CN116706596B

CN116706596B - Connector and endoscope

Info

Publication number: CN116706596B
Application number: CN202310945660.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周震华; 周冠华
Original assignee: Hunan Vathin Medical Instrument Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hunan Vathin Medical Instrument Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-31
Filing date: 2023-07-31
Publication date: 2023-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2043-07-31
Also published as: CN116706596A

Abstract

The application provides a connector and an endoscope, and belongs to the technical field of endoscopes. The connector comprises a plug connector, a sliding piece, an elastic piece and a limiting part, wherein the plug connector is used for installing a cable; the sliding piece is in sliding fit with the plug-in piece, can move between a first position and a second position relative to the plug-in piece, and is connected with the cable; one end of the elastic piece is connected with the plug-in piece, and the other end of the elastic piece is connected with the sliding piece and is used for driving the sliding piece to move from the first position to the second position; the limiting part is movably arranged on the plug connector and can be switched between a first state and a second state relative to the plug connector; when the sliding piece is positioned at the first position and the limiting part is in the first state, the limiting part is in limiting fit with the sliding piece; when the plug connector is plugged with the external connector, the limiting part is changed from the first state into the second state, the sliding part and the limiting part are released from limiting, and when the plug connector is pulled out from the external connector, the elastic part drives the sliding part to move to the second position and damage the electrical connection between the cable and the plug connector, so that the connector is prevented from being reused.

Description

Connector and endoscope

Technical Field

The application belongs to the technical field of endoscopes, and particularly relates to a connector and an endoscope.

Background

The disposable endoscope is a disposable article, and can still keep normal functions even after being used, and the disposable endoscope is discarded after being used, so that repeated use is avoided; therefore, a self-destruction program is arranged in part of disposable endoscope products on the market, and after the endoscope is used, the self-destruction program is started, so that the purposes of destroying the endoscope and avoiding repeated use are achieved, but because the self-destruction program is controlled by personnel, part of people can not start the self-destruction program due to reasons such as cost, the situation that the disposable endoscope is used for a plurality of times is caused, however, in the process of repeated use, the endoscope cannot be completely disinfected due to the limit of a disinfection technology, and the situation of cross infection can occur.

Disclosure of Invention

The application aims to provide a connector and an endoscope, which solve the technical problems in the prior art.

The application is realized in the following way:

in a first aspect, the application provides a connector for an endoscope, comprising a plug connector, a sliding part, an elastic part and a limiting part, wherein one end of the plug connector is provided with a cable, and the other end of the plug connector is used for being plugged with an external connector; the sliding piece is in sliding fit with the plug-in piece, and can move between a first position and a second position relative to the plug-in piece, and the sliding piece is connected with the cable; one end of the elastic piece is connected with the plug-in piece, the other end of the elastic piece is connected with the sliding piece, and the elastic piece is used for driving the sliding piece to move from the first position to the second position; the limiting part is movably arranged on the plug connector and can be switched between a first state and a second state relative to the plug connector; the limiting part is in limiting fit with the sliding part under the condition that the sliding part is located at a first position and the limiting part is located at a first state; under the condition that the plug connector is plugged with the external connector, the limiting part is switched from the first state to the second state, the sliding part and the limiting part are released from limiting, and the elastic part can drive the sliding part to move to the second position and damage the electrical connection between the cable and the plug connector.

In the above technical scheme, under the condition that the plug connector is not plugged with the external connector, the position of the sliding part is limited by the limiting part, the distance between the sliding part and the cable is kept stable, after the plug connector is plugged with the external connector, the limiting part and the sliding part are released from limiting, but because the plug connector is plugged with the external connector, the sliding part is limited by the external connector, the sliding part cannot move, the distance between the sliding part and the cable is still kept stable, after the external connector is pulled out from the plug connector, the limiting of the sliding part by the external connector is released, the sliding part moves from the first position towards the second position under the driving of the elastic part, the distance between the sliding part and the cable is gradually increased, the cable connected with the sliding part is pulled and damaged along with the increase of the distance, the corresponding signal cannot be transmitted by the plug connector, the electrical connection between the cable and the plug connector is destroyed, and the connector cannot be reused, thereby achieving the purpose of enabling the endoscope to be used once.

Further, the plug connector comprises a sleeve, the sliding part is arranged in the sleeve in a sliding way, the limiting part is movably arranged in the sleeve, and at least part of the limiting part protrudes out of the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve under the condition that the limiting part is in a first state; the limiting part is provided with a guide surface, the guide surface is obliquely arranged, and in the process of inserting the external joint and the sleeve, the external joint can slide along the guide surface and push the limiting part to move in the direction away from the sleeve, so that the limiting part is switched from a first state to a second state; by using the mating surface, when the limiting portion is switched to the second state, the sliding member can be slidably mated with the mating surface, and the sliding member slides a part distance towards the external connector, so that the limiting portion can not limit the sliding member any more when the external connector is separated from the plug connector.

Further, the limiting part is also provided with a matching surface, the matching surface is positioned on one side, close to the cable, of the guiding surface, and the matching surface is arranged along the sliding direction of the sliding part in the sleeve in an extending manner, and under the condition that the limiting part is in the second state, the matching surface can be abutted with the side wall, close to the sleeve, of the sliding part.

Further, the plug connector further comprises a connector, one end of the connector is a mounting end for mounting a cable, the other end of the connector is a connecting end connected with a signal source of an external connector, the sleeve is sleeved outside the connector, and a cavity for accommodating the sliding part is formed between the connector and the sleeve; the mating face and the guide face have intersecting lines, and the connecting end face is located between an edge of the mating face away from the guide face and the intersecting lines in the case where the slider is located at the first position.

Further, a sliding groove is formed in the side wall, close to the sleeve, of the sliding piece along the axial direction of the sleeve, the sliding groove is communicated with the end portion, far away from the limiting portion, of the sliding piece under the condition that the sliding piece is in the first position, a blocking area is formed between the sliding groove and the end portion, close to the limiting portion, of the sliding piece under the condition that the sliding piece is in the first position, and the sliding groove and the limiting portion are arranged along the same straight line along the axial direction of the sleeve; the chute can accommodate the limiting part under the condition that the elastic piece drives the sliding piece to move; in the process that the sliding piece moves from the first position to the second position, the sliding groove can accommodate the limiting part, so that the resistance of the limiting part to the sliding piece is reduced, and the sliding of the sliding piece is smoother.

Further, in the radial direction of the sleeve, the depth of the chute is greater than or equal to the thickness of the portion of the limiting portion protruding from the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve when the limiting portion is in the first state.

Further, a buckle is arranged on one side of the limiting part far away from the inside of the sleeve, and the buckle is used for being clamped with an external connector; when the limiting part is in the second state, at least part of the buckle protrudes out of the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve; in the process of inserting the external connector and the plug connector, along with the fact that the limiting part is switched from the first state to the second state, the portion, protruding out of the peripheral wall of the sleeve, of the buckle is increased, and the stability of the clamping connection with the external connector is also increased.

Further, the sleeve inner peripheral wall is provided with first spacing protruding, and under the circumstances that the slider is in the first position, slider and first spacing protruding are located spacing portion both sides respectively, and first spacing protruding is used for restricting the slider and drives the movable range under the elastic component, avoids the slider to come off from the condition that drops in the plug connector to appear.

Further, the first limiting protrusion is used for being in sliding fit with the external plug to limit the relative position of the external connector and the plug connector in a plugging manner; and/or, the sleeve inner side wall is provided with a second limiting protrusion, the sliding piece and the second limiting protrusion are respectively positioned at two sides of the limiting part under the condition that the sliding piece is positioned at the first position, the second limiting protrusion is used for being in sliding fit with an external joint, the sliding piece is close to the sleeve side wall and is provided with a limiting groove, the limiting groove is communicated with the end part of the sliding piece, which is close to the second limiting protrusion, and the second limiting protrusion is in sliding fit with the limiting groove.

In a second aspect, the application provides an endoscope comprising a connector according to any of the preceding claims for connection to a handle of the endoscope.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following description will briefly explain the embodiments of the present application or the drawings used in the description of the prior art, and it is obvious that the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present application without an external connection;

FIG. 2 is a detail view at A provided in FIG. 1 in accordance with the present application;

FIG. 3 is a second cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present application without an external plug;

FIG. 4 is a detail view at B provided in FIG. 3 of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector provided by some embodiments of the present application with an external fitting removed;

FIG. 6 is a detail view at C provided in FIG. 5 in accordance with the present application;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a plug provided by some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a sleeve structure provided in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a sleeve provided in some embodiments of the application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating the engagement of the slider and the connector in a first position according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating the engagement of the slider with the connector in a second position according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a connector with a retainer portion in a first state provided in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a connector with a retainer portion in a second state provided in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the overall structure of a connector provided in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a connector plug external fitting provided in some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 17 is a third cross-sectional view of a connector according to some embodiments of the present application shown without an external connection;

fig. 18 is a detail view at D provided in fig. 17 in accordance with the present application.

Reference numerals illustrate:

100-plug connector, 110-connector, 111-mounting end, 112-cable, 113-connecting end, 114-mounting groove, 120-sleeve, 121-first limit projection, 122-second limit projection, 123-buckle, 200-slider, 210-chute, 220-blocking area, 230-limit groove, 300-elastic piece, 400-connector, 500-limit part, 510-mating surface, 520-guide surface, 530-intersecting line, 600-housing, 700-external connector.

Detailed Description

The following description provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the application. The elements and arrangements described in the following specific examples are presented for purposes of brevity and are provided only as examples and are not intended to limit the application.

In the embodiments of the present application, "proximal" and "distal" refer to the endoscope and its accessories in the use environment, with respect to the user's near-far position, wherein the end closer to the user is designated as "proximal" and the end farther from the user is designated as "distal".

In some embodiments of the present application, a connector is provided by which an electronic device is mated with other devices when the connector is connected to the electronic device. The connector is broken and cannot be reused in the process of separating the connector from other devices, and thus, the connector can be used to prevent the disposable electronic device from being reused. Illustratively, the disposable electronic device may be, but is not limited to being, a disposable endoscope.

As shown in fig. 1 to 18, in some embodiments of the present application, a connector is provided, which includes a connector 100, a slider 200, an elastic member 300, and a limiting portion 500, wherein the connector 100 is a main body structure of the connector, and may be a mounting body of the slider 200, the elastic member 300, and the limiting portion 500. Illustratively, the connector 100 is configured to mount the cable 112 at one end, transmit a corresponding signal through the cable 112, and be configured to mate with the external connector 700 at the other end. For example, the connector may be used in a single use electronic device. Specifically, the connector 100 may be connected to a cable 112 of an electronic device. The external connector 700 is a connector of a device used in cooperation with the electronic device, and in the case where the connector is used for a disposable endoscope, the connector is a connector connected to the endoscope cable 112, and the external connector 700 is a connector of a host device used in cooperation with the endoscope.

The slider 200 is slidably engaged with the plug 100 and is movable relative to the plug 100. Illustratively, the slider 200 is movable relative to the plug 100 between a first position and a second position. The slider 200 is connected to the cable 112. The elastic member 300 has one end connected to the connector 100 to provide support for the elastic member 300 via the connector 100, and the other end connected to the slider 200 to drive the slider 200 to move relative to the connector 100. Illustratively, one of the springs 300 functions to drive the slider 200 from the first position toward the second position. In some embodiments, the limiting portion 500 is movably disposed on the plug 100, and the limiting portion 500 has a first state and a second state, and the limiting portion 500 is capable of being switched between the first state and the second state.

When the connector is not in use, the sliding member 200 is located at the first position, and the limiting portion 500 is located at the first state, that is, the limiting portion 500 is in a limiting fit with the sliding member 200. In this way, the position of the slider 200 can be restricted by the restricting portion 500, and the slider 200 is prevented from moving from the first position to the second position. Since the limiting portion 500 limits the sliding member 200 to move relative to the connector 100, the distance between the sliding member 200 and the cable 112 can be kept stable, and the sliding member 200 can be prevented from pulling the cable 112. When the connector is in the use state, the plug connector 100 is plugged with the external connector 700, so that the limiting part 500 acts on the external connector 700, and the limiting part 500 is switched from the first state to the second state. When the stopper 500 is in the second state, the stopper 500 releases the stopper action on the slider 200. Since the plug 100 is connected to the external connector 700, the external connector 700 limits the sliding member 200, so that the sliding member 200 cannot slide toward the second position. Therefore, the distance between the slider 200 and the cable 112 remains stable, so that the slider 200 is prevented from pulling the cable 112, and the connector can be used normally. When the external connector 700 is pulled out from the connector 100, the limiting action of the external connector 700 on the sliding member 200 is released, and the sliding member 200 can move from the first position to the second position under the driving of the elastic member 300. As the slider 200 moves, the slider 200 breaks the electrical connection between the cable 112 and the connector 100. Illustratively, breaking the electrical connection of the cable 112 to the connector 100 may include, but is not limited to, breaking the cable 112, breaking the electrical connection of the cable 112 to the connector 100, and/or breaking the electrical connection of the connector 100 to the cable 112. In this way, the cable 112 and the connector 100 cannot normally transmit signals, i.e. the connector cannot be reused, which is beneficial to preventing the reuse of the disposable endoscope.

The particular type of cable 112 and the particular type of information being communicated is not limited herein. By way of example, the cable 112 may be used to make an electrical connection, pass a power signal, or other signal. The cable 112 may also be used to effect the transfer of fiber optic signals.

In the case that the elastic member 300 does not drive the sliding member 200 to move, the elastic member 300 is in an energy storage state. The elastic member 300 is in an energy storage state, and may be in a compressed state or in a stretched state of the elastic member 300. After the external connector 700 is pulled out from the connector 100, the elastic member 300 is restored to be deformed, and elastic potential energy is released and the sliding member 200 is moved.

In some alternative embodiments, the elastic member 300 is mounted at an end of the slider 200 near the cable 112, and the elastic member 300 is compressed to store energy. As shown in fig. 1, the slider 200 is driven to move in the pulling-out direction of the external joint 700, which is referred to the positive direction of the X-axis shown in fig. 13 and 14, during the recovery of the deformation of the elastic member 300.

In alternative embodiments, the elastic member 300 is mounted on the end of the slider 200 remote from the cable 112, and the elastic member 300 is stretched to store energy. The elastic member 300 pulls the slider 200 to move in a direction in which the external joint 700 is pulled out during the restoration of the deformation. The pull-out direction is with reference to the positive direction of the X-axis shown in fig. 13 and 14.

The limiting portion 500 is movably disposed on the plug connector 100, or the limiting portion 500 may be movably disposed on the plug connector 100, or at least one of the limiting portion 500 or the plug connector 100 may be partially deformable, so that at least a portion of the limiting portion 500 may be moved or deformed relative to the plug connector 100.

In some alternative embodiments, the stopper 500 may be provided as an elastic body, and the elastic deformation of the stopper 500 is used to switch between the first state and the second state. Alternatively, the limiting portion 500 may be movably disposed on the plug 100, and the limiting portion 500 is moved relative to the plug 100 so that the limiting portion 500 is switched from the first state to the second state.

In particular implementations, the plug 100 includes a sleeve 120. The sleeve 120 is a hollow cylinder structure. The slider 200 is slidably disposed within the sleeve 120. The limiting portion 500 is movably disposed on the sleeve 120. When the stopper 500 is in the first state, at least a portion of the stopper 500 protrudes from the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120, and a portion of the stopper 500 protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120 is used to make contact with the stopper 500.

In some preferred embodiments, the stop 500 is provided with a guide surface 520. The guide surface 520 has a guiding function. For example, the guide surface 520 may guide the external joint 700 to be inserted into the stopper 500 and push the stopper 500 to be switched from the first state to the second state. This is beneficial to realize that the limit portion 500 is smoothly switched from the first state to the second state in the process of plugging the plug connector 100 with the external connector 700.

In some embodiments, the guide surface 520 is an inclined surface. Illustratively, the guide surface 520 is inclined away from the center of the sleeve 120 in the direction in which the external joint 700 is inserted into the plug 100, and referring to fig. 13 and 14, the insertion direction is the opposite direction of the X-axis in the drawing. During the process of inserting the external joint 700 into the sleeve 120, the external joint 700 may slide along the guide surface 520 and push the stopper 500 to move in a direction away from the sleeve 120, so that a portion of the stopper 500 protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120 is gradually reduced. The stopper 500 is switched from the first state to the second state, and the stopper 200 is released from the stopper.

When the stopper 500 is in the first state, the thickness of the inner peripheral wall of the protruding sleeve 120 of the stopper 500 gradually increases along the insertion direction of the external joint 700, referring to fig. 13 and 14, in which the insertion direction is the opposite direction of the X-axis in the drawing. The thickness of the stopper 500 is a thickness along the radial direction of the sleeve 120. When the limiting portion 500 is switched to the second state, the limiting action between the limiting portion 500 and the slider 200 is released, the slider 200 is limited by the external joint 700, and the slider 200 abuts against the external joint 700 under the action of the elastic member 300. When the external connector 700 is pulled out from the connector 100, the sliding member 200 is driven by the elastic member 300 to move against the external connector 700, so that the limiting portion 500 cannot be inserted between the sliding member 200 and the external connector 700 to continue to limit the sliding member 200. Thus, the slider 200 moves synchronously with the external connector 700 until it moves to the second position, pulling the cable 112, and effecting a disruption to the function of the connector.

In some embodiments, the movable connection between the limiting portion 500 and the sleeve 120 may be implemented by a resilient member and a rotating member, where the rotating member may change the relative position of the limiting portion 500 and the sleeve 120, and the resilient member may switch the limiting portion 500 from the second state to the first state again. Illustratively, the stopper 500 is rotated toward the outside of the sleeve 120 by the driving of the external joint 700. During the process of extracting the external connector 700 from the connector 100, the limiting part 500 is rotated under the action of the elastic member to be restored to the first state. Specifically, the combination of the rotating shaft and the torsion spring can be adopted.

In some alternative embodiments, the spacing portion 500 may also be provided directly as a disposable connection with the sleeve 120. The initial state of the limiting portion 500, i.e. the limiting portion 500 is in the first state, is exemplary. When the external connector 700 is plugged with the sleeve 120, the connection between the limiting portion 500 and the sleeve 120 is broken, and the limiting portion 500 is switched from the first state to the second state.

In some alternative embodiments, the articulation between the stop 500 and the sleeve 120 may be achieved by the structure of the sleeve 120 itself. Cutting is performed on the sidewall of the sleeve 120 to form a free end, the configuration of which is shown in connection with fig. 9 and 10. A stopper 500 is provided at the free end. In the case where the plug 100 is not plugged into the external connector 700, the limiting portion 500 is still in the first state, and the free end is not deformed. As shown in fig. 13 and 14, in the case where the limiting part 500 is plugged into the external connector 700, the free end may be deformed by the external connector 700, so that the limiting part 500 is switched from the first state to the second state. The deformed free end may be combined with fig. 14, and since the deformation of the free end has a restoring tendency, the free end may be restored to the initial position of the free end in the case where the limiting part 500 is in the first state. The structure is simpler than the structure in which the rotation shaft and the torsion spring are provided to restore the limit part 500 from the second state to the first state, by using the deformation of the sleeve 120 itself to restore the limit part 500 from the second state to the first state. Moreover, this configuration is advantageous in maintaining the smoothness of the outer sidewall of sleeve 120, facilitating mating with external connector 700.

In the case where the stopper 500 has the ability to return to the first state from the second state, it is necessary to pay attention that the stopper 500 cannot be inserted into the slider 200 and the external joint 700 in the case where the external joint 700 is pulled out. Thus, in some embodiments of the present application, the stop 500 is provided with a mating surface 510. As shown in fig. 2 and 4, the mating surface 510 is located on a side of the guide surface 520 near the cable 112, and the mating surface 510 is disposed to extend along the sliding direction of the slider 200 in the sleeve 120. In the case where the stopper 500 is in the first state, the mating surface 510 protrudes from the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120. When the outer joint 700 pushes the limiting part 500 to move away from the sleeve 120, the limiting part 500 is switched to the second state, and due to the matching surface 510, when the outer joint 700 slides to the end of the guiding surface 520, a gap is still formed between the outer joint 700 and the sliding member 200, and the sliding member 200 can slide over the area where the matching surface 510 is located under the driving of the elastic member 300, and is abutted against the outer joint 700, so that the gap is eliminated. The mating surface 510 is disposed in abutment with the side wall of the slider 200 adjacent to the sleeve 120. In this way, even if the external joint 700 is subsequently pulled out, the stopper 500 is restricted by the slider 200 and cannot be restored to the first state, so that the stopper 500 cannot be inserted into the slider 200 and the external joint 700 to stop the slider 200.

The plug 100 comprises a connector head 110 in addition to a sleeve 120. Illustratively, the connector 110 has a mounting end 111 for mounting the cable 112 and a connecting end 113 for connecting to a signal source of the external connector 700. Illustratively, the connector 113 has a plurality of signal pins that mate with a signal source of the external connector 700. The specific structure of the connector 100 may be combined with that shown in fig. 7, the specific structure of the connector 110 may be combined with that shown in fig. 8, the sleeve 120 is sleeved outside the connector 110, and a cavity for accommodating the sliding member 200 is formed between the connector 110 and the sleeve 120. Along the direction from the mounting end 111 to the connecting end 113, the mating surface 510 and the guiding surface 520 are arranged in sequence, the mating surface 510 and the guiding surface 520 having intersecting lines 530. With the slider 200 in the first position, the end face of the connecting end 113 is located between the edge of the mating surface 510 remote from the guiding surface 520 and the intersection line 530, as shown in particular with reference to fig. 4.

In the above embodiment, the sliding member 200 is disposed in the cavity formed by the connector 110 and the sleeve 120, which is beneficial to improving the stability and concealment of the sliding member 200, and thus is beneficial to preventing the user from damaging the sliding member 200 before using. In addition, this can increase the moving range of the slider 200 in the sleeve 120 without increasing the connector length, which is beneficial for the slider 200 to pull the damaged cable 112 and break the electrical connection between the cable 112 and the connector 100.

When the end surface of the connection end 113 is lower than the intersecting line 530, so that the external joint 700 is engaged with the plug connector 100, the external joint 700 can slide from one end to the other end of the guide surface 520, so that the limit part 500 is driven to switch from the first state to the second state, and the limit on the slider 200 is released. Since the end surface of the connection end 113 is higher than the edge of the mating surface 510 away from the guide surface 520, so that the external joint 700 abuts against the end surface of the connection end 113, the sliding member 200 can move a part of the distance toward the external joint 700, it should be explained that the part of the distance is the distance from the edge of the mating surface 510 away from the guide surface 520 to the end surface of the connection end 113 along the axial direction of the sleeve 120. So as to avoid the situation that the limit part 500 limits the sliding member 200 again during the process of extracting the external joint 700. The upper and lower sides are described herein with reference to the mounting end 111 as the lower side and the connecting end 113 as the upper side.

When the external joint 700 drives the limit part 500 to switch from the first state to the second state, the mating surface 510 of the limit part 500 may abut against the side wall of the slider 200 near the sleeve 120. During the process of pulling out the external joint 700, the mating surface 510 is slidably engaged with the outer sidewall of the slider 200, increasing the sliding resistance of the slider 200. Therefore, to reduce the resistance of the mating surface 510 to the sliding member 200 during sliding, a sliding groove 210 is provided on the side wall of the sliding member 200 near the sleeve 120 along the axial direction of the sleeve 120. The abutment force of the stopper 500 against the slider 200 is reduced, thereby reducing the resistance of the stopper 500 against the slider 200. As can be seen in fig. 5, 6, 11 and 12, the exemplary chute 210 communicates with one end of the slider 200 and has a blocking area 220 with the other end of the slider 200. The end of the slider 200 communicating with the chute 210 is: with the slider 200 in the first position, the slider 200 is away from the end of the stopper 500. The end with the blocking area 220 between the chute 210 is: when the slider 200 is in the second position, the slider 200 abuts against the stopper 500 at the stopper end. In addition, the chute 210 and the stopper 500 are arranged along the same straight line in the axial direction of the sleeve 120. The chute 210 can accommodate the stopper 500 when the elastic member 300 drives the slider 200 to move.

The blocking area 220 is present to ensure that the slider 200 can form an abutment with the stopper 500. If the blocking area 220 is not provided, the limiting portion 500 may directly slide into the chute 210, and the limiting portion 500 and the slider 200 cannot form an abutment therebetween. The sliding groove 210 is communicated with the other end of the sliding member 200, so as to ensure that the limiting portion 500 can be separated from the sliding member 200, and the sliding member 200 can slide smoothly to the second position.

One of the purposes of the chute 210 is to provide more room for movement of the stop 500. In this way, in the case where the stopper 500 abuts against the side wall of the slider 200, the abutment force of the stopper 500 against the slider 200 is reduced. Referring to fig. 5 and 6, the elastic member 300 drives the slider 200 to move toward the second position, and the stopper 500 is located in the chute 210. Preferably, the depth of the chute 210 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the portion of the stopper 500 protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120 in the case where the stopper 500 is in the first state, along the radial direction of the sleeve 120. When the sliding member 200 slides to the second position and the limiting portion 500 is located in the sliding groove 210, there is no contact between the limiting portion 500 and the bottom of the sliding groove 210, so that the abutment force of the limiting portion 500 to the sliding member 200 is reduced to zero, and no frictional resistance is generated between the sliding member 200 and the limiting portion 500, so that the sliding member 200 slides smoothly in the sleeve 120.

Since some embodiments of the present application pull the cable 112 through the sliding of the slider 200, if the sliding direction of the slider 200 is not blocked and the slider 200 has enough sliding power, the slider 200 has a possibility of sliding out of the plug connector 100, resulting in the slider 200 being left in the hospital department, which causes trouble to the medical staff. Therefore, to prevent the sliding member 200 from sliding out of the socket 100, a first limiting protrusion 121 is provided on the inner circumferential wall of the sleeve 120. As shown in connection with fig. 3, 9 and 10. The first limiting protrusion 121 is located on a sliding path along which the slider 200 slides from the first position toward the second position. With the slider 200 in the first position, the slider 200 and the first stopper protrusion 121 are located on both sides of the stopper, respectively. The first limiting protrusion 121 limits the moving range of the sliding member 200 driven by the elastic member 300, so as to prevent the sliding member 200 from sliding out of the connector 100. When the slider 200 abuts against the first limiting projection 121, the slider 200 is at the second position. The stopper 500 restricts the slider 200 so that the slider 200 is in the first position. The first limiting projection 121 limits the slider 200 such that the slider 200 is in the second position.

In the process of plugging the plug connector 100 and the external connector 700, the plug connector 100 and the external connector 700 need to be aligned, so that the signal pins on the plug connector 100 can be accurately inserted into the corresponding jacks of the external connector 700, and the situation that the signal pins are mistakenly touched and broken in the plugging process is avoided. Accordingly, a foolproof arrangement is provided between the plug connector 100 and the external connector 700, determining the relative position of the external connector 700 and the plug connector 100 when inserted.

In some alternative embodiments, the first stop tab 121 on the sidewall of the sleeve 120 may be directly included as part of the fool-proof design. The first limiting protrusion 121 is slidably engaged with the external joint 700, and a corresponding sliding groove is provided on the external joint 700. The first limiting projection 121 slides in the sliding groove to limit the relative positions of the external joint 700 and the plug connector 100.

In alternative embodiments, additional structures may be provided as fool-proof designs. Illustratively, a second stop tab 122 is provided on the inner sidewall of the sleeve 120. As shown in connection with fig. 9 and 10. With the slider 200 in the first position, the slider 200 and the second stopper protrusion 122 are located on both sides of the stopper 500, respectively. The second limit protrusion 122 is adapted to slidably engage the external fitting 700. A limit groove 230 is provided at the side wall of the slider 200 near the sleeve 120. The limit groove 230 communicates with an end of the slider 200 near the second limit protrusion 122. The second limiting protrusion 122 is prevented from obstructing the sliding of the sliding member 200, and the second limiting protrusion 122 is slidably matched with the limiting groove 230 in the process of sliding the sliding member 200 from the first position to the second position.

In some embodiments of the present application, the first and second limiting protrusions 121 and 122 may be arranged along the same straight line. The second limiting projection 122 has a longer length along the axial direction of the sleeve 120. To improve stability when the second limit protrusion 122 is slidably engaged with the external joint 700. The length of the first limiting protrusion 121 along the axial direction of the sleeve 120 is shorter, so that the first limiting protrusion 121 is prevented from occupying too much space of the sleeve 120. The first and second limiting protrusions 121 and 122 are arranged along the same straight line, and only one sliding groove can be formed on the external joint 700, so that the manufacturing process is reduced.

After the external connector 700 is plugged with the connector, a corresponding buckle 123 structure is arranged between the external connector 700 and the connector in order to ensure that the connection between the external connector and the connector is stable. In the related art, the external connector is usually a connector having an annular insertion cavity, and when the external connector is plugged into the connector, the sleeve is inserted into the annular insertion cavity of the external connector, and the interior and the exterior of the sleeve are both the external connector. Illustratively, a catch 123 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve 120. The buckle 123 is used for being clamped with the external connector 700, and fixing the positions of the external connector 700 and the connector. May be combined with that shown in fig. 9. In other embodiments of the present application, the buckle 123 is disposed on the limiting portion 500, and the buckle 123 is located on a side of the limiting portion 500 away from the interior of the sleeve 120. In the case that the limiting part 500 is in the second state, at least part of the buckle 123 protrudes from the outer circumferential wall of the sleeve 120. May be seen in conjunction with fig. 17 and 18. The part of the buckle 123 protruding out of the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve 120 is clamped with the external joint 700. In the plugging process of the external connector 700 and the plug connector 100, the limiting part 500 moves towards the outside of the sleeve 120, so that the portion of the buckle 123 protruding out of the peripheral wall of the sleeve 120 is increased, and the buckle 123 and the external connector 700 are gradually clamped and fixed. When the stopper 500 is in the first state, the catch 123 may or may not protrude from the outer circumferential wall of the sleeve 120.

In some embodiments of the present application, the slider 200 is coupled to the cable 112, and may be coupled by a coupling 400. As shown in connection with fig. 8, 11 and 12. Illustratively, one end of the connecting member 400 is fixed to the cable 112, and any one cable 112 may be selected to be fixed to the connecting member 400, and the other end is fixed to the sliding member 200 to move along with the movement of the sliding member 200. The length of the connector 400 is longer than the length distance from the cable 112 when the slider 200 is in the first position, and there is a margin in the length of the connector 400. The cable 112 is prevented from being pulled out during the sliding of the slider 200 into abutment with the external joint 700. By way of example, the connector 400 may be, but is not limited to being, a rope-like structure.

On the connection head 110, corresponding mounting slots 114 may be provided to receive the connection members 400. The connector 400 is prevented from affecting the normal use of the elastic member 300 in the case where the elastic member 300 is mounted at the end of the slider 200 near the cable 112. In fig. 11, the slider 200 is in the first position, where the cable 112 connected to the connector 400 is in a perfect configuration. In fig. 12, the slider 200 is slid to the second position, and the connector 400 is straightened by the sliding of the slider 200 until the cable 112 connected thereto is pulled.

In some embodiments of the present application, the slider 200 is provided in a ring-shaped structure for convenience of assembly and also for stabilization of a sliding path. In other embodiments of the present application, the slider 200 may also be provided in a block-like structure. However, a restricting rail needs to be provided on the sleeve 120 so that the slider 200 can slide in a predetermined direction to pull the cable 112. The elastic member 300 may be, but is not limited to, a spring.

In some alternative embodiments, the elastic member 300 may be a coil spring. Thus, the middle portion of the elastic member 300 may provide a relief space for the connection head 110. Illustratively, the elastic member 300 is installed inside the sleeve 120 to be sleeved outside the connection head 110, and is stabilized by elastic force generated when it is compressed or stretched. Further alternatively, the elastic member 300 may be slidably fitted with the inner wall of the sleeve 120. In this way, the sleeve 120 can be used to provide a constraint that ensures that the spring force generated by the spring 300 is along the axial direction of the sleeve 120, thereby advantageously increasing the force with which the slider 200 pulls the cable 112. In some embodiments, the spring 300 may be selected to be a small size spring, running along the circumference of the slider 200. The elastic member 300 having such a structure can generate elastic force for driving the slider 200 to move, but is inconvenient to install and has a relatively small size, which is not suitable for mass production.

The connector 100 is further provided with a housing 600 to protect the cable 112 connected to the connector 100. May be seen in conjunction with fig. 15 and 16. The housing 600 is wrapped around the plug 100 and leaves an opening through which the cable 112 passes.

In some embodiments of the present application, there is also provided an endoscope including a connector of any of the foregoing embodiments for connection with a handle of the endoscope, which may be a nephroscope, bronchoscope, esophagoscope, gastroscope, enteroscope, otoscope, nasoscope, stomatoscope, laryngoscope, colposcope, laparoscope, arthroscope, or the like.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the application is not intended to be limiting, but rather is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and principles of the application.

Claims

1. A connector for use with an endoscope, comprising:

a plug connector (100), wherein one end of the plug connector (100) is used for installing a cable (112), and the other end of the plug connector is used for being plugged with an external connector (700);

-a slider (200), the slider (200) being in sliding engagement with the plug (100) and the slider (200) being movable relative to the plug (100) between a first position and a second position, the slider (200) being connected to the cable (112);

an elastic piece (300), wherein one end of the elastic piece (300) is connected with the plug-in piece (100), the other end of the elastic piece is connected with the sliding piece (200), and the elastic piece (300) is used for driving the sliding piece (200) to move from a first position to a second position;

the limiting part (500) is movably arranged on the plug connector (100), and the limiting part (500) can be switched between a first state and a second state relative to the plug connector (100);

when the sliding piece (200) is positioned at a first position and the limiting part (500) is positioned at a first state, the limiting part (500) is in limiting fit with the sliding piece (200);

under the condition that the plug connector (100) is plugged with the external connector (700), the limiting part (500) is switched from a first state to a second state, the sliding piece (200) is released from the limiting part (500), and the elastic piece (300) can drive the sliding piece (200) to move to a second position and damage the electrical connection between the cable (112) and the plug connector (100).

2. A connector according to claim 1, wherein,

the plug connector (100) comprises a sleeve (120), the sliding piece (200) is arranged in the sleeve (120) in a sliding mode, the limiting part (500) is movably arranged on the sleeve (120), and at least part of the limiting part (500) protrudes out of the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve (120) under the condition that the limiting part (500) is in a first state;

the limiting part (500) is provided with a guide surface (520), the guide surface (520) is obliquely arranged, and in the plugging process of the external connector (700) and the sleeve (120), the external connector (700) can slide along the guide surface (520) and push the limiting part (500) to move towards a direction far away from the sleeve (120), so that the limiting part (500) is switched from a first state to a second state.

3. A connector according to claim 2, wherein,

the limiting part (500) is further provided with a matching surface (510), the matching surface (510) is located on one side, close to the cable (112), of the guiding surface (520), the matching surface (510) extends along the sliding direction of the sliding part (200) in the sleeve (120), and under the condition that the limiting part (500) is in the second state, the matching surface (510) can be abutted to the side wall, close to the sleeve (120), of the sliding part (200).

4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein,

the plug connector (100) further comprises a connector (110), one end of the connector (110) is a mounting end (111) for mounting the cable (112), the other end of the connector is a connecting end (113) connected with a signal source of an external connector (700), the sleeve (120) is sleeved outside the connector (110), and a cavity for accommodating the sliding piece (200) is formed between the connector (110) and the sleeve (120);

the mating surface (510) and the guiding surface (520) have an intersection line (530), the connecting end (113) end surface being located between the edge of the mating surface (510) remote from the guiding surface (520) and the intersection line (530) with the slider (200) in the first position.

5. A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

a sliding groove (210) is formed in the side wall, close to the sleeve (120), of the sliding piece (200) along the axial direction of the sleeve (120), the sliding groove (210) is communicated with the end, away from the limiting part (500), of the sliding piece (200) when the sliding piece (200) is in the first position, a blocking area (220) is formed between the sliding groove (210) and the end, close to the limiting part (500), of the sliding piece (200) when the sliding piece is in the first position, and the sliding groove (210) and the limiting part (500) are arranged along the same straight line along the axial direction of the sleeve (120);

the chute (210) can accommodate the limit part (500) under the condition that the elastic piece (300) drives the sliding piece (200) to move.

6. A connector according to claim 5, wherein,

the depth of the sliding groove (210) is greater than or equal to the thickness of a part of the limiting part (500) protruding from the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve (120) when the limiting part (500) is in the first state along the radial direction of the sleeve (120).

7. A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

a buckle (123) is arranged on one side, away from the interior of the sleeve (120), of the limiting part (500), and the buckle (123) is used for being clamped with an external connector (700);

when the limit part (500) is in the second state, at least part of the buckle (123) protrudes out of the outer peripheral wall of the sleeve (120).

8. A connector according to any one of claims 2 to 4,

the inner peripheral wall of the sleeve (120) is provided with a first limiting protrusion (121), and when the sliding piece (200) is located at a first position, the sliding piece (200) and the first limiting protrusion (121) are located at two sides of the limiting portion (500) respectively, and the first limiting protrusion (121) is used for limiting the moving range of the sliding piece (200) under the driving of the elastic piece (300).

9. A connector according to claim 8, wherein,

the first limiting protrusion (121) is used for being in sliding fit with an external plug;

and/or, sleeve (120) inner peripheral wall is provided with second spacing arch (122), in the condition that slider (200) is in the first position, slider (200) with second spacing arch (122) are located respectively spacing portion (500) both sides, second spacing arch (122) are used for with external joint (700) sliding fit, slider (200) are close to the lateral wall of sleeve (120) is provided with spacing groove (230), spacing groove (230) with slider (200) are close to the tip intercommunication of second spacing arch (122), just second spacing arch (122) with spacing groove (230) sliding fit.

10. An endoscope comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1-9.