Self-locking structure, operating handle and endoscope

Abstract

This invention discloses a self-locking structure, an operating handle, and an endoscope, relating to the field of medical device technology. The self-locking structure includes a toggle switch, a lever, and a housing. The lever is rotatably mounted relative to the housing to control the endoscope's traction mechanism. The toggle switch is slidably mounted on the operating end of the lever, and its sliding path intersects with the rotating surface of the lever. The toggle switch has a locking portion for locking into the housing. The toggle switch also has a first lifting portion. The locking portion of the toggle switch is offset from the mating surface in the height direction. After the toggle switch moves to or near the locking position, the locking portion of the toggle switch falls and abuts against the mating surface of the housing, preventing the toggle switch from obstructing the mating surface during switching. The toggle switch does not generate significant resistance during switching, allowing medical personnel to drive the locking portion with less force, enabling smooth locking and reducing the risk of the toggle switch failing to switch positions due to resistance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a self-locking structure, an operating handle, and an endoscope. Background Technology

[0002] An endoscope is a commonly used medical device that can directly enter the body's natural passages, providing medical personnel with comprehensive diagnostic information for disease treatment. An endoscope includes an operating handle. During operation, medical personnel control the operating handle, which, via a traction cable, pulls the active bending section at the tip of the insertion part to achieve bending motion, thereby changing the orientation of the tip.

[0003] Some existing control handles have a self-locking mechanism to lock the lever body in a certain position and prevent accidental activation. However, a relatively large force is required to push the lever to complete the gear shift, which can easily cause jamming or stiffness during operation. In some cases, the lever fails to shift gears at all, rendering the self-locking function of the control handle ineffective. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the above-mentioned related technologies, this application provides a self-locking structure, an operating handle, and an endoscope to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] This application provides a self-locking structure, which includes a knob, a lever, and a housing. The lever is rotatably disposed relative to the housing to control the traction mechanism of an endoscope. The knob is slidably disposed at the control end of the lever to switch between an unlocked position and a locked position. The sliding path of the knob intersects with the rotation surface of the lever. The knob has a locking part that abuts against a corresponding mating part of the housing to lock the locking part and the housing. The knob also has a first lifting part, and the lever has a second lifting part located on the movement path of the first lifting part. The self-locking structure is configured such that, during the switching process of the knob from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second lifting part abuts against the first lifting part to lift the knob, so that the locking part is higher than the corresponding mating part of the housing, until the first lifting part passes the second lifting part to achieve a limiting engagement, and the locking part falls to lock with the housing.

[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this application provides an operating handle including the aforementioned self-locking structure.

[0007] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this application provides an endoscope including the aforementioned operating handle.

[0008] The technical solution adopted in this invention achieves the following beneficial effects: Medical personnel operate a lever to rotate, controlling the traction mechanism of the endoscope to bend the insertion part of the endoscope. A slidable knob is located at the control end of the lever to switch between the unlocked and locked positions. When the knob is slid to the locked position, the locking part and the housing are locked together. When the knob is slid to the unlocked position, the locking part and the housing are locked together. In existing self-locking structures, the knob will come into contact with the mating surface during operation, generating frictional resistance that hinders the knob's movement. This leads to an increase in the operating force of the knob and makes it prone to jamming and sticking during operation. In this application, during the process of medical personnel controlling the knob to switch from the unlocked to the locked position, the second lifting part abuts against the first lifting part, which can lift the knob so that the locking part is higher than the corresponding mating part of the housing. Until the first lifting part passes over the second lifting part and the locking part falls and locks together with the housing, at which point the locking part can lock the housing to implement the self-locking function. During this process, the locking part of the toggle switch is offset from the mating surface in the height direction. After the toggle switch moves to or near the locking position, the locking part of the toggle switch falls down and abuts against the mating surface of the housing to prevent the toggle switch from obstructing the mating surface during switching. The toggle switch does not generate significant resistance, allowing medical personnel to drive the locking part with less force, enabling smooth locking and reducing the risk of the toggle switch failing to switch positions due to resistance.

[0009] Furthermore, medical staff need to apply excessive force to switch the existing self-locking structure. Excessive force can cause the lever to suddenly engage, leaving insufficient time for adjustment. The finger may continue to apply force, incorrectly causing the lever to deflect, resulting in continued bending of the insertion part and failure to lock in the intended position. The self-locking structure of this application requires less force to switch states, allowing medical staff to lock the endoscope with a smoother operation. The reduced force also helps maintain the lever position during switching, lowering the risk of excessive force causing lever deflection. The lever can be locked more precisely in the intended position, improving the rotational positioning accuracy of the lever.

[0010] The self-locking structure of this application eliminates the risk of vertical interference between the locking part and the housing by vertically raising the locking part. This eliminates the risk that the housing might obstruct the movement of the locking part due to vertical overlap between the housing and the locking part, thus improving the operational reliability of the toggle switch. Simultaneously, because the raising design eliminates interference during the movement of the locking part, it also allows the locking part to be positioned closer to the housing vertically. When the locking part moves to the locked position, it can also engage more tightly with the corresponding mating part of the housing, improving the locking effect. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure from another perspective, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0014] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view illustrating a self-locking structure in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure in another state, as shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure shown in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure in another state, as shown in another exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the self-locking structure from another perspective, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the lever and traction mechanism shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0020] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an endoscope shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Operating handle; 100. Self-locking structure; 110. Toggle switch; 111. First lifting part; 112. Locking part; 1121. First tooth; 1122. Sub-locking part; 113. Abutting part; 114. Reset part; 115. Opening; 116. Actuating groove; 117. First positioning part; 118. Slide groove; 120. Toggle lever; 121. Second lifting part; 122. Control end; 123. Second positioning part; 130. Housing; 131. Second tooth; 132. Opening; 140. Traction mechanism; 2. Endoscope. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0023] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0024] In the various embodiments of this application, "proximal end" and "far end" refer to the position of each component relative to the user in the usage environment. The end closer to the user is designated as the "proximal end", and the end farther from the user is designated as the "far end".

[0025] A significant force is required to activate the toggle switch, leading to potential jamming and stiffness during operation. Research revealed that this is because, in existing self-locking mechanisms, the toggle switch, during operation, comes into close contact with the mating surface, generating frictional resistance that hinders its movement. This increases the operating force required, causing jamming and stiffness. Consequently, the toggle switch fails to achieve gear shifting, rendering the self-locking function of the operating handle ineffective.

[0026] This application provides a self-locking structure 100, please refer to... Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The self-locking structure 100 includes a knob 110, a lever 120, and a housing 130. The knob 110 is disposed on the lever 120, which is rotatably disposed relative to the housing 130 to control the traction mechanism 140 of the endoscope 2. Exemplarily, the self-locking structure 100 is used for the endoscope 2, and the housing 130 can be the outer shell of the operating handle 1 of the endoscope 2. The lever 120 can extend into the housing 130 and is pulsatorically connected to the traction mechanism 140. Further, the traction mechanism 140 includes a traction wheel and a traction rope. The lever 120 is pulsatorically connected to the traction wheel, which drives the traction rope to control the bending of the insertion portion of the endoscope 2.

[0027] Please see Figure 3A toggle switch 110 is slidably disposed on the control end 122 of the lever 120 to switch between an unlocked position and a locked position. The control end 122 can rotate with the traction mechanism 140 and can be the end of the toggle switch 110 away from the traction mechanism 140, for use by medical personnel. Furthermore, the lever 120 may also include a connecting end that can connect to the traction mechanism 140 to operate the control end 122, i.e., synchronously drive the traction mechanism 140. Preferably, the lever 120 can be integrated with the traction wheel of the traction mechanism 140 to improve driving stability. The toggle switch 110 has a locking part 112, which abuts against a corresponding mating part of the housing 130 to lock the locking part 112 and the housing 130 in a locked engagement. The locking engagement restricts relative movement between the locking part 112 and the housing 130. The corresponding mating part can be a portion of the surface of the housing 130, or it can be a mating structure provided on the housing 130, etc., without limitation. The lever 120 is rotatably configured relative to the housing 130 to control the traction mechanism 140 of the endoscope 2. The knob 110 is slidably disposed at the control end 122 of the lever 120 to switch between the unlocked and locked positions. When the knob 110 is slid to the locked position, the locking part 112 is locked to the housing 130, the lever 120 can be locked onto the housing 130, the connected traction mechanism 140 is fixed at a certain rotation angle, and the insertion part of the endoscope 2 is also relatively fixed, so that medical personnel can perform the next operation. When the knob 110 is slid to the unlocked position, the locking part 112 is locked to the housing 130.

[0028] The locking part 112 is locked to the housing 130 by abutting against a corresponding mating part of the housing 130. Further, in one case, the locking part 112 and the corresponding mating part abut against each other, generating damping friction. The damping force prevents relative movement between the locking part 112 and the corresponding mating part, thus locking the locking part 112 and the housing 130. In another case, one of the locking part 112 and the corresponding mating part is provided with a groove, and the other with a locking block. The groove and the block abut against each other, limiting relative movement between the locking part 112 and the corresponding mating part, thus locking the locking part 112 and the housing 130. The locking method between the locking part 112 and the housing 130 is not limited in this case.

[0029] Please see Figure 2 The sliding path of the toggle switch 110 (e.g.) Figure 2The sliding path of the toggle switch 110 (as shown in L1) intersects with the rotational surface of the lever 120, meaning the sliding path of the toggle switch 110 intersects with the rotational path of the lever 120. In other words, there is an angle between the sliding path of the toggle switch 110 and the rotational surface of the lever 120, which can be 30°, 60°, or 90°, etc., and is not limited. This prevents the sliding path of the toggle switch 110 and the rotational surface of the lever 120 from being collinear or parallel, because the toggle switch 110 in the locked position will still be forced to switch to the unlocked position as the lever 120 rotates. This setting improves the locking effect of the toggle switch 110 and enhances the reliability of the self-locking structure 100.

[0030] In existing self-locking mechanisms, the toggle switch comes into contact with the mating surface during operation, generating frictional resistance that hinders the switch's movement. This increases the operating force required for the switch and can easily lead to jamming or sticking during operation. (See also: [link to application]). Figure 3 The toggle switch 110 also has a first lifting portion 111, and the lever 120 has a second lifting portion 121. The first lifting portion 111 and the second lifting portion 121 can be structures such as protrusions, and are not limited thereto. The second lifting portion 121 is located on the movement path of the first lifting portion 111. The self-locking structure 100 is configured such that, during the switching process of the toggle switch 110 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second lifting portion 121 abuts against the first lifting portion 111, thereby lifting the toggle switch 110 so that the locking portion 112 is higher than the corresponding mating part of the housing 130, until the first lifting portion 111 passes over the second lifting portion 121 to achieve a limiting engagement, and the locking portion 112 falls down to lock into the housing 130. During the process of medical personnel switching the dial 110 from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second lifting part 121 abuts against the first lifting part 111, thereby lifting the dial 110 so that the locking part 112 is higher than the corresponding mating part of the housing 130. The locking part 112 falls and locks into the housing 130 until the first lifting part 111 passes the second lifting part 121. At this point, the locking part 112 can lock the housing 130, thus implementing a self-locking function. During this period, the locking part 112 of the dial 110 is offset from the mating surface in the height direction. After the dial 110 moves to or near the locked position, the locking part 112 of the dial 110 falls and abuts against the mating surface of the housing 130 to prevent the dial 110 from obstructing the mating surface during the switching process. The toggle switch 110 does not generate much resistance during the switching process. Medical staff can drive the locking part 112 with less force so that the locking part 112 can be smoothly turned to lock, reducing the risk that the toggle switch 110 will not be able to switch positions due to resistance.

[0031] In existing technologies, medical personnel need to apply excessive force to switch the existing self-locking structure. Excessive force can cause the lever to suddenly engage, but the medical personnel may not have time to adjust, and their fingers may continue to apply force, incorrectly causing the lever to deflect. This can lead to the insertion part continuing to bend and failing to be locked in the predetermined position. The self-locking structure 100 of this application requires less force to switch its state, allowing medical personnel to lock the endoscope 2 with a smoother toggle operation. The smaller force also helps medical personnel maintain the lever 120 position during the switching of the self-locking structure 100, reducing the risk of excessive force causing the lever 120 to deflect. The lever 110 can be locked more precisely in the predetermined position, improving the rotational positioning accuracy of the lever 120.

[0032] In existing self-locking structures, to ensure a tight fit between the toggle and the housing, the toggle is positioned vertically closer to the housing. However, this results in a portion of the toggle overlapping with the housing vertically. During operation, the toggle touches the surface of the housing, which in turn hinders its movement. Interference exists between the locking part and the housing during operation, potentially causing the toggle to fail to reach its intended position or the locking part to wear and break. The self-locking structure 100 of this application eliminates the risk of vertical interference between the locking part 112 and the housing 130 by vertically raising the locking part 112. This eliminates the risk that the housing 130 might obstruct the movement of the locking part 112 due to vertical overlap, thus improving the operational reliability of the toggle 110. Meanwhile, because the lifting mechanism eliminates interference issues during the movement of the locking part 112, it also allows the locking part 112 to be positioned closer to the housing 130 in the vertical direction. When the locking part 112 moves to the locked position, it can also engage more tightly with the corresponding mating parts of the housing 130, improving the locking effect. Furthermore, during the descent, the locking part 112 can contact the mating parts of the housing 130, and the housing 130 and the locking part 112 will not interfere with each other in the direction of movement.

[0033] In other cases, due to prolonged operation, the toggle switch in the prior art deforms under stress. The deformed portion of the toggle switch overlaps vertically with the housing, causing the toggle switch to touch the surface of the housing during operation. The housing then obstructs the switch's movement, resulting in interference between the locking part and the housing during operation. The self-locking structure 100 in this application eliminates the risk of vertical interference between the locking part 112 and the housing 130 by vertically raising the locking part 112. When the locking part 112 falls, it already contacts the mating parts of the housing 130, preventing interference between the housing 130 and the locking part 112 in the direction of movement.

[0034] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 When the first lifting part 111 passes the second lifting part 121, the first lifting part 111 and the second lifting part 121 engage in a limiting cooperation along the sliding path of the dial 110 to lock the dial 110 in the locked position. The first lifting part 111 will then fall, with the first lifting part 111 and the second lifting part 121 correspondingly positioned along the sliding path of the dial 110. As the dial 110 moves along the sliding path, it is limited by the interaction of the first lifting part 111 and the second lifting part 121. Specifically, the first lifting part 111 and the second lifting part 121 can be protrusions, and a groove is formed on the side of the second lifting part 121 away from the locking part 112. After the first lifting part 111 passes over the second lifting part 121, its edge is restricted in the groove, thereby achieving the locking effect on the dial 110 and ensuring that the dial 110 will not slide accidentally in the locked position. That is, the movement of the lever 120 is stably restricted, and the self-locking operation of the lever 120 and the traction mechanism 140 is realized.

[0035] In one specific implementation, please refer again. Figure 3 The locking portion 112 is adapted to abut against a corresponding mating part of the housing 130, generating damped friction between them. Further, the locking portion 112 can be a damping friction block, etc., capable of rubbing against the surface of the housing 130. Preferably, a damping structure is provided correspondingly for the mating area of ​​the housing 130; for example, the mating area of ​​the housing 130 is roughened to increase its roughness. Alternatively, the surface material of the mating area can be changed to further increase the friction between the housing 130 and the locking portion 112. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the toggle switch 110 in the locked position is shown. In the locked position, damping friction occurs between the contact surfaces of the locking part 112 and the housing 130, requiring greater resistance to be overcome during relative movement. When an external force attempts to move the locking part 112 relative to the surface of the housing 130, the damping friction generates a reverse resistance, preventing or slowing down this movement tendency. This allows the locking part 112 to remain stably in its current position without any other external force intervention, achieving a reliable limiting effect and locking the locking part 112 and the housing 130 together.

[0036] In another implementation, please refer to Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 The locking part 112 is provided with a first tooth 1121, and the corresponding mating part of the housing 130 is provided with a second tooth 131. The first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 can be a rack or similar structure. The first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 are provided correspondingly so that they can mesh with each other. For example, the tooth profile, tooth pitch and other parameters of the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 are matched with each other. Figure 5A schematic diagram of the structure of the toggle 110 in the locked position is shown. When the toggle 110 is in the locked position, the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 are engaged with each other. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the toggle switch 110 in the locked position is shown. When the toggle switch 110 is in the locked position, the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 engage with each other in their corresponding tooth grooves. The side of each tooth fits against the side of the corresponding tooth groove, forming a multi-directional force transmission and constraint. The first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 can achieve a firm mutual limiting to lock the locking part 112 and the housing 130. When an external force attempts to move the locking part 112 relative to the surface of the housing 130, the engaging first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 will resist each other through the force between their tooth surfaces, thereby firmly fixing the relative position of the locking part 112 and the mating part, further enhancing the stability of the locking structure in the locked position. It is understood that the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 that cooperate with each other may or may not mesh with each other. Even if the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 cannot mesh, they can still achieve a limiting fit by at least part of their tooth surfaces abutting each other. Therefore, the tooth shape and specifications of the first tooth 1121 and the second tooth 131 are not limited.

[0037] Preferably, the direction of movement of the toggle switch 110 is perpendicular to the contact direction between the locking part 112 and the housing 130. This allows the toggle switch 110 to achieve a stable self-locking state without relying on additional limiting members. Because the contact direction is perpendicular to the direction of movement, the locking part 112 can move with the toggle switch 110 to the space between the housing 130 and the toggle switch 110. The contact force between the locking part 112 and the housing 130 will not interfere with the position of the toggle switch 110, thereby simplifying the structure while ensuring the reliability of the self-locking.

[0038] Please refer again to the embodiments in this application. Figure 3 The toggle switch 110 is equipped with a reset element 114, which elastically abuts against the lever 120 to drive the toggle switch 110 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The reset element 114 can be a spring or a spring sheet, etc. The reset element 114 acts on the lever 120 in an elastic abutting manner, applying a spring force to the toggle switch 110, which drives the toggle switch 110 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the toggle switch 110 is in the locked position, the first lifting part 111 can resist the elastic force of the reset element 114 with its own structural strength, maintaining the locked state of the toggle switch 110. When the lever 120 needs to be unlocked, only a small amount of external force is needed to overcome the resistance between the first lifting part 111 and the second lifting part 121. The spring force generated by the reset element 114 can provide auxiliary pushing force for medical staff, effectively reducing the force required when the finger toggles the toggle switch 110, making the operation more effortless and convenient.

[0039] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 3 The locking part 112 includes at least two different sub-locking parts 1122, which can also be damping friction blocks, racks, etc. The number of sub-locking parts 1122 can be two, three, etc., without limitation. Each sub-locking part 1122 can be detachably connected to the toggle switch 110. The detachable connection methods include, but are not limited to, adhesive bonding, fastener connection, etc. In actual use, the locking effect produced by different sub-locking parts 1122 in conjunction with the toggle switch 110 varies. For example, the frictional resistance coefficients of at least two different sub-locking parts 1122 may not be the same, or the number of teeth or tooth pitch of at least two different sub-locking parts 1122 may be different, resulting in different locking effects. This provides users with different operating feel during operation, allowing users to choose according to their preferences and improving the user experience.

[0040] In one embodiment, at least two sub-locking portions 1122 have different frictional forces with their respective mating parts. These at least two sub-locking portions 1122 differ in thickness, material, etc., resulting in different magnitudes of frictional force when they contact their respective mating parts. For example, sub-locking portions 1122 made of different materials have different coefficients of friction. The higher the coefficient of friction of a sub-locking portion 1122, the greater the frictional force between the sub-locking portion 1122 and the housing 130, and the more reliable the locking effect. The lower the coefficient of friction of the sub-locking portion 1122, the less resistance the medical staff encounters when turning the knob 110. By selecting the sub-locking portion 1122, the medical staff can achieve a balance between locking effectiveness and difficulty of turning, obtaining the most suitable sub-locking portion 1122 for themselves, thus improving usability. Of course, in other cases, the sub-locking portion 1122 is located between the housing 130 and the knob 110, with the elastic component acting on the housing 130, generating frictional force. Furthermore, when the distance between the housing 130 and the dial 110 is the same, the sub-locking parts 1122 of different thicknesses will undergo different deformations, resulting in different elastic forces, thereby achieving different friction forces and bringing different operating feel, so that users can choose for themselves and improve the user experience. This will not be elaborated here.

[0041] In another embodiment, at least two sub-locking portions 1122 each have different first teeth 1121, and both of the at least two different first teeth 1121 can cooperate with the second teeth 131. For example, when the number of teeth in the first teeth 1121 is small, the alignment process between the first teeth 1121 and the second teeth 131 is easier. When the number of teeth in the first teeth 1121 is large, more teeth are interconnected and limit each other, improving the overall locking accuracy and structural strength. In other cases, the tooth heights of the different first teeth 1121 are different; longer teeth provide better locking accuracy and a more effective anti-disengagement effect. Longer teeth are also easier to align and less likely to interfere with other structures. Of course, other first teeth 1121 of different specifications and shapes can also be used to provide different user experiences, which will not be elaborated here. This provides users with different operating feel during operation, allowing them to choose according to their needs and improving the user experience.

[0042] Of course, in some other cases, the dial 110 can be equipped with at least two sub-locking parts 1122 at the same time, which can bring different tossing effects to the dial 110 in different positions and achieve a tossing feel, which will not be elaborated here.

[0043] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 When the toggle switch 110 is in the unlocked position, in the sliding direction of the toggle switch 110, the toggle switch 110 is offset relative to the central axis of the lever 120 towards the side where the locking part 112 is located. When medical personnel operate it, their fingers will be placed or pressed on the toggle switch 110. However, because the center of gravity of the toggle switch 110 is offset relative to the central axis of the lever 120, the pressing force applied by the medical personnel will force the toggle switch 110 to tilt laterally relative to the lever 120. The corresponding mating part of the housing 130 is located on the side of the locking part 112 near the lever 120. In the direction from the unlocked position to the locked position, the locking part 112 is inclined in the direction away from the housing 130 along the toggle switch 110. The inclined locking part 112 can abut against the housing 130, making it easy for the locking part 112 to pass over the edge of the housing 130 and avoiding interference caused by the locking part 112 abutting against the vertical surface. During the movement of the dial 110 from the unlock position to the lock position, the center of gravity of the dial 110 will gradually move closer to the central axis of the lever 120, so that the locking part 112 is gradually aligned, ensuring that the locking part 112 of the dial 110 can press against the surface of the housing 130 in the locked position, thereby improving the locking effect.

[0044] Furthermore, the control end 122 is offset relative to the central axis of the lever 120 and is biased towards the side away from the locking part 112. This allows the center of gravity of the lever 110 to further deviate from the central axis of the lever 120 when the lever 110 is in the unlocked position, increasing the distance between the locking part 112 and the control end 122, reducing the supporting effect of the control end 122 on the locking part 112. At this time, the pressing pressure applied by the medical staff will force the lever 110 to tilt further laterally relative to the lever 120. The movement of the lever 110 from the unlocked position to the locked position gradually straightens the locking part 112, which will not be described in detail here.

[0045] Please see Figure 7 The surface of the toggle switch 110 is provided with a toggle groove 116, the cross-section of which is arc-shaped. The arc-shaped toggle groove 116 facilitates finger placement for medical personnel, improves the toggle effect, and provides a more comfortable and smooth operating experience when using the toggle switch 110. The central angle of the arc is 90°-120°, such as 90°, 100°, or 120°, without limitation. The radius of curvature of the arc is 25mm-35mm, such as 25mm, 30mm, or 35mm, without limitation. The central angle and radius of curvature of the arc should not be too large or too small. If the central angle is too small or the radius of curvature is too large, the curvature of the groove will be steeper, significantly reducing the contact area between the finger and the groove. When toggling the dial 110, fingers can easily slip out of the groove, which not only increases the difficulty of operation but may also cause uneven force distribution on the dial 110 due to unstable force, affecting the smoothness of toggling. In addition, the excessively small center angle makes the edge of the groove appear sharp, which may cause pressure on the fingers during prolonged operation and reduce the comfort of use.

[0046] If the central angle is too large or the radius of curvature of the arc is too small, the groove will become too flat, losing its effective wrapping and restraining function for the fingertip. During operation, the finger is prone to sliding to the sides of the groove, making it difficult to apply force precisely. This requires more conscious control of the finger position, increasing operator fatigue and potentially affecting the normal sliding of the dial 110 due to deviations in the direction of force. The appropriate central angle and radius of curvature in this application ensure sufficient contact area for stable force application while effectively restraining the fingertip through a reasonable curvature, reducing the possibility of slippage and deviation, thus achieving a smoother, more comfortable, and precise flicking effect.

[0047] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 3The toggle switch 110 has a groove 118, with an open end 115 at the end of the groove 118 furthest from the locking part 112. The control end 122 is mounted within the groove 118 along the open end 115, allowing the toggle switch 110 and the control end 122 to slide relative to each other. The control end 122 is mounted into the groove 118 from the open end 115, enabling the toggle switch 110 and the control end 122 to slide relative to each other while simultaneously achieving relative assembly between the toggle switch 110 and the lever 120. This facilitates assembly, simplifies the installation process, and improves installation efficiency.

[0048] For further details, please refer to Figure 7 The dial 110 is provided with a first positioning part 117, and the lever 120 is provided with a second positioning part 123. The first positioning part 117 and the second positioning part 123 can be protrusions, grooves, etc., and are not limited thereto. The first positioning part 117 is located in the movement path of the second positioning part 123. Along the installation direction of the control end 122, the first positioning part 117 passes over the second positioning part 123. When the first positioning part 117 passes over the second positioning part 123, it engages with the upper limit of the installation path of the control end 122 to limit the control end 122 to one side. When the dial 110 and lever 120 separate under external force, the second positioning part 123 restricts the first positioning part 117. That is, the first positioning part 117 and the second positioning part 123 form a limiting fit on the installation path of the control end 122, preventing the dial 110 and lever 120 from separating from each other. This securely restricts the control end 122 within the slide groove 118, achieving reliable assembly and ensuring that the various components of the endoscope 2 are firmly connected.

[0049] In the embodiments of this application, please refer to Figure 7 The housing 130 has an opening 132, through which the lever 120 extends and slides relative to the opening 132. The lever 120 extends into the opening 132 and is connected to the traction mechanism. The side wall of the lever 120 has an abutment portion 113 that abuts against the groove wall forming the opening 132. The abutment portion 113 can be a protrusion on the surface of the lever 120. When the abutment portion 113 abuts against the groove wall, due to the small contact area, the lever 120 can be smoothly moved without wear. When the abutment portion 113 is not in contact with the groove wall, it reduces the deflection range of the lever 120 because it contacts the groove wall before the lever 120, preventing tilting or deviation and ensuring the stability of the lever 120's movement.

[0050] In one embodiment, the first lifting part 111 is disposed on the side of the central axis of the lever 120 that is biased toward the locking part 112. The first lifting part 111 is disposed on the side of the central axis of the lever 120 that is biased toward the locking part 112. This position design ensures that the first lifting part 111 can smoothly lift the locking part 112 during the self-locking process, thus ensuring the normal operation of the locking part 112.

[0051] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this application provides an operating handle 1, including the aforementioned self-locking structure 100. This gives the operating handle 1 the beneficial effects of any of the aforementioned solutions, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0052] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this application provides an endoscope 2, including the aforementioned operating handle 1. This endoscope 2 thus possesses the beneficial effects of any of the aforementioned solutions, which will not be elaborated further here. The endoscope 2 can be a bronchoscope, pyeloscope, esophagoscope, gastroscope, colonoscope, otoscope, rhinoscope, oral endoscope, laryngoscope, colposcope, laparoscope, arthroscope, etc. This application does not specifically limit the type of endoscope 2.

[0053] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0054] Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatus in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. In addition, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0055] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A self-locking structure for an endoscope, characterized in that, The self-locking structure includes a toggle switch, a lever, and a housing, wherein: The lever is rotatably configured relative to the housing to control the traction mechanism of the endoscope; The toggle switch is slidably disposed on the control end of the lever to switch between the unlocked position and the locked position, and the sliding path of the toggle switch intersects with the rotation surface of the lever; the toggle switch has a locking part, which is used to abut against the corresponding mating part of the housing to lock the locking part and the housing. The dial also has a first lifting portion, and the lever has a second lifting portion, the second lifting portion being located on the movement path of the first lifting portion; The self-locking structure is configured such that, during the switching of the dial from the unlocked position to the locked position, the second lifting part abuts against the first lifting part to lift the dial, so that the locking part is higher than the corresponding mating part, until the first lifting part passes the second lifting part to achieve a limiting engagement, and the locking part falls down to lock into the housing.

2. The self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the first lifting part passes the second lifting part, it engages with the second lifting part in a limiting position on the sliding path of the dial to lock the dial in the locked position. And / or, the direction of movement of the toggle switch is perpendicular to the contact direction between the locking part and the housing.

3. The self-locking structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The toggle switch is provided with a reset element, which elastically abuts against the lever to drive the toggle switch from the locked position to the unlocked position.

4. The self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking part is adapted to generate damping friction with the corresponding mating part; Alternatively, the locking part may be provided with a first tooth and the corresponding mating part may be provided with a second tooth, wherein when the toggle switch is in the locked position, the first tooth and the second tooth mesh with each other.

5. The self-locking structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking part includes at least two different sub-locking parts, each of which is detachably connected to the toggle switch, wherein: At least two of the said sub-locking parts have different frictional forces with their respective mating parts; Alternatively, at least two sub-locking portions may have different first teeth, and at least two different first teeth may be able to engage with the second teeth.

6. The self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the toggle switch is in the unlocked position, in the sliding direction of the toggle switch, the toggle switch is offset relative to the central axis of the lever towards the side where the locking part is located, and the corresponding mating part of the housing is located on the side of the locking part closer to the lever. And / or, the surface of the toggle button is provided with a toggle groove, the cross-section of the toggle groove is arc-shaped, the central angle of the arc is 90°-120°, and the radius of curvature of the arc is 25mm-35mm.

7. The self-locking structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The toggle switch has a sliding groove, with one end of the sliding groove away from the locking part open. The control end is installed in the sliding groove along the open end so that the toggle switch and the control end can slide relative to each other. The toggle switch has a first positioning part, and the lever has a second positioning part. The first positioning part is located in the movement path of the second positioning part. Along the installation direction of the control end, the second positioning part passes over the first positioning part. When the second positioning part passes over the first positioning part, it engages with the upper limit of the installation path of the control end to restrict the control end within the sliding groove.

8. The self-locking structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has an opening, the lever can extend out of the opening and slide relative to the opening, and the side wall of the lever has an abutment part that abuts against the groove wall forming the opening. And / or, the first lifting part is disposed on one side of the central axis of the lever, biased toward the locking part.

9. An operating handle, characterized in that, Includes the self-locking structure as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. An endoscope, characterized in that, Includes the operating handle as described in claim 9.

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