A rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure

Abstract

The present invention discloses a rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure, which includes an upper section and a lower section, wherein the outer sides of the upper section and the lower section are jointly covered with an outer skin, and the upper section and the lower section are slidably fitted in the outer skin, and the upper section is arranged above the lower section, and the sides of the upper section and the lower section that are close to each other are both spherical, and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section is embedded in the interior of the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section, and a limiting component is provided between the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section for limiting the two, an optical module is slidably connected to the interior of the upper section, and an optical cable is fixed to the bottom of the optical module, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the optical cable is provided inside the lower section. The setting of the clamping ring facilitates the fixing of the retaining cone and the lower section, and the setting of the retaining cone reasonably constrains the bending angle of the optical cable. In addition, the limiting groove limits the limiting protrusion, which further constrains the bending degree of the optical cable, thereby preventing the optical cable from being damaged due to excessive bending.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of endoscope equipment, and in particular to a hard tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure. Background Art

[0002] Fiber optic endoscopes utilize the principle of optical fiber light and image transmission to observe the object being inspected through an eyepiece. Because the fiber optic probe can be bent arbitrarily horizontally and vertically, it can be easily inserted into equipment to detect internal structures and defects. Industrial fiber optic endoscopes are widely used in various industries, including machinery manufacturing, aviation and shipbuilding, electric power, petrochemicals, weapons, and metallurgy, to inspect equipment malfunctions, weld quality, and surface corrosion. Suitable for use in locations exposed to high temperatures, toxic substances, nuclear radiation, and other conditions beyond the reach of the human eye, they enable convenient and rapid inspection of the interiors of various machines, equipment, and assembled objects, without requiring disassembly or disruption of the assembly. Fiber optic endoscopes are widely used in aerospace, military equipment, automotive, defense / security, and electrical equipment / electronics industries, among others.

[0003] In fiber optic endoscope technology, the tip of the endoscope at the front end can bend in different directions under the action of a guide wire. It is known that there are two main forms of existing endoscope head bending: one is a soft fishbone structure inside, and the other is a metal outer ring structure. However, the existing endoscope head bending method does not reasonably restrict the bending of the optical cable. If the optical cable is bent too much, it will cause damage. In addition, the existing endoscope head bending method is also relatively cumbersome to operate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] (1) Purpose of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the purpose of the present invention is to propose a hard tube fiber optic endoscope head bending structure, which aims to solve the problem that the existing endoscope head bending method proposed in the background technology does not reasonably constrain the bending of the optical cable, and the optical cable will be damaged when it is bent too much. In addition, the existing endoscope head bending method is also relatively cumbersome to operate.

[0006] (2) Technical solution

[0007] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention provides a rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure:

[0008] It includes an upper section and a lower section, the outer sides of the upper section and the lower section are jointly covered with an outer skin, and the upper section and the lower section are slidably fitted in the outer skin, and the upper section is arranged above the lower section, and the sides of the upper section and the lower section that are close to each other are both spherical, and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section is embedded in the inside of the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section, and a limiting component is provided between the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section for limiting the two, the interior of the upper section is slidably connected to an optical module, and the bottom of the optical module is fixed with an optical cable, the interior of the lower section is provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the optical cable, and the bottom spherical surface of the upper section is also provided with a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the upper section.

[0009] Preferably, the outer skin is wrapped around the outside of the upper section and the lower section, and the upper section and the lower section are located inside the outer skin and are slidably connected.

[0010] Preferably, the limiting assembly includes two limiting protrusions, which are symmetrically fixed on the outer side of the top spherical surface of the lower section, and the limiting protrusions are slidably fitted into the inner side of the bottom spherical surface of the upper section.

[0011] Preferably, the inner wall of the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section is symmetrically provided with two limiting grooves, and the two limiting protrusions are slidably fitted into the corresponding limiting grooves.

[0012] Preferably, the positioning mechanism includes a retaining cone, and the optical cable passes through the retaining cone and is slidably connected to the retaining cone. A retaining ring is fixed on the outer side of the retaining cone and engages with the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the lower section.

[0013] Preferably, a friction ring is fixed to the outer side of the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section, and the surface of the friction ring is smooth.

[0014] Preferably, the control mechanism includes two traction lines, a side ring is fixed to the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the upper section, a fastening ring is provided on the top of the side ring, the traction line passes through the side ring and is slidably connected to the side ring and is fixed to the fastening ring after passing through the side ring.

[0015] Preferably, two first notches are opened on the top of the lower section, and the traction line passes through the first notches and is located inside the first notches in a sliding fit.

[0016] Preferably, two second slots are provided at the bottom of the retaining cone, and the traction line passes through the second slots and is slidably fitted inside the second slots. After passing through the second slots, the traction line extends to the interior of the lower section and slidably fits inside the lower section.

[0017] Preferably, a sapphire is fixed on the top of the upper section.

[0018] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0019] 1: Through the setting of the traction line, upper section and lower section, when the traction line is pulled, the traction line drives the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section to rotate inside the spherical surface at the top of the lower section. At this time, the limiting protrusion slides inside the limiting groove, allowing the upper section to rotate stably. When the upper section rotates, the direction of the optical module is adjusted, thereby adjusting the bending direction of the optical module. This operation method is simple and convenient.

[0020] 2: Through the setting of the retaining cone and the clamping ring, it is convenient to fix the retaining cone and the lower section. The setting of the retaining cone reasonably constrains the bending angle of the optical cable. In addition, the limiting groove limits the limiting protrusion, which further constrains the degree of bending of the optical cable and avoids damage to the optical cable due to excessive bending. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying any creative work.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a head bending structure of a rigid tube optical fiber endoscope provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a front cross-sectional structure of a curved structure of a rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head provided by the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 The present invention provides Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure at center A;

[0025] Figure 4 The present invention provides Figure 2 A magnified schematic diagram of the structure at point B in the middle;

[0026] Figure 5 The present invention provides Figure 2 Enlarged schematic diagram of the structure at point C in the middle.

[0027] Description of the drawings: 1. Outer skin; 2. Upper section; 3. Lower section; 4. Retaining cone; 5. Snap ring; 6. Optical module; 7. Optical cable; 8. Friction ring; 9. Fastening ring; 10. Pull line; 11. First notch; 12. Second notch; 13. Limiting protrusion; 14. Limiting groove; 15. Sapphire. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals indicate identical or similar parts and features. The drawings merely schematically illustrate the concepts and principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and do not necessarily depict the specific dimensions and proportions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Certain portions of certain drawings may be exaggerated to illustrate relevant details or structures of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Reference Figure 1-5 :

[0030] Example 1

[0031] A rigid tube fiber optic endoscope head bending structure comprises an upper section 2 and a lower section 3, the outer sides of the upper section 2 and the lower section 3 are jointly sleeved with an outer skin 1, and the upper section 2 and the lower section 3 are slidingly fitted in the outer skin 1, and the upper section 2 is arranged above the lower section 3, the sides of the upper section 2 and the lower section 3 close to each other are both spherical, and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section 3 is embedded in the interior of the bottom spherical surface of the upper section 2, and a limiting component is provided between the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 and the top spherical surface of the lower section 3 for limiting the two, the interior of the upper section 2 is slidably connected to an optical module 6, and the bottom of the optical module 6 is fixed with an optical cable 7, the interior of the lower section 3 is provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the optical cable 7, and the bottom spherical surface of the upper section 2 is also provided with a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the upper section 2.

[0032] Specifically, the outer skin 1 is wrapped around the outside of the upper section 2 and the lower section 3, and the upper section 2 and the lower section 3 are located inside the outer skin 1 and are slidably connected. It should be noted that the outer skin 1 is soft in texture, and the limiting assembly includes two limiting protrusions 13, which are symmetrically fixed on the outside of the top spherical surface of the lower section 3, and the limiting protrusions 13 are slidably fitted inside the bottom spherical surface of the upper section 2.

[0033] Furthermore, two limiting grooves 14 are symmetrically formed on the inner wall of the spherical bottom surface of the upper section 2 , and the two limiting protrusions 13 are slidably fitted into the corresponding limiting grooves 14 . A sapphire 15 is fixed to the top of the upper section 2 .

[0034] Example 2

[0035] A rigid tube fiber optic endoscope head bending structure, based on the first embodiment, wherein the positioning mechanism includes a retaining cone 4, and an optical cable 7 passes through the retaining cone 4 and is slidably connected to the retaining cone 4, a retaining ring 5 is fixed on the outside of the retaining cone 4 and engages with the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the lower section 3, and a friction ring 8 is fixed on the outside of the bottom spherical surface of the upper section 2, and the surface of the friction ring 8 is smooth.

[0036] It should be noted that the setting of the snap ring 5 allows the cone 4 to be engaged with the spherical surface at the top of the lower section 3. It is also worth mentioning that due to the smooth surface of the friction ring 8, wear between the friction ring 8 and the outer skin 1 is avoided.

[0037] Specifically, the control mechanism includes two traction lines 10, a side ring is fixed to the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the upper section 2, and a fastening ring 9 is provided on the top of the side ring. The traction line 10 passes through the side ring and is slidably connected to the side ring and is fixed to the fastening ring 9 after passing through the side ring. It is worth mentioning that due to the setting of the retaining cone 4 and the limitation of the limiting groove 14 on the limiting protrusion 13, when the traction line 10 is pulled to drive the upper section 2 to rotate, the optical cable 7 will bend reasonably to avoid damage caused by excessive bending angle of the optical cable 7.

[0038] It should be noted that by maintaining the setting of the cone 4, when the traction line 10 is pulled to drive the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 to rotate and drive the upper section 2 to rotate, the optical module 6 is tilted, that is, the optical cable 7 is bent.

[0039] Furthermore, two first slots 11 are formed on the top of the lower section 3 , and the traction wire 10 passes through the first slots 11 and is located inside the first slots 11 in a sliding fit.

[0040] It should be noted that when the traction line 10 is pulled, the traction line 10 slides in the second notch 12 inside the retaining cone 4 and slides in the first notch 11 inside the lower section 3, so that the traction line 10 drives the upper section 2 to rotate.

[0041] Furthermore, two second slots 12 are opened at the bottom of the retaining cone 4, and the traction line 10 passes through the second slot 12 and is slidably fitted inside the second slot 12. After passing through the second slot 12, the traction line 10 extends to the interior of the lower section 3 and slidably fits inside the lower section 3.

[0042] It should be noted that, through the arrangement of the limiting protrusion 13 and the limiting groove 14 , when the traction line 10 is pulled to drive the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 to rotate and drive the upper section 2 to rotate, the limiting protrusion 13 slides inside the limiting groove 14 .

[0043] Working principle: When it is necessary to adjust the bending direction of the head of the fiber optic endoscope, pull one of the traction lines 10 according to the required bending angle. The traction line 10 will drive the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 to rotate. When the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 rotates, the limiting protrusion 13 moves accordingly inside the limiting groove 14. When the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section 2 rotates, it drives the upper section 2 to rotate, thereby causing the optical module 6 to bend, that is, adjusting the bending of the head of the fiber optic endoscope.

[0044] The exemplary implementation schemes proposed in the present disclosure are described in detail above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that, without departing from the concept of the present disclosure, various modifications and variations can be made to the above-mentioned specific embodiments, and various technical features and structures proposed in the present disclosure can be combined in various ways without exceeding the scope of protection of the present disclosure, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure, comprising an upper section (2) and a lower section (3), characterized in that: The outer sides of the upper section (2) and the lower section (3) are jointly sleeved with an outer skin (1), and the upper section (2) and the lower section (3) are slidably fitted in the outer skin (1), and the upper section (2) is arranged above the lower section (3), and the sides of the upper section (2) and the lower section (3) close to each other are both spherical, and the spherical surface at the top of the lower section (3) is embedded in the interior of the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section (2), and a limiting component for limiting the two is provided between the spherical surface at the bottom of the upper section (2) and the top spherical surface of the lower section (3), the interior of the upper section (2) is slidably connected to the optical module (6), and the bottom of the optical module (6) is fixed with an optical cable (7), the interior of the lower section (3) is provided with a positioning mechanism for positioning the optical cable (7), and the bottom spherical surface of the upper section (2) is also provided with a control mechanism for controlling the sliding of the upper section (2); The limiting assembly includes two limiting protrusions (13), the two limiting protrusions (13) are symmetrically fixed on the outer side of the top spherical surface of the lower section (3), and the limiting protrusions (13) are slidably fitted inside the bottom spherical surface of the upper section (2); The positioning mechanism includes a retaining cone (4), and the optical cable (7) passes through the retaining cone (4) and is slidably connected to the retaining cone (4), and a snap ring (5) is fixed on the outer side of the retaining cone (4) and is engaged with the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the lower section (3); The control mechanism comprises two traction lines (10), a side ring is fixed to the bottom of the upper spherical surface of the upper section (2), a fastening ring (9) is provided on the top of the side ring, and the traction line (10) passes through the side ring and is slidably connected to the side ring and is fixed to the fastening ring (9) after passing through the side ring.

2. The rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two limiting grooves (14) are symmetrically formed on the inner wall of the bottom spherical surface of the upper section (2), and the two limiting protrusions (13) are slidably fitted into the interiors of the corresponding limiting grooves (14).

3. The rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure according to claim 2, characterized in that: A friction ring (8) is fixed on the outer side of the bottom spherical surface of the upper section (2), and the surface of the friction ring (8) is smooth.

4. The rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure according to claim 3, characterized in that: Two first notches (11) are provided on the top of the lower section (3), and the traction line (10) passes through the first notches (11) and is located inside the first notches (11) in a sliding fit.

5. The rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: Two second notches (12) are formed at the bottom of the retaining cone (4), and the traction line (10) passes through the second notches (12) and is located inside the second notches (12) and is slidably fitted therein. After passing through the second notches (12), the traction line (10) extends to the inside of the lower section (3) and is slidably fitted therein.

6. The rigid tube optical fiber endoscope head bending structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: A sapphire (15) is fixed to the top of the upper section (2).

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