Connector device for endoscope

A connector device for an endoscope that can stably operate an endoscope is provided. A connector device (10) includes a hollow exterior case (20), a shield case (22) accommodated in the exterior case (20), and a power reception unit (24) to which power is supplied from a power feed unit (216) of a processor device (200) in a contactless manner. The exterior case (20) has a side wall part (32D) that faces the power feed unit (216). The shield case (22) has an inner case wall part (23) that is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part (32D). The power reception unit (24) is disposed on the inner case wall part (23).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a connector device for an endoscope, and particularly relates to a connector device for an endoscope connected to a processor device for an endoscope.

2. Description of the Related Art

A connector device for an endoscope (first connector) comprising a power reception coil is disclosed in JP2016-67534A. In a case where the connector device is connected to a processor device for an endoscope, a contactless power supply unit is composed of the power reception coil and a power feeding coil on a processor device for an endoscope side, and power necessary for an endoscope is supplied by the power supply unit from the processor device for an endoscope to the endoscope.

In addition, the connector device of JP2016-67534A comprises an exterior case having a first connector case, a second connector case, and a third connector case in order from a side connected to the processor device for an endoscope, and the power reception coil is disposed at a position close to a surface connected to the processor device for an endoscope, inside the first connector case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the connector device comprising the power reception coil as in JP2016-67534A, in order to guarantee a stable operation of the endoscope, it is necessary for the positions of the power feeding coil of the processor device for an endoscope and the power reception coil of the connector device are accurately aligned.

However, for example, in a case where the power reception coil is disposed in the exterior case of the connector device, there are the following problems. That is, it is necessary for the endoscope to be sterilized each time the endoscope is used. In this case, sterilization is performed using an autoclave in some cases, but the connector device at the time of sterilization is exposed to high-temperature and high-pressure (for example, 121° C. and 2 atm) saturated steam for approximately 20 minutes. In a case where such sterilization is repeatedly performed, the shape of the exterior case of the connector device gradually deforms due to a heat cycle of the steam sterilization. Thus, the position of the power reception coil deviates from the initial position, and as a result, there are problems that the feeding efficiency decreases and the operation of the endoscope becomes unstable.

The present invention is devised in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a connector device for an endoscope that can stably operate an endoscope.

According to an aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the object of the present invention, there is provided a connector device for an endoscope that is attachably and detachably connected to a processor device. The connector device for an endoscope comprises a hollow exterior case, an inner case that is accommodated inside the exterior case, a holding body that is used for disposing the inner case inside the exterior case, and a power reception unit to which power is supplied from a power feed unit of the processor device in a contactless manner. The exterior case has a side wall part that faces the power feed unit of the processor device. The inner case has an inner case wall part that is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part. The power reception unit is disposed on the inner case wall part.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the power reception unit has a flat plate-shaped core and a coil that is spirally wound around the core, and the core is composed of a sintered ferrite core.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the power reception unit is adhered to the inner case wall part by a thermosetting adhesive material.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the holding body is a shaft-shaped member of which one end is fixed to the inner case wall part, a first lead-out hole, into which the shaft-shaped member is inserted and which leads the other end of the shaft-shaped member to an outside of the exterior case, is provided in the side wall part, and a first sealing member is arranged between an inner wall surface of the first lead-out hole and an outer wall surface of the shaft-shaped member.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the processor device has a positioning hole, into which the other end of the shaft-shaped member is inserted, in a surface facing the side wall part, and the other end of the shaft-shaped member is inserted into the positioning hole, and the power reception unit is in a state of being positioned at a position facing the power feed unit.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the first sealing member is an O-ring fitted to the outer wall surface of the shaft-shaped member.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the exterior case is made of a resin, and the inner case is made of a metal.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the inner case is a shield case for shielding an electronic component.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the exterior case has a cylindrical body, the inner case is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the inner case is accommodated in the exterior case in a posture in which a long side of the inner case is aligned with an axis of the cylindrical body.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the exterior case has an opening portion to which a universal cable extending from an endoscope is connected, and a second sealing member is arranged between an inner wall surface of the opening portion and an outer wall surface of the universal cable.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the second sealing member is an O-ring fitted to the outer wall surface of the universal cable.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the opening portion of the exterior case is formed in a size that allows the endoscope, the universal cable, and a switch disposed member provided at the universal cable to be inserted therein.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the connector device for an endoscope further comprises a light guide rod of which one end is disposed inside the exterior case, a second lead-out hole, into which the light guide rod is inserted and which leads the other end of the light guide rod to an outside of the exterior case, is provided in the side wall part, and a third sealing member is arranged between an inner wall surface of the second lead-out hole and an outer wall surface of the light guide rod.

In the aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the third sealing member is an O-ring fitted to the outer wall surface of the light guide rod.

With the present invention, the endoscope can be stably operated.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a connector device for an endoscope according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a schematic configuration view of an endoscope system1. The endoscope system1comprises an endoscope100and a processor device for an endoscope200.

The endoscope100is a rigid endoscope, such as a laparoscope, and comprises an elongated rigid insertion part102that is inserted into a body cavity, an L-shaped grip portion104continuously connected to a proximal end part of the insertion part102, a flexible universal cable106of which a proximal end part is connected to the insertion part102via the grip portion104, and a switch disposed member108provided in a middle portion of the universal cable106.

A connector device10according to the embodiment is provided at a tip part of the universal cable106, and the endoscope100is attachably and detachably connected to a processor side connector210of the processor device for an endoscope200via the connector device10.FIG.1illustrates the connector device10in an exaggerated manner as compared with the endoscope100.

The processor device for an endoscope200comprises an image processing unit206, which includes a light source unit202, and an image signal reception unit204. In addition, a monitor208that displays an image which is image-processed by the image processing unit206is connected to the processor device for an endoscope200.

The endoscope system1of the present example has a configuration that transmits power, optical signals, and the like in a contactless manner between the endoscope100and the processor device for an endoscope200via a connector part composed of the connector device10and the processor side connector210. In addition, as an operation switch110disposed on the switch disposed member108described above, for example, an image changeover switch that switches an image to be displayed on the monitor208between a normal captured image and a special light image (for example, a white light (WL) image, a blue laser imaging (BLI) image, a linked color imaging (LCI) image, or a hypoxia imaging image) can be applied. In addition, without being limited to the image changeover switch, an image immobilizing switch, an imaging switch, a zoom switch comprising a telephoto and wide-angle button, a insertion part tip part washing switch, a light amount adjusting switch, a sensitivity adjusting switch, or the like can also be applied.

FIG.2is a front view of a tip part of the insertion part102. In addition,FIG.1illustrates an enlarged cross section of main parts at the tip part of the insertion part102.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, an observation part114is provided on a distal end surface102A of the insertion part102. The observation part114comprises an observation window116, three light emission ends118A that are tip parts of a light guide118, which is disposed around the observation window116, an image pick-up lens group120and a prism122that are disposed behind the observation window116, and a solid-state imaging element124. As the solid-state imaging element124, a charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor can be applied.

A proximal end part of the light guide118is inserted into the insertion part102, the grip portion104, and the universal cable106, and is disposed to be inserted in a cylindrical light guide rod12of the connector device10. By connecting the light guide rod12to a connection hole212of the processor side connector210, a light incident end118B of the light guide118is connected to the light source unit202of the processor device for an endoscope200. Accordingly, illumination light from the light source unit202is transmitted via the light guide118, and is radiated to the front of the insertion part102from the three light emission ends118A of the light guide118.

On the other hand, subject light picked up from the observation window116is formed as an image on an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging element124via the image pick-up lens group120and the prism122, and is converted to an image pick-up signal by the solid-state imaging element124. A tip part of a signal line126is connected to the solid-state imaging element124via a base substrate (not illustrated). A proximal end part of the signal line126is inserted into the insertion part102, the grip portion104, and the universal cable106, and is connected to an image signal transmission unit14accommodated in an exterior case20of the connector device10. The image pick-up signal is converted to an optical signal by the image signal transmission unit14, and the optical signal is transmitted to a fiber cable16accommodated in the exterior case20.

A light emission end16A of the fiber cable16is disposed to be inserted in a cylindrical pin18of the connector device10. By connecting the pin18to a connection hole214of the processor side connector210, the optical signal is optically transmitted to the image signal reception unit204of the processor device for an endoscope200in a contactless manner. The optical signal optically transmitted to the image signal reception unit204is image-processed by the image processing unit206and is displayed on the monitor208as a subject image.

The pin18is an example of a shaft-shaped member, which is a component of the present invention. A proximal end part of the pin18is fixed to a metal shield case22accommodated inside the exterior case20, and the shield case22is positioned at the processor side connector210by connecting the pin18to the connection hole214. In addition, an electronic component such as a substrate configuring the image signal transmission unit14is mounted inside the shield case22.

The connector device10is provided with a power reception unit24that receives power in a contactless manner, and the processor side connector210is provided with a power feed unit216that feeds power in a contactless manner. In the endoscope system1of the present example, a contactless power supply unit is composed of the power feed unit216and the power reception unit24, and power necessary for driving an electronic component on an endoscope100side is supplied by the power supply unit from the processor device for an endoscope200to the connector device10. As will be described later, the power reception unit24is not fixed to the exterior case20, and is fixed to the shield case22like the pin18.

In a case where the connector device10is connected to the processor side connector210via the light guide rod12and the pin18, the power feed unit216and the power reception unit24are disposed near to face each other at a distance allowing electromagnetic coupling, and are in a state where power feeding from the power feed unit216to the power reception unit24is possible in a contactless manner. The power feed unit216is connected to an external commercial power source, and in a case where power is supplied from the commercial power source to the power feed unit216, power is fed in a contactless manner from the power feed unit216to the power reception unit24.

A primary coil (also referred to as a power feeding coil) connected to the commercial power source can be given as an example of the power feed unit216, and a secondary coil (also referred to as a power reception coil) electromagnetically coupled to the primary coil can be given as an example of the power reception unit24.

A structure in which a coil is spirally wound around a surface of a flat plate-shaped core can be given as an example of the structures of the primary coil and the secondary coil. In this case, a core of the secondary coil configuring the power reception unit24is preferably, for example, a highly heat-resistant sintered ferrite core. Accordingly, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit24that can withstand the heat of an autoclave can be configured. In addition, the power reception unit24is fixed to the shield case22as will be described later. However, in this case, it is preferable to adhere the power reception unit24to the shield case22, for example, using a thermosetting adhesive material such as a highly heat-resistant thermosetting epoxy sheet. Accordingly, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit24can be configured.

The power supply unit in which the power feed unit216is configured by the primary coil and the power reception unit24is configured by the secondary coil is given as an example of the contactless power supply unit in the embodiment, but without being limited thereto, may be a power supply unit that can feed and receive power in a contactless manner. Since an endoscope that feeds power using the primary coil and the secondary coil is known in JP2016-67534A, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Next, a structure of the connector device10will be described.FIG.3is an overall perspective view illustrating the appearance of the connector device10.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the exterior case20of the connector device10has a longitudinal axis10aparallel to an axial direction of the cylindrical light guide rod12and the pin18. In the following description, a position and a direction of a space where the connector device10is disposed will be described using the following terms. An X(+) direction and an X(−) direction along the longitudinal axis10aare the “front” and the “rear” respectively, a Y(+) direction and a Y(−) direction orthogonal to the X-direction are the “left” and the “right” respectively, and a Z(+) direction and a Z(−) direction orthogonal to the XY-directions are the “up” and the “down” respectively.

The connector device10has the highly heat-resistant and chemical-resistant resin exterior case20, the metal light guide rod12, the metal pin18, and the metal shield case22(seeFIG.1).

FIG.4is a perspective view of a plug26configuring the exterior case20.FIG.5is a perspective view of the plug26viewed from the front toward the rear.FIG.6is a perspective view of the plug26viewed from the rear toward the front.

In addition,FIG.7is a perspective view of a connector exterior case28configuring the exterior case20viewed from the front toward the rear.FIG.8is a perspective view of the connector exterior case28viewed from the rear toward the front.

Referring back toFIG.3, the exterior case20is formed in a hollow shape by connecting the plug26illustrated inFIGS.4to6to the connector exterior case28illustrated inFIGS.7and8.

As illustrated inFIGS.4to6, the plug26comprises an elliptical ring portion30that has an opening29in a rear end, a mount portion32that protrudes from the elliptical ring portion30toward the front, and a cylindrical portion34that protrudes from the mount portion32toward the front.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the elliptical ring portion30is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a race track shape (oval shape), in which a pair of parallel linear portions30A and30A, which face each other in a right-and-left direction, and a pair of curved portions30B and30B, which face each other in an up-and-down direction, are connected to each other. In addition, an O-ring36, which is a sealing member, is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion30. The O-ring36is also one of a plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case20, as will be described later.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the mount portion32is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a substantially semi-elliptical shape, in which a pair of parallel linear portions32A and32A, which face each other in the right-and-left direction, and the curved portion32B and a linear portion32C, which face each other in the up-and-down direction, are connected to each other.

The cylindrical portion34is provided on an upper part of a side wall part32D of the mount portion32and comprises, in a center part thereof, a lead-out hole38that leads the light guide rod12(seeFIG.3) to the outside. The lead-out hole38is an example of a second lead-out hole, which is a component of the present invention. In addition, the side wall part32D is an example of a side wall part, which is a component of the present invention. In a case where the connector device10is connected to the processor device for an endoscope200, the side wall part32D is disposed to face the power feed unit216(seeFIG.1) of the processor device for an endoscope200.

FIG.9is a perspective view of the connector exterior case28viewed from the front toward the rear, and illustrates the light guide rod12and the shield case22. As illustrated inFIG.9, the light guide rod12has a proximal end part disposed inside the exterior case20, and is fixed to a substantially semicircular bracket13. As the bracket13is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the plug26illustrated inFIGS.4to6, the light guide rod12is supported by the plug26.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG.9, an elastic O-ring40is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the light guide rod12, and the light guide rod12is fitted into the lead-out hole38(seeFIG.5) via the O-ring40. The O-ring40is an example of a third sealing member that is arranged in a gap between an outer peripheral surface configuring an outer wall surface of the light guide rod12and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the lead-out hole38and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring40is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case20, like the O-ring36.

Referring back toFIG.5, the side wall part32D of the mount portion32comprises a lead-out hole42that leads the pin18(seeFIG.3) to the outside. The lead-out hole42is an example of a first lead-out hole, which is a component of the present invention.

As illustrated inFIG.9, one end of the pin18is fixed to an inner case wall part23, which is a front surface of the shield case22, and the other end of the pin18is disposed to face the front. In addition, an elastic O-ring44is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the pin18, and the pin18is fitted into the lead-out hole42(seeFIG.5) via the O-ring44. The O-ring44is an example of a first sealing member that is arranged in a gap between an outer peripheral surface configuring an outer wall surface of the pin18and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the lead-out hole42and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring44is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case20, like the O-rings36and40.

In addition, by fitting the pin18into the lead-out hole42via the O-ring44, the shield case22(seeFIG.1) is disposed inside the exterior case20by the pin18. That is, the shield case22is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the plug26and the connector exterior case28by the pin18.

FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the shield case22. As illustrated inFIG.10, the shield case22is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a long side22A of the shield case22is accommodated in the connector exterior case28in a posture along the longitudinal axis10a. Accordingly, a sufficient space is secured between the inner surface of the connector exterior case28and an outer surface of the shield case22.

As illustrated inFIGS.7and8, the connector exterior case28is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bulging front end. The connector exterior case28comprises the elliptical ring portion46that has an opening27in the front end. The elliptical ring portion46is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a race track shape (oval shape), in which a pair of parallel linear portions46A and46A, which face each other in the right-and-left direction, and a pair of curved portions46B and46B, which face each other in the up-and-down direction, are connected to each other.

The connector exterior case28and the plug26(seeFIG.6) are connected to each other by fitting the elliptical ring portion30of the plug26into the elliptical ring portion46of the connector exterior case28. In this connected state, the linear portions30A and30A of the elliptical ring portion30and the linear portions46A and46A of the elliptical ring portion46are disposed to face each other, and the curved portions30B and30B of the elliptical ring portion30and the curved portions46B and46B of the elliptical ring portion46are disposed to face each other. Then, as illustrated inFIG.7, an inner peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion46comprises an annular groove48along the inner peripheral surface, and the O-ring36(seeFIG.5) on a plug26side is fitted to the groove48. That is, the connector exterior case28and the plug26are connected to each other by fitting the elliptical ring portion30of the plug26into the elliptical ring portion46of the connector exterior case28and fitting the O-ring36to the groove48(seeFIG.3).

On the other hand, as illustrated inFIG.8, the linear portions46A and46A of the elliptical ring portion46comprises a pair of through-holes50and52(only the through-holes50and52in a left surface of the elliptical ring portion46are illustrated) penetrating an outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion46, which are coaxial in the up-and-down direction. In addition, as illustrated inFIG.7, each of inner peripheral surfaces of the linear portions46A and46A comprises a semicircular groove54, which connects the through-hole50and the through-hole52to each other, along the up-and-down direction. Further, as illustrated inFIGS.4and5, outer peripheral surfaces of the linear portions30A and30A of the elliptical ring portion30comprise semicircular grooves56and56(only the grooves56in a left surface of the elliptical ring portion30are illustrated) along the up-and-down direction, and the grooves56are disposed to face the grooves54in a state where the connector exterior case28and the plug26are connected to each other. Accordingly, as in a cross sectional view of main parts illustrated inFIG.11, a substantially cylindrical insertion passage58is formed along the up-and-down direction by a wall surface of the groove54and a wall surface of the groove56.

FIG.8illustrates a cylindrical pin60fitted from the through-hole50into the through-hole52via the insertion passage58(seeFIG.11). The pin60is fitted from the through-hole50into the through-hole52via the insertion passage58(seeFIG.11), an upper end part60A of the pin60is fitted to an inner wall surface of the through-hole50, a lower end part60B of the pin60is fitted to an inner wall surface of the through-hole52, and a portion of the pin60excluding the upper end part60A and the lower end part60B is fitted to the insertion passage58. Accordingly, the plug26is prevented from coming off from the connector exterior case28, and the linear portion30A of the elliptical ring portion30is reinforced by the pin60, causing a state where the deformation of the linear portion30A is suppressed. In addition, the pin60is fastened to the elliptical ring portion30by a screw62(seeFIG.7) screwed from the lower end part60B to the linear portion30A of the elliptical ring portion30. Accordingly, the pin60is prevented from falling off. Further, the upper end part60A and the lower end part60B of the pin60are composed of slopes so as not to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the linear portion46A. The pin60is preferably made of a metal having high stiffness.

As illustrated inFIG.8, the connector exterior case28comprises, in a rear end thereof, an opening portion64to which the universal cable106(seeFIG.3) is connected. In addition, an elastic O-ring66(seeFIG.10) is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the universal cable106, and the universal cable106is fitted into the opening portion64via the O-ring66. The O-ring66is an example of a second sealing member that is arranged in a gap between an outer peripheral surface configuring an outer wall surface of the universal cable106and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the opening portion64and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring66is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case20, like the O-rings36,40, and44.

When assembling the endoscope100illustrated inFIG.1, the insertion part102, the grip portion104, the switch disposed member108, and the universal cable106are inserted into the outside from the opening27(seeFIG.7) of the connector exterior case28via the opening portion64(seeFIG.8), starting from the insertion part102. For this reason, the opening portion64of the connector exterior case28is configured in a size that allows the insertion part102, the grip portion104, the switch disposed member108, and the universal cable106to be inserted therein. By configuring the opening portion64in such a size, it becomes easy to assemble the endoscope100. In addition, even when disassembling the endoscope100, it becomes easy to disassemble the endoscope. It is more preferable that the opening portion64has a size that allows the insertion even in a state where the operation switch110is disposed on the switch disposed member108. That is, the inner diameter of the opening portion64may be set to be larger than the diameter of a circumscribed circle of the switch disposed member108including the operation switch110when viewed from a longitudinal axis direction of the universal cable106.

However, in the connector device10of the embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS.9and10, inside the exterior case20, the inner case wall part23of the shield case22is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part32D (seeFIG.5) toward the rear, and the power reception unit24is disposed on the inner case wall part23. That is, in the connector device10of the embodiment, since the inner case wall part23is disposed at a position spaced apart from the side wall part32D toward the rear, which is a position unlikely to be affected by a heat cycle of steam sterilization and the power reception unit24is disposed on the inner case wall part23, the following effects can be obtained.

For example, even in a case where the shape of the exterior case20(in particular, the plug26) is deformed by the effect of the heat cycle of steam sterilization, a position shift of the power reception unit24can be suppressed since the power reception unit24is disposed on the inner case wall part23which is unlikely to be affected by the heat cycle. Accordingly, since a decrease in feeding efficiency attributable to the position shift of the power reception unit24can be suppressed, the endoscope100can be stably operated.

As described above, in the connector device10of the embodiment, the endoscope100can be stably operated since the exterior case20has the side wall part32D facing the power feed unit216, the shield case22has the inner case wall part23disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part32D, and the power reception unit24is disposed on the inner case wall part23.

In addition, since the inner case wall part23is made of a metal, the amount of deformation caused by being affected by the heat cycle is extremely smaller than the resin exterior case20. Accordingly, since the position shift of the power reception unit24can be effectively suppressed, the operation of the endoscope100is more stabilized.

In addition, since the core of the secondary coil configuring the power reception unit24is composed of a highly heat-resistant sintered ferrite core and the power reception unit24is adhered to the shield case22using a highly heat-resistant thermosetting epoxy sheet, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit24that can withstand sterilization by the autoclave can be provided.

In addition, by fixing the power reception unit24to a shield case22side, workability of arranging a lead wire from the power reception unit24to the shield case22side and workability of connecting the lead wire to a substrate of the shield case22improve, and disassembling work of the shield case22and the plug26also becomes easy.

In addition, in the connector device10of the embodiment, the shield case22is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug26and the inner surface of the connector exterior case28as being disposed in the exterior case20via the pin18. With this configuration, the connector device10of the embodiment can obtain the following effects.

That is, in a case where the endoscope100comprising the connector device10is taken out from a high-pressure steam sterilizer, the temperature of the connector device10heated by the high-pressure steam sterilizer is gradually decreased by outside air. Herein, for example, in a case where a configuration in which the shield case22is in contact with the exterior case20, in particular, the inner surface of the connector exterior case28is adopted, a temperature difference between the connector exterior case28and the shield case22is unlikely to occur in the process of decreasing the temperature after sterilization. Thus, moisture in the air inside the connector exterior case28adheres to an inner wall and the substrate of the shield case22and condensation occurs, causing a problem of adversely affecting the substrate. That is, condensation occurs also on an inner wall of the connector exterior case28, but simultaneously with the condensation or without a time lag therebetween, condensation occurs on the inner wall and the substrate of the shield case22.

On the contrary, in the connector device10of the embodiment, as the shield case22is held by the exterior case20via the pin18, the outer surface of the shield case22is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug26and the inner surface of the connector exterior case28. In addition, in the connector device10of the embodiment, as the connector exterior case28accommodates the shield case22in a posture in which the long side22A of the shield case22is aligned with the longitudinal axis10a, a sufficient space is secured between an inner surface of the exterior case20and the outer surface of the shield case22. Therefore, condensation is unlikely to occur on the outer surface of the shield case22in the connector device10of the present embodiment. Accordingly, in the connector device10of the present embodiment, condensation on the substrate disposed inside the shield case22can be prevented.

In addition, in the connector device10of the embodiment, since the outer surface of the shield case22is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug26and the inner surface of the connector exterior case28, internal stress caused by a temperature difference between the connector exterior case28and the shield case22can be reduced. Accordingly, heat cycle resistance attributable to steam sterilization improves.

In addition, in the connector device10of the present embodiment, since a sufficient space is secured between the inner surface of the exterior case20and the outer surface of the shield case22, time constant (relaxation time) representing time required for the heat of the high-pressure steam sterilizer to be transmitted to an electrical component such as a substrate increases. Accordingly, thermal stress on the electrical component can be reduced.

In addition, in the connector device10of the embodiment, the plug26and the connector exterior case28, which configure the exterior case20, are preferably made of, for example, a polyphenylsulfone resin, the light guide rod12and the pins18and60are preferably made of, for example, stainless steel, and the O-rings36,40,44, and66are preferably made of, for example, highly heat-resistant fluororubber.

In addition, although an aspect in which the power reception unit24is disposed on the inner case wall part23of the shield case22in the connector device10of the embodiment is given as an example, the inner case wall part on which the power reception unit24is disposed is not limited to the shield case22, that is, may be an inner case accommodated inside the exterior case20, or may be, for example, an inner case that covers the shield case22. In this case, it is preferable that the inner case is made of a metal.

In addition, although the plug26and the connector exterior case28, which are examples of the exterior case, are made of a resin and the shield case22, which is an example of the inner case, is made of a metal as a preferable aspect in the embodiment, without being limited thereto, the exterior case and the inner case may be made of other materials.

In addition, the shapes of the elliptical ring portion30and the elliptical ring portion46, which are connecting portions between the plug26and the connector exterior case28, are a race track shape as a preferable aspect in the embodiment, but without being limited thereto, may be an oval shape (a shape that is not symmetrical with a line in a minor axis direction passing through an intersection between a major axis direction and the minor axis direction as a center line) such as a circle, an ellipse, and an egg shape in plan view insofar as the shape is a shape that can connect the plug26and the connector exterior case28to each other.

In addition, although the core of the secondary coil configuring the power reception unit24is configured by a sintered ferrite core as a preferable aspect in the embodiment, the core may be made of other materials. In addition, the power reception unit24is adhered to the shield case22by a thermosetting adhesive material, but may be adhered to the shield case22by other adhesive materials.

Although the present invention has been described hereinbefore, the present invention is not limited to the examples, and it is evident that various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES