JPH10151113A - Connector device for electronic endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A connector of an electronic endoscope device in which an electrical connection between a video processor and an electronic endoscope is made in an order that does not cause a risk of breaking a circuit of the electronic endoscope in any case. Providing equipment. A manual lock means (31) for fixing a signal connector (13a) of an electronic endoscope (10) and a connector receiver (30a) of a video processor (20) in a connected state is provided, and the lock means (31) is operated to a fixed side. When the power of the video processor 20 is first turned on, the switching means 29 for connecting a plurality of wires in a predetermined order between the signal connector 13a and the connector receiver 30a,
37 were provided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector device for an electronic endoscope in which a signal connector of the electronic endoscope is detachably connected to a connector receiver of a video processor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a connector device for connecting an electronic endoscope and a video processor, a large number of wires are electrically connected by mechanically connecting a signal connector on the electronic endoscope to a connector receiver on the video processor. The connection is made.

[0003]

In the connector device of the above-described conventional electronic endoscope device, when the connector of the electronic endoscope is mechanically connected to the connector receiver of the video processor, a signal line and a power line are connected. And the like, the order of electrical connection of each wiring is not always constant due to variations in contact-related components, the degree of inclination of the connector at the time of connection, and the like.

Therefore, if the connector is connected to the connector receiver while the power of the video processor is on,
The circuit on the electronic endoscope side may be broken depending on the connection order of the signal lines and the power supply lines. For example, it is not preferable that the power supply line of the solid-state imaging device is connected after the signal transmission line input / output to / from the solid-state imaging device is connected.

When the power of the video processor is turned on while the connector is connected to the connector receiver, the circuit on the electronic endoscope side may be broken depending on the connection sequence of the signal lines and the power lines at that time. There is.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a connector device for an electronic endoscope device in which an electric connection between a video processor and an electronic endoscope is made in an order in which the circuit of the electronic endoscope is not broken in any case. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a connector device for an electronic endoscope apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a connector for an electronic endoscope having a solid-state image pickup device for picking up an endoscope observation image. A connector device for an electronic endoscope device, wherein a signal connector is detachably connected to a connector receiver of a video processor having a circuit for processing signals input to and output from the solid-state imaging device; A manual locking means for fixing the signal connector and the connector receiver of the video processor in a connected state is provided, and when the locking means is operated to the fixed side, the power of the video processor is first turned on and then the Switching means for connecting a plurality of wirings in a predetermined order between the signal connector and the connector receiver is provided.

The locking means has a lever which is rotated by a manual operation, and when the lever is rotated, the switching means turns on the power of the video processor and connects the signal connector to the video connector. Wiring connection with the connector receiver may be performed.

Then, by the switching means,
First, after the power of the video processor is turned on, a power supply line for supplying power from the video processor to the solid-state imaging device is connected, and then a signal input / output to / from the solid-state imaging device is transmitted. A connection of a signal transmission line for transmission may be performed.

When the lock means is operated from the fixed side to the release side, the switching means causes
The wiring connection between the signal connector and the connector receiver may be released, and the power supply of the video processor may be turned off in the reverse order when the locking means is changed from the release side to the fixed side.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a solid-state imaging device 1 composed of, for example, a CCD (charge-coupled device) for capturing an endoscope observation image.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electronic endoscope 10 in which a distal end of an insertion portion is incorporated, and a video processor 20 in which a circuit for processing signals input / output to / from a solid-state imaging device 11 is incorporated. Reference numeral 12 denotes a drive circuit (driver) of the solid-state imaging device 11.

The video processor 20 also serves as a light source device for supplying illumination light to the electronic endoscope 10, and incorporates a light source lamp, a three-color rotating filter, and the like, but is not shown. ing.

In the video processor 20, an image signal is extracted from an image signal sent from the solid-state image sensor 11 in an image signal processing circuit 21.
After being converted into a digital signal by the / D converter 22, it is stored in the memories 23R, 23G and 23B for each of the three primary colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B).

The video signal for each color is stored in the memory 23.
R, 23G, and 23B, and are converted into analog signals by the D / A converters 24R, 24G, and 24B.
The video signal is converted to a video signal of a system and output to a television monitor (not shown).

From the timing generator 26, a synchronizing signal for synchronizing the operation of each part in the video processor 20 is supplied to the imaging signal processing circuit 21, the A / D converter 22,
Memory 23R, 23G, 23B, D / A converter 24R,
24G, 24B, the video signal processing circuit 25, and the like.
, A synchronization signal for controlling the solid-state imaging device 11 is output.

The signal connector 13a provided on the electronic endoscope 10 is removably connected to a connector receiver 30a provided on the video processor 20. Only when the arranged switch 29 is turned on, the electronic endoscope 10
And the wiring on the video processor 20 side are electrically connected.

In the connection portion between the signal connector 13a and the connector receiver 30a, a signal line of an imaging signal sent from the electronic endoscope 10 to the video processor 20 and a signal line from the video processor 20 to the electronic endoscope 10 A signal line of a solid-state image sensor control signal sent to the image sensor, a power line for supplying power to the solid-state image sensor 11, a ground line, and the like are connected.

FIG. 1 shows a video processor 20 and a connector 13 of an electronic endoscope 10 detachably connected thereto. The connector 13 has a light guide connector 13b in which the incident end of the illumination light guide is inserted.
Are arranged in parallel with the signal connector 13a.

On the other hand, a connector receiver 30 to which the signal connector 13a is detachably connected is provided on the video processor 20 side.
a and a light guide connector receiver 30b to which the light guide connector 13b is detachably connected are arranged side by side on the front panel 20a.

Further, a manual lock mechanism for mechanically fixing the signal connector 13a connected to the connector receiver 30a is provided in the connector receiver 30a. However, since a known mechanism may be used as the lock mechanism, the description of the specific configuration is omitted.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a lock lever of the lock mechanism, which is unlocked when the lock lever 31 is turned sideways as shown in FIG. When the lock lever 31 is rotated in the direction of arrow A, the signal connector 1
3a is mechanically fixed to the connector receiver 30a. When the lock lever 31 is not in the released state, the signal connector 13a cannot be connected to the connector receiver 30a.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view schematically showing a connector receiver 30a, FIG. 4 is a front view of the portion viewed from the outside front of a front panel 20a of the video processor 20, and FIG.
Is a rear view seen from the back side of the front panel 20a.

A socket 33 in which a number of electrical contacts are arranged is disposed in a back portion of the support cylinder 32 which is fixed to the front panel 20a so as to protrude forward from the front panel 20a. Plugged in.

A lock lever 3 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support cylinder 32.
Rotating ring 3 rotated about the axis of support cylinder 32 by 1
4 is fitted. Then, an arc-shaped light-shielding piece 35 fixed to a flange portion 34a formed by projecting sideways from the rotating ring 34 with a screw is inserted into the video processor 20 through a hole 20b formed in the front panel 20a in an arc shape. It is placed in the position where it entered.

Reference numeral 37 shown in FIG. 4 denotes an AC switch for turning on / off the main power supply of the video processor 20. A cam 38 for turning on / off the AC switch 37 is provided with a flange of the rotary ring 34. 34a is formed on the outer peripheral edge. The roller 39 attached to the tip of the rod urged from the AC switch 37 side
8

In the unlocked state of the lock lever 31 shown in FIG. 4, the AC switch 37 is off. When the lock lever 31 is turned in the direction of arrow A from there, the roller 39 is immediately pushed up by the cam 38, The AC switch 37 is pushed in the direction of arrow C to turn on.

When the lock lever 31 is turned to the ON position shown in FIG. 1, the roller 39 is fitted into a V-shaped groove 38a formed in the cam 38 shown in FIG. Then, resistance is applied to the rotation of the lock lever 31 at that position, and a so-called click feeling is obtained. In this state, the signal connector 13a has not yet been fixed to the connector receiver 30a. The AC switch 37 is on, but the switch 29 is off.

As shown in FIG. 5, four optical sensors 28a, 28b, 28c, 2 are provided on the back side of the hole 20b.
8d are arranged. These optical sensors 28a, 28
In any of b, 28c, and 28d, when the light shielding piece 35 enters the detection portion formed in the concave shape, the detection light is blocked and can be detected.

FIG. 6 shows the optical sensors 28a, 28b, 2
8c, 28d and switches 29a, 29b, 29c, 29
The wirings at d and 29e are shown. Switch 2
9a, 29b, 29c, 29d and 29e are optical sensors 2
When the light shielding pieces 35a, 28b, 28c, 28d are in the light shielding state, they are turned on.

Of the plurality of wirings provided in this portion,
A first switch 29a is connected to a ground line for applying a reference potential to the solid-state imaging device 11 side.
Switch 29a is turned on / off by the first optical sensor 28a.

The second and third switches 29b connected to a power supply line for supplying power to the solid-state imaging device 11 side,
29c is turned on / off by the second and third optical sensors 28b and 28c.

The fourth switch 29d connected to the signal line for transmitting the control signal of the solid-state image sensor is connected to the fourth optical sensor 28.
The fifth switch 29e, which is turned on / off by d and is connected to a signal line for transmitting an image signal,
In conjunction with 9d, the switch is turned on later than the fourth switch and turned off earlier than the fourth switch.

In the connector device of the electronic endoscope apparatus configured as described above, in order to insert the signal connector 13a of the electronic endoscope 10 into the connector receiver 30a of the video processor 20, the lock lever 31 must be moved to the horizontal position. In that state, the video processor 2
0 is off.

When the signal connector 13a is inserted into the connector receiver 30a, the signal connector 13a and the connector receiver 30a are in a mechanically connected state, but no electrical connection is made.

When the lock lever 31 is turned in the direction of arrow A, the AC switch 37 is first turned on to turn on the power of the video processor 20, and then the mechanical connection between the signal connector 13a and the connector receiver 30a is performed. Connection state is fixed.

Next, the light sensor 28 is controlled by the light shielding piece 35.
a, 28b, 28c, 28d are sequentially shielded from light, and the switches 29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e are sequentially turned on.

As a result, the connection order of the wires connected between the signal connector 13a and the connector receiver 30a is always such that the ground line, the power line, and the solid-state image sensor control signal Signal line for
The image signal transmission signal lines are arranged in this order.

Therefore, the signal connector 13a of the electronic endoscope 10 is connected to the connector receiver 30a of the video processor 20.
When connected to the electronic endoscope 10, there is no possibility that the circuit on the side of the electronic endoscope 10 is broken.

When the signal connector 13a is detached from the connector receiver 30a, the lock lever 31 is first turned in the direction opposite to the arrow A, and the switch 29a,
29b, 29c, 29d, and 29e are disconnected in the reverse order of connection, in the order of a signal line for transmitting an image signal, a signal line for transmitting a control signal for a solid-state image sensor, a power supply line, and a ground line.
The C switch 37 is turned off, and the power of the video processor 20 is turned off.

The switches 29a, 29b, 29c,
As the 29d, 29e and the AC switch 37, any switch such as a relay or an analog switch can be used as long as the circuit can be turned on / off.
8b, 28c, and 28d are not limited to optical sensors, and any type of microswitch or the like may be used as long as it can detect the rotation angle of the light shielding piece 35.

[0041]

According to the present invention, the video processor is first operated by manually operating the locking means for fixing the signal connector of the endoscope and the connector receiver of the video processor to the connected state. Since the power supply of the electronic endoscope is turned on and the connection of a plurality of wirings is performed in a predetermined sequence between the signal connector and the connector receiver, the circuit of the electronic endoscope is always generated due to the wiring connection order. There is no risk of breakage, and high reliability can be ensured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a video processor according to an embodiment of the present invention and a connector section of an electronic endoscope connected thereto.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electronic endoscope apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the connector receiving portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the connector receiving portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the connector receiving portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a switch portion according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 10 electronic endoscope 11 solid-state imaging device 13a signal connector 20 video processor 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d sensor 29 (29a, 29b, 29c, 29d, 29e) switch 30a connector receiver 31 lock lever 37 AC switch 38 cam

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masaaki Nakajima 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Inside Asahiko Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tsutomu Takizawa 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo No. Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ryo Koike 2-36-9 Maenocho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Asahi Gaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] A signal connector for an electronic endoscope having a solid-state imaging device for imaging an endoscope observation image, the signal connector being a video processor having a circuit for processing signals input to and output from the solid-state imaging device; In a connector device of an electronic endoscope device detachably connected to a connector receiver, a manual locking means for fixing a signal connector of the electronic endoscope and a connector receiver of the video processor in a connected state is provided. And a switching means for connecting a plurality of wires in a predetermined order between the signal connector and the connector receiver after first turning on the video processor when the lock means is operated to the fixed side. A connector device for an electronic endoscope device, wherein the connector device is provided. 2. The video camera according to claim 1, wherein said locking means has a lever which is rotated by a manual operation, and said switching means turns on said video processor and turns on said signal connector and said signal connector as the lever is rotated. 2. The connector device for an electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein a wiring connection is made between the connector device and the connector receiver. 3. A power supply line for supplying power from the video processor to the solid-state imaging device is connected after the video processor is first turned on by the switching means. 3. The connector device for an electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein a signal transmission line for transmitting a signal input / output to / from the solid-state imaging device is connected. 4. When the lock means is operated from the fixed side to the release side, the switching means operates in the reverse order to that when the lock means is changed from the release side to the fixed side.
4. The connector device for an electronic endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein disconnection of wiring connection between said signal connector and said connector receiver and power-off of said video processor are performed.