Patent Description:
A connector device for an endoscope (first connector) comprising a power reception coil is disclosed in <CIT>. 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 <CIT> 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. For example, document <CIT> discloses an endoscope which can perform non-contact electric power supply and non-contact signal transmission and of which assembly, repair, and maintenance can be easily performed. A power receiving unit, an image signal transmission unit, and an endoscope side signal transmission and reception unit are disposed in the space (hollow structure) of a first connector of an endoscope. The first connector of the endoscope includes a first connector case and a second connector case disposed in order from a side of the second connector, and a division line between the first and second connector cases includes an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to an insertion direction of the first and second connectors.

In the connector device comprising the power reception coil as in <CIT>, 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, <NUM> and <NUM> atm) saturated steam for approximately <NUM> 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 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.

According to the present invention, 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.

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> is a schematic configuration view of an endoscope system <NUM>. The endoscope system <NUM> comprises an endoscope <NUM> and a processor device for an endoscope <NUM>.

The endoscope <NUM> is a rigid endoscope, such as a laparoscope, and comprises an elongated rigid insertion part <NUM> that is inserted into a body cavity, an L-shaped grip portion <NUM> continuously connected to a proximal end part of the insertion part <NUM>, a flexible universal cable <NUM> of which a proximal end part is connected to the insertion part <NUM> via the grip portion <NUM>, and a switch disposed member <NUM> provided in a middle portion of the universal cable <NUM>.

A connector device <NUM> according to the embodiment is provided at a tip part of the universal cable <NUM>, and the endoscope <NUM> is attachably and detachably connected to a processor side connector <NUM> of the processor device for an endoscope <NUM> via the connector device <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the connector device <NUM> in an exaggerated manner as compared with the endoscope <NUM>.

The processor device for an endoscope <NUM> comprises an image processing unit <NUM>, which includes a light source unit <NUM>, and an image signal reception unit <NUM>. In addition, a monitor <NUM> that displays an image which is image-processed by the image processing unit <NUM> is connected to the processor device for an endoscope <NUM>.

The endoscope system <NUM> of the present example has a configuration that transmits power, optical signals, and the like in a contactless manner between the endoscope <NUM> and the processor device for an endoscope <NUM> via a connector part composed of the connector device <NUM> and the processor side connector <NUM>. In addition, as an operation switch <NUM> disposed on the switch disposed member <NUM> described above, for example, an image changeover switch that switches an image to be displayed on the monitor <NUM> between 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> is a front view of a tip part of the insertion part <NUM>. In addition, <FIG> illustrates an enlarged cross section of main parts at the tip part of the insertion part <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, an observation part <NUM> is provided on a distal end surface 102A of the insertion part <NUM>. The observation part <NUM> comprises an observation window <NUM>, three light emission ends 118A that are tip parts of a light guide <NUM>, which is disposed around the observation window <NUM>, an image pick-up lens group <NUM> and a prism <NUM> that are disposed behind the observation window <NUM>, and a solid-state imaging element <NUM>. As the solid-state imaging element <NUM>, 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 guide <NUM> is inserted into the insertion part <NUM>, the grip portion <NUM>, and the universal cable <NUM>, and is disposed to be inserted in a cylindrical light guide rod <NUM> of the connector device <NUM>. By connecting the light guide rod <NUM> to a connection hole <NUM> of the processor side connector <NUM>, a light incident end 118B of the light guide <NUM> is connected to the light source unit <NUM> of the processor device for an endoscope <NUM>. Accordingly, illumination light from the light source unit <NUM> is transmitted via the light guide <NUM>, and is radiated to the front of the insertion part <NUM> from the three light emission ends 118A of the light guide <NUM>.

On the other hand, subject light picked up from the observation window <NUM> is formed as an image on an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging element <NUM> via the image pick-up lens group <NUM> and the prism <NUM>, and is converted to an image pick-up signal by the solid-state imaging element <NUM>. A tip part of a signal line <NUM> is connected to the solid-state imaging element <NUM> via a base substrate (not illustrated). A proximal end part of the signal line <NUM> is inserted into the insertion part <NUM>, the grip portion <NUM>, and the universal cable <NUM>, and is connected to an image signal transmission unit <NUM> accommodated in an exterior case <NUM> of the connector device <NUM>. The image pick-up signal is converted to an optical signal by the image signal transmission unit <NUM>, and the optical signal is transmitted to a fiber cable <NUM> accommodated in the exterior case <NUM>.

A light emission end 16A of the fiber cable <NUM> is disposed to be inserted in a cylindrical pin <NUM> of the connector device <NUM>. By connecting the pin <NUM> to a connection hole <NUM> of the processor side connector <NUM>, the optical signal is optically transmitted to the image signal reception unit <NUM> of the processor device for an endoscope <NUM> in a contactless manner. The optical signal optically transmitted to the image signal reception unit <NUM> is image-processed by the image processing unit <NUM> and is displayed on the monitor <NUM> as a subject image.

The pin <NUM> is an example of a shaft-shaped member, which is a component of the present invention. A proximal end part of the pin <NUM> is fixed to a metal shield case <NUM> accommodated inside the exterior case <NUM>, and the shield case <NUM> is positioned at the processor side connector <NUM> by connecting the pin <NUM> to the connection hole <NUM>. In addition, an electronic component such as a substrate configuring the image signal transmission unit <NUM> is mounted inside the shield case <NUM>.

The connector device <NUM> is provided with a power reception unit <NUM> that receives power in a contactless manner, and the processor side connector <NUM> is provided with a power feed unit <NUM> that feeds power in a contactless manner. In the endoscope system <NUM> of the present example, a contactless power supply unit is composed of the power feed unit <NUM> and the power reception unit <NUM>, and power necessary for driving an electronic component on an endoscope <NUM> side is supplied by the power supply unit from the processor device for an endoscope <NUM> to the connector device <NUM>. As will be described later, the power reception unit <NUM> is not fixed to the exterior case <NUM>, and is fixed to the shield case <NUM> like the pin <NUM>.

In a case where the connector device <NUM> is connected to the processor side connector <NUM> via the light guide rod <NUM> and the pin <NUM>, the power feed unit <NUM> and the power reception unit <NUM> are disposed near to face each other at a distance allowing electromagnetic coupling, and are in a state where power feeding from the power feed unit <NUM> to the power reception unit <NUM> is possible in a contactless manner. The power feed unit <NUM> is connected to an external commercial power source, and in a case where power is supplied from the commercial power source to the power feed unit <NUM>, power is fed in a contactless manner from the power feed unit <NUM> to the power reception unit <NUM>.

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 unit <NUM>, 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 unit <NUM>.

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 unit <NUM> is preferably, for example, a highly heat-resistant sintered ferrite core. Accordingly, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit <NUM> that can withstand the heat of an autoclave can be configured. In addition, the power reception unit <NUM> is fixed to the shield case <NUM> as will be described later. However, in this case, it is preferable to adhere the power reception unit <NUM> to the shield case <NUM>, for example, using a thermosetting adhesive material such as a highly heat-resistant thermosetting epoxy sheet. Accordingly, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit <NUM> can be configured.

The power supply unit in which the power feed unit <NUM> is configured by the primary coil and the power reception unit <NUM> is 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 <CIT>, detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

Next, a structure of the connector device <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is an overall perspective view illustrating the appearance of the connector device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the exterior case <NUM> of the connector device <NUM> has a longitudinal axis 10a parallel to an axial direction of the cylindrical light guide rod <NUM> and the pin <NUM>. In the following description, a position and a direction of a space where the connector device <NUM> is disposed will be described using the following terms. An X(+) direction and an X(-) direction along the longitudinal axis 10a are 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 device <NUM> has the highly heat-resistant and chemical-resistant resin exterior case <NUM>, the metal light guide rod <NUM>, the metal pin <NUM>, and the metal shield case <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a perspective view of a plug <NUM> configuring the exterior case <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the plug <NUM> viewed from the front toward the rear. <FIG> is a perspective view of the plug <NUM> viewed from the rear toward the front.

In addition, <FIG> is a perspective view of a connector exterior case <NUM> configuring the exterior case <NUM> viewed from the front toward the rear. <FIG> is a perspective view of the connector exterior case <NUM> viewed from the rear toward the front.

Referring back to <FIG>, the exterior case <NUM> is formed in a hollow shape by connecting the plug <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> to the connector exterior case <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the plug <NUM> comprises an elliptical ring portion <NUM> that has an opening <NUM> in a rear end, a mount portion <NUM> that protrudes from the elliptical ring portion <NUM> toward the front, and a cylindrical portion <NUM> that protrudes from the mount portion <NUM> toward the front.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the elliptical ring portion <NUM> is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a race track shape (oval shape), in which a pair of parallel linear portions 30A and 30A, which face each other in a right-and-left direction, and a pair of curved portions 30B and 30B, which face each other in an up-and-down direction, are connected to each other. In addition, an O-ring <NUM>, which is a sealing member, is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion <NUM>. The O-ring <NUM> is also one of a plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case <NUM>, as will be described later.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the mount portion <NUM> is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a substantially semi-elliptical shape, in which a pair of parallel linear portions 32A and 32A, which face each other in the right-and-left direction, and the curved portion 30B and a linear portion 30C, which face each other in the up-and-down direction, are connected to each other.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is provided on an upper part of a side wall part 32D of the mount portion <NUM> and comprises, in a center part thereof, a lead-out hole <NUM> that leads the light guide rod <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the outside. The lead-out hole <NUM> is an example of a second lead-out hole, which is a component of the present invention. In addition, the side wall part 32D is an example of a side wall part, which is a component of the present invention. In a case where the connector device <NUM> is connected to the processor device for an endoscope <NUM>, the side wall part 32D is disposed to face the power feed unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the processor device for an endoscope <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the connector exterior case <NUM> viewed from the front toward the rear, and illustrates the light guide rod <NUM> and the shield case <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the light guide rod <NUM> has a proximal end part disposed inside the exterior case <NUM>, and is fixed to a substantially semicircular bracket <NUM>. As the bracket <NUM> is fixed to an inner peripheral surface of the plug <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the light guide rod <NUM> is supported by the plug <NUM>.

In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, an elastic O-ring <NUM> is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the light guide rod <NUM>, and the light guide rod <NUM> is fitted into the lead-out hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) via the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring <NUM> is 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 rod <NUM> and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the lead-out hole <NUM> and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring <NUM> is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case <NUM>, like the O-ring <NUM>.

Referring back to <FIG>, the side wall part 32D of the mount portion <NUM> comprises a lead-out hole <NUM> that leads the pin <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the outside. The lead-out hole <NUM> is an example of a first lead-out hole, which is a component of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, one end of the pin <NUM> is fixed to an inner case wall part <NUM>, which is a front surface of the shield case <NUM>, and the other end of the pin <NUM> is disposed to face the front. In addition, an elastic O-ring <NUM> is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the pin <NUM>, and the pin <NUM> is fitted into the lead-out hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) via the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring <NUM> is 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 pin <NUM> and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the lead-out hole <NUM> and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring <NUM> is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case <NUM>, like the O-rings <NUM> and <NUM>.

In addition, by fitting the pin <NUM> into the lead-out hole <NUM> via the O-ring <NUM>, the shield case <NUM> (see <FIG>) is disposed inside the exterior case <NUM> by the pin <NUM>. That is, the shield case <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surfaces of the plug <NUM> and the connector exterior case <NUM> by the pin <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the shield case <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the shield case <NUM> is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a long side 22A of the shield case <NUM> is accommodated in the connector exterior case <NUM> in a posture along the longitudinal axis 10a. Accordingly, a sufficient space is secured between the inner surface of the connector exterior case <NUM> and an outer surface of the shield case <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector exterior case <NUM> is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape with a bulging front end. The connector exterior case <NUM> comprises the elliptical ring portion <NUM> that has an opening <NUM> in the front end. The elliptical ring portion <NUM> is configured to have a shape in plan view that is a race track shape (oval shape), in which a pair of parallel linear portions 46A and 46A, which face each other in the right-and-left direction, and a pair of curved portions 46B and 46B, which face each other in the up-and-down direction, are connected to each other.

The connector exterior case <NUM> and the plug <NUM> (see <FIG>) are connected to each other by fitting the elliptical ring portion <NUM> of the plug <NUM> into the elliptical ring portion <NUM> of the connector exterior case <NUM>. In this connected state, the linear portions 30A and 30A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> and the linear portions 46A and 46A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> are disposed to face each other, and the curved portions 30B and 30B of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> and the curved portions 46B and 46B of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> are disposed to face each other. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, an inner peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> comprises an annular groove <NUM> along the inner peripheral surface, and the O-ring <NUM> (see <FIG>) on a plug <NUM> side is fitted to the groove <NUM>. That is, the connector exterior case <NUM> and the plug <NUM> are connected to each other by fitting the elliptical ring portion <NUM> of the plug <NUM> into the elliptical ring portion <NUM> of the connector exterior case <NUM> and fitting the O-ring <NUM> to the groove <NUM> (see <FIG>).

On the other hand, as illustrated in <FIG>, the linear portions 46A and 46A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> comprises a pair of through-holes <NUM> and <NUM> (only the through-holes <NUM> and <NUM> in a left surface of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> are illustrated) penetrating an outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the elliptical ring portion <NUM>, which are coaxial in the up-and-down direction. In addition, as illustrated in <FIG>, each of inner peripheral surfaces of the linear portions 46A and 46A comprises a semicircular groove <NUM>, which connects the through-hole <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM> to each other, along the up-and-down direction. Further, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, outer peripheral surfaces of the linear portions 30A and 30A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> comprise semicircular grooves <NUM> and <NUM> (only the grooves <NUM> in a left surface of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> are illustrated) along the up-and-down direction, and the grooves <NUM> are disposed to face the grooves <NUM> in a state where the connector exterior case <NUM> and the plug <NUM> are connected to each other. Accordingly, as in a cross sectional view of main parts illustrated in <FIG>, a substantially cylindrical insertion passage <NUM> is formed along the up-and-down direction by a wall surface of the groove <NUM> and a wall surface of the groove <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a cylindrical pin <NUM> fitted from the through-hole <NUM> into the through-hole <NUM> via the insertion passage <NUM> (see <FIG>). The pin <NUM> is fitted from the through-hole <NUM> into the through-hole <NUM> via the insertion passage <NUM> (see <FIG>), an upper end part 60A of the pin <NUM> is fitted to an inner wall surface of the through-hole <NUM>, a lower end part 60B of the pin <NUM> is fitted to an inner wall surface of the through-hole <NUM>, and a portion of the pin <NUM> excluding the upper end part 60A and the lower end part 60B is fitted to the insertion passage <NUM>. Accordingly, the plug <NUM> is prevented from coming off from the connector exterior case <NUM>, and the linear portion 30A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM> is reinforced by the pin <NUM>, causing a state where the deformation of the linear portion 30A is suppressed. In addition, the pin <NUM> is fastened to the elliptical ring portion <NUM> by a screw <NUM> (see <FIG>) screwed from the lower end part 60B to the linear portion 30A of the elliptical ring portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the pin <NUM> is prevented from falling off. Further, the upper end part 60A and the lower end part 60B of the pin <NUM> are composed of slopes so as not to protrude from the outer peripheral surface of the linear portion 46A. The pin <NUM> is preferably made of a metal having high stiffness.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the connector exterior case <NUM> comprises, in a rear end thereof, an opening portion <NUM> to which the universal cable <NUM> (see <FIG>) is connected. In addition, an elastic O-ring <NUM> (see <FIG>) is fitted to an outer peripheral surface of the universal cable <NUM>, and the universal cable <NUM> is fitted into the opening portion <NUM> via the O-ring <NUM>. The O-ring <NUM> is 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 cable <NUM> and an inner peripheral surface configuring an inner wall surface of the opening portion <NUM> and is a component of the present invention. The O-ring <NUM> is also one of the plurality of sealing members that seal the inside of the exterior case <NUM>, like the O-rings <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

When assembling the endoscope <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the insertion part <NUM>, the grip portion <NUM>, the switch disposed member <NUM>, and the universal cable <NUM> are inserted into the outside from the opening <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the connector exterior case <NUM> via the opening portion <NUM> (see <FIG>), starting from the insertion part <NUM>. For this reason, the opening portion <NUM> of the connector exterior case <NUM> is configured in a size that allows the insertion part <NUM>, the grip portion <NUM>, the switch disposed member <NUM>, and the universal cable <NUM> to be inserted therein. By configuring the opening portion <NUM> in such a size, it becomes easy to assemble the endoscope <NUM>. In addition, even when disassembling the endoscope <NUM>, it becomes easy to disassemble the endoscope. It is more preferable that the opening portion <NUM> has a size that allows the insertion even in a state where the operation switch <NUM> is disposed on the switch disposed member <NUM>. That is, the inner diameter of the opening portion <NUM> may be set to be larger than the diameter of a circumscribed circle of the switch disposed member <NUM> including the operation switch <NUM> when viewed from a longitudinal axis direction of the universal cable <NUM>.

However, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, inside the exterior case <NUM>, the inner case wall part <NUM> of the shield case <NUM> is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part 32D (see <FIG>) toward the rear, and the power reception unit <NUM> is disposed on the inner case wall part <NUM>. That is, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, since the inner case wall part <NUM> is disposed at a position spaced apart from the side wall part 32D toward the rear, which is a position unlikely to be affected by a heat cycle of steam sterilization and the power reception unit <NUM> is disposed on the inner case wall part <NUM>, the following effects can be obtained.

For example, even in a case where the shape of the exterior case <NUM> (in particular, the plug <NUM>) is deformed by the effect of the heat cycle of steam sterilization, a position shift of the power reception unit <NUM> can be suppressed since the power reception unit <NUM> is disposed on the inner case wall part <NUM> which 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 unit <NUM> can be suppressed, the endoscope <NUM> can be stably operated.

As described above, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, the endoscope <NUM> can be stably operated since the exterior case <NUM> has the side wall part 32D facing the power feed unit <NUM>, the shield case <NUM> has the inner case wall part <NUM> disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part 32D, and the power reception unit <NUM> is disposed on the inner case wall part <NUM>.

In addition, since the inner case wall part <NUM> is made of a metal, the amount of deformation caused by being affected by the heat cycle is extremely smaller than the resin exterior case <NUM>. Accordingly, since the position shift of the power reception unit <NUM> can be effectively suppressed, the operation of the endoscope <NUM> is more stabilized.

In addition, since the core of the secondary coil configuring the power reception unit <NUM> is composed of a highly heat-resistant sintered ferrite core and the power reception unit <NUM> is adhered to the shield case <NUM> using a highly heat-resistant thermosetting epoxy sheet, the highly heat-resistant power reception unit <NUM> that can withstand sterilization by the autoclave can be provided.

In addition, by fixing the power reception unit <NUM> to a shield case <NUM> side, workability of arranging a lead wire from the power reception unit <NUM> to the shield case <NUM> side and workability of connecting the lead wire to a substrate of the shield case <NUM> improve, and disassembling work of the shield case <NUM> and the plug <NUM> also becomes easy.

In addition, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, the shield case <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug <NUM> and the inner surface of the connector exterior case <NUM> as being disposed in the exterior case <NUM> via the pin <NUM>. With this configuration, the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment can obtain the following effects.

That is, in a case where the endoscope <NUM> comprising the connector device <NUM> is taken out from a high-pressure steam sterilizer, the temperature of the connector device <NUM> heated 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 case <NUM> is in contact with the exterior case <NUM>, in particular, the inner surface of the connector exterior case <NUM> is adopted, a temperature difference between the connector exterior case <NUM> and the shield case <NUM> is unlikely to occur in the process of decreasing the temperature after sterilization. Thus, moisture in the air inside the connector exterior case <NUM> adheres to an inner wall and the substrate of the shield case <NUM> and condensation occurs, causing a problem of adversely affecting the substrate. That is, condensation occurs also on an inner wall of the connector exterior case <NUM>, but simultaneously with the condensation or without a time lag therebetween, condensation occurs on the inner wall and the substrate of the shield case <NUM>.

On the contrary, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, as the shield case <NUM> is held by the exterior case <NUM> via the pin <NUM>, the outer surface of the shield case <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug <NUM> and the inner surface of the connector exterior case <NUM>. In addition, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, as the connector exterior case <NUM> accommodates the shield case <NUM> in a posture in which the long side 22A of the shield case <NUM> is aligned with the longitudinal axis 10a, a sufficient space is secured between an inner surface of the exterior case <NUM> and the outer surface of the shield case <NUM>. Therefore, condensation is unlikely to occur on the outer surface of the shield case <NUM> in the connector device <NUM> of the present embodiment. Accordingly, in the connector device <NUM> of the present embodiment, condensation on the substrate disposed inside the shield case <NUM> can be prevented.

In addition, in the connector device <NUM> of the embodiment, since the outer surface of the shield case <NUM> is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner surface of the plug <NUM> and the inner surface of the connector exterior case <NUM>, internal stress caused by a temperature difference between the connector exterior case <NUM> and the shield case <NUM> can be reduced. Accordingly, heat cycle resistance attributable to steam sterilization improves.

In addition, in the connector device <NUM> of the present embodiment, since a sufficient space is secured between the inner surface of the exterior case <NUM> and the outer surface of the shield case <NUM>, 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 device <NUM> of the embodiment, the plug <NUM> and the connector exterior case <NUM>, which configure the exterior case <NUM>, are preferably made of, for example, a polyphenylsulfone resin, the light guide rod <NUM> and the pins <NUM> and <NUM> are preferably made of, for example, stainless steel, and the O-rings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are preferably made of, for example, highly heat-resistant fluororubber.

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

In addition, although the plug <NUM> and the connector exterior case <NUM>, which are examples of the exterior case, are made of a resin and the shield case <NUM>, 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 portion <NUM> and the elliptical ring portion <NUM>, which are connecting portions between the plug <NUM> and the connector exterior case <NUM>, 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 plug <NUM> and the connector exterior case <NUM> to each other.

In addition, although the core of the secondary coil configuring the power reception unit <NUM> is 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 unit <NUM> is adhered to the shield case <NUM> by a thermosetting adhesive material, but may be adhered to the shield case <NUM> by other adhesive materials.

Claim 1:
A connector device (<NUM>) for an endoscope (<NUM>) that is attachably and detachably connected to a processor device (<NUM>), the connector device comprising:
a hollow exterior case (<NUM>);
an inner case (<NUM>) that is accommodated inside the exterior case (<NUM>);
a holding body (<NUM>) that is used for disposing the inner case (<NUM>) inside the exterior case (<NUM>); and
a power reception unit (<NUM>) to which power is supplied from a power feed unit (<NUM>) of the processor device (<NUM>) in a contactless manner,
wherein the exterior case (<NUM>) has a side wall part (32D) that faces the power feed unit (<NUM>) of the processor device (<NUM>),
the inner case (<NUM>) has an inner case wall part (<NUM>) that is disposed to face and be spaced apart from the side wall part (32D),
the power reception unit (<NUM>) is disposed on the inner case wall part (<NUM>),
the holding body (<NUM>) is a shaft-shaped member of which one end is fixed to the inner case wall part (<NUM>),
a first lead-out hole (<NUM>), into which the shaft-shaped member (<NUM>) is inserted and which leads the other end of the shaft-shaped member (<NUM>) to an outside of the exterior case (<NUM>), is provided in the side wall part (32D), and
a first sealing member (<NUM>) is arranged between an inner wall surface of the first lead-out hole (<NUM>) and an outer wall surface of the shaft-shaped member (<NUM>).