Adapter device

Abstract

To provide an adapter device which makes it possible to attach an article such as a housing case to an attached part.SOLUTION: An adapter device 50 is configured to interconnect an attached body 200 and a housing case 8 which is an attaching body including: a case body 80 for housing a portable information terminal 7 including a display 7a and an article housing part 28 provided outside of the case body 80 and having an opening 28a. The adapter device 50 comprises: an insertion part 55 which can be inserted into the article housing part 28 from the opening 28a; and a fixation part 51 which can be fixed to the attached body 200.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an adapter device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a portable medical monitor having a handle that functions as a table stand.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an adapter device capable of attaching an attachment body such as a storage case to a body to be attached.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0005] An adapter device according to one embodiment of the technology of the present disclosure connects a mounted body including a case body that accommodates an electronic device including a display and an article storage portion having an On the lower and rear side opening provided in the case body, and a body to be attached, the adapter device comprising: It includes a second engaging portion that can engage with a first engaging portion provided on the above-mentioned mounting body, an insertion portion insertable into the article storage portion from the opening of the mounted body; a fixing portion fixable to the body to be attached; The second engaging portion described above and an operation portion that moves from a first position engageable with the first engaging portion to a second position disengageable from the first engaging portion, And a plate-shaped base portion whose thickness direction coincides with the vertical direction and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the left-right direction, comprising: The insertion portion is erected above the upper surface of the base portion, and the fixing portion is erected above the upper surface of the base portion, parallel to the insertion portion and behind the insertion portion. the operation portion is The base portion described above is provided on the front side, provided in a state where the insertion portion is inserted into the article storage portion. At the position facing the lower side of the main body of the case mentioned above

Effects of the Invention

[0006] ​ According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an adapter device that can attach a mounting body, such as a housing case, to a mounting body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the endoscopic system 100. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view from the rear at an angle, showing the interface adapter 4 and the portable information terminal 7 before they are placed in the housing case 8. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view taken from a diagonal front angle, showing the interface adapter 4 and the portable information terminal 7 before they are placed in the housing case 8. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the storage case 8, seen from a diagonal rearward position, with the opening / closing member 18 in the open position and the portable information terminal 7 and interface adapter 4 housed inside. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line X1-X1. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of the storage case 8, viewed from diagonally below, with the opening / closing member 18 in the closed position and the portable information terminal 7 and interface adapter 4 housed inside. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view along the line X2-X2 in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the storage case 8, seen from below. [Figure 9] This is an exploded perspective view of the storage case 8 with the opening / closing member 18 removed to show the internal structure of the item storage section 28. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view of the adapter device 50 as seen from the front. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of the adapter device 50 from the rear. [Figure 12] This is a plan view of the adapter device 50 as seen from above. [Figure 13] This is an exploded perspective view of the adapter device 50. [Figure 14] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of the locking mechanism 60. [Figure 15]It is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 before the housing case 8 is attached to the adapter device 50. [Figure 16] It is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 at the initial stage when starting to attach the housing case 8 to the adapter device 50. [Figure 17] It is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 when the attachment of the housing case 8 to the adapter device 50 is completed. [Figure 18] It is a schematic diagram showing the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 60 when the operating portion 58 is operated. [Figure 19] It is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 immediately before the lock of the operating portion 58 is released. [Figure 20] It is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 when the lock of the operating portion 58 is released. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an endoscope system 100 including a housing case 8 which is an embodiment of a housing case for an electronic device, and an adapter device 50 which is an embodiment of an adapter device, will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.

[0009] Hereinafter, in the substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing case 8, among the three orthogonal directions, the directions are referred to as the left-right direction, the up-down direction, and the front-rear direction in descending order of length. Specifically, in a state where the housing case 8 housing the portable information terminal 7 as an electronic device is arranged such that the short direction of the display 7a of the portable information terminal 7 is parallel to the vertical direction, the upper vertical side (upward direction) of the housing case 8 is denoted as "U", the lower vertical side (downward direction) is denoted as "D", the right side (right direction) when facing the display 7a is denoted as "R", the left side (left direction) is denoted as "L", the rear side (rear direction) when viewed from the display 7a side is denoted as "Rr", and the front side (front direction) is denoted as "Fr". In addition, for the adapter device 50, when the housing case 8 is attached thereto, the directions are described as the same directions as those in the housing case 8. Note that the rear surface of the housing case 8 may also be referred to as the back surface.

[0010] <Configuration of Endoscope System 100> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an endoscope system 100. The endoscope system 100 comprises an endoscope 1, a housing case 8 that houses a portable information terminal 7 and an interface adapter 4, and a communication cable 13. In Figure 1, the interface adapter 4 is entirely housed inside the housing case 8 and is not visible externally.

[0011] The endoscope 1 includes an endoscope insertion section 10, which is a tubular member extending in one direction and inserted into a subject, and an endoscope operating section 11 provided at the base end of the endoscope insertion section 10 for performing various operations on the endoscope 1. The endoscope operating section 11 may include, for example, an angle knob for bending the endoscope insertion section 10 by rotation. The endoscope operating section 11 may also include operating members for performing operations such as switching the observation mode of the endoscope 1, image recording, forceps operation, air and water supply operation, and suction operation.

[0012] The endoscope 1 is connected to the interface adapter 4 via a communication cable 13. The endoscope 1 is detachable from the interface adapter 4 via the communication cable 13 and is for single use (i.e., disposable). The communication cable 13 may be detachable from the interface adapter 4, or the endoscope 1 may be detachable from the communication cable 13.

[0013] The endoscope control section 11 and the endoscope insertion section 10 may be provided with various channels, such as a forceps channel for inserting forceps to collect biological tissue such as cells or polyps, channels for air and water supply, and channels for suction.

[0014] The endoscope insertion section 10 consists of a flexible section 10A, a curved section 10B provided at the tip of the flexible section 10A, and a rigid tip section 10C provided at the tip of the curved section 10B. The curved section 10B is configured to bend freely by operating the endoscope control section 11 (e.g., an angle knob). This curved section 10B can be bent in any direction and at any angle depending on the part of the patient on which the endoscope 1 is used, and the tip section 10C can be directed in a desired direction.

[0015] The interface adapter 4 connects the endoscope 1 and the portable information terminal 7. In the example shown in Figure 1, the interface adapter 4 is connected to the endoscope 1 via a communication cable 13. The interface adapter 4 is also connected to the portable information terminal 7 via wired or wireless means. The interface adapter 4 receives imaging signals obtained from the endoscope 1 by imaging the inside of the subject using the endoscope's imaging sensor, and converts the received imaging signals into image data that can be displayed by the portable information terminal 7. The interface adapter 4 then transmits the converted image data to the portable information terminal 7.

[0016] The portable information terminal 7 is a general-purpose portable information terminal such as a tablet or smartphone, and is an example of an electronic device. The portable information terminal 7 has a display 7a capable of displaying images based on image data. The portable information terminal 7 receives images obtained by imaging the inside of a subject with the endoscope 1 from the interface adapter 4 and displays the received images on the display 7a. The display 7a has a display surface in which display pixels are arranged in two dimensions, and by drawing pixel data that constitutes the image data on each display pixel of this display surface, an image based on this image data is displayed. The portable information terminal 7 also serves as a user interface for controlling the interface adapter 4.

[0017] <Configuration of storage case 8> Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the interface adapter 4 and the portable information terminal 7 before they are housed in the housing case 8. Figures 2 and 3 show the interface adapter 4, the portable information terminal 7, and the housing case 8 from different directions, respectively. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the housing case 8 from the rear at an angle, with the opening / closing member 18 open and the portable information terminal 7 and interface adapter 4 housed inside. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line X1-X1 in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the housing case 8 from below at an angle, with the opening / closing member 18 closed and the portable information terminal 7 and interface adapter 4 housed inside. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X2-X2 in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a bottom view of the housing case 8 shown in Figure 6, taken from below.

[0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing case 8 comprises a case body 80 as an exterior housing including a frame-shaped front cover 81 and a rear case 82, and an opening / closing member 18 that is supported on the rear side of the outer surface of the case body 80 so as to be openable and closable.

[0019] The front cover 81 is a component that protects the front of the portable information terminal 7. The front cover 81 has an opening 81a that exposes the display 7a from the front cover 81, allowing for display on the display 7a of the portable information terminal 7 and touch operation on the display 7a. The front cover 81 may include a thin film that covers the opening 81a.

[0020] The rear case 82 is a component that protects the rear surface of the portable information terminal 7. As shown in Figure 4, the rear case 82 is provided with a cable insertion hole 82a so that a communication cable 13 can be connected from outside the housing case 8 to the video input terminal 4a of the interface adapter 4 housed in the housing case 8. The rear case 82 is provided with a cable insertion hole cover 82c to close this cable insertion hole 82a. The rear case 82 is provided with a window 82b so that a nameplate 4D, which has information such as compliance with standards that has been added to the housing of the interface adapter 4 by means of printing or attaching, can be seen from outside the housing case 8.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the interface adapter 4 is housed in the housing case 8 together with the portable information terminal 7, thereby fixing the interface adapter 4 to the housing case 8. The interface adapter 4 is fixed to the housing case 8 via the portable information terminal 7 by being attached to the rear surface of the portable information terminal 7, which is fixed by the housing case 8. The interface adapter 4 is positioned eccentrically to the right in the left-right direction of the case body 80. The interface adapter 4 has a certain width (thickness) in the front-to-back direction.

[0022] The interface adapter 4 is attached to the portable information terminal 7, for example, by screwing it in using screw holes provided on the rear surface of the portable information terminal 7. However, the interface adapter 4 is not limited to being fixed to the housing case 8 via the portable information terminal 7; it may also be directly attached to the housing case 8. For example, the interface adapter 4 may be attached to the rear case 82.

[0023] Although not shown in the diagrams, in the configurations of Figures 2 and 3, the video output terminal (not shown) of the interface adapter 4 and the portable information terminal 7 are connected via, for example, a communication cable (for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable).

[0024] When the portable information terminal 7 and interface adapter 4 are housed in the housing case 8, as shown in Figure 4, opening the cable insertion hole cover 82c exposes the video input terminal 4a of the interface adapter 4 through the cable insertion hole 82a of the rear case 82.

[0025] The housing case 8 has a waterproof structure to prevent the ingress of water, dust, etc. from the outside. For example, a gasket is provided between the front cover 81 and the rear case 82 to fill the joint between the front cover 81 and the rear case 82. Also, the edge of the opening 81a of the front cover 81 is sealed to be in close contact with the display 7a of the portable information terminal 7, so that the opening 81a is closed by the display 7a. Also, the edge of the window portion 82b of the rear case 82 is sealed to be in close contact with the housing of the interface adapter 4, so that the window portion 82b is closed by the housing of the interface adapter 4. Also, the inner edge of the cable insertion hole 82a of the rear case 82 is sealed to be in close contact with the housing of the interface adapter 4. When the cable insertion hole cover 82c is open, the cable insertion hole 82a of the rear case 82 is closed by the housing of the interface adapter 4. Furthermore, when the cable insertion hole cover 82c is open, the area around the cable insertion hole 82a of the rear case 82 is sealed so that the end of the communication cable 13 inserted into the cable insertion hole 82a of the rear case 82 closes the cable insertion hole 82a.

[0026] Thus, the case body 80 has a waterproof structure that prevents water, dust, and other contaminants from entering the inside of the case body 80 by utilizing the interface adapter 4 and portable information terminal 7 that it houses. As a result, even when the housing case 8 is used in an outdoor environment, water, dust, and other contaminants can be prevented from entering the inside of the housing case 8, protecting the interface adapter 4 and portable information terminal 7.

[0027] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the opening / closing member 18 is supported on the rear outer surface 82f of the rear case 82 so as to be openable and closable. The opening and closing angle of the opening / closing member 18 is configured to be infinitely adjustable. This makes it possible to stand the storage case 8 upright at a desired angle on a horizontal surface such as the top of a table by opening the opening / closing member 18. The opening / closing member 18 is located eccentrically on the left side of the case body 80, opposite to the side (right side) where the interface adapter 4 is provided. The opening / closing member 18 is supported so that its lower side (the lower end portion 18d side that constitutes the front end) opens and closes. The opening / closing member 18 is supported on the rear case 82 via a pair of hinge portions 16 arranged in the left-right direction.

[0028] The hinge portion 16 is rotatable around an opening / closing shaft 16a that extends in the left-right direction. The hinge portion 16 has a first mounting portion 16b fixed to the rear case 82 and a second mounting portion 16c that is rotatable around the opening / closing shaft 16a and fixed to the opening / closing member 18.

[0029] The rear case 82 is provided with an upper recess 82e above the hinge portion 16. The upper recess 82e is a space into which the upper end portion 18c of the opening / closing member 18 fits when the opening / closing member 18 is opened, and it allows the opening / closing member 18 to rotate. The closed state of the opening / closing member 18 refers to the state in which the lower end portion 18d of the opening / closing member 18 is closest to the rear case 82 (the state shown in Figures 6 to 8). The open state of the opening / closing member 18 refers to the state in which the lower end portion 18d of the opening / closing member 18 has moved away from the rear case 82 from the closed state.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the rear surface 18a of the opening / closing member 18 is provided with a recess 17a and a protrusion 17b. The recess 17a is provided at the left end 18e of the opening / closing member 18 and extends vertically along the left end 18e. The protrusion 17b is provided at the lower end of the recess 17a. The size of the recess 17a and the protrusion 17b is not limited to those shown in the figure. The recess 17a is located at the left end of the rear surface of the storage case 8. Therefore, when gripping the left end of the storage case 8 with your hand, you can place your fingers on the recess 17a, allowing you to grip the storage case 8 stably. The recess 17a can also be replaced with a protrusion, and even in this case, the protrusion can function as a finger grip to allow you to grip the storage case 8 stably. When a protrusion is provided instead of a recess 17a, it is preferable that the height of the protrusion be the same as the height of the protrusion 17b.

[0031] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, a substantially rectangular opening 28a is provided on the lower and rear side of the storage case 8, with the lower end portion 18d of the opening / closing member 18 forming part of the edge of the opening. As shown in Figure 7, when the opening / closing member 18 is closed, a space is formed above the opening 28a with a depth of about half the vertical length of the storage case 8. This space is formed between the front surface 18f of the opening / closing member 18 and the rear outer surface 82f of the rear case 82. This space constitutes an article storage section 28 capable of accommodating articles. Since the article storage section 28 has an opening 28a, it can accommodate a part of the adapter device 50, which will be described later. In other words, the article storage section 28 is always exposed to the outside through the opening 28a.

[0032] As shown in Figure 8, the thickness of the case body 80 in the front-to-back direction is such that the thickness W2 of the left side where the opening / closing member 18 is located is smaller than the thickness W1 of the right side where the interface adapter 4 is housed. In this way, the part of the case body 80 where the opening / closing member 18 is located is thinner, making it easier to grip the left end of the housing case 8 compared to a configuration where the thickness of this part is the same as the thickness W1. Furthermore, the overall thickness of the housing case 8 can be reduced.

[0033] Furthermore, when the storage case 8 is placed on a mounting surface 90 (see Figure 8), such as a table, with the display 7a facing upwards, a gap can be formed between the storage case 8 and the mounting surface 90 in the thin portion where the opening / closing member 18 is provided. At this time, the protrusion 17b provided on the rear surface 18a of the opening / closing member 18 comes into contact with the mounting surface 90, thereby securing the above-mentioned gap and preventing the storage case 8 from rattling in the front-to-back direction. To prevent this rattling, it is preferable that the height of the protrusion 17b is approximately equal to the value obtained by subtracting the thickness W2 from the thickness W1. When lifting the storage case 8 placed on the mounting surface 90, the storage case 8 can be easily lifted by utilizing the above-mentioned gap secured by the protrusion 17b.

[0034] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the storage case 8 with the opening / closing member 18 removed to show the internal structure of the item storage section 28. The article storage section 28 is provided with a pair of engagement claws 29a and a pair of operating projections 29b on both its left and right sides, which are first engaging parts that can engage with other articles. The pair of engagement claws 29a are provided projecting inward from the middle of the vertical direction of the article storage section 28, and their tips are acute-angled. The pair of operating projections 29b are provided on the lower end side adjacent to the opening 28a, projecting lower than the engagement claws 29a in a trapezoidal shape. The engagement claws 29a and operating projections 29b are formed, for example, on one end face of a pair of metal engaging blocks 9. The engaging blocks 9 are fixed to the outer surface 82f of the rear case 82 by screws or the like so as to define the article storage section 28 together with the opening / closing member 18 and the rear case 82. The engagement claws 29a are the parts that engage with the second engaging part 69b (see Figure 17) of the adapter device 50, which will be described later.

[0035] <Configuration of adapter device 50> The storage case 8 described above can be attached to mounting objects 200 such as stands on the floor or walls via an adapter device 50. The configuration of the adapter device 50 will be described below.

[0036] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the adapter device 50 from the front. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the adapter device 50 from the rear. Figure 12 is a plan view of the adapter device 50 from above. As shown in Figures 10, 11, and 12, the adapter device 50 comprises a plate-shaped base portion 54 whose thickness direction coincides with the vertical direction and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the left-right direction, and an insertion portion 55 and a fixing portion 51 erected on the upper side of the upper surface of the base portion 54. The insertion portion 55 is plate-shaped whose thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction. The fixing portion 51 is plate-shaped whose thickness direction coincides with the front-rear direction and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the vertical direction, and is located behind the insertion portion 55.

[0037] The insertion portion 55 is shaped to be insertable into the article storage portion 28 of the case body portion 80. The fixing portion 51 is a part that can be fixed to the mounting body 200. In other words, the adapter device 50 is a mounting intermediary means that connects the aforementioned storage case 8, which is the mounting body, and the mounting body 200. The mounting body 200 includes a mounting portion on a stand or wall installed at a high place, and a mount for fixing this mounting portion to the adapter device 50. For example, a mount conforming to the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) standard can be used as this mount.

[0038] In a top view, as shown in Figure 12, the insertion portion 55 has a curved shape in which the contour of the left and right sides 57a narrows in width from the front to the rear and is slightly concave in the left and right directions. Parts of the second engagement portion 69b are exposed on the left and right sides through the side openings 57b (see Figures 10 and 11) formed on the left and right sides 57a.

[0039] As shown in Figure 11, the fixing portion 51 includes a rear member 52 that is parallel to the insertion portion 55 and is positioned opposite the rear surface of the case body portion 80, sandwiching the insertion portion 55 when the insertion portion 55 is housed in the article storage portion 28 of the storage case 8, and a mounting plate 53 conforming to the VESA standard fixed to the rear surface of the rear member 52.

[0040] The back member 52 extends significantly upward compared to the insertion portion 55. As shown in Figure 12, the length L1 of the back member 52 in the left-right direction is greater than the length L2 of the insertion portion 55 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the insertion portion 55 is positioned eccentrically to one side (the left side in this embodiment) in the left-right direction relative to the left-right center of the back member 52.

[0041] As shown in Figure 10, an operating section 58 is provided on the front side of the base section 54. This operating section 58 is positioned to face the lower surface 82g of the case body section 80 when the insertion section 55 is inserted into the article storage section 28, that is, when the storage case 8 is held by the adapter device 50. As will be described later, the operating section 58 is configured to be movable in the opposite direction (downward) to the protruding direction of the insertion section 55. In addition, the operating section 58 is provided with a recess 58a that creates a gap between it and the lower surface 82g of the case body section 80, thereby improving the operability of attaching and detaching the storage case 8 to and from the adapter device 50.

[0042] Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter device 50. As shown in Figure 13, the fixing portion 51 is fixed to the rear side of the rear member 52 by screws or the like, with a metal mounting plate 53 that is roughly L-shaped when viewed from the side (left or right). The mounting plate 53 comprises a plate-shaped vertical portion 53a whose front-to-back direction coincides with the thickness direction and extends in the vertical direction, and a plate-shaped horizontal portion 53b perpendicular to the vertical portion 53a. The vertical portion 53a is fixed to the rear member 52, and the horizontal portion 53b extends forward through the inside of the base portion 54.

[0043] The insertion section 55 comprises a front cover 56, a rear cover 57, and a locking mechanism 60 provided between them. The locking mechanism 60 has, for example, a metal insertion section plate 61 that is roughly L-shaped in side view, and various drive members, which will be described later, are arranged on the vertical portion 61a of the insertion section plate 61. The horizontal portion 61b of the insertion section plate 61 and the horizontal portion 53b of the mounting plate 53 are connected by screws or the like. This forms a strong metal frame portion of the adapter device 50. The operating section 58 is attached to a member, which will be described later, that moves up and down on the vertical portion 61a.

[0044] <Configuration of the locking mechanism 60> Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the locking mechanism 60. Each component of the locking mechanism 60 is arranged along the rear surface of the vertical portion 61a of the insertion plate 61. The vertical portion 61a is provided with a pair of rotating members 69 and a sliding plate 62 that can slide in the vertical direction.

[0045] The rotating member 69 is provided on both the left and right ends of the insertion plate 61. The rotating member 69 has a second engaging portion 69b at one end (upper side) of an arm 69a that extends along the vertical portion 61a, and an interlocking portion 69c at the other end (downward side). The central part of this arm 69a is rotatably supported by an arm support shaft 69d (see Figure 13) that protrudes from the rear surface of the front cover 56. As a result, the rotating member 69 can swing along the rear surface of the vertical portion 61a.

[0046] A spring mounting portion 69e is provided on the arm 69a below the arm support shaft 69d. A horizontal spring 66 is attached to the spring mounting portion 69e. As a result, the rotating member 69 is biased so that the tip 69ca of the interlocking portion 69c contacts the operating inclined surfaces 62f formed on both the left and right end faces of the slide plate 62. The horizontal spring 66 is positioned in front of the slide plate 62.

[0047] A slide plate 62 is provided between a pair of rotating members 69, along the vertical portion 61a. Upper and lower springs 63 are attached to the upper end 62a of the slide plate 62, biasing the slide plate 62 upward. An operating part fixing part 62b, which is fixed to an operating part 58, is provided at the lower end of the slide plate 62.

[0048] The slide plate 62 is biased upward when the operating part 58 is not being operated, and moves downward when the operating part 58 is operated to press downward. The support structure of the slide plate 62 is such that, for example, its left and right side end faces 62c on the lower end are guided by guide rollers 64. These guide rollers 64 are pivotally supported, for example, by a pair of support shafts 64a (see Figure 13) that protrude from the inside of the front cover 56. Furthermore, the slide plate 62 has an elongated hole 62d formed in the center in the left-right direction, extending in the vertical direction. A pair of upper and lower guide pins 65 (see Figure 13) are inserted through the elongated hole 62d, and the movement of the slide plate 62 is guided by these guide pins 65. On the upper end side of the elongated hole 62d, there is a pair of left and right elastic projections 62e that can elastically engage with the guide pins 65 when the slide plate 62 moves downward.

[0049] <Operation of the locking mechanism 60> The operation of the locking mechanism 60 when attaching and detaching the storage case 8 to the adapter device 50 will be explained below with reference to Figures 15 to 20.

[0050] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 before the housing case 8 is attached to the adapter device 50. In the state of the locking mechanism 60 before the housing case 8 is attached to the adapter device 50, as shown in Figure 15, the slide plate 62 is pulled upward by the upper and lower springs 63. At this time, the rotating member 69 has the tip 69ca of its interlocking portion 69c in contact with the operating inclined surface 62f. As a result, the second engaging portion 69b protrudes outward from the side opening 57b to the left and right sides 57a, and is in a state where it can engage with the engaging claw 29a of the housing case 8. On the other hand, the interlocking portion 69c is in a state where it does not protrude much from the left and right sides 57a of the insertion portion 55. That is, when the second engaging portion 69b is in the first position where it can engage with the engaging claw 29a, the interlocking portion 69c is configured not to come into contact with the housing case 8.

[0051] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram showing the initial state of the locking mechanism 60 when the housing case 8 is first attached to the adapter device 50. When the storage case 8 is attached to the insertion section 55, as shown in Figure 16, the insertion section 55 enters the article storage section 28, and the tip of the second engaging section 69b of the adapter device 50 comes into contact with the engaging claw 29a of the storage case 8. As a result, the pair of rotating members 69 are pushed at their upper ends by the inclined surface of the engaging claw 29a and swing to move towards the left-right center of the insertion section 55. This allows the engaging claw 29a to move downwards from the second engaging section 69b.

[0052] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 when the housing case 8 has been attached to the adapter device 50. As shown in Figure 17, once the housing case 8 is installed, the engaging claw 29a is positioned below the second engaging portion 69b. At this time, the pair of rotating members 69 swing so that both upper ends open to the left and right due to the biasing force of the horizontal spring 66. As a result, the engaging claw 29a is positioned below the second engaging portion 69b. Consequently, the engaging claw 29a is prevented from coming out upward by the catching shape of the second engaging portion 69b during upward movement. Note that in the state shown in Figure 17, the operating projection 29b of the housing case 8 is positioned below the interlocking portion 69c.

[0053] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 60 when the operating unit 58 is operated. When removing the housing case 8 from the adapter device 50, as shown in Figure 18, the operating part 58 is moved away from the lower surface 82g of the case body 80, that is, from the initial position P0 to the lower position P1. This allows the second engaging part 69b to be moved from the first position where it can engage with the engaging claw 29a to the second position where it cannot engage with the engaging claw 29a.

[0054] Let's explain this operation in more detail. First, the downward movement of the operating unit 58 causes the slide plate 62 to move downward. This movement pushes the operating inclined surface 62f in the direction that opens the left and right interlocking parts 69c outwards. As a result, the second engaging part 69b moves to a second position (a position retracted inward from the side opening 57b) where it cannot engage with the engaging claw 29a. This state in which the second engaging part 69b is retracted inward from the side opening 57b is temporarily maintained by a configuration described later. Therefore, by operating the operating unit 58, the storage case 8 can be pulled upward and removed from the insertion part 55.

[0055] Here, the operating section 58 is held (locked) in its lowered position by the engagement between the guide pin 65 and the elastic projection 62e. As shown in Figure 18, this engagement occurs when the operating section 58 moves downward, causing the upper side of the pair of guide pins 65 to catch on the tip of the elastic projection 62e. As a result, the slide plate 62 is locked against the upward pulling force of the upper and lower springs 63. In this state, by moving the housing case 8 upward, the engaging claw 29a becomes able to move above the second engaging section 69b without catching on it.

[0056] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 immediately before the lock on the operating section 58 is released. From the state shown in Figure 18, the storage case 8 is moved upward to remove it, as shown in Figure 19. At this time, the operating projection 29b of the storage case 8, which was located below the interlocking part 69c, comes into contact with the inclined surface 69cb at the lower end of the interlocking part 69c from below. This contact causes the tip 69ca of the interlocking part 69c to press against the operating inclined surface 62f of the slide plate 62. In this way, the slide plate 62 is clamped from the left and right by the tip 69ca of the interlocking part 69c.

[0057] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the locking mechanism 60 when the lock on the operating section 58 is released. The operation of the interlocking part 69c applies an upward force (component force) to the operating inclined surface 62f, and as shown in Figure 20, the slide plate 62 is pushed upward, releasing the lock of the elastic projection 62e. At this time, the operating part 58 moves in conjunction with the slide plate 62 and moves upward together with the slide plate 62 to return to its original position (initial position P0).

[0058] Thus, when the lock is released, the slide plate 62 and the operating part 58 return to their initial position P0, but the rotational member 69 does not operate in sync with the return movement of the slide plate 62 and the operating part 58. This is because the shape of the operating projection 29b is trapezoidal, and as shown in Figure 20, the contact state between the operating projection 29b and the interlocking part 69c (the left and right outer ends of the interlocking part 69c) is maintained for a predetermined distance during the movement of the pulling operation. As a result, even when the lock is released, the rotational member 69 does not immediately return to its original position (the position in which it can engage with the engaging claw 29a), and the timing of its operation is delayed. As a result, the second engaging part 69b returns to its original position only after the engaging claw 29a has moved to a position where it does not catch on the engaging claw 29a.

[0059] In this way, the second engaging portion 69b returns from a second position where it cannot engage with the housing case 8 to a first position where it can engage with the housing case 8 when the operating projection 29b on the case body portion 80 comes into contact with the interlocking portion 69c, which is in a position where it can contact the housing case 8. That is, the locking mechanism 60 is released from the locking of the slide plate 62 by the movement operation of removing the housing case 8 from the adapter device 50, and returns to a state where the housing case 8 can be attached again (the state shown in Figure 15).

[0060] As described above, with the storage case 8, by opening the opening / closing member 18 and bringing the tip of the opening / closing member 18 and the lower surface of the case body 80 into contact with the mounting surface 90, the storage case 8 can be placed on the mounting surface 90 while being held at a desired angle. This improves the operability of the portable information terminal 7 stored inside.

[0061] Furthermore, with the storage case 8, when the opening / closing member 18 is closed, articles can be stored in the article storage section 28 through the opening 28a. As described above, by making the article storage section 28 and the insertion section 55 of the adapter device 50 have corresponding shapes, the storage case 8 can be attached to the adapter device 50 without having to provide a dedicated mounting section on the storage case 8 solely for attaching the adapter device 50. This makes it possible to miniaturize the storage case 8 and reduce manufacturing costs.

[0062] Furthermore, the item storage section 28 can also store items other than those in the insertion section 55. For example, when the endoscope 1 is not in use, the communication cable 13 shown in Figure 1 can be stored in the item storage section 28. In addition, treatment instruments, charging cables for the portable information terminal 7, etc., can also be stored in the item storage section 28. Furthermore, expansion units such as wireless adapters and spare batteries may be attached to the engaging claws 29a so as to be detachably engaged. In particular, since the opening and closing angle of the opening and closing member 18 can be changed steplessly, items of various thicknesses can be stored in the item storage section 28 by adjusting the opening and closing angle of the opening and closing member 18 according to the thickness of the items to be stored in the item storage section 28. In this way, by being able to store items other than the adapter device 50 in the item storage section 28, the storage and transportation of equipment necessary for the endoscope system 100 can be made easier.

[0063] As described above, the adapter device 50 includes an insertion portion 55 that can be inserted into the article storage section 28 from the opening 28a of the storage case 8, and a fixing portion 51 that can be fixed to the mounting body 200. Therefore, the storage case 8 can be easily fixed to the mounting body 200 via the adapter device 50. For example, if a VESA standard mount is attached to the mounting body 200, the fixing portion 51 of the adapter device 50 can be fixed to this mount, and the storage case 8 can be attached to the mounting body 200 via the mount simply by inserting the insertion portion 55 of the adapter device 50 into the article storage section 28 of the storage case 8.

[0064] Furthermore, the adapter device 50 is equipped with a second engaging portion 69b that can engage with the engaging claw 29a provided on the housing case 8. Therefore, the engagement of the engaging claw 29a and the second engaging portion 69b prevents the housing case 8 from falling out of the adapter device 50.

[0065] Furthermore, the adapter device 50 is provided with an operating unit 58 for releasing the engagement between the engaging claw 29a and the second engaging portion 69b, so the engagement between the adapter device 50 and the storage case 8 can be easily released by operating the operating unit 58. As a result, the process of switching between using the storage case 8 alone and using the storage case 8 attached to the mounting body 200 is made easy. In addition, the operating unit 58 is positioned to face the lower surface 82g of the case body 80 when the insertion portion 55 is inserted into the article storage portion 28, so the operating unit 58 can be easily operated. Even when the lower surface 82g and the operating unit 58 are facing each other, as shown in Figure 10, the presence of the recess 58a allows the operating unit 58 to be easily operated by inserting a finger into the recess 58a.

[0066] Furthermore, with the adapter device 50, the operating part 58 is moved away from the lower surface 82g of the case body 80, thereby moving the second engaging part 69b from the first position (a position in which it can engage with the storage case 8) to the second position (a position in which it cannot engage with the storage case 8). When the second engaging part 69b is in the second position, the position of the operating part 58 is maintained. In other words, when the second engaging part 69b is in the second position (i.e., the storage case 8 is removable), the space between the lower surface 82g of the case body 80 and the operating part 58 is increased. Because the position of the operating part 58 is maintained, the hand operating the operating part 58 can be released from the operating part 58, and the storage case 8 can be grasped with both hands and removed from the adapter device 50. In addition, the user can recognize the state of the engaging part (whether it is locked or not) by looking at the position of the operating part 58 (whether it is raised or lowered). Furthermore, by utilizing the aforementioned space, for example, the process of removing the storage case 8 from the adapter device 50 can be made easier.

[0067] Furthermore, the adapter device 50 is equipped with an interlocking part 69c that can return the position of the second engaging part 69b and the position of the operating part 58 to their initial positions in conjunction with the removal operation of the storage case 8. In other words, with the adapter device 50, by operating the operating part 58 to release the engagement between the storage case 8 and the insertion part 55, and then removing the storage case 8 from the adapter device 50, the second engaging part 69b and the operating part 58 can be returned to their original positions. This eliminates the need for any special operation to return the position of the operating part 58 to its original position, thereby improving convenience.

[0068] Furthermore, with the adapter device 50, the rear member 52 can be used as an insertion guide when attaching the storage case 8 to the adapter device 50. This improves the ease of attaching the storage case 8 to the adapter device 50.

[0069] Furthermore, with the adapter device 50, the insertion portion 55 is positioned eccentrically to the left of the center of the rear member 52 in the left-right direction. This ensures that the hand holding the storage case 8 does not get caught between the members, allowing for safe attachment and detachment of the storage case 8.

[0070] As described above, this specification includes at least the following. Note that the components etc. in parentheses indicate those corresponding to the embodiments described above, but are not limited thereto.

[0071] (1) An adapter device (adapter device 50) connects a mounting body (storage case 8) which includes a case body (case body portion 80) that houses an electronic device (portable information terminal 7) including a display (display 7a) and an article storage portion (article storage portion 28) having an opening (opening 28a) provided on the outside of the case body, and an object to be mounted (object to be mounted 200), An insertion part (insertion part 55) that can be inserted into the article storage part from the opening of the above mounting body, An adapter device comprising a fixing part (fixing part 51) that can be fixed to the above-mentioned mounting object.

[0072] According to (1), the mounting body can be easily fixed to the object to be mounted via the adapter device. For example, if the object to be mounted includes a VESA standard mount, the fixing part of the adapter device can be fixed to this mount, and the insertion part of the adapter device can be inserted into the item storage part of the mounting body, allowing the mounting body to be attached to another component such as a stand via the mount.

[0073] (2) (1) The adapter device described above, The above-mentioned insertion portion includes a second engaging portion (second engaging portion 69b) that can engage with a first engaging portion (engaging claw 29a) provided on the mounting body, and is an adapter device.

[0074] According to (2), the engagement of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion prevents the mounting body from falling off the adapter device.

[0075] (3) (2) The adapter device described above, An adapter device comprising an operating unit (operating unit 58) for moving the second engaging unit from a first position in which it can engage with the first engaging unit to a second position in which it cannot engage with the first engaging unit.

[0076] According to (3), the engagement between the adapter device and the mounting body can be easily released by operating the control unit. As a result, the process of switching between using the mounting body alone and using the mounting body attached to the object to be mounted becomes easy.

[0077] (4) (3) The adapter device described above, The above-mentioned operating section is an adapter device provided in a position facing the side (lower side 82g) of the case body when the insertion section is inserted into the above-mentioned article storage section.

[0078] According to (4), the control unit can be easily operated.

[0079] (5) (4) The adapter device described above, The above operating part can be moved away from the side surface of the case body (downward), thereby moving the second engaging part from the first position to the second position. An adapter device in which the position of the operating part is maintained when the second engaging part is moved to the second position.

[0080] According to (5), when the second engaging portion is moved to the second position, the space between the side of the case body and the operating portion becomes larger and this state is maintained. For this reason, for example, this space can be used to facilitate the removal of the mounting body from the adapter device. Furthermore, the user can recognize the state of the engaging portion (whether it is locked or not) by checking whether the position of the operating portion is raised or lowered. Also, because the position of the operating portion is maintained, the hand that operates the operating portion can be released from the operating portion, and the mounting body can be grasped with both hands and removed from the adapter device.

[0081] (6) (5) The adapter device described above, It is equipped with an interlocking part (interlocking part 69c) that is interlocked with the second engaging part described above, The interlocking part is configured such that when the second engaging part is in the first position, it cannot contact the mounting body, and when the second engaging part is in the second position, it can contact the mounting body. An adapter device in which, when the second engaging portion is in the second position, contact between the interlocking portion and the mounting body causes the second engaging portion to return from the second position to the first position.

[0082] According to (6), by operating the operating part to release the engagement between the mounting body and the insertion part, and then removing the mounting body from the adapter device, the second engagement part and the operating part can be returned to their original positions. This eliminates the need for any special operation to return the operating part to its original position, thereby improving convenience.

[0083] (7) An adapter device as described in any of (1) to (6), The above-mentioned fixing portion includes a back member (back member 52) provided at a position opposite the case body with the insertion portion in between, and having a longer length in the direction in which the insertion portion extends (vertical direction) than the insertion portion itself. An adapter device comprising the above-mentioned insertion portion and the above-mentioned back member, with a base portion (base portion 54) on which the back member is erected.

[0084] According to (7), when attaching the mounting body to the adapter device, the rear member can be used as an insertion guide for the mounting body, thereby improving the ease of attaching the mounting body to the adapter device.

[0085] (8) (7) The adapter device described above, The width direction (left-right direction) is defined as the direction perpendicular to the alignment of the above-mentioned back member and the above-mentioned insertion part (front-to-back direction) and the direction in which the above-mentioned insertion part extends (up-down direction). The length of the back member in the width direction is greater than the length of the insertion portion in the width direction. The above-mentioned insertion portion is an adapter device in which the insertion portion is positioned eccentrically on one side (left side) in the width direction with respect to the center in the width direction of the above-mentioned back member.

[0086] According to (8), the insertion portion is positioned eccentrically to one side with respect to the left-right center of the back member. This ensures that the hand holding the mounting body does not get caught between the members, allowing for safe attachment and detachment of the mounting body.

[0087] (9) An adapter device as described in any of (1) to (8), The above-mentioned case body is an adapter device capable of further housing an interface adapter (interface adapter 4) that converts imaging signals from an endoscope (endoscope 1) into image data that can be displayed by the above-mentioned electronic device, and transmits the above-mentioned image data to the above-mentioned electronic device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Endoscope 4D nameplate 4a Video input terminal 4 Interface Adapters 7a Display 7. Portable information terminals 8 storage cases 9 Engagement block 10A Soft part 10B Curved section 10C Tip 10 Endoscope insertion site 11 Endoscope Operating Section 13 Communication Cable 16b First mounting section 16c Second mounting section 16. Hinge section 17a, 58a recess 17b Convex part 18a Rear 18c,62a Upper end 18d Lower end 18e Left end 18f front 18 Opening / closing member 28a opening 28. Storage section for items 29a Engagement claw 29b Operating protrusion 50 Adapter Device 51 Fixed part 52 Rear component 53a,61a Vertical part 53b,61b Horizontal part 53 Mounting plate 54 Base section 55 Insertion part 56 Front cover 57a Left and right sides 57b Side opening 57 Rear cover 58 Control section 60 Locking mechanism 61 Insertion plate 62b Operation unit fixing part 62c Side end face 62d long hole 62e Elastic projection 62f Working Inclined Surface 62 sliding plates 63 Upper and lower springs 64 Guide Rollers 65 Guide pins 66 Horizontal spring 69ca tip 69cb sloped surface 69a Arm 69b Second engaging portion 69c Interlocking part 69d Arm support shaft 69e Spring mounting section 69 Rotating Member 80 Case body 81a Opening 81 Front Cover 82a Cable insertion hole 82b Window section 82c Cable Inlet Cover 82e Upper recess 82f outer surface 82g bottom side 82 Rear Case 90 Mounting surface 100 Endoscopy Systems 200 Mounted object P0 initial position P1 lower position

Claims

1. An adapter device for connecting a mounting body, which includes a case body for housing an electronic device including a display and an article storage section having an opening provided on the lower and rear side of the case body, to an object to be mounted, The mounting body includes a second engaging portion that can engage with a first engaging portion provided on the mounting body, and an insertion portion that can be inserted into the article storage portion from the opening of the mounting body, A fixing part that can be fixed to the object to be attached, An operating unit for moving the second engaging portion from a first position in which it can engage with the first engaging portion to a second position in which it cannot engage with the first engaging portion, It comprises a plate-shaped base portion whose thickness direction coincides with the vertical direction and whose longitudinal direction coincides with the left-right direction, The insertion portion is erected on the upper side from the upper surface of the base portion. The fixing portion is erected above the upper surface of the base portion, parallel to the insertion portion and behind the insertion portion. The operating section is provided on the front side of the base section and is positioned to face the lower side of the case body when the insertion section is inserted into the article storage section.

2. The adapter device according to claim 1, The operating part is moved in a direction away from the lower surface of the case body, thereby enabling the second engaging part to be moved from the first position to the second position. An adapter device in which the position of the operating portion is maintained when the second engaging portion is moved to the second position.

3. The adapter device according to claim 2, It is equipped with an interlocking part that is interlocked with the attached second engaging part, The interlocking portion is configured such that it cannot contact the mounting body when the second engaging portion is in the first position, and can contact the mounting body when the second engaging portion is in the second position. An adapter device wherein, when the second engaging portion is in the second position, contact between the interlocking portion and the mounting body causes the second engaging portion to return from the second position to the first position.

4. An adapter device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The fixing portion includes a back member, which is provided at a position opposite the case body with the insertion portion in between, and has a length greater than the insertion portion in the direction in which the insertion portion extends.

5. The adapter device according to claim 4, The width direction is defined as the direction in which the rear member and the insertion portion are aligned and the direction in which the insertion portion extends. The length of the back member in the width direction is greater than the length of the insertion portion in the width direction. The adapter device wherein the insertion portion is positioned eccentrically to one side in the width direction with respect to the center of the back member in the width direction.

Images