Bending operation mechanism of endoscope and endoscope

Abstract

The pulley unit (30) as a bending operation mechanism includes: an up-and-down bending pulley (31) as a moving body; angle wires (25U, 25D) as bending section pulling members, the front end sides of which are connected to the bending section (6), and the base end sides of which are pulled by the up-and-down bending pulley (31); and a spiral spring (36U, 36D) as a slack absorbing member, the first end of which is connected to the base end of the angle wire (25U, 25D), and the second end side of which is connected to the up-and-down bending pulley (31) to pull the angle wire (25U, 25D) toward the up-and-down bending pulley (31).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an endoscope operating part that causes the curved part to bend by traction and relaxation of the curved part traction member. Background Technology

[0002] Endoscopes have historically been widely used in the medical field. By inserting a slender insertion section into a body cavity or other cavity of the subject, an endoscope can visualize organs within that cavity. Such endoscopes typically have a curved section at the tip of the insertion section. This curved section is configured to bend by means of a bending mechanism located on the operating section, which pulls and relaxes a bending member such as an angle line.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-218569 discloses a bending operation mechanism comprising: a pulley unit having a pulley wound with a pair of operation lines (angle lines); and a pair of locking portions rotatably held in the pulley unit. The base end of each operation line is inserted through each locking portion. Furthermore, each locking portion is configured to hold a connector provided at the base end of each operation line in a manner that allows for easy engagement and disengagement. In this technology, the operation line is pulled by engaging with the locking portion, and slack in the operation line is absorbed by disengaging the locking portion.

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-218569, when the connector moves in the engagement / disengagement direction relative to the locking part, the operating line inserted through the locking part slides, and therefore the operating line may wear.

[0005] Furthermore, in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-218569, due to the sliding resistance between the locking part and the operating line, the movement of the operating line relative to the locking part sometimes becomes insufficient. Moreover, in such cases, the slack in the operating line cannot be adequately absorbed, and the operating line may partially detach from the pulley, making it difficult to achieve accurate bending movements.

[0006] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an endoscope bending operation mechanism that can ensure the durability of the bending traction component through a simple structure and can achieve accurate bending action of the bending part. Summary of the Invention

[0007] means for solving problems

[0008] An endoscope bending operation mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a movable body capable of moving in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction; a first bending portion traction member having its front end connected to the bending portion and its base end being tractioned in accordance with the movement of the movable body in the first direction; a second bending portion traction member having its front end connected to the bending portion and its base end being tractioned in accordance with the movement of the movable body in the second direction; and a spiral spring having its first end connected to the base end of the first bending portion traction member and its second end connected to the movable body, wherein when the movable body is moved in the second direction, the spiral spring pulls the first bending portion traction member toward the movable body.

[0009] In addition, another aspect of the endoscope bending operation mechanism of the present invention includes: a first bending portion traction member, which is pulled toward the base end side to bend the bending portion of the endoscope insertion portion in a first bending direction; a second bending portion traction member, which is pulled toward the base end side to bend the bending portion in a second bending direction; and a rotating body, which pulls either the first bending portion traction member or the second bending portion traction member toward the base end side by rotation, the rotating body being provided with a spiral spring, which pulls either the second bending portion traction member or the first bending portion traction member not pulled by the rotating body toward the base end side when the rotating body rotates. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a top view showing an endoscope.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a top view showing the internal structure of the operating section after removing the right side housing.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the internal structure of the operating section after the left side housing has been removed.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a side view of the pulley unit.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing the main parts of the pulley unit.

[0015] Figure 6 This is an exploded 3D view of the pulley unit.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a bottom view showing a pulley with a spiral spring.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of a spiral spring during bending.

[0018] Figure 9The first variation is a top view of an endoscope.

[0019] Figure 10 The first variation is a cross-sectional view showing a pulley unit.

[0020] Figure 11 The first variation is a three-dimensional view showing the main parts of the pulley unit.

[0021] Figure 12 The first variation is an exploded perspective view of the pulley unit.

[0022] Figure 13 The second variation is a perspective view showing the mounting structure of the angle line relative to the spiral spring.

[0023] Figure 14 The third variation is a perspective view showing the mounting structure of the angle line relative to the spiral spring.

[0024] Figure 15 The third variation is a perspective view showing a connector mounted on the base end of an angle line.

[0025] Figure 16 The third variation involves an illustration of the joint being installed on a spiral spring.

[0026] Figure 17 The third variation is an explanatory diagram showing the insertion part installed relative to the operating part. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings relate to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 This is a top view of an endoscope.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the endoscope 1 is configured to have: an elongated insertion part 2, which is inserted into the subject; and an operation part 3, which is connected to the base end side of the insertion part 2 along the length axis (optical axis O).

[0029] The insertion part 2 is composed of a front end part 5, a bent part 6 and a flexible tube part 7 sequentially from the front end side along the length axis.

[0030] The front end 5 is equipped with, for example, a camera unit connected to a cable, and an illumination optical system that irradiates the subject with illumination light transmitted by a light guide (none of which are shown).

[0031] In addition, the front end face of the front end 5 is provided with, for example, an observation window in the camera unit, an illumination window in the illumination optical system, a water supply nozzle, and various openings (none of which are shown).

[0032] The bending section 6 is configured to bend freely in two directions, for example, up and down, depending on the operation of the up-down bending operation knob 15 provided on the operation section 3. Furthermore, the up-down and left-right directions in the insertion section 2 are defined corresponding to the up-down and left-right directions of the image captured by the camera unit.

[0033] In this embodiment, the flexible tube 7 is composed of a flexible multi-lumen tube 8.

[0034] Specifically, the multi-lumen tube 8 constituting the flexible tube section 7 is configured to have, for example,: an observation hole for the insertion of a cable extending from the camera unit (or, in the case where there is no camera unit at the front end, an image guiding component) and a light guide; a channel hole that also functions as a suction channel and as a channel for the insertion of a treatment device; a pair of water supply holes; and two wire insertion holes for the insertion of two angle wires connected to the up-and-down bending operation knob 15 (none of which are shown).

[0035] Furthermore, an anti-bend portion 9 is connected midway at the base end of the multi-lumen tube 8. Moreover, by fixing the anti-bend portion 9 to the operation portion 3, the flexible tube portion 7 of the insertion portion 2 is connected to the operation portion 3.

[0036] The operating section 3 is provided with: an up-and-down bending operation knob 15 for bending the bending section 6; a locking lever 16 for fixing the rotation position of the up-and-down bending operation knob 15; and a treatment device through insertion connector 17 for inserting the treatment device into the channel hole.

[0037] Furthermore, cables / pipes 18, such as signal cables (or image guiding components), light guides, suction tubes, and water supply pipes, extend from the operation unit 3.

[0038] Furthermore, the endoscope 1 in this embodiment is configured such that the operating section 3 can be properly held when the user or other personnel have the instrument inserted through the insertion connector 17 facing forward and the cable / tube 18 facing backward. With such a grip, the up-and-down bending operation knob 15 and the locking lever 16 are located on the right side, for example, when viewed from the user's perspective.

[0039] Therefore, in the following, the direction of the operating unit 3, etc., is defined as the front side, the direction in which the treatment device through-insertion connector 17 is provided, the direction in which the cable / pipe 18 extends is defined as the rear side, the direction in which the up-and-down bending operation knob 15 and the locking lever 16 are provided is defined as the right side (R), and the direction opposite to the direction in which the up-and-down bending operation knob 15 and the locking lever 16 are provided is defined as the left side (L). (Refer to...) Figures 2 to 8 A more detailed explanation of the structure of the operating unit 3 will be provided.

[0040] like Figure 2 , 3As shown, the housing 10 constituting the operation unit 3 is configured as a first housing 11 constituting the right side portion of the operation unit 3 and a second housing 12 constituting the left side portion of the operation unit 3.

[0041] The first housing 11 and the second housing 12 are approximately symmetrical in shape, and have a plurality of protrusions 11a and 12a formed on their inner surfaces. These first housings 11 and second housings 12 are joined together by opposing mating surfaces, and the corresponding protrusions 11a and 12a are fastened by screws or the like (not shown), thereby forming a hollow housing 10.

[0042] A branch pipe component 20, made of a hard metal or resin material, is disposed on the front end side inside the housing 10. The branch pipe component 20 is configured to have: a first pipe 20a, which extends along the length axis of the insertion part 2 and the operation part 3; and a second pipe 20b, which branches from the middle of the first pipe 20a at a predetermined angle relative to the length axis.

[0043] The base end of the multi-cavity tube 8, which extends from the base end of the anti-bend portion 9, is inserted into the first conduit 20a. Furthermore, angle lines 25U, serving as the first bending portion traction member, and angle lines 25D, serving as the second bending portion traction member, extend from the base end of the first conduit 20a into the interior of the housing 10 and penetrate through the insertion holes of each wire inserted into the multi-cavity tube 8.

[0044] In this embodiment, angle line 25U is used to bend the curved portion 6 upward by traction. On the other hand, angle line 25D is used to bend the curved portion 6 downward by traction.

[0045] On the other hand, inside the branch pipe component 20, the channel hole of the multi-lumen pipe 8 communicates with the second pipe 20b. Furthermore, the base end of the second pipe 20b protrudes outward from the housing 10, and the portion protruding outward from the housing 10 forms a device insertion connector 17. Thus, the second pipe 20b can guide devices such as those inserted through the outside of the operating section 3 into the device insertion connector 17 into the channel hole.

[0046] Additionally, inside the housing 10, on the side closer to the base end than the branch pipe component 20, there is a pulley 31 for bending up and down as a moving body for pulling and relaxing a pair of angle lines 25U, 25D.

[0047] The up-and-down bending pulley 31, together with the up-and-down bending operation knob 15, constitutes a pulley unit 30 as a bending operation mechanism. A pulley rotation shaft 32 is provided at the center of the right side of the up-and-down bending pulley 31. This pulley rotation shaft 32 protrudes through the first housing 11 and outwards from the housing 10, and is connected to the up-and-down bending operation knob 15 using a screw 33. Thus, the up-and-down bending pulley 31 can rotate in conjunction with the operation of the up-and-down bending operation knob 15.

[0048] In addition, such as Figures 5-7 As shown, a pair of spring chambers 35U and 35D are provided on the vertical bending pulley 31. Each spring chamber 35U and 35D is, for example, formed by a generally circular bottomed hole that is open on the left side of the vertical bending pulley 31 and has a bottom on the right side. In addition, each spring chamber 35U and 35D has an opening 35a on the outer periphery of the vertical bending pulley 31, which opens a portion of each spring chamber 35U and 35D. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring chambers 35U and 35D are interconnected inside the vertical bending pulley 31.

[0049] Each spring chamber 35U and 35D, constructed in this way, houses a spiral spring 36U and 36D at its base end (second end). These spiral springs serve as relaxation absorbing components (elastic components).

[0050] Each spiral spring 36U and 36D is formed by winding strip (flat) spring steel into a spiral shape. Furthermore, the front end side (first end side) of each spiral spring 36U and 36D extends outward from each spring chamber 35U and 35D through each opening 35a, and is provided to extend in opposite directions along the outer peripheral surface of the up-and-down bending pulley 31.

[0051] Here, on the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, multiple (e.g., two) protrusions are formed by bending them into a zigzag shape. Furthermore, wire through insertion holes 36a, 36a are formed on each protrusion (see reference). Figures 4-6 Furthermore, after the base ends of each angle line 25U and 25D are inserted through the insertion holes 36a and 36a, they are fixed to the spiral springs 36U and 36D at a position closer to the base ends than the protrusions (see reference). Figure 7 ).

[0052] Furthermore, on the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, a long, hole-shaped groove 36b, 36b extending from the front end side to the base end side is provided at a position closer to the base end side than the welded portion of each angle line 25U, 25D. Corresponding to each groove 36b, 36b, a protrusion 31b, 31b protruding in the outward diameter direction as a locking part is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the vertical bending pulley 31. Moreover, by having each protrusion 31b, 31b housed in each groove 36b, 36b, the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D is held along the outer peripheral surface of the vertical bending pulley 31 while allowing a specified range of forward and backward movement.

[0053] That is, the front end of each spiral spring 36U, 36D is subjected to the force of the spiral spring 36U, 36D itself towards the base end, and can move forward and backward (i.e., with respect to the extension and retraction of the up and down bending pulley 31) within a range from the position where the front end of each groove 36b, 36b abuts against each protrusion 31b, 31b as an abutment part to the position where the base end of each groove 36b, 36b abuts against the protrusion 31b, 31b as an abutment part.

[0054] Here, the force of each spiral spring 36U, 36D (the force acting in the direction of winding each spiral spring 36U, 36D from the front end side to the base end side) is set to be greater than the force required for each angle line 25U, 25D to bend the bending part 6 by traction.

[0055] In addition, such as Figure 2 , 4 As shown in Figure 6, a brake wheel 40 is installed on the left side of the vertical bending pulley 31. This brake wheel 40, together with the locking rod 16, forms a locking mechanism to prevent the rotation of the vertical bending pulley 31. The brake wheel 40 is a disc-shaped component with a diameter larger than that of the vertical bending pulley 31, such that the outer circumferential surface of the brake wheel 40 protrudes outward in the outer diameter direction compared to the outer circumferential surface of the vertical bending pulley 31. Here, in this embodiment, the brake wheel 40 also functions as a cover for closing the spring chambers 35U and 35D that house the spiral springs 36U and 36D.

[0056] In addition, such as Figure 2 , 4 As shown in Figure 6, a rod rotating shaft 41 is axially supported on the outer periphery of the pulley rotating shaft 32 of the vertically bending pulley 31. The right end of the rod rotating shaft 41 passes through the first housing 11 and protrudes to the outside of the housing 10, and is connected to the locking rod 16.

[0057] On the other hand, inside the housing 10, an arm 42 is fixed to the left end of the rod rotation shaft 41. The arm 42 is configured to have a first arm portion 42a extending from the rod rotation shaft 41 in the outward diameter direction and a second arm portion 42b extending to the left from the end of the first arm portion 42a.

[0058] Arm 42 can rotate integrally with locking lever 16. Thus, the second arm 42b can move along an arc-shaped trajectory at positions spaced apart from the outer circumferential surface of brake wheel 40.

[0059] Moreover, such as Figure 2 , 3 As shown, a brake shoe 43 is provided between the brake wheel 40 and the second arm 42b, and is supported so that it can be displaced relative to the second housing 12.

[0060] The brake shoe 43 is composed of a partially arc-shaped component with an abutment surface 43a on its inner surface facing the outer periphery of the brake wheel 40. In addition, a cam surface 43b is formed on the outer surface of the brake shoe 43, for example, with an outer diameter that increases from one end to the other.

[0061] The cam surface 43b is positioned to slide relative to the second arm 42b. Furthermore, when the second arm 42b moves from one end of the brake shoe 43 to the other, the cam surface 43b is pressed against the inner diameter of the brake shoe 43 by the second arm 42b. As a result, the contact surface 43a of the brake shoe 43 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the brake wheel 40, and the rotation of the (locking) up-and-down bending pulley 31 (up-and-down bending operation knob 15) is prohibited.

[0062] In this type of endoscope 1, for example, if the bending operation is performed in the upward direction using the operating knob 15 (i.e., in...) Figure 1 In the middle, when the bending operation knob 15 is rotated counterclockwise, the bending pulley 31, in conjunction with this bending operation, moves... Figure 8 The center line rotates clockwise as the first direction.

[0063] In this embodiment, the clockwise rotation of the up-and-down bending pulley 31 corresponds to the first direction when viewed from the spiral spring 36U, and conversely, the second direction when viewed from the spiral spring 36D.

[0064] Through the aforementioned clockwise rotation, the up-and-down bending pulley 31 pulls the angle line 25U via the spiral spring 36U. That is, the force of the spiral spring 36U is set to be greater than the force required by the angle line 25U to bend the bending part 6 upward. Therefore, the angle line 25U is pulled by the rotation of the up-and-down bending pulley 31, causing the bending part 6 to bend upward as the first bending direction.

[0065] On the other hand, through the aforementioned clockwise rotation, the up-and-down bending pulley 31 relaxes the angle line 25D. At this time, since the spiral spring 36D is located between the up-and-down bending pulley 31 and the angle line 25D, the relaxation of the angle line 25D is absorbed by the spiral spring 36D.

[0066] Additionally, although not shown in the diagram, if the bending operation is performed downwards using the operating knob 15 (i.e., in...), Figure 1 When the bending operation knob 15 is turned clockwise, the bending pulley 31 moves in conjunction with the bending action. Figure 8 The center line rotates counterclockwise as the first direction.

[0067] Through the aforementioned counterclockwise rotation, the up-and-down bending pulley 31 pulls the angle line 25D via the spiral spring 36D. That is, the force of the spiral spring 36D is set to be greater than the force required for the angle line 25D to bend the bending part 6 downwards. Therefore, the angle line 25D is pulled by the up-and-down bending pulley 31, causing the bending part 6 to bend downwards as the second bending direction.

[0068] On the other hand, through the aforementioned counterclockwise rotation, the up-and-down bending pulley 31 relaxes the angle line 25U. At this time, since the spiral spring 36U is located between the up-and-down bending pulley 31 and the angle line 25U, the relaxation of the angle line 25U is absorbed by the spiral spring 36U.

[0069] According to this embodiment, the pulley unit 30, which serves as a bending operation mechanism, includes: a vertical bending pulley 31 as a movable body; angle lines 25U and 25D as bending section traction members, the front end of which is connected to the bending section 6 and the base end of which is pulled by the vertical bending pulley 31; and spiral springs 36U and 36D as relaxation absorption members, the first end of which is connected to the base end of the angle lines 25U and 25D and the second end of which is connected to the vertical bending pulley 31, pulling the angle lines 25U and 25D in the direction of the vertical bending pulley 31. Thus, with a simple structure, the durability of the angle lines 25U and 25D can be ensured, and the accurate bending action of the bending section 6 can be achieved.

[0070] That is, the movement of each spiral spring 36U and 36D in the winding direction absorbs the slack that occurs when the angle lines 25U and 25D are relaxed due to the rotation of the pulley 31 used for bending up and down. Therefore, slack can be absorbed without causing the angle lines 25U and 25D to slip. Thus, wear and tear on the angle lines 25U and 25D can be reliably prevented, ensuring their durability.

[0071] In addition, each angle line 25U, 25D is always given a specified tension through each spiral spring 36U, 36D, so that the bending part 6 can reliably perform bending operation with good responsiveness relative to the rotation of the upper and lower bending pulleys 31.

[0072] Furthermore, instead of the angle lines 25U and 25D, the front ends of each spiral spring 36U and 36D made of flat spring steel are wound around the vertical bending pulley 31. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the pulley from slipping off the vertical bending pulley 31. In this structure, the bending part 6 can also reliably perform bending operations with good responsiveness to the rotation of the vertical bending pulley 31.

[0073] Furthermore, since the base end of each spiral spring 36U, 36D is housed in the spring chambers 35U, 35D provided in the up-and-down bending pulley 31, there is no need to ensure additional space inside the housing 10 for arranging components for absorbing the slack of each angle line 25U, 25D, thus enabling miniaturization of the operating part 3.

[0074] Furthermore, by engaging the protrusions 31b, 31b with the grooves 36b, 36b provided on the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, in various assembly processes such as the process of housing the spiral springs 36U, 36D in the spring chambers 35U, 35D of the up-and-down bending pulley 31, and the process of connecting the base end side of each angle line 25U, 25D to the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, it is possible to prevent each spiral spring 36U, 36D from being completely wound inside the spring chambers 35U, 35D, thus ensuring proper workability.

[0075] Furthermore, by engaging the protrusions 31b, 31b with the grooves 36b, 36b provided on the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, in various assembly processes such as the process of housing the spiral springs 36U, 36D in the spring chambers 35U, 35D of the up-and-down bending pulley 31, and the process of connecting the base end side of each angle line 25U, 25D to the front end side of each spiral spring 36U, 36D, it is possible to prevent each spiral spring 36U, 36D from being completely wound inside the spring chambers 35U, 35D, thus ensuring proper workability.

[0076] Here, in the above embodiment, an example of the structure of the pulley unit 30 for bending the bending portion 6 in the vertical direction has been described, but of course, the pulley unit 30 can also be a structure for bending the bending portion 6 in the horizontal direction.

[0077] Additionally, for example, the pulley unit 30 can also be applied to an endoscope 1 in which the bending portion 6 can be bent in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Hereinafter, refer to... Figures 9-12 The structure of the pulley unit 30 of such an endoscope 1 will be described. Furthermore, for structures identical to those in the embodiments described above, the same reference numerals will be used, and descriptions will be omitted.

[0078] For example, such as Figure 9 As shown, the endoscope 1 has an up-and-down bending operation knob 15 and a left-and-right bending operation knob 19 stacked on the right side of the operation section 3.

[0079] In addition, inside the operating part 3, a left-right bending pulley 51 is provided between the up-down bending pulley 31 and the arm part 42.

[0080] A pulley rotation shaft 52 is provided at the center of the right side of the left-right bending pulley 51. The pulley rotation shaft 52 is a hollow shaft and is disposed on the outer periphery of the pulley rotation shaft 32 of the up-down bending pulley 31 and the inner periphery of the rod rotation shaft 41.

[0081] In addition, such as Figure 11 , 12 As shown, a pair of spring chambers 55L and 55R are provided on the left-right bending pulley 51. Each spring chamber 55L and 55R is, for example, formed by a generally circular bottomed hole that opens on the right side of the left-right bending pulley 51 and has a bottom on the left side. In addition, each spring chamber 55L and 55R has an opening 51a on the outer periphery of the left-right bending pulley 51, which opens a portion of each spring chamber 55L and 55R. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spring chambers 55L and 55R are interconnected inside the left-right bending pulley 51.

[0082] Each spring chamber 55L and 55R, constructed in this way, houses the base end (second end) of a spiral spring 56L and 56R, which serves as a relaxation absorbing component (elastic component).

[0083] Each spiral spring 56L and 56R is formed by winding strip (flat) spring steel into a spiral shape. Furthermore, the front end side (first end side) of each spiral spring 56L and 56R extends outward from each spring chamber 55L and 55R through each opening 51a, and is provided to extend in opposite directions along the outer peripheral surface of the left-right bending pulley 51.

[0084] Here, on the front end side of each spiral spring 56L, 56R, multiple (e.g., two) protrusions are formed by bending them into a zigzag shape. Furthermore, wire through insertion holes 56a, 56a are formed on each protrusion (see reference). Figure 10 , Figure 11 Furthermore, after the base end of each angle line is inserted through the insertion holes 56a and 56a, it is fixed to the spiral springs 56L and 56R by welding or the like at a position closer to the base end than each protrusion.

[0085] Furthermore, on the front end side of each spiral spring 56L, 56R, a long, hole-shaped groove 56b, 56b extending from the front end side to the base end side is provided at a position closer to the base end side than the welded portion of each angle line 25L, 25R. Corresponding to each groove 56b, 56b, a protrusion 51b, 51b protruding in the outer diameter direction as a locking part is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the left-right bending pulley 51. Moreover, by having each protrusion 51b, 51b housed in each groove 56b, 56b, the front end side of each spiral spring 56L, 56R is held along the outer peripheral surface of the left-right bending pulley 51 while allowing a specified range of forward and backward movement.

[0086] That is, the front end of each spiral spring 56L, 56R is subjected to the force of the spiral spring 56L, 56R itself towards the base end, and can move forward and backward (i.e., with respect to the extension and retraction of the left and right bending pulley 51) within a range from the position where the front end of each groove 56b, 56b abuts against each protrusion 51b, 51b as an abutment part to the position where the base end of each groove 56b, 56b abuts against the protrusion 51b, 51b as an abutment part.

[0087] Here, the force of each spiral spring 56L, 56R (the force acting in the direction of winding each spiral spring 56L, 56R from the front end side to the base end side) is set to be greater than the force required for each angle line 25L, 25R to bend the bending part 6 by traction.

[0088] In addition, such as Figure 10 , 12 As shown, a brake wheel 60 is installed on the right side of the left-right bending pulley 51. This brake wheel 60, together with the locking lever 16, forms a locking mechanism to prevent the rotation of the left-right bending pulley 51. The brake wheel 60 is a disc-shaped component with a diameter larger than that of the left-right bending pulley 51, such that the outer circumferential surface of the brake wheel 60 protrudes outward in the radial direction compared to the outer circumferential surface of the left-right bending pulley 51. Here, in this embodiment, the brake wheel 60 also functions as a cover for closing the spring chambers 55L and 55R that house the spiral springs 56L and 56R.

[0089] In addition, in this embodiment, a partition plate 61 is provided between the vertical bending pulley 31 and the horizontal bending pulley 51 to prevent interference between their rotational movements.

[0090] In such a variation, the same effect as the above-described implementation can be achieved.

[0091] Here, regarding the above-described embodiments and variations, the mounting structures of the angle lines 25U, 25D, 25L, 25R relative to the spiral springs 36U, 36D, 56L, 56R can replace welding-based structures by employing, for example... Figure 13 The structure shown. Additionally, in Figure 13 The mounting configuration of angle line 25U relative to spiral spring 36U is shown in the example of these mounting configurations.

[0092] That is, on the front end side of the spiral spring 36U, instead of the wire through insertion hole 36a formed by the through holes formed in each protrusion, a tunnel-shaped wire through insertion hole 65 formed by sheet metal forming or the like is formed.

[0093] On the other hand, a generally cylindrical connector 66 is provided at the base end of the angle line 25U.

[0094] The connector 66 can be inserted through the wire through insertion hole 65 from the front end to the base end. Furthermore, the wire through insertion hole 65 after the connector 66 is inserted is deformed by riveting or the like, and narrowed to a size smaller than the outer diameter of the connector 66, thereby preventing the connector 66 from detaching from the wire through insertion hole 65. As a result, the angle line 25U is connected to the spiral spring 36U.

[0095] According to this variation, without the use of welding or the like, the angle line 25U can be connected to the spiral spring 36U through a simple assembly operation.

[0096] Alternatively, regarding the mounting configuration of the angle lines 25U, 25D, 25L, and 25R relative to the spiral springs 36U, 36D, 56L, and 56R, for example, it could also be adopted... Figures 14-16 The installation structure is shown. Additionally, in Figures 14-16 The mounting configuration of the angle line 25U relative to the spiral spring 36U is shown in the example, with their mounting configuration as an example.

[0097] In the mounting structure of this modified example, instead of the wire through insertion hole 36a formed by the through holes formed in each protrusion, a slit-shaped elongated hole 67 extending from the front end side of the spiral spring 36U to the base end side is provided on the front end side of the spiral spring 36U.

[0098] On the other hand, a connector 68 is provided at the base end of the angle line 25U. The connector 68 is configured to have: a connector body 68a in a generally cylindrical shape; and a pair of leaf springs 68b, 68b in a flat shape extending from the connector body 68a in a direction perpendicular to the length axis of the connector body 68a.

[0099] Here, the width d of the connector body 68a is set to be greater than the width w of the elongated hole 67.

[0100] Furthermore, the pair of leaf springs 68b, 68b are arranged such that the angle between them is 180 degrees when they are in an unloaded state. Moreover, the width t when the pair of leaf springs 68b, 68b are elastically deformed and approach each other is set to be smaller than the width w of the elongated hole 67.

[0101] Furthermore, each leaf spring 68b, 68b is inserted through the elongated hole 67 in a state of approaching each other through elastic deformation, and returns to its original state (i.e., a state of expanding towards a 180-degree rotational position), thereby connecting the angle line 25U with the spiral spring 36.

[0102] According to this variation, the angle line 25U can be connected to the spiral spring 36U through a simpler assembly operation.

[0103] Therefore, for example, such as Figure 17 As shown, even after the vertical bending pulley 31 and the horizontal bending pulley 51 are assembled into the second housing 11b, the angle lines 25U, 25D, 25L, and 25R can be easily connected to the spiral springs 36U, 36D, 56L, and 56R.

[0104] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and various modifications and alterations are possible, all of which are within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, the structures of the above embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined.

Claims

1. A bending operation mechanism for an endoscope, characterized in that, Possessing: a rotating body that is able to rotate in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the rotating body including a receiving cavity provided within an outer circumferential range of the rotating body; a first curved portion pulling member whose leading end side is connected to a curved portion and whose base end side is pulled in correspondence with rotation of the rotating body in the first direction; a second curved portion pulling member whose leading end side is connected to a curved portion and whose base end side is pulled in correspondence with rotation of the rotating body in the second direction; and an elastic member whose first end is connected to the base end of the first curved portion pulling member and whose second end is connected to the rotating body, the second end being received in the receiving cavity of the rotating body, the elastic member pulling the first curved portion pulling member toward the rotating body when the rotating body is rotated in the second direction.

2. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the first direction is a clockwise direction, and the elastic member is a volute spring in which the second end is wound in a volute shape.

3. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body is a pulley that is able to rotate in the first direction and the second direction with a rotation axis as a center, the curved portion pulling member is an angle wire whose leading end side is connected to the curved portion and whose base end side is pulled by the pulley, the leading end side of the elastic member extends along an outer circumferential surface of the pulley.

4. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 2, wherein the elastic member has an engaging portion that engages with the rotating body when the rotating body is rotated in the first direction.

5. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 4, wherein the engaging portion has an abutting portion that abuts against a locking portion provided in the rotating body, and a groove portion that is formed continuously with the abutting portion in the second direction at a portion including the abutting portion, the locking portion being received in the groove portion.

6. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 3, comprising: a slit-shaped long hole provided on the first end side of the elastic member; a joint body provided at the base end of the angle wire; and a pair of plate springs that are configured to extend from the joint body in a direction perpendicular to a length axis of the joint body and have an angle of 180 degrees with respect to each other in a no-load state, the plate springs being restored to the original state after being inserted through the long hole in a state of approaching each other, whereby the angle wire is connected to the elastic member.

7. The bending operation mechanism of an endoscope according to claim 6, wherein a width of the joint body is set to be larger than a width of the long hole, and a pair of plate springs that are elastically deformed to approach each other have a width of elasticity that is set to be smaller than the width of the long hole. Possessing: a first curved portion pulling member that is pulled toward a base end side to bend a curved portion of an endoscope insertion portion in a first bending direction; ​ ​ ​ ​ 8. A bending operation mechanism of an endoscope, characterized by comprising: ​ ​ a second bending portion pulling member that is pulled toward the base end side to bend the bending portion in a second bending direction; and a rotating body that pulls either of the first bending portion pulling member and the second bending portion pulling member toward the base end side by rotation, the rotating body includes an accommodation cavity provided in an outer peripheral range of the rotating body, the rotating body is provided with an elastic member whose base end is accommodated in the accommodation cavity, the elastic member pulling the second bending portion pulling member or the first bending portion pulling member that is not pulled by the rotating body toward the base end side when the rotating body is rotated.

9. A bending operation mechanism of an endoscope, characterized by comprising: provided with: a pulley that is rotatable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, the pulley including an accommodation cavity provided in an outer peripheral range of the pulley; a first angle wire whose leading end side is connected to a bending portion and whose base end side is pulled in correspondence with rotation of the pulley in the first direction; a second angle wire whose leading end side is connected to the bending portion and whose base end side is pulled in correspondence with rotation of the pulley in the second direction; and a spiral spring whose first end is connected to a base end of the first angle wire and whose second end is connected to the pulley, the second end being accommodated in the accommodation cavity of the pulley, the spiral spring pulling the first angle wire toward the pulley when the pulley is rotated in the second direction.

10. An endoscope characterized by having a bending operation mechanism that has: a first bending portion pulling member that is pulled toward a base end side to bend a bending portion of an endoscope insertion portion in a first bending direction; a second bending portion pulling member that is pulled toward the base end side to bend the bending portion in a second bending direction; and a rotating body that pulls either of the first bending portion pulling member and the second bending portion pulling member toward the base end side by rotation, the rotating body includes an accommodation cavity provided in an outer peripheral range of the rotating body, the rotating body is provided with a spiral spring whose base end is accommodated in the accommodation cavity, the spiral spring pulling the second bending portion pulling member or the first bending portion pulling member that is not pulled by the rotating body toward the base end side when the rotating body is rotated.

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