JPH11337841A - Image pickup unit for thin tube - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve adjustment of the focal point and zoom function with a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter shape. SOLUTION: In the case that adjustment of the focal point or zooming is performed by making a CCD unit 5 slide in a tip part 1 by transmitting a displacement of a control lever 15 in a control part 13 to the tip part 1 provided with the CCD unit 5 to slide freely, magnets 10, 11 for holding a sliding position of the CCD unit 5 on the near focus side in the tip part 1, and magnets 16, 19 for holding the displacement of the control lever 15 on the far focus side of the CCD unit in the tip part 1 are arranged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device for a thin tube for observing a part which cannot be observed from the outside such as in a pipe or a human body by observing the part by inserting it into a bent narrow path. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image pickup apparatus for a thin tube has, for example, a distal end in which an image pickup unit made of a CCD is slidably provided at one end of a bendable tube, and the image pickup unit is provided at the other end of the tube. An operation unit for adjusting the focus and zoom by changing the sliding position is provided.

[0003] In this case, various driving mechanisms for the image pickup unit have been proposed so far. When roughly classified, a driving mechanism provided with an actuator at the tip end slides the image pickup unit and an operation lever in the operation section are provided. The displacement in the linear direction due to the push / pull operation such as the above or the displacement in the rotational direction due to the rotation operation of the rotary handle or the like is transmitted to the distal end portion and the imaging unit is slid.

[0004]

However, in an imaging device having an actuator at the distal end portion, the distal end portion has a reduced diameter in order to be inserted into a narrow path such as inside a thin tube.
Accordingly, minute actuators are required, but it is not easy to manufacture such minute actuators. Even if a very small actuator is manufactured, this actuator does not provide enough actuator output to slide the imaging unit, or must apply a high voltage to obtain sufficient actuator output. There is.

On the other hand, in an image pickup apparatus for transmitting a displacement caused by a push / pull operation of an operation lever or the like to a distal end portion, for example, in order to prevent movement of a lens of an image pickup unit due to a change in path length when inserted into a bent narrow path. In addition, it is necessary to provide a lock mechanism for moving the lens at the distal end, which tends to result in a complicated structure.

[0006] Further, in an image pickup apparatus for transmitting a displacement in the rotation direction due to a rotation operation of a rotary handle or the like to a distal end, a mechanism for converting the rotational displacement into a linear displacement at the distal end is required.
This mechanism complicates the structure and makes it difficult to miniaturize the tip. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device for a thin tube that can realize a focus adjustment and a zoom function with a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter shape.

[0007]

According to the first aspect, a linear displacement of the operation end of the operation unit is transmitted to the tip end of the imaging unit which is slidably provided, and the imaging unit is moved inside the tip end. In the imaging device for a thin tube, which adjusts the focus or zoom by sliding in the line direction, a first position in which the sliding position of the imaging unit in the distal end portion is fixed to the near focus side or the far circular focal side in the distal end portion. An imaging device for a thin tube, comprising: a magnetic element; and a second magnetic element for fixing a displacement of an operation end on a far focus side or a near circle focus side in a distal end portion of the imaging unit.

According to the second aspect, a linear displacement of the operation end of the operation unit is transmitted to the distal end portion where the imaging unit is slidably provided, and the imaging unit slides linearly within the distal end portion. In the imaging device for a thin tube that adjusts the focus or zoom by adjusting the sliding position of the imaging unit in the distal end to the near focus side or the far circular focus side in the distal end, and the displacement of the operation end. And a magnetic element fixed on the far focus side or near circle focus side in the distal end portion of the imaging unit.

According to the third aspect, the rotational displacement of the operating end of the operating unit is transmitted to the distal end portion where the imaging unit is slidably provided, and the imaging unit is slid in the linear direction within the distal end portion. In a thin-tube imaging device for adjusting focus or zoom, a tube for transmitting a rotational displacement of an operating end to a distal end portion, and an imaging unit for converting the rotational displacement of the tube into a linear displacement. And a screwing portion for transmitting the signal to the thin tube.

According to the fourth aspect, the rotational displacement of the operating end of the operating section is transmitted to the distal end portion where the imaging unit is slidably provided, and the imaging unit slides linearly within the distal end portion. In a thin-tube imaging device for adjusting focus or zoom, a tube for transmitting a rotational displacement of an operation end to a distal end portion, and a rotational displacement of the tube in a linear direction by a magnetic repulsive force or an attractive force. And a magnetic element group that converts the displacement into a displacement and transmits the displacement to the imaging unit.

[0011]

(1) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an imaging device for a thin tube, showing a near focus state. The distal end portion 1 is provided with a distal end portion housing 2.
The lens barrel 3 is fixed inside. This lens barrel 3
An opening for holding a lens is formed on the distal end side, and the fixed lens 4 is held in this opening. A cylindrical CCD (solid-state imaging device) unit 5 is slidably mounted in the lens barrel 3 in the longitudinal direction of the lens barrel 3, that is, in the optical axis direction of the fixed lens 4 in a state where rotation is prohibited. Have been. The CCD unit 5 is provided with a moving lens 6 at the tip and a CCD on the optical axis of the moving lens 6.
An element 7 is provided, and an image processing circuit 8 for processing image data output from the CCD element 7 and outputting the processed image data as an image signal is provided. A stopper 9 is fixed to the rear side of the lens barrel 3. This stopper 9
The movement amount of the CCD unit 5 is regulated.

The lens barrel 3 and the CC at the tip 1
Each magnet 1 is provided on each surface facing the D unit 5 and on the outer peripheral side of the fixed lens 4 and the movable lens 6.
0 and 11 are provided. These magnets 10, 11
Magnetic poles (N-pole, S-pole) that generate an attractive force are used to hold the sliding position of the CCD unit 5 on the near focus side in the lens barrel 3. A plurality of these magnets 10 and 11 may be provided on the outer peripheral side of the fixed lens 4 and the movable lens 6, respectively, or an annular magnet may be provided.

An operating portion 13 is connected to the distal end portion 1 through, for example, a guide tube 12 which is flexible. The operation unit 13 includes an operation unit housing 14, and an operation lever 15 is slidably provided in the operation unit housing 14.
The operation lever 15 is provided with a magnet 16, a wire 18 is connected to the magnet 16 via a tension spring 17, and the wire 18 is included in the guide tube 12 and reaches the distal end 1. The CCD unit 5 at the tip 1
It is connected to.

The magnet 16 provided on the operating lever 15
A magnet 19 is provided on the operation unit housing 14 via a spring 20 at a position opposed to. These magnets 16 and 19
The magnetic poles (N-pole, S-pole) which generate the attractive force mutually are used to hold the displacement in the linear direction when the operation lever 15 is operated on the far focal point side within the distal end portion 1 of the CDD unit 5.
Pole).

The signal line 21 connected to the output terminal of the image processing circuit 8 in the CDD unit 5 is connected to the guide tube 1
2 and taken out from the operation unit 13 to be connected to a monitor television or the like.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described. In the state of the near focus, the CCD unit 5 at the distal end portion 1 is attracted by the attraction of the magnets 10 and 11.
Is slid toward the distal end of the lens barrel 3. At this time, the operation lever 15 of the operation unit 13 is linearly pulled toward the distal end portion 1 via the wire 18, and the magnet 16 provided with the operation lever 15 is separated from the magnet 19.

The switching from the near focus to the far focus is performed by sliding the operation lever 15 from the distal end portion 1 side to the operation portion 13 side (the direction of arrow A) as shown in FIG. When the operation lever 15 is slid, the tension spring 17 reaches the limit of the tension force, and the tension acting on the wire 18 is reduced by the magnets 1 at the distal end 1.
When the suction force between 0 and 11 is exceeded, the CCD unit 5 slides toward the operation unit 13 in the optical axis direction. Then, when the magnet 16 and the magnet 19 are attracted by the slide of the operation lever 15 and the state is maintained, the CCD unit 5 comes into contact with the stopper 9 and slides due to the tension of the wire 18 connected to the tension spring 17. Stops and its position is fixed.
Thereby, a state of far focus is maintained.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the magnets 10 and 11 for holding the sliding position of the CCD unit 5 in the distal end portion 1 on the near focus side in the distal end portion 1 are provided.
Since the magnets 16 and 19 are provided for holding the displacement of the operation lever 15 on the far focus side in the distal end portion 1 of the CCD unit 5, the near focus and the far focus are maintained by a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter shape. Can be switched, and the number of parts can be reduced by a simple structure, so that the cost can be reduced.

In the first embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to switching between near focus and far focus has been described.
For example, when the zoom function is configured by the fixed lens 4 and the movable lens 6, the present invention can be applied to adjustment of the zoom function. (2) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the distal end portion of the imaging device for a thin tube. The operation unit 13 and the guide tube 12 have the same configuration as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. A spring 30 for fixing the focal position is provided between the CCD unit 5 and the stopper 9 at the distal end portion 21. This spring 3
Numeral 0 is for fixing and holding the CCD unit 5 at the near focus position by the urging force.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described. In the near focus state, the CCD unit 5 is slid toward the distal end of the lens barrel 3 at the distal end portion 1 by the urging force of the spring 30. At this time, the operation unit 1
The operation lever 15 in 3 is linearly pulled toward the distal end portion 1 via the wire 18, and the magnet 16 provided with the operation lever 15 is separated from the magnet 19.

The switching from the near focus to the far focus is achieved by sliding the operation lever 15 in the direction of arrow A, so that the tension spring 17 reaches the limit of the tension force, and the tension applied to the wire 18 is reduced at the tip 1. When the urging force of the spring 30 is exceeded, the CCD unit 5 slides toward the operation unit 13 in the optical axis direction. When the magnet 16 and the magnet 19 are attracted by the slide of the operation lever 15 and the state is maintained, the wire 1 connected to the tension spring 17 is moved.
The position of the CCD unit 5 is fixed by the stopper 9 via the spring 30 by the tension of 8. Thereby, a state of far focus is maintained.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, switching between the near focus and the far focus can be performed by a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter. With a simple and simple structure, the number of parts can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced. (3) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an imaging device for a thin tube.
A lens barrel 41 is fixed to the distal end portion 40. The lens barrel 41 has an opening for holding a lens at the distal end side, and the fixed lens 4 is held in this opening. A guide tube 42 is formed inside the lens barrel 41, and a CCD unit 43 is slidably provided in the guide tube 42 in a state where rotation is prohibited. This CCD
The unit 43 is provided with a moving lens 6 at the tip and a CCD element 7 on the optical axis of the moving lens 6, and processes image data output from the CCD element 7 and outputs an image signal as an image signal. The processing circuit 8 is built in. On the outer periphery of the CCD unit 43, a threaded threaded portion 44 is formed.

On the other hand, a rotating handle 46 is
The torque tube 4 is attached to the rotating handle 46.
7 are connected. The torque tube 47 is introduced into the lens barrel 41 of the distal end portion 40, and is rotatably mounted in the lens barrel 41. A threaded threaded portion 48 is formed inside the distal end of the torque tube 47, and is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 44 of the CCD unit 43.

The signal line 21 connected to the output terminal of the image processing circuit 8 in the CDD unit 5 is included in the torque tube 47, taken out of the operation section 45 to the outside, and connected to a monitor television or the like. .

Next, the operation of the device configured as described above will be described. When the rotating handle 46 is rotated, the torque tube 47 is rotated together with the rotating handle 46,
This rotation is transmitted to the screw portion 48 of the torque tube 47. Since the screwing portion 48 is screwed with the screwing portion 44 of the CCD unit 43 and the rotation of the CCD unit 43 is prohibited, the rotation of the torque tube 47 is controlled by the screwing portions 48 and 44 by the optical axis. The movement is converted to the movement in the direction (arrow B direction) and transmitted to the CCD unit 43.

Accordingly, the amount of movement of the CCD unit 43 in the optical axis direction is determined in accordance with the amount of rotation of the rotary handle 46, and the direction of movement to the near focus side or far focus side is determined in accordance with the rotation direction of the rotary handle 46. .

When the fixed lens 4 and the movable lens 6 constitute a zoom function, the present invention can be applied to the adjustment of the zoom function by moving the CCD unit 43. As described above, in the third embodiment, the operation handle 46
Is transmitted by the torque tube 47,
The displacement of the torque tube 47 in the rotation direction is
Since the CCD unit 43 is moved by converting the displacement into the optical axis direction by 8 and 44, the near-focal point is maintained by a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter shape, as in the first embodiment. Switching to the far focus can be performed, and the number of parts can be reduced by a simple structure, so that the cost can be reduced. (4) Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the distal end portion of the imaging device for a thin tube. The operation section 45 and the torque tube 47 have the same configuration as in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
A lens barrel 51 is provided at the distal end portion 50. The lens barrel 51 has an opening for holding a lens at the distal end side, and the fixed lens 4 is held in this opening. A CCD unit 43 is provided inside the lens barrel 51.
Are slidably provided in the direction of arrow B which is the optical axis direction.

On the other hand, a torque tube 47 is inserted into the opening of the lens barrel 51. The end of the torque tube 47 is formed in an L-shape, and a magnet 52 is fixed to the end thereof. The torque tube 47 is rotatably provided inside the lens barrel 51 via a bearing 53 from the magnet 52.

A magnet 54 is fixed on both sides of the magnet 52 and inside the CCD unit 43, and a magnet 55 is fixed on a portion corresponding to the L-shape of the torque tube 47 inside the lens barrel 51. I have.

The magnets 52, 54, and 55 convert the rotational displacement of the torque tube 47 into a displacement in the optical axis direction by a magnetic repulsive force or an attractive force, and transmit the displacement to the CCD unit 43 to switch the focal position. This constitutes a group of magnetic elements to be performed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the magnetic pole configuration of such a magnetic element group. Each of the magnets 52, 54, 55 is formed in an annular shape.
The S pole and the N pole are alternately magnetized at a pitch of 30 degrees, and the magnet 55 has the S pole and the N pole alternately magnetized at a pitch of 30 degrees.

Next, the operation of the above-configured device will be described. First, if the magnetic poles of the magnets 52, 54, and 55 are arranged as shown in FIG. 6 by the rotation of the rotary handle 46, the area of the S pole of the magnet 52 becomes the N pole-S pole of the magnet 55.
While overlapping with the region of the N pole, the N
Since the pole region overlaps with the S pole-N pole-S pole region of the magnet 55, each of the magnets 52, 54, 55 is in a stable state without rotating. Further, the N of the magnet 54
Since the pole overlaps the S pole of the magnet 52 and the S pole of the magnet 54 overlaps the N pole of the magnet 52,
The magnet 54 is attracted to the magnet 52 and is in a state of far focus.

When the torque tube 47 is rotated by, for example, 45 degrees or more by rotating the rotary handle 46 from this state, the magnet 52 is rotated by 45 degrees or more along with the rotation of the torque tube 47, and the magnetic pole between the magnet 54 and the magnet 54 is rotated. The arrangement is displaced, the N pole and the N pole overlap, and the S pole and the S pole respectively overlap, and a repulsive force is generated between the magnet 52 and the magnet 54, and the magnet 54 among these translates in the direction of arrow C. , It becomes a state of near focus. Then, the magnet 52 becomes rotationally stable with the magnet 55 when rotated by 60 degrees.
The near focus state is maintained in a state where a repulsive force is generated between the magnet and the magnet 54.

As described above, in the fourth embodiment, the displacement of the torque tube 47 in the rotation direction is
Since the CCD unit 43 is moved by being converted into a linear displacement by a repulsive force or a suction force between the members 2, 54, and 55, the thin shape is maintained and simple as in the first embodiment. The structure can switch between near focus and far focus, and the simple structure can reduce the number of parts and cost.

[0038]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging device for a thin tube capable of achieving a focus adjustment and a zoom function with a simple structure while maintaining a small diameter shape.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an imaging device for a thin tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing switching of the apparatus from a near focus to a far focus.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the imaging device for a thin tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of an imaging device for a thin tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of an imaging device for a thin tube according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a magnetic pole configuration of a magnetic element group in the device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 40, 50: Tip, 3, 41, 51: Lens barrel, 4: Fixed lens, 5, 43: CCD unit, 6: Moving lens, 7: CCD element, 10, 11: Magnet, 12: Guide Tube, 13, 45: operating part, 15: operating lever, 16, 19: magnet, 18: wire, 30: spring, 44, 48: screwing part, 46: rotary handle, 47: torque tube, 52, 54, 55: magnet, 53: bearing.

Claims (4)

[Claims] An imaging unit is slidably provided at a distal end portion thereof to transmit a displacement in a linear direction of an operation end of an operation section, and the imaging unit is slid in the linear direction within the distal end portion to focus. A first magnetic element for fixing a sliding position of the imaging unit in the distal end portion to a near-focus side or a far-focal point side in the distal end portion, and the operation; A second magnetic element for fixing a displacement of an end on a far focus side or a near focus side in the distal end portion of the imaging unit, the imaging device for a thin tube. 2. An image pickup unit in which a linear displacement of an operation end of an operation unit is transmitted to a distal end portion slidably provided, and the image pickup unit is slid linearly within the distal end portion to focus. Or in an imaging device for a thin tube that performs zoom adjustment, an elastic member that fixes a sliding position of the imaging unit in the distal end portion to a near focus side or a far-focal point side in the distal end portion, and displacement of the operation end. And a magnetic element for fixing at a far focus side or a near focus side in the distal end portion of the imaging unit. 3. An image pickup unit is slidably provided at a tip end portion thereof to transmit a displacement in a rotation direction of an operation end of an operation portion to slide the image pickup unit in the tip end portion in a linear direction to focus. Alternatively, in an imaging device for a thin tube that performs zoom adjustment, a tube that transmits a rotational displacement of the operation end to the distal end portion; and a rotational direction displacement of the tube that is converted into a linear displacement. An imaging device for a thin tube, comprising: 4. A focal point by transmitting a rotational displacement of an operation end of an operation unit to a distal end portion provided with a slidable imaging unit, and sliding the imaging unit in a linear direction within the distal end portion. Or, in a thin-tube imaging device that performs zoom adjustment, a tube that transmits a rotational displacement of the operating end to the distal end portion; and a linear reciprocal force of the tube in the rotational direction due to a magnetic repulsive force or an attractive force. And a magnetic element group that converts the displacement into a displacement and transmits the displacement to the imaging unit.