Abstract:
The invention relates to coupling mechanism, in particular for medical instruments, having a coupler plug and a coupler socket for inserting the coupler plug, where the coupler socket and coupler plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded catch connection, where the catch connection can be actuated by a safety mechanism and can be released by the coupler plug inserted into the coupler socket. To create a coupling mechanism that is simple to operate and ensures secure catching connection of the components and that are to be connected with one another, it is proposed with the invention that the safety mechanism should be configured as a spring-loaded catch element positioned in the coupler socket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority of German patent application No. 10 2007 008 422.8 filed on Feb. 21, 2007, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a coupling mechanism, in particular for medical instruments, having a coupler plug and a coupler socket for inserting the coupler plug, such that the coupler socket and the coupler plug can be secured to one another by means of at least one spring-loaded catch connection, where the catch connection can be actuated by a safety mechanism and can be released by the coupler plug inserted into the coupler socket. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A generic coupling mechanism is known, for instance, from DE 44 25 705 C2. This known coupling mechanism is a component of an endoscopic instrument, wherein the coupler socket is configured on the proximal end of the instrument and the coupler plug is a component of a second instrument that is to be connected with this endoscopic instrument. This known coupling mechanism consists of a bayonet coupling and a spring-loaded catch element by which the two components can be fixed in relation to one another. This known coupling mechanism has thoroughly proven itself in the art; however, the structure with a bayonet coupling and a catch element is complex. In addition it requires a separate manual rotation of a swivel in order to fix the two components in relation to one another. 
         [0004]    Consequently, it is the object of the invention to create a coupling mechanism of the aforementioned type which is simple to operate and ensures a secure catching of the components that are to be connected to one another. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This object is met according to the invention in that the safety mechanism is configured as a spring-loaded catching element that is mounted in the coupler socket. 
         [0006]    Because of the inventive configuration of the safety mechanism according to the invention as a spring-loaded catching element mounted in the coupler socket, on the one hand any accidental locking is prevented and on the other hand an automatic locking of the inserted coupler socket is ensured if the catch connection is actuated by actuation of the safety mechanism. This embodiment has the advantage that the actuation of the catch connection and the coupling of the components, the coupler plug and coupler socket, can occur in time sequence in one work step, so that connection of the components can be managed simply and securely. 
         [0007]    According to a practical embodiment of the invention, the catching element of the inventive safety mechanism consists of an axially slidable pin and a radially slidable clamping element that is in active connection with the pin, where the clamping element is pre-tensed by a spring element in the direction that blocks the safety mechanism. Because of the spring pre-tensing of the clamping element of the safety mechanism it can be ensured that the catch connection remains deactivated and thus prevents accidental locking as long as the safety mechanism has not previously been actuated appropriately. 
         [0008]    To facilitate the cooperation of the axially slidable pin with the radially slidable clamping element, it is proposed with the invention that mutually corresponding starter slopes should be configured on the pin and on the clamping element. 
         [0009]    It is further proposed with a preferred embodiment of the invention that the catch connection should consist of at least one catch hook that is positioned on the coupler socket and is spring-loaded by at least one spring element in the catching direction, and of at least one catch insert positioned on the coupler plug for inserting the at least one catch hook. Because of the inventive design of the coupling mechanism it is possible, after actuation of the catch connection by actuating the safety mechanism, that the two components that are to be connected with one another can be connected to one another and insulated from gas and liquid simply by being plugged together. No additional mechanical activity or the use of a tool is required with the inventive mechanism. 
         [0010]    According to a practical embodiment of the invention, the coupler socket comprises an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve that, at least partly, coaxially surrounds the inner sleeve, where the inner sleeve and outer sleeve are coupled together so that they can rotate with respect to one another by means of a spring element, in particular a pressure torsion spring. The spring element here, first, ensures axial tolerance compensation between the coupler plug that is to be inserted into the coupling socket and the catch elements of the catch connection and, second, the spring element allows a reciprocal rotatability of the inner and outer sleeves with respect to one another. 
         [0011]    For configuring the inventive catch hooks, notches pointed inward are configured on the notch hooks and, when notched with the coupler plug, are configured as studs that reach around the coupler plug. Coupling and uncoupling of the catch hooks of the coupler socket with the notch recesses on the coupler plug can be facilitated, according to the invention, if the notch hooks are mounted so that they can slide radially in the outer sleeve and, when notched with the coupler plug, are contiguous with a contact surface of the inner sleeve. 
         [0012]    To separate the two components connected with one another by means of the inventive coupling mechanism, the notching connection can be undone again by means of a release mechanism that is in active connection with the at least one notch hook. 
         [0013]    According to a practical embodiment for configuring the release mechanism, it is proposed that for configuring the release mechanism the contact surface of the inner sleeve, with which the catch hooks are contiguous when notched, should be configured as non-rounded sliding track. Because of the reciprocal rotatable mobility of the inner sleeve and outer sleeve with respect to one another, the catch hooks move along this sliding track during reciprocal rotation of the components and, because of the non-rounded configuration of the sliding track, they can be pushed from inside toward the outside until the notches again release the studs of the coupler plug and the inner and outer sleeves are pressed apart by the spring action. 
         [0014]    It is further proposed with the invention that cams extending radially outward should be configured on the outer sleeve. Thanks to these cams the operating of the coupler socket, particularly the reciprocal rotation of the components, inner sleeve and outer sleeve, are facilitated because, like handle grips, they facilitate the gripping of the outer sleeve. 
         [0015]    It is finally proposed with the invention that mutually corresponding guide and/or centering elements should be configured on the coupler socket in order to ensure exact, rotation-proof siting of the components with respect to one another and consequently to make possible a rapid, perfect coupling by means of the catch connection. 
         [0016]    In addition, the invention relates to a coupler socket for inserting a coupler plug of a coupling mechanism, in particular for medical instruments, so that the coupler socket and coupler plug can be secured to one another by at least one spring-loaded catch connecting. Because the coupler plug in practical embodiments of this type of medical coupling mechanisms is often configured on a standard instrument that can be put to multiple uses, for instance an endoscope lens system, which can be coupled with various other medical instruments by means of a coupler socket, the inventive coupler socket is characterized in that the catch connection can be actuated by means of a safety mechanism in order thus, in addition to ease of operation, to ensure a safe, well-stabilized, and gas and liquid-proof catching connection of the components. 
         [0017]    Further characteristics and advantages of the invention can be seen from the appended illustrations, in which an embodiment of an inventive coupling mechanism is depicted in exemplary manner, without restricting the invention to this embodiment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows an explosion view of an inventive coupling mechanism. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an overhead view of the assembled coupling mechanism of  FIG. 1 , in not catch-connected, but without covering cap an coupler plug. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective side view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG. 2  but with the coupler plug, but without outer sleeve. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a view as in  FIG. 2  but without covering cap; however it includes the coupling mechanism in catch-connected position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective side view of the coupling mechanism of  FIG. 4  but with the coupler plug, but without outer sleeve. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a longitudinal section along the line VI-VI of  FIG. 2 , but with the coupler plug. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a longitudinal section along the line VII-VII of  FIG. 2 , but with the coupler plug and covering cap. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a longitudinal section along the line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 4  but with the coupler plug. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a longitudinal section along the line IX-IX of  FIG. 4 , but with the coupler plug and covering cap. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of detail X of  FIG. 6  in the blocking and releasing positions. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a perspective side view of the assembled coupling mechanism of  FIG. 1  not in catching connection, but without covering cap and outer sleeve. 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  shows a view as in  FIG. 11  but with the coupling mechanism in catching connection. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    The coupling mechanism depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 12  consists essentially of a coupler socket  1  and a coupler plug  2  that can be secured by catching in the coupler socket  1  by means of a catch connection  3 , where the catch connection  3  in the illustrated embodiment consists of two notch hooks  5 , spring loaded in the notching direction by one spring element  4  each, and two catch recesses  6 , positioned on the coupler plug  2  for inserting the at least two catch hooks  5 . In the illustrated embodiment the catch recesses  6  are configured as webs  6  distanced radially outward from the coupler plug  2 . 
         [0031]    As can be seen from the illustrations, the catch connection  3  is configured in such a way that the catch hooks  5  are positioned on the coupler socket  1  and the catch recesses  6  are positioned on the coupler plug  2 . 
         [0032]    Coupling mechanisms of this type are preferably used in order to connect to one another two medical instruments, such as an endoscopic instrument and an endoscope eyepiece, so that they are insulated against gas and liquid. 
         [0033]    As can be seen in particular from the explosion view in  FIG. 1 , the coupler socket  1  consists essentially of an inner sleeve  7 , an outer sleeve  8  that can be mounted onto the inner sleeve  7  from the coupling side and that coaxially surrounds the inner sleeve, a spring element  9  that can be pushed up onto the inner sleeve  7  from the free lower end upward and surrounds the inner sleeve  7  coaxially, as well as a ring  10  that can likewise be pushed up from the free lower end upward onto the inner sleeve  7 . This multi-partite coupling socket  1  can be closed off on both sides by an upper covering cap  11  that can be mounted on the outer sleeve  8  as well as a lower closing cap  12  that can be pushed upward from the free lower end onto the inner sleeve  7 . 
         [0034]    As can also be seen from  FIG. 1  in juxtaposition with  FIGS. 7 and 9 , the inner sleeve  7  and the outer sleeve  8  are coupled with one another so that they can rotate with respect to one another by means of the spring element  9  configured as a pressure and torsion spring. For this purpose two pins  13  are formed on the spring element  9  and serve to secure the spring element  9  on the one hand in a pin recess  14  on the inner sleeve  7  and on the other hand in a pin recess  14  on the ring  10 . In addition, protrusions  15  are configured on the ring  10  radially distanced outward and, when the coupling socket  1  is assembled, engage in corresponding recesses  16  in the outer sleeve  8 . 
         [0035]    The actual coupling of the coupler socket  1  with the coupler plug  2  by means of the catch connection  3  take place by means of notches  17  configured on the notch hooks  5  and pointing inward, which when catch-connected grip around the catch recess  6  of the coupler plug  2 , as can be seen from  FIGS. 7 ,  9 , and  12 . 
         [0036]    In order to be able to displace the catch hooks between a position that connects the coupler parts  1  and  2  with one another and a position that releases them again, the catch hooks  5  are positioned so that they can slide radially in guides  18  of the outer sleeve  8  in such a way that the spring elements  4  that pre-tense the catch hook  5  in the notching direction are supported, on the one hand, on the inside of the covering cap  11  and, on the other hand, are contiguous with the catch hooks  5 , in order to press them radially inward until the notches  17  of the catch hooks  5 , when catch-connected with the coupler plug  2 , grip behind the webs  6  of the coupler plug  2 . The sliding of the catch hooks  5  radially inward, when catch-connected with the coupler plug  2 , is restricted by the fact that the catch hooks  5  on the inside come into connect with a contact surface  19  of the inner sleeve  7 . This contact surface  19  of the inner sleeve  7 , as can be seen in particular from  FIG. 1 , is configured as a non-rounded sliding track. 
         [0037]    As a particularity the illustrated coupling mechanism comprises a safety mechanism  20  by means of which the catch connection  3  can be actuated. The safety mechanism  20  serves to prevent any accidental catching of the catch connection  3  without an instrument inserted. As can be seen from  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5 ,  6 , and  8  and in particular from  FIG. 10 , the safety mechanism  20  in the illustrated embodiment is configured as an axially slidable pin  21  and a radially slidable clamping element  22  that is in active connection with the pin  21 , where the clamping element  22  is pre-tensed in the direction blocking the safety mechanism  20  by means of a spring element  23  advantageously configured as a spring steel sheet. 
         [0038]    To facilitate the interplay between the axially slidable pin  21  and the radially slidable clamping element and to simplify conversion of the safety mechanism  20  from the position that blocks the catch connection  2  into the position that releases the catch connection  3 , corresponding run-up slopes  24  are configured on contact surfaces of the pin  21  and of the clamping element  22  that are in active connection with one another, which slopes preferably form an a 45-degree angle, so that the pin  21  on coming in contact against the clamping element  22  automatically presses the clamping element  22  radially inward. 
         [0039]    To separate the two components  1  and  2  that are connected with one another by means of the coupling mechanism, the catch connection  3  can be released again by means of a release mechanism  25  that is in active connection with the catch hooks  5 . 
         [0040]    As can be seen in particular from  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 ,  11 , and  12 , the release mechanism  25  consists of the contact surface  19  of the inner sleeve  7 , configured as a non-rounded sliding track, and of cams  26  configured on the outer sleeve  8  and extending radially outward, by means of which cams the outer sleeve  8  can be rotated with respect to the inner sleeve  7 . On rotating the outer sleeve  8 , the catch hooks  5  that, when the coupling mechanism is catch-connected, are in contact with the contact surface  19  move along this non-rounded sliding track and during this motion are pressed radially outward until the notches  17  of the catch hooks  5  no longer reach around the webs  6  of the coupler plug  2  and release the coupling of the components  1  and  2  as well as the inner sleeve  7 . 
         [0041]    The overview and the actuation of the coupling mechanism is elucidated hereafter by reference to the appended illustrations, FIGS.  1  and  6 - 9 : 
         [0042]    In the first assembly step, the safety mechanism  20 , consists of the pin  21 , the clamping element  22 , and the spring element  23 , is secured on the inner sleeve  7 . 
         [0043]    Then, from the lower end of the inner sleeve  7  at a distance from the coupling, first the spring element configured as a pressure and torsion spring is pushed onto the inner sleeve  7  until the pin  13  of the spring element  9  engages in the pin recess  14  of the inner sleeve  7 . In the next step, likewise from the lower end of the inner sleeve  7  at a distance from the coupling, the ring  10  is pushed onto the inner sleeve  7  until the pin  13  of the spring element  9  engages in the pin recess  14  of the ring  10 . 
         [0044]    Now, on this assembly, from the upper end of the inner sleeve  7  close to the coupling, the outer sleeve  8  is placed on the inner sleeve  7  until the protrusions  15  formed on the ring  10  engage in the recesses  16  of the outer sleeve  8 . This coupling of the inner sleeve  7  with the outer sleeve  8 , which can rotate with respect to one another by means of the spring element  9 , is held together by the closing cap  12  that can be pushed from the free lower end onto the inner sleeve  7  and screwed onto the outer sleeve  8 . 
         [0045]    In the next step of the assembly, the catch hooks  5  and spring elements  4  are inserted into the guides  18  of the outer sleeve  8  and then, from the coupling end, the upper cover cap  11  is placed on the outer sleeve  8  and connected with it, for example by soldering, in such a way that the spring elements  4  are supported on the rear on the inside of the covering cap  11  and the catch hooks  5  press radially inward against the inner sleeve  1 . 
         [0046]    With the coupling socket  1  in this assembled state, the spring element  23  of the safety mechanism presses the radially slidable clamping element  22  radially outward into a relief groove  27  in the outer sleeve  8 , as is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this position the safety mechanism  20  blocks the catch connection  3  against accidental catching. 
         [0047]    The coupling mechanism at this point is ready to make possible the catching connection between the coupler plug  2  and the coupler socket  1 . In the illustrated embodiment the parts of the coupler plug  2  and coupler socket  1  that are to be joined into one another are configured as a cone  28  and countercone  29 . Other shapes such as tubular coupling pieces are also possible of course. 
         [0048]    In ensure an exactly positioned and rotation-proof placement of the components, coupler socket  1  and coupler plug  2 , with respect to one another, mutually corresponding guide and/or centering elements  30 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , are configured on the coupler plug  2  and on the coupler socket  1 , which elements are configured in the illustrated embodiment as a centering pin  31  and a socket groove  32 . 
         [0049]    Starting from the initial position illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 11 , in which the coupler plug  2  and the coupler socket  1  are aligned with one another by the guide and/or centering elements  28  and the coupling plug  2  is contiguous with the underside of the catch recess  6  on the pin  21  of the safety mechanism  20 , the coupler plug  2  is subsequently pressed downward into the coupler socket  1  for catching with the coupler socket  1 . This axial pressure exerted by the coupler pug  2  on the pin  21  of the safety mechanism  20  causes, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the clamping element  22  to be pressed radially inward by the mutually contiguous start-up slopes  24  of the pin  21  and of the clamping element  22  and causes the relief groove of the outer sleeve  8  to be released again. 
         [0050]    This unlocking of the safety mechanism  20  has the effect that the coupler plug  2  can be pressed farther into the coupler socket  1  and the catch connection  3  is actuated. As soon as the coupler plug  2  has penetrated sufficiently deep into the coupler socket  1 , the catch hooks  5  that are pre-tensed in the catching direction by the spring elements  4  are pressed radially inward until the notches  17  of the coupler socket  1  reach around the webs  6  of the coupler plug  2  and fix the coupler plug  2  in the coupler socket  1  so that it is insulated against gas and liquid. 
         [0051]    To release the catch connection, the outer sleeve  8  is rotated by the two cams  26 , especially as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , with respect to the inner sleeve  7  until the catch hooks  5  contiguous with the contact surface  19  of the inner sleeve  7  are pressed radially outward by the non-rounded sliding track of the contact surface  19  and the notches  17  of the catch hooks  5  engage with the webs  6  of the coupler socket  2 . 
         [0052]    Because of the spring element  9 , configured as a pressure and torsion spring, which on the one hand makes possible the rotation of the inner sleeve  7  and the outer sleeve  8  with respect to one another and on the other hand serves as an axial tolerance balance in the catching with the coupler plug  2 , the outer sleeve  8  is automatically rotated back into the starting position again because of the torsion force as soon as the catch connecting  3  is released. This counter-rotation of the outer sleeve  8  causes an axial lifting of the coupler plug  2  out of the coupler socket  1 . 
         [0053]    In this unlocked position the spring element  23  presses the clamping element  22  of the safety mechanism  20  radially outward again into the relief groove  27  of the outer sleeve  8 , so that the pin  21  again assumes the position seen in  FIG. 6  and the safety mechanism  20  blocks the catch connection  3 . 
         [0054]    A coupling mechanism of this design is distinguished in that causes a secure connection, insulated against gas and liquid, by merely pressing together the components  1  and  2  that are to be connected to one another.