JPS63155116A - Endoscope device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To observe a thin-diameter part in an axial direction and a side wall direction without any reinsertion by arranging an object part atop an endoscope at a storage part on a spherical member atop an insertion part formed of a coiled member so that its orienting method is freely variable. CONSTITUTION:The insertion part 1d is formed of the coiled member 2 and the spherical member 3 for increasing the insertion performance of the insertion part 1d to the thin-diameter part is provided atop of the insertion part 1d; and the storage part 3c is formed in the spherical member 3 and the object part 4 atop the endoscope is arranged in the storage part 3c so that the orienting method is freely variable. Further, an optical system holding member 4a is so constituted that it is directed up and down, and right and left, and provided to the storage part 3c so that it can project and sink and further rotate. Consequently, the thin-diameter part can be observed by one endoscope device in both the axial direction and side wall direction without any decrease in observing performance.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention provides a method for expanding the field of view by changing the orientation of the observation end of an observation optical system and the output end of an illumination optical system. This invention relates to a viewing device.

[Problems to be solved by conventional technology and ideas] Generally, by inserting into a vibrator used in a boiler, chemical plan 1, etc., an internal vision device is used to check and inspect the bonding condition of these vibrators. As a mirror device, for example, JP-A-58
Those disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 189086 and Japanese Patent No. 61605839 are known. These endoscope devices improve the flexibility of the elongated insertion portion by forming the insertion portion of the endoscope inserted into the pipe with a tightly wound coil. This is to prevent buckling of the insertion portion inside the pipe.

However, the pipes used for industrial purposes such as boilers and chemical plants have many bends, and pipe joints such as tee tubes, bends, and elbows are often used at these bends. Therefore, when the tip of the insertion portion engages with the step between the pipe and these pipe joints, it may be difficult to insert the insertion portion beyond this portion.

To deal with this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 150022/1983 discloses that the distal end of the insertion section is formed, for example, into a spherical shape, and the outer periphery of this sphere slides on the step between the pipe and the pipe joint, thereby allowing the endoscope device to Techniques have been disclosed to improve the penetrability of this pipe.

However, according to this prior art, since the objective lens, light distribution lens, etc. are fixedly provided on the spherical body at the tip of the insertion section, for example, if the objective lens etc. are provided in the insertion direction and is a direct viewing type, If it is not possible to inspect or inspect the side wall of the pipe, and it is necessary to observe this side wall, remove the endoscope inserted through the pipe, etc., and then use the side-viewing type Insert the endoscope back into the pipe, etc.
11+ The problem that the work is complicated because it is necessary to conduct the observation again remains unresolved.

To deal with this, it is possible to form the spherical body with a small diameter so that the tip of the insertion portion can be curved within the vibrator, but if the spherical body is formed with a small diameter,
The objective lens and light distribution lens provided on this spherical body have smaller diameters, and it is necessary to reduce the number of image guides and light guides connected to these lenses. observation performance may deteriorate.

[Object of the invention] The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described in iyi,
Observation performance does not deteriorate and there is no need to reinsert.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an endoscope device capable of observing the axial direction and side wall direction of a narrow diameter portion.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In the endoscope device according to the present invention, the insertion portion is formed of a coiled member, and a spherical shape is provided at the tip of the insertion portion to improve the insertion of the insertion portion into the narrow diameter portion. A member is provided, and furthermore, an objective portion at the tip of the endoscope is disposed in a storage portion formed in the spherical member so that the pointing method can be changed freely.

With this configuration, when the insertion section and the spherical member provided on the insertion section are inserted into the narrow diameter section, the orientation of the objective section provided on the spherical member is changed, and the The IQ is measured in the axial direction and side wall direction of the narrow diameter part.

[Embodiments of the invention] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of the endoscope device according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a side view of the tip of the endoscope, and FIG. 2 is a front view of the tip of the endoscope. , FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view of the endoscope apparatus, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the operating state rr4 showing a state in which the insertion section is inserted into a pipe, which is an example of a narrow diameter section.

In the drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes an endoscope, and this endoscope 1 includes a hand operation section 1b provided with an eyepiece section 1a,
Insertion section 1d extending in front of this hand operation section 1b
A spherical member 3 is attached to the distal end portion 1e of the insertion portion 1d.

The insertion portion 1d is formed of a coiled member 2,
The outer periphery of this coiled member 2 is made of rubber, for example.

It is covered with a stretchable outer skin 2a made of urethane or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, a spherical member 3 made of plastic, for example, is fixed to the outer side of the coiled member 2 at the tip portion 1e with screws 3a. This spherical member 3
A rib 3b is formed at the base end of the outer skin 2a, and this rib 3b is covered by the terminal end of the outer skin 2a.

Further, this spherical member 3 has an inner hole 3e formed concentrically with the rib 3b, and this inner hole 3e communicates with the inside 1e of the insertion portion 1d. The coiled member 2 is inserted into the inner hole 3e, and the terminal end 2b of the coiled member 2 is a stepped portion 3f formed in the inner hole 3e.
The spherical member 3 is positioned relative to the coiled member 2 by abutting against the coiled member 2.

Further, a storage portion 3C is formed on the Off side of the spherical member 3, and this storage portion 30 is communicated with the inner hole 3e. A cylindrical optical system holding member 4a of the objective section 4 is swingably supported in the storage section 3C by a shaft 4b.

One end of an operating wire 8, which is an example of a means for changing the orientation direction of the optical system holding member 4a, is fixed to the optical system holding member 4a, and the optical system holding member 4a is moved by the shaft 4b by the operation wire. It is configured to swing around the center.

This optical system holding member 4a has a plurality of holes 4c in the axial direction,
4d is formed, and an objective lens system 6a and a light distributing lens 7a are attached to the holes 4c and 4d toward the distal end of the endoscope, respectively. One end of the image guide 6 and one end of the light guide 7 are connected to the objective lens system 6a and the light distribution lens 7a, respectively. The image guide 6 and light guide 7 extend from the holes 4C and 4d through the inner hole 3e of the spherical member 3 to the interior 1e of the insertion section 1d, and further pass through the interior 1e to the endoscope. It has reached the operating section 1b. A pulley 9 that is operated by an operating handle 9a that is formed protruding from the outside of the hand operating portion 1C is disposed within the hand operating portion 1b, and the operating wire 8 is wound around the pulley 9. By operating the operating handle 9a, the optical system holding member 4a of the objective section 4 can be rotated about the shaft 4b via the operating wheel V8.

Further, a cable 11 is connected to this hand-held operation section 1b, and the light guide 7 passes through this cable 11 and is connected to a light source (not shown). Further, the other end of the image guide 6 faces an eyepiece lens 12 disposed within the eyepiece portion 1a.

Next, a case will be described in which the insertion portion 1d of the endoscope device having the above-described configuration is inserted into the inner hole 17, which is an example of a narrow diameter portion formed by the vias 13, 14, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the insertion portion 1d of the endoscope 1 is inserted into the inner hole 17, the outer circumference of the spherical member 3 fixed to the insertion portion 1d comes into contact with the side wall 17a of the inner hole 17, and then When the insertion portion 1d is inserted, the outer periphery of the spherical portion vJ3 slides on the side wall 17a, and the insertion portion 1d is curved. In this case, the insertion portion 1d is formed of a coiled member 2, and since the outer periphery of the coiled member 2 is covered with a stretchable outer skin 2a, it can be easily bent.
Further, since the outer periphery of the spherical member 3 fixed to the distal end 1e of the insertion portion 1d can easily overcome obstacles such as objects that may exist on the side wall 17a,
This insertion portion 1d can be easily inserted into the inner 7L17.

In this state, the light guide 7 is connected to a light source (not shown) to illuminate the inside of the inner hole 17, and the inside of the inner hole 17 is observed through the eyepiece lens 12 of the eyepiece portion 1a.

When the operating handle 9a disposed on the hand-operated portion 1b of the endoscope 1 is operated as necessary, the pulley 9 rotates and the operating wire 8 wound around the pulley 9 is operated. The optical system holding member 4a, which is pivotally supported within the housing portion 3C of the spherical member 3, rotates via the shaft 4b. The optical system holding member 4a has an objective lens system 6a connected to one end of an image guide 6 connected to an eyepiece 12, and a light guide 7 connected to a light source.
A light distribution lens 7a to which one end is connected is provided, and as the optical system holding member 4a rotates, a portion within the inner hole 17 illuminated by the light distribution lens 7a is moved. , the region to be observed is also moved. One image of the region being moved is formed by the objective lens system 6a, and this image is formed by the image guide 6° and the eyepiece 12 connected to the objective lens system. I! can be sensed at the eyepiece 1a through the eyepiece 1a. Therefore, by operating the operation handle 9a, it is possible to observe a desired portion such as the side wall 178 inside the inner hole 17.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end portion of an endoscope according to a second practical example of the present invention. Incidentally, the same members and similar plow members as in the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a storage item 3C in which a spherical member 3 is formed
A tapered portion 3d is formed at the edge of the storage portion 3C, and a holding member 19 is fitted to the bottom of the storage portion 3C.
An optical system holding member 4a is fixed to this holding member 19 via an elastic body 20 covered with an outer skin 20a.

In addition, this optical system holding portion U4a has two pairs of operation wires 8.
When one end is fixed, the 7B is inserted into two pairs of curved holes 21 formed in the spherical member 3, one end of which opens on the side surface of the optical system holding part U4a. It is wound around the pulley 9 of the hand operation section 1b via the rear inner hole 1e.

In an endoscope device having such a configuration, the optical system holding section 1
4a is fixed via the elastic body 20, it is easy to change the direction of the optical system holding member 4a, and two pairs of operating wires 8 are fixed to the optical system holding member 4. Therefore, it is possible to change the orientation direction of the optical system holding member 4a by vertically, horizontally, and rotated. Further, when the operation of the operation wire 8 is stopped, the optical system holding member 4a is always oriented in the insertion direction of the insertion portion 1d.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end portion of an endoscope according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the holding member 19 that was fitted into the storage section 3c in the second embodiment is eliminated, and the optical system holding member 4a is held by an elastic member 20 that is in contact with the bottom surface of the storage section 3C. The hole 21 formed in the spherical member 3 in the previous embodiment is omitted. The elastic member 20 has six fewer threads than the elastic member used in the previous embodiment, and the optical system holding member 48 is configured to be able to protrude and retract into the storage portion 3C. .

The endoscope device configured in this manner is easy to manufacture since the holding member 19 is eliminated, and since the number of elastic bodies 200 is small, the operation wire 8 can be pulled simultaneously. It is possible to finely adjust the distance between the optical system holding member 4a and the region to be observed.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, a holding member 19 is fitted into the storage portion 3C of the spherical member 3, and one end of the holding member 19 is attached to the holding member 19. The optical system holding member 4 is fixed to the other end of this aperture 22.
a has been lli'd.

This optical system holding member 4a is exposed from the storage section 3C to the outside of this storage section 3C.

In this configuration, the joint 22 to which the optical system holding member 4a is attached
Since the optical system holding member 4a is longer than the other embodiments, the direction in which the optical system holding member 4a points can be changed over a wide range, and a wider area can be observed.

In these embodiments, the spherical member 3 is made of plastic, for example, but the spherical member 3 may be made of other materials as long as the outer periphery has some degree of sliding properties. .

Further, in these embodiments, an observation lens system 6a.

Although the observation optical system is configured to be formed by the image guide 6 and the like, other configurations are also possible, such as using a solid MQ@ element, for example. Furthermore, the illumination optical system is not limited to the structure consisting of the ride guide 7 and the light distribution lens 7a, but it is also possible to adopt another structure, for example, by omitting the light distribution lens 7a and polishing the end surface of the light guide 7. .

Furthermore, in these embodiments, pipe 1 is used as an example of a small diameter portion.
Although the insertion portion 1d is inserted into the inner hole 17 in which the tube 3.14 is fixed with an elbow, the endoscope device according to the present invention can be inserted into the inner hole 17 using a member such as a tee, dupe, or bend. It goes without saying that it can be used in many areas.

[Effect of the Invention J As explained above, the endoscope device according to the present invention allows observation in the axial direction and the side wall direction of the narrow diameter portion with a single endoscope device without deteriorating the observation performance. I appreciate the effect that this is possible.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 relate to a first embodiment of an endoscope apparatus according to the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of the tip of the endoscope, FIG. 2 is a front view of the tip of the endoscope, Fig. 3 is an overall perspective view of the endoscope device, Fig. 4 shows a state in which the insertion part is inserted into a pipe, which is an example of a small diameter part, and Fig. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of an endoscope tip according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the distal end portion of an endoscope according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 1d... Insertion part 2... Coiled member 3... Spherical member 3C... Storage part 4... Objective part Fig. 1→C Fig. 2 Fig. 5 Figure 6

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In an endoscope device in which the insertion section is formed of a coiled member and a spherical member is provided at the distal end of the insertion section to enhance the insertion ability of the insertion section into the narrow diameter section, the spherical member includes: An endoscope apparatus characterized in that a storage section is formed, and an objective section at the tip of the endoscope is disposed in the storage section so that the pointing method can be changed. (2) The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system holding member is configured to be able to change direction vertically/horizontally. (3) The endoscope device according to claim 1, wherein the optical system holding member is provided so as to be protrusive and retractable into the storage portion. (4) The endoscope apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system holding member is configured to be rotatable.