatively high pressure. In the above-mentioned conventional method, since pressurized air from one pressurizing pump common to all of the plurality of liquid tanks is simultaneously sent, it takes a considerable time for the internal pressure of each liquid tank to reach a desired pressure. It takes. On the contrary, when the cleaning device is stopped, it is necessary to release the residual pressure in each liquid tank, but this operation takes a lot of time. As described above, there are drawbacks that the working time is shortened and the responsiveness at the time of starting and stopping the liquid feeding is lacking.

In the above-mentioned conventional method, the pressurized air from the pressure pump is sent to all of the prepared liquid tanks, so that fine dust from the pressure pump is mixed into the liquid tanks that are not actually used. There is a risk that it will be easier to do and that water droplets will be attached due to the compressed air. Therefore, it is necessary to wash all liquid tanks regardless of whether they are actually used or not. , It is necessary to check all liquid tanks for abnormalities. In this way, maintenance took a lot of trouble.

Further, in the conventional method, since the pressurized air from the pressure pump is sent to all the prepared liquid tanks, there is a high possibility of erroneous liquid ejection or leakage from the liquid tank. Therefore, there is a problem in that measures and management precautions are required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to pressurize a plurality of liquid tanks with the same air supply source in a short time to pressurize the liquids. It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid supply device for an endoscope, which can improve the starting responsiveness and can prevent leakage from the liquid tank and erroneous liquid ejection as much as possible.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there are provided a pressure source for generating a pressurized gas, a plurality of liquid tanks each containing a liquid in a number larger than the number of the pressure source, and the pressure source. And an air supply pipe that individually connects each of the liquid tanks corresponding to the air supply pipe, and at least some of the air supply pipes among the air supply pipes, and the pressure source is provided at least in the liquid tank corresponding to the air supply pipe. And a switching device capable of selecting the state in which the pressurized gas in the liquid tank is opened to the atmosphere side, and the pressurized liquid connected to each of the liquid tanks is supplied to the conduit of the endoscope. Is a liquid supply device for an endoscope, which is provided with:

The pressurized gas from the pressure source is applied to the liquid tank selected by the switching device provided in the middle of each air supply pipe connecting the pressure source and each liquid tank, and the pressure of the specific liquid tank is increased. The pressure is increased and the liquid in the liquid tank is delivered to the conduit of the endoscope. Further, when the pressurizing source is stopped, the switching device is activated to connect the liquid tank to the atmosphere side, the residual pressure in the liquid tank is released, and the liquid feeding is immediately stopped.

[0010]

【Example】

(First Embodiment) Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
An example will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a housing frame as a main body of the endoscope liquid supply apparatus. In this housing frame 1,
An electric air supply pump 2 is provided as a pressurizing source that generates a pressurized gas. The suction side of the air supply pump 2 is in communication with the atmosphere, and a relief valve 3 for pressure adjustment is provided in the middle of a pipeline 4 communicating with the discharge side.
The relief valve 3 adjusts the air supply pressure by allowing a part of the excess pressurized air to escape to the atmosphere so that the pressure of the pressurized air supplied from the air supply pump 2 does not exceed a certain value.

The downstream portion of the conduit 4 located downstream of the relief valve 3 branches into five directions. In the case of this embodiment, a plurality of air pipes 4a, 4b, 4c,
It is divided into 4d and 4e. Branched air lines 4a-4e
Among them, the four air supply pipes 4a to 4d are connected to the three-way electromagnetic valves 6a to 6d, and the remaining one air supply pipe 4e is connected to the two-way electromagnetic valve 6e.

One of the four solenoid valves 6a to 6d is selected and operated (turned on) during operation of the air supply pump 2 so as to deliver the liquid, and upstream of the solenoid valves 6a to 6d. And the downstream is in communication. Further, when the air supply pump 2 is stopped (OFF state), it is in an open state in which the downstream sides of the solenoid valves 6a to 6d are communicated with the atmosphere.

Two-way solenoid valve 6 incorporated in the air supply pipe 4e
When any one of the three-way solenoid valves 6a to 6d is activated (turned on), the valve "e" is activated (turned on) in conjunction with this to close it, and shuts off the upstream and downstream of the air supply conduit 4e. Further, when the liquid supply is stopped (the air supply pump 2 is stopped), the electromagnetic valve 6e is maintained in the activated (ON) state, and when the air is supplied to the endoscope channel, the solenoid valve 6e is turned off to the atmosphere for the first time. . The movements of these solenoid valves 6a to 6e are controlled by a control unit (not shown).

An air supply pipe 4a via the solenoid valves 6a to 6e.
The downstream side of 4e is connected to a pair of detachable joints 8 provided in the housing frame 1. On the other hand, in this embodiment, a water tank 9 containing water, a cleaning solution tank 10 containing a cleaning solution, and a disinfectant solution tank 1 containing an antiseptic solution.
1. Four types of liquid tanks are used, an alcohol tank 12 containing alcohol, and the three-way solenoid valves 6a ...
The pressurizing pipes 5 that communicate with the downstream side of 6d are provided. The other end opening of each pressurizing pipe 5 communicates with the corresponding upper space in the liquid tank.

Here, the number of the liquid tanks is not fixed to four, but can be increased or decreased according to the type of liquid used. In addition, each liquid tank 9, 10, 1
1, 12 are fixed to the housing frame 1 by a detachable fixing means (not shown).

In each of the liquid tanks 9, 10, 11 and 12, feed pipes 13a and 13 in which one end opening is immersed below the liquid surface thereof
b, 13c and 13d are connected to each other, and an air supply pipe 13e for air supply is connected to the downstream side of the two-way solenoid valve 6e via the joint 8. Each supply pipe 13a-13e
A check valve 14 is provided on each of the other end sides, and after passing through the check valve 14, the check valves 14 merge into one pipe line and are connected to a pair of detachable liquid feed adapter joints 15.

On the other hand, the liquid feed adapter joint 15 is equipped with a feed adapter (adapter means) 17 for feeding a fluid to the conduit of the endoscope 16 to be cleaned and disinfected. The feeding adapter 17 has one conduit tube 17a connected to the liquid feeding adapter joint 15, and a branch header 17b is provided at the other end of the conduit tube 17a.
It is connected to the. Further, for example, four supply pipes 18a, which are connected to the conduits of the endoscope 16 via the opening / closing cocks 17c, are connected to the branch headers 17b. At the other end of the supply pipe 18a, a connector 18b that is detachably connected to the conduit of the endoscope 16 is provided. By opening / closing the opening / closing cock 17c, the supply pipe 18a for supplying the fluid can be freely selected.

FIG. 1 shows a state in which the connection mouthpiece 18b of the supply pipe 18a is connected to the endoscope 16. The conduit of the endoscope 16 connecting these connection mouthpieces 18b is, for example,
Air supply tube 19, liquid supply tube 20, suction tube 2
1, a front water supply tube 22, and a forceps raising base operation wire insertion tube 23. Then, for connection to the air supply tube 19 and the liquid supply tube 20, after removing a valve body (not shown) from the air supply / water supply cylinder 24 in the operation portion of the endoscope 16, the connection mouthpiece 18b is attached to the air supply / water supply cylinder 24. It is done by mounting.

For connection to the suction tube 21, a valve body (not shown) is removed from the suction cylinder 25 in the operation portion of the endoscope 16 and a cap 26 is plugged to make it watertight. This is performed by attaching the connection mouthpiece 18b to 27. The connection mouthpiece 18 can be attached to the dedicated inlets 28 and 29 of the front water supply tube 22 and the forceps raising base operation wire insertion tube 23, respectively.

In the water supply adapter 17, four connection mouthpieces 18b are provided, but in general, the pipe line system is different depending on the type of endoscope used (the front water supply tube 22 and the forceps raising base operation wire insertion). Some endoscopes do not have tube 23). For this reason, it is advisable to use the water supply adapter 17 provided with the connection mouthpieces 18b, each of which corresponds to the number of pipe lines.

Next, with reference to the time charts of FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of the endoscope liquid supply apparatus will be described. First, when sending water into each conduit of the endoscope 16,
At the same time that the solenoid valves 6a and 6e are operated (turned on), the air supply pump 2 is activated. The pressurized air sent from the air supply pump 2 is adjusted by the relief valve 3 so that the water supply pressure becomes an appropriate pressure, and flows into the pipe line 4.

At the end of this pipe 4, five solenoid valves 6
Of the a to 6e, the solenoid valve 6 is opened downstream.
Only a, and the pressurized air passing therethrough flows only into the water tank 9. Therefore, the inside of the water tank 9 is pressurized,
Since the liquid surface is pressed, it flows out through the supply pipe 13 a and is injected into each conduit of the endoscope 16 through the liquid supply adapter 17. At this time, since the check valve 14 is provided in the downstream portion of each of the supply pipes 13a to 13e, water flows backward toward the tanks 10, 11, 12 other than the water tank 9,
Water does not flow into the housing frame 7 by backflowing through the air supply pipe 13e.

When injecting other liquids into the conduits of the endoscope 16, the same flow as described above can be used. That is, when injecting the cleaning liquid, only the solenoid valve 6b is opened, when injecting the disinfectant liquid, only the electromagnetic valve 6c is opened, and when injecting only alcohol,
Only the solenoid valve 6d needs to be opened. This work is successively and sequentially performed to perform rinsing, cleaning, disinfection, and alcohol disinfection.

Next, when the water supply is stopped, all the solenoid valves 6a to 6d and the air supply pump 2 may be turned off. At this time, the only residual pressure in the water supply tank 9 that has been selected is discharged in an instant because the three-way solenoid valve 6a opens to the atmosphere side. Therefore, the water supply is stopped instantly.

At this time, the two-way solenoid valve 6e is kept on. For this reason, the air exhausted from the endoscope 16
It is possible to prevent the situation of being sent to the side. Finally, endoscope 1
Draining is performed to remove water droplets remaining in each of the pipelines of 6.
In this case, the solenoid valve 6e is turned off and opened while the solenoid valves 6a to 6d are kept off, and at the same time, the air feeding pump 2 is started. The pressurized air generated from the air supply pump 2 passes through the electromagnetic valve 6e and is sent as it is to each duct of the endoscope 16. To remove the water, only the air supply pump 2 may be stopped.

By operating the opening / closing cock 17c provided on the liquid feeding adapter 17, it is possible to select and flow the pipe line to be washed particularly intensively or the pipe line having a large pipe line resistance.

According to this structure, however, only the liquid tank containing the required liquid is selected and pressurized, so that the time required to reach the desired pressure can be shortened. When the residual pressure in the liquid tank is removed, the residual pressure in the liquid tank is removed through the individual solenoid valves 6a to 6d, so that the residual pressure can be removed in a short time. Therefore,
The responsiveness at the time of starting and stopping the liquid transfer can be improved, and the efficiency of cleaning work can be improved. In particular, there are many types of liquid tanks,
The larger the volume of each, the more effective it is.

Further, since the unnecessary liquid tank is not pressurized, there is no fear of ejecting (jetting) another liquid such as a chemical liquid due to a malfunction of a valve for selecting the liquid supply. Further, as the pressure becomes higher, it is necessary to always pay attention to whether there is an abnormal place for each liquid tank, but according to the above configuration, it suffices to pay attention only to the liquid tank containing the required liquid, Minimal effort required.

Further, in the structure of the above-mentioned embodiment, since the conduit for passing the liquid, the pressurizing pipe 5 and the feeding pipes 13a to 13e are all outside the housing frame 1 and can be removed, they can be cleaned. It is easy and has excellent cleaning properties of the device itself.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Inside the casing frame 1 as the main body of the liquid supply device for an endoscope, a three-way solenoid valve 6 is provided.
a to 6d, and an air supply pipe 4a provided with a two-way solenoid valve 6e
~ 4e upstream, and in the middle of the pipeline 4 located downstream of the air supply pump 2, two branch pipelines 30a, 30b for dividing the midway portion of the pipeline into a plurality of parallel passages Is provided, and an electromagnetic switching valve 31 that selectively communicates the branch pipelines 30a and 30b is provided.

Further, in each of the branch lines 30a and 30b,
Relief valves 32a and 32b for individually adjusting the pressures of the pressurized gas supplied from the air-sending pump 2 to different set pressures through this are individually provided. Further, the relief valve 32 is provided in each of the branch lines 30a and 30b.
Check valves 33a, 33b located downstream of a, 32b
Was set up. The downstream ends of the respective branch pipes 30a and 30b join the single air supply pipe 4.

The first relief valve 32a has a preset pressure of 0.5 kg / cm ² , and the second relief valve 32b has a shutoff pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ^2.
With a set pressure of. When the switching valve 31 is in the off state, the branch pipe 30a having the one relief valve 32a is communicated. Further, in the off state, the other branch valve 30b having the relief valve 32b is communicated.

For example, in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic switching valve 31
Is off, the first relief valve 32a
The shut-off pressure is adjusted to 0.5 kg / cm ² by means of the second relief valve 32b and the shut-off pressure is adjusted to 2.0 kg / cm ² when the switching valve 31 is on.
Adjusted to cm ² .

Here, the switching valve 31 for switching the air supply pressure is always turned off during the switching operation among the five electromagnetic valves 6a to 6e and when the air supply pump 2 is stopped. The control section (not shown) controls the state, that is, the first relief valve 32a is opened. Others are the same as those in the first embodiment described above.

Generally, methods for effectively cleaning the respective conduits of the endoscope 16 are roughly classified into two types. Part 1
One is to wash away the dirt by high-pressure liquid transfer.
One is sterilization with an antiseptic solution.

In the second embodiment, the pressurized air sent from the air feed pump 2 is supplied to the pressure selection switching valve 31.
The cutoff pressure is 0.5 kg / cm ² and 2.0
It can be switched between 2 types of kg / cm ² . That is, when flushing the dirt in the duct of the endoscope 16 by high pressure liquid feed, by the switching valve 31 to ON-state, the adjusting deadline maximum pressure to 2.0 kg / cm ² 2
Second branch line 3 provided with the relief valve 32b of
When 0b is opened and the air supply pump 2 is started in this state, the pressurized air whose pressure has been adjusted passes through the check valve 33b and flows into the water tank 9, for example.

On the other hand, when filling the conduit of the endoscope 16 with a disinfectant or the like, it is not necessary to feed the high pressure liquid. Therefore, the switching valve 31 is turned off to shut off the pressurized air of the air feeding pump 2. When the side of the first branch pipe 30a provided with the first relief valve 32a whose pressure is adjusted to 0.5 kg / cm ² is opened, the pressurized air adjusted to 0.5 kg / cm ² is reversed. It passes through the stop valve 33a and flows into the disinfectant solution tank 11.

Here, the three-way electromagnetic switching valve 31 for pressure selection is in an off state in cooperation with the air supply pump 2 when it is stopped or when switching between the electromagnetic valves 6a to 6e, that is, the maximum dead pressure of 0. Switch to 5 kg / cm ² . For example, if the switching valve 31 is turned on and the solenoid valve 6a is selected, water will be sent at the deadline maximum pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ² ,
It is possible to perform cleaning by high-pressure liquid feeding.

[0039] Then, by selecting the electromagnetic valve 6c, the switching valve 31 is automatically turned off, i.e., ready deadlines maximum pressure 0.5 kg / cm ^2, the endoscope channel by the low-pressure liquid feed The disinfectant solution is filled. That is, at the start of each liquid feeding process, the low pressure liquid feeding is always set. Further, when high-pressure liquid feeding is necessary, the switching valve 31 may be intentionally operated. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

According to this structure, however, the liquid sending pressure can be instantly selected depending on the type of the liquid to be flowed or its purpose, so that the cleaning work can be made efficient. In particular, when filling the conduit of the endoscope 16 with a disinfectant or the like, it is effective because the chemical solution can be prevented from being scattered by the low-pressure solution, and it is possible to prevent an excessive amount of the chemical solution from flowing. Further, since the low-pressure liquid-feeding state is always set at the start of each liquid-feeding process, even if the disinfecting liquid or the like is erroneously selected, there is no fear that the high-pressure liquid is jetted out and the liquid is scattered.

(Third Embodiment) A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, in the housing frame 1 of the liquid supply device for an endoscope, the solenoid valves 6a to 6d that open the residual pressure in the liquid tanks 9, 10, 11, and 12 to the atmosphere are opened to the atmosphere. An exhaust pipe 37 communicating with the end (outlet) is arranged, and the downstream side of the exhaust pipe 37 is merged into one, and the downstream end of the exhaust pipe 37 is provided outside the casing frame 1. It is connected to a collection tank 39 via a pair of detachable exhaust pipe adapter joints 38.

The collecting tank 39 is provided with an open pipe 41 which is open to the atmosphere, and a filter 40 having a small flow resistance is provided at the outer end of the open pipe 41. The exhaust pipe adapter joint 38 here has a structure not combined with the joint 8. Further, the collection tank 39 is detachably held in the housing frame 1.

On the other hand, the liquid delivery adapter 17 in this embodiment
In place of the branch header 17b and the opening / closing cock 17c, a dial (rotary) type switching valve 42 is used. The dial type switching valve 42 is a single conduit tube 1
A liquid or a gas fluid sent from 7a is supplied to the endoscope 1
This is to selectively flow the plurality of supply pipes 18a connected to the six pipes.

The dial type switching valve 42 will be described below. FIG. 5 is a view showing the outer appearance of the dial type switching valve 42, and FIGS. 6 to 9 are views showing the cross-sectional shape thereof. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the dial type switching valve 42
Is a body 4 having a cylindrical shape with both ends closed and a cavity inside.
Have three. The main body 43 is composed of a casing 44 whose lower end is closed and an upper lid 45 which is watertightly bonded to the upper end opening portion of the casing 44.

A valve body 46 is rotatably accommodated in the cavity of the main body 43. The lower end of the shaft portion 47 of the valve body 46 is fitted into a recess 48 formed in the bottom wall portion of the casing 44, and the upper end portion of the shaft portion 47 penetrates the upper lid 45 and projects outward. Here, the peripheral surface of the valve body 46 made of a rotary member and the inner peripheral surface of the casing 44 are not in close contact with each other, and a slight gap is provided so that the valve body 46 can freely rotate inside the main body 43. You can do it.

A watertight sealing member 48 is interposed between the upper end of the shaft portion 47 of the valve body 46 and the upper lid 45. A switching operation lever (knob) 49 is fitted on the upper end protruding portion of the shaft portion 47, and is fixed to the shaft portion 47 by a screw 60 penetrating the switching operation lever 49.

Further, on the inner peripheral surface of the casing 44 of the main body 43, there is one inflow port portion 50 protruding in the radial direction thereof.
And three projecting outlet portions 51, 52, 53 located opposite to the position of the inflow portion 50 are provided.
The outlets 51 to 5 on the inner peripheral surface of the casing 44
3 has spherical chamfered portions 51a, 52a, 53a.
Are formed. The valve body 4 is provided on both sides of the inflow port 49.
A restriction pin 54 for restricting the rotation range of 6 is provided.

Here, the inflow port portion 50 extends to the above-mentioned liquid feeding adapter joint 15, and the outflow port portions 51 to 53 respectively extend to the connection mouthpieces 18 connected to the conduits of the endoscope 16. . In order to make it easy to understand which conduit of the endoscope 16 the outlets 51 to 53 communicate with, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper surface of the upper lid 45 is located near the outlets 51 to 53. Indicates a display symbol 55 indicating the type of each corresponding pipeline.

The valve body 46 is composed of a cylindrical rotary member having the shaft portion 47 projectingly formed at the center of both upper and lower end surfaces, and one circumferential portion of this member is cut out to form a flat surface portion 56. From this plane portion 56, passing through the center of rotation of the cylindrical member,
A communication passage hole 58 is formed that penetrates through the center of the remaining portion of the columnar member in the radial direction and opens. Disc 46
Two circular hole chambers 61 are provided at positions on both sides in the rotation direction of the passage hole 58 in the peripheral wall portion of each of the hole chambers 61, and the center line direction of each hole chamber 61 is directed in the radial direction of the valve body 46. A sealing piston 62 is slidably fitted in each hole chamber 61. That is, the pistons 62 are radially arranged with respect to the valve body 46 and are attached so as to be movable in the radial direction of the valve body 46.

The piston 62 is elastically biased by a spring 63 housed in the hole chamber 61 so as to push it outwards toward the side wall of the casing 44. Piston 62
Has a hole 64 into which the outer end of the spring 63 is fitted. Further, the outer end portion of the piston 62 is formed as a spherical chamfered portion 65 so as to be in close contact with the spherical chamfered portions 51a, 52a, 53a formed at the open ends of the corresponding outlets 51 to 53. .

The outflow portions 51 to 53 provided in the casing 44 are formed at equal intervals, and correspondingly, the angles formed by the sealing piston 62 and the passage hole 58 are the same. The switching operation lever 49 is attached and fixed to the valve body 46 so that the opening direction of the communication hole 58 and the direction of the switching operation lever 49 coincide with each other. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment described above.

At the time of liquid transfer, the liquid supplied from each liquid tank side flows into the main body 43 through the inflow port 50 of the dial type switching valve 42. Prior to this, the switching operation lever 49 is switched in advance according to the display on the upper surface of the upper lid 45 of the main body 43 in order to flow into a desired pipeline. For example, in the case of feeding only the air feeding tube 19, the water feeding tube 20, and the front water feeding tube 22 in the conduit of the endoscope 16, the switching operation lever 49 is moved to the air feeding tube as shown in FIGS. 19, the water supply tube 20 and the front water supply tube 22 are aligned with the outlet 52. At this time, since the passage hole 58 of the valve body 46 inside the main body 43 is in an open state in which the passage hole 58 is in communication with the outlet portion 52,
The liquid flowing into the main body 43 passes through the passage hole 58 and flows out from the outlet 52. Other outlets 51, 53
Since the sealing piston 62 is biased outward by the spring 63, the spherical chamfered portions 65 of the sealing piston 62 fall into the spherical chamfered portions 51a and 53a of the outflow port portions 51 and 53, and the outflow port portion 51 , 53 is completely sealed. Therefore, the liquid does not flow out from the outflow ports 51 and 53.

Subsequently, when liquid is fed to the forceps raising base operation wire insertion tube 23, the switching operation lever 49 is rotated to align the communication hole 58 of the valve body 46 with the outflow portion 51 as shown in FIG. . At this time, the spherical surface removing portions 51a and 53a
The sealing piston 62, which has fallen in, is pushed toward the center of the valve body 46 against the biasing force of the spring 63 and slides on the inner peripheral surface of the casing 44. Subsequently, the spherical chamfered portion 65 of the sealing piston 62 located at the outflow port portions 52 and 53 is the spherical chamfered portion 52 of the outflow port portions 52 and 53.
a, 53a, and the open ends of the outlets 52, 53 are hermetically sealed.

Therefore, the liquid in the main body 43 is not
It flows out from the 1st outflow part 51 through the communicating hole 58 of 6. At this time, the flat portion 56 of the valve body 46 hits the restriction pin 54, and the valve body 46 does not rotate any more in an unnecessary direction.

On the other hand, when the liquid is sent to the suction tube 21, the liquid may be sent by aligning the passage hole 58 with the third outflow portion 53 in the same manner as described above. The same operation is performed when air is supplied to each pipeline.

In this way, the tip of the sealing piston 62 falls into the chamfered portions 51a, 52a, 53a,
A click feeling is created, and the communication hole 58 and each outlet 51 to 5 are formed.
The communication position of 3 is immediately positioned. Further, since the sealing piston 62 is pressed against the chamfered portions 51a, 52a, 53a to maintain a reliable sealed state, the sealing piston 62 can be reliably and easily distributed to the respective conduits of the endoscope 16.

Then, at the end of the liquid feeding work, the three-way solenoid valve 6
When a to 6d are turned off, the residual pressure in the liquid tank passes through any of the solenoid valves 6a to 6d, passes through the exhaust pipe 37,
It flows into the collection tank 39. Further, the air flowing into the collection tank 39 is provided with the open pipe 4 provided in the collection tank 39.
It is released to the atmosphere through 1. At this time, since the filter 40 is provided at the open end of the open pipe 41 to the atmosphere, water and the like contained in the air released to the atmosphere are absorbed here.

Further, for example, if the liquid tank is tilted due to some trouble during the liquid feeding and the liquid feeding is stopped, the liquid in the liquid tank will flow into the exhaust pipe 37 together with the air, but the collection tank 39 Only the liquid is recovered therein and the residual pressure is released to the atmosphere through the open pipe 41.

Here, what is connected to the exhaust pipe adapter joint 38 is not limited to the collection tank 39, and only a tube may be connected. in this case,
The outlet end of the tube may be located at the dirty water discharge port of the washing tank (not shown). Further, it has the same operation as that of the first embodiment described above.

When the residual pressure in the liquid tank is released to the atmosphere, the gas in which the liquid in the liquid tank is vaporized is not directly released into the housing frame 1 and into the atmosphere. The parts are not corroded by gas and can withstand long-term use. Further, even for a gas that has a harmful effect on the human body, the gas does not directly touch or inhale the human body. Further, there is no concern that the liquid in the liquid tank will be discharged to the outside together with the residual pressure due to an operational error. The same effect as the first embodiment described above can be obtained.

According to the embodiment described above, the following contents can be obtained in addition to the contents described in the claims. (1) One pressure source that generates a pressurized gas, a plurality of liquid tanks that store liquid corresponding to the pressure source, and an air supply pipe that individually connects the pressure source and each liquid tank. And a state in which at least a plurality of air supply pipes among the air supply pipes are provided, and the pressure source is communicated with at least a liquid tank corresponding to the air supply pipe and the pressurized gas in the liquid tank is released to the atmosphere. An endoscope, comprising: a switching device selectable between an open state and a feed pipe connected to each of the liquid tanks and supplying a pressurized liquid to a pipe line of the endoscope. Liquid supply device.

(2) A relief valve for adjusting the pressure of the pressurized gas from the pressurizing source to a set pressure is provided in the conduit between the pressurizing source and each of the switching devices. The liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope according to item 1.

(3) A plurality of branch conduits for dividing the conduit between the pressure source and each of the switching devices into a plurality of parallel passages are provided, and the branch conduits are selectively provided for the pressure source. And a relief valve for individually adjusting the pressure of the pressurized gas supplied from the pressurizing source through each branch pipe line to each set pressure. The liquid supply device for an endoscope according to item 1. According to this, it is not necessary to make fine adjustments each time the pressure setting is changed as compared with, for example, one in which the throttle amount is continuously adjusted by using a pressure reducing valve, and it is possible to change from one pressure source to multiple liquid tanks. The pressure of the pressurized gas supplied can be instantaneously digitally switched to a plurality of set pressures. In particular, when there are a plurality of pressure values that are frequently used, adjustment is required each time, but the adjustment operation is not bothersome. Further, since it is not necessary to use two or more pressurizing pumps for high pressure and low pressure, it is advantageous in terms of cost, capacity, size of the apparatus itself. .

(4) In each of the switching devices, the open end for discharging the pressurized gas in the liquid tank corresponding to the switching device to the atmosphere is individually provided. Liquid supply device for endoscopes. According to this, the residual pressure in the liquid tank can be removed in a short time, the responsiveness of the exhaust gas at the time of stoppage is improved, and the supply valve for selecting the liquid which is not to be sent is selected, unlike the conventional one. Do not eject chemical liquid unexpectedly due to malfunction etc.

Conventionally, when the cleaning device is stopped, it is necessary to release the residual pressure in each liquid tank, but this is done through one pipeline connected to each liquid tank. In addition, since unnecessary liquid tanks are also pressurized, there is a risk that unnecessary chemical liquid may be ejected due to malfunction of the solenoid valve that selects the liquid to be injected.

(5) An air collecting pipe communicating with an open end of the switching device is provided, and the air collecting pipe communicates with the atmosphere through a collection tank. apparatus. (6) The liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope according to any one of items 4 and 5, wherein an air collection pipe communicating with an open end of the switching device is provided, and the air collection pipe communicates with the atmosphere through an air filter. .

(7) The liquid supply device for an endoscope according to item 1, wherein the pressurizing source is an electric air supply pump. (8) The liquid supply device for an endoscope according to item 1, wherein the switching device is an electromagnetic valve.

(9) A plurality of feed pipes connected to each of the liquid feed tanks for supplying a pressurized liquid to a pipe line of an endoscope are gathered into one pipe tube to form a pipe of the endoscope. The liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope according to claim 1, further comprising adapter means for sending a liquid to a supply pipe connected to the passage.

(10) A ninth feature is provided with a switching valve for selectively connecting the conduit tube of the adapter means to a plurality of supply tubes respectively connected to the conduits of the endoscope.
The liquid supply device for an endoscope according to the item.

(11) The liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope according to item 10, wherein the switching valve is a dial type multi-way valve which performs switching operation. (12) A pressure source that generates a pressurized gas, a plurality of liquid tanks that are pressurized by the pressurized air supplied from the pressure source, and a pressurized liquid that is connected to each liquid transfer tank A plurality of supply pipes for supplying to the conduit of the endoscope, and adapter means for collecting the respective supply pipes into one conduit tube and supplying the supply pipe connected to the conduit of the endoscope. A liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope, comprising: a switching valve that selectively connects the conduit tube of the adapter means to a plurality of supply tubes that are respectively connected to the conduits of the endoscope. (13) The liquid supply apparatus for an endoscope according to item 12, wherein the switching valve is a dial type multi-way valve that performs a switching operation.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention, the pressurizing work in the liquid tank and the removal of the residual pressure in the liquid tank can be performed in a short time. And work efficiency improves. Since only the minimum necessary liquid tank is pressurized, maintenance of unnecessary liquid tanks is easy. In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous ejection from the unnecessary liquid tank.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural explanatory view of a liquid supply device for an endoscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a time chart which similarly shows each operation of the endoscope liquid supply apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory view of a liquid supply device for an endoscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a structural explanatory view of a liquid supply device for an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a dial type switching valve of the liquid supply device.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a dial type switching valve in the liquid supply apparatus.

7 is a sectional view of the dial type switching valve taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of another portion of the dial type switching valve along the line AA in FIG. 6 in another operating state.

9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a B part in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Housing frame, 2 ... Air supply pump, 3 ... Relief valve, 4
... Pipe lines 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e ... Air supply pipe, 6a
6e ... Solenoid valve, 9, 10, 11, 12 ... Liquid tank, 1
6 ... endoscope, 17 ... feeding adapter.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] June 20, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0024

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Next, when stopping the water supply, the electric solenoid valves 6
It suffices to turn off a to 6d and the air supply pump 2.
At this time, the only residual pressure in the water tank 9 that was selected is
The three-way solenoid valve 6a opens to the atmosphere side, so that it is discharged in an instant. Therefore, the water supply is stopped instantly.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0025

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

At this time, the two-way solenoid valve 6e is kept on. For this reason, the pressurized air in the conduit 4 is
It is possible to prevent the situation of being sent to the side. Finally, endoscope 1
Draining is performed to remove water droplets remaining in each of the pipelines of 6.
In this case, the solenoid valve 6e is turned off and opened while the solenoid valves 6a to 6d are kept off, and at the same time, the air feeding pump 2 is started. The pressurized air generated from the air supply pump 2 passes through the electromagnetic valve 6e and is sent as it is to each duct of the endoscope 16. To remove the water, only the air supply pump 2 may be stopped.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0032

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

The first relief valve 32a has a preset pressure of 0.5 kg / cm ² , and the second relief valve 32b has a shutoff pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ^2.
With a set pressure of. When the switching valve 31 is in the off state, the branch pipe 30a having the one relief valve 32a is communicated. Further, in the ON state, the other branch valve 30b having the relief valve 32b is communicated.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0038

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Here, the three-way electromagnetic switching valve 31 for pressure selection is in an off state in cooperation with the air supply pump 2 when it is stopped or when switching between the electromagnetic valves 6a to 6e, that is, the maximum dead pressure of 0. Switch to 5 kg / cm ² . An example
For example, when the solenoid valve 6a is selected, the switching valve 31 is turned on.
In this state , water is sent at the deadline maximum pressure of 2.0 kg / cm ² , and cleaning by high-pressure liquid sending can be performed.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 1]

[Procedure correction 6]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A pressure source for generating a pressurized gas, a plurality of liquid tanks for storing liquids in a number larger than the number of the pressure sources, the pressure source and each of the liquids corresponding thereto. An air supply pipe that individually connects the tanks, and a state in which at least a plurality of air supply pipes among the air supply pipes are disposed in the middle and at least the liquid source corresponding to the air supply pipe communicates the pressure source with the liquid tank. A switching device capable of selecting a state in which the pressurized gas inside is opened to the atmosphere side, and a feed pipe connected to each of the liquid tanks and supplying a pressurized liquid to a conduit of the endoscope are provided. A liquid supply device for an endoscope, which is characterized in that