JP2001203030A - Electric connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple-structure, compact inexpensive electric connector which improves washing/sterilizing operation by making it easy to wipe off residual water on both the plug part and receptacle part. SOLUTION: A connector receptacle 4 of the endoscope and a connector plug 6 of the system are constructed free to be attached and detached with a lock ring 23. With the connector connected, the plug 6 electrically connect the receptacle 4 by the face that electrode contact points 13, 37 set in the plug 6 and the receptacle 4 in water-tight structure are fixed with each other in contact by the lock ring 23. Further, in washing and sterilizing the above device, a connector connection is released, and each connector and its pressure contact face is cleaned and sterilized. Here, the pressure contact faces 16, 46 of the electrode contact points 13, 37 for either or both of the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6 and the pressure contact faces 15, 45 of the insulation members 14, 38 are roughly set on the same plane.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in an electrical connector device particularly used for medical applications, for example, an electrical connector device used in an endoscope or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the medical field, an endoscope which can observe a built-in body cavity or the like by inserting an elongated insertion portion into a body cavity has been widely used. Boilers, not only for medical use but also for industrial use
It is used for observing and inspecting an object in a pipe of a chemical plant or the like or inside a machine. In particular, in the case of medical electrical devices such as endoscopes that come into direct contact with tissues in the body cavity of a patient, it is necessary to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases through the devices when the devices are reused. For this reason, the equipment is required to have resistance to washing, disinfection and sterilization.

In order to ensure the washing and disinfecting resistance of such an apparatus, the washing and disinfecting resistance of the electrical connector portion is important, for example, as already disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66325. For example, in a device such as an endoscope, a portion that requires an electrical connector in which washing and disinfection resistance is indispensable is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66325 described above. Not only the part connecting the control device, but also
It is pointed out also in the structure of the distal end of the insertion portion as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 28964, and the structure of the eyepiece as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-140713.

By the way, the most common method for cleaning and disinfecting electrical connectors is a method using a cleaning solution or a disinfecting solution. In order to make the electrical connector resistant to such washing and disinfection,
Although it is necessary to form the connector from a material having chemical resistance to washing and disinfecting liquids, the moisture remaining after disinfection and sterilization does not cause a short circuit between the connector contacts. It is required that the structure take into account the above.

[0005] For example, as in the endoscope connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66325, a plug portion having a contact pin is attached to a receptacle portion having a socket portion into which the contact pin is inserted. In the electrical connector structure of the type that makes an electrical connection, if the moisture remains between the contact pins in the form of water droplets, etc., the wiping of the moisture is relatively complicated for the user. I have no choice. That is, it is clear that in this type of electrical connector structure, the more complicated the operation, the greater the number of contact pins.

An example of an electrical connector in which consideration is given to such residual moisture is disclosed in, for example,
There is a connector having a card edge structure as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 327923. The connector according to the present invention is a type of connector using an electrical pattern provided on a substrate as an electrical contact, and the contact portion protrudes in a pin shape as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-66325. Since the structure is not the structure but arranged on the same plane, it is easy to wipe off residual moisture, and the wiping workability does not change even if the number of contacts increases. As the electrical connector of the type in which the contacts are arranged on the same plane as described above, besides the card edge structure, there is, for example, a connector disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,404,190.

Another conventional example is disclosed in
There is also an electrical connector of the type proposed in JP 184501. According to the present invention, the contact is stored in the plug during the cleaning / disinfecting operation, and the contact is exposed when the connector is connected, so that the contact and the water directly contact during the cleaning / disinfection. In other words, there is no need to consider the residual moisture. Further, similar types of inventions include, for example, JP-A-6-133919 and JP-A-1
Nos. 0-127577.

FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of an endoscope system showing an example in which the above-described electrical connector having cleaning and disinfecting properties is applied to an electronic endoscope system. The configuration will be described while doing so. As shown in FIG. 12, an endoscope 1 for observing a subject 3 in a body cavity or the like.
Various types such as a direct-viewing endoscope 1a, a perspective-type endoscope 1b, and a side-viewing type endoscope 1c are prepared depending on the direction of the built-in image sensor 2.

The image pickup device 2 picks up an image of the subject 3 and
The signal is converted into an image pickup signal and output to a connector receptacle 4 provided in the endoscope 1. The connector receptacle 4
Has a connector plug 6 provided in the cable portion 5 which is detachably mounted.
When the connector plug 6 is connected to the camera, an imaging signal is transmitted between the two.

The cable section 5 has a connector plug 7
The connector plug 7 is configured to be detachable from a connector receptacle 9 provided in the video processor 8. When the connector plug 6 is connected to the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 7 is connected to the connector receptacle 9,
The imaging signal from the imaging device 2 is transmitted to the connector receptacle 4
Is transmitted to the connector receptacle 9 via the cable section 5 and is input to the video signal processing circuit 10 provided in the video processor 8.

The video signal processing circuit 10 processes the input image signal and outputs it to the monitor 11 as a video signal. The monitor 11 converts the video signal into an image on a screen 12.
And the image of the subject 3 can be observed on the screen 12 of the monitor 11.

In such a configuration, the user changes the field of view of the endoscope 1 so that the endoscope 1 is changed to the direct-view type endoscope 1.
a, the endoscope 1b is often used interchangeably between the endoscope 1b and the endoscope 1c. In such a case, the simplest method for replacing the endoscope 1 for the user is to remove the connector plug 6 from the connector receptacle 4 and replace the endoscopes 1a, 1b, 1c, respectively. This exchange in the medical field needs to be performed under sterile and disinfected conditions from the viewpoint of preventing infectious diseases described above. For this reason, it is required that both the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6 are in a sterilized and disinfected state, and it is desired that the connector itself has resistance to washing and disinfection.

[0013]

However, among the above-mentioned conventional electrical connector devices, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-3
In the connector having the card edge structure disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 27923, the connector plug portion having the card edge structure can be easily wiped of residual moisture, but the plug portion is inserted. Since the connector receptacle portion having the concave structure still has a structure in which residual moisture is not easily wiped off, and only the plug portion is improved in cleaning and disinfecting operability, the device having the receptacle portion is not cleaned.・
There is a problem that the disinfecting operation is complicated. A similar problem will occur in the structure disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,404,190.

The method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 184501/1985 leads to a complicated and large-sized connector structure, which increases the price of a single connector or lowers the operability of the connector. There is a problem that there is a fear.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to improve the cleaning and disinfecting workability by easily wiping residual moisture in both a plug portion and a receptacle portion, and to have a simple structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact, inexpensive electrical connector device.

[0016]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electrical connector device according to the present invention comprises at least one or more first electrical contact electrode portions and a first electrical contact electrode portion for insulating the first electrical contact electrode portions. A plug portion having an insulator portion, at least one or more second electrical contact electrode portions similar to the plug portion, and a second insulator portion for insulating the second electrical contact electrode portion, respectively And a second electrical contact electrode portion provided at a position corresponding to the first electrical contact electrode portion of the plug portion with the receptacle portion, respectively. An electrical connector device provided with contact fixing means for setting a fixed state, wherein the plug part and the receptacle part are detachably attached by the contact fixing means; And said receptacle said first provided in a portion, the second electrical contact electrode first, second
And an insulator portion are arranged on the same substantially flat surface.

According to the present invention, the plug portion and the receptacle portion are attached and detached by the contact fixing means. When the connector is connected, the first and second electrical contact electrodes provided on the plug portion and the receptacle portion and the first and second insulator portions are configured to be located on the same substantially plane. Therefore, electrical connection is achieved by bringing the first and second electrode contact electrodes into a contact and fixed state by the fixing means. On the other hand, when cleaning and disinfecting the electrical connector device, the connection of the connector is released, and the press contact surfaces of the plug portion and the receptacle portion are cleaned and disinfected. At this time, as described above, both the connector receptacle 4 side and the connector plug 6 side, the first and second electrical contact electrodes and the first and second insulator portions are on the same substantially planar surface. , The operator can easily wipe off and remove the residual moisture attached to this portion. Thereby, while improving the cleaning / disinfecting workability,
It is possible to configure a small and inexpensive electrical connector device with a simple structure.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment: FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of an electrical connector device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the electrical connector device.
FIG. 2 is a configuration perspective view for explaining the configuration of each press-contact surface of a connector receptacle and a connector plug included in the device.

(Configuration) When the electrical connector device of the present embodiment is applied to, for example, an electronic endoscope system as a medical device, it can be applied similarly to the endoscope system shown in FIG. is there. That is, the subject 3 such as in the body cavity
Are divided into at least three types according to the direction of the built-in image sensor 2.
Even when various endoscopes 1a to 1c such as the oblique endoscope 1b and the side-view endoscope 1c are used, the endoscope system can be configured using the electrical connector device of the present embodiment. It is possible.

Therefore, the overall configuration of the endoscope system including the electrical connector device is substantially the same as that of the system shown in FIG. 12, so that the schematic configuration is omitted, and the configuration of the electrical connector device of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the electrical connector device of the present embodiment, each electrode contact 13 formed of a conductor and disposed on the connector plug 6 is replaced with an insulating member 14 formed of a non-conductor. And the joining surface between each electrode contact 13 and the insulating member 14 is in close contact with each other and watertightness is maintained.

The press contact surface 15 of the insulating member 14 to the connector receptacle 4 is the press contact surface 1 of each of the electrode contacts 13.
6 are formed on substantially the same plane. In addition, the pressing surface 15
Each electrode contact 13 has a shape protruding from the insulating member 14 on the back side surface of.

The insulating member 14 is fitted on a frame 17. Further, the insulating member 14 is fixed to the frame 1 by a ring member 19 screwed into a screw portion 18 provided on the frame 17.
7, and the insulating member 14 and the frame 17 cannot be rotated with each other by the key 24. The space between the frame 17 and the insulating member 14 is sealed by an O-ring 20 made of an elastic material, and watertightness is maintained. The pressure contact surface 16 is configured to be located at a position protruding from the surface 21 of the frame 17.

The frame 17 is provided with a projection 22, and the frame 17 is fitted into a lock ring 23 as a pressing and fixing means for abutting the projection 22. The lock ring 23 is rotatable with respect to the frame 17, and a female screw 25 is formed at an end on the press contact surface 16 side.

A housing 26 is connected and fixed to the frame 17 at a portion opposite to the pressing surface 21 by at least one screw 27. The mounting hole 28 of the screw 27 in the housing 26 does not penetrate into the space 29 inside the connector plug 6, and the space between the frame 17 and the housing 26 is sealed by an O-ring 30 made of an elastic material. Has been watertight.

A projection 31 is provided on the housing 26, and the movement of the lock ring 23 in the direction of the connector shaft 32 is restricted by the projection 31 and the projection 22.

A composite cable 34 is inserted into the space 29 through a hole 33 provided in the housing 26. The space between the composite cable 34 and the housing 26 is sealed by an O-ring 35 made of an elastic material to maintain watertightness.

Each single cable 36 constituting the composite cable 34 is soldered to each of the electrode contacts 13 in the space 29 so as to be electrically connected.

On the other hand, the connector receptacle 4 is formed in the same manner as the connector plug 6 in a state in which each electrode contact 37 is maintained in a watertight state integrally with the insulating member 38. It is fitted on the frame 39 of the mirror 1. Further, the press contact surface 45 to the connector plug 6
Are formed on substantially the same plane as the press contact surface 46 of each electrode contact 37.

The insulating member 38 includes the ring member 40 and the key 4
1, the insulating member 38 and the frame 39
Is sealed by an O-ring 42 made of an elastic material to maintain watertightness. The frame 39 has a male screw 43 screwed with the female screw 25 of the lock ring 23.

An electric cable 44 connected to the image pickup device 2 (not shown) built in the endoscope 1 is soldered to each electrode contact 37, and the electric contact between the electrode contact 37 and the image pickup device 2 is made. Electrical connection between them.

As shown in FIG. 2, a key projection 47 is formed on the press contact surface 45 of the insulating member 38, and a key recess is formed on a corresponding portion on the compression surface 15 on the connector plug 6 side. 48 are formed. That is, when the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6 are connected, the key projection 47 is fitted into the key recess 48.
(Operation) According to the above configuration, when any of the endoscopes 1a to 1c shown in FIG. The female screw 25 of the connector plug 6 is screwed into the male screw 43 and the lock ring 23
By rotating and tightening, the respective electrode contacts 37 of the connector receptacle 4 and the respective electrode contacts 13 of the connector plug 6 are pressed by the press contact surfaces 16 and 46 to achieve electrical connection.

At this time, the key projection 47 on the connector receptacle 4 side is fitted into the key recess 48 of the connector plug 6, so that the combination of the corresponding electrode contacts 37 and 13 is determined uniformly.

In this way, the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6 are simply and securely connected by the lock ring 23 as a pressing and fixing means, and the image sensor 2 of the connected endoscope (FIG. 12) ) Can be reliably transmitted to the video processor 8 via the connector receptacle 4, the connector plug 6, and the composite cable 34.

When cleaning and disinfecting the electrical connector device when the endoscope is to be reused, the reverse operation is performed when the two connectors are connected. That is, the male screw of the connector receptacle 4 is used. The electrode ring 37 of the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6 are removed by rotating the lock ring 23 in the reverse direction to remove the female screw 25 of the connector plug 6 screwed into the connector plug 43.
Are separated from the respective electrode contacts 13 to be in a non-electrically connected state. Then, the operator cleans and disinfects both connectors 4 and 6 and press contact surfaces 15 and 45 on both sides thereof.

At this time, on both the connector receptacle 4 side and the connector plug 6 side, the electrode contact 37 and the insulating member 38 or the electrode contact 13 and the insulating member 14 are substantially flush with each other on the press contact surfaces 16 and 46. Is formed, the operator can easily wipe off and remove the residual moisture adhering to this portion, and as a result, it is possible to improve the cleaning and disinfecting workability.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is easy to wipe off the residual moisture adhering to both the plug portion and the receptacle portion, that is, it is possible to improve the cleaning and disinfecting workability. . Further, it is possible to configure a small and inexpensive electrical connector device with a simple structure.

By the way, in the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain further effects by making various improvements. Such modifications 1 to 4 are shown below.

(Modification 1) Modification 1 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a portion in which a connector plug is improved. Although FIG. 3 does not show the connector receptacle 4 side, the same applies to the connector receptacle 4 side, and the configuration other than the components shown in FIG. 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment. And only the different parts will be described.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure contact surfaces 46, of the electrode contacts 37, 13 on the connector receptacle 4 side and the connector plug 6 side in the first embodiment.
16 is formed so as to slightly protrude from the press contact surfaces 45, 15 of the insulating members 38, 14. The protrusion amount at this time is about 0.5m
m or less, and it is important to form it so as not to hinder the work of wiping residual moisture. Further, in order to improve the wiping operation, the electrode contacts 37 and 13 may be provided with chamfers 49 as shown in the figure. This makes it possible to easily wipe off the residual components adhered between the protruding electrode contacts 37 and 13.

(Operation) In this example, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, and the same effect is obtained. Furthermore, in this example, when the electrical connector is connected in the above-described configuration, the press contact surfaces 4 of the insulating members 38 and 14 are surely formed.
The pressure contact surface 4 of each electrode contact 37, 13 before the pressure 5, 45
6, 16 will be in contact. Since the two connectors 4 and 6 are pressed and fixed by the lock ring 23 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, it is possible to reliably perform the electrical connection and to maintain the connection state. Becomes

(Effects) Therefore, according to this example, in addition to obtaining the same effects as in the first embodiment, since the electrode contact portions protrude from the insulating portions, the electrode member at the time of connecting the connector is The contact reliability of the electrical connector increases, and the reliability of the electrical connector can be improved.

(Modification 2) Next, Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a portion in which a connector plug is improved. The configuration other than the components shown in FIG. 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only different portions will be described. (Configuration) As shown in FIG. Either of the insulating members 38 and 14 on the receptacle 4 side and the connector plug 6 side is replaced with the elastic member 5
0 is configured to be in a state of being urged in the press-contact direction when the connector is connected. FIG. 5 shows a case where the elastic member 50 is provided on the connector plug 6 side for convenience of description, but the elastic member 50 may be provided on the connector receptacle 4 side, or the connector receptacle 4 side and the connector may be connected to each other. It may be provided on both sides on the plug 6 side.

(Operation) In this example, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed and the same effect is obtained. Further, in this example, the urging force of the elastic member 50 allows the pressing surfaces 16 and 46 to be stably pressed against each other regardless of the tightening force of the lock ring 23.

(Effects) Therefore, according to this example, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even if the tightening force of the lock ring 23 varies, a stable connection state can be obtained. That is, it is possible to provide an electrical connector device capable of improving the contact reliability of the electrode member.

(Modification 3) Next, Modification 3 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a portion in which a connector plug is improved. The configuration other than the components shown in FIG. 5 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only different portions will be described. (Configuration) As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode contacts in the first embodiment 13, the electrode contact 51 for connecting the power supply of the image sensor 2 (see FIG. 12) and GND is formed so as to protrude from the other electrode contacts. The electrode contact 51 is
It is configured to be movable in the direction of the axis 32 with respect to the insulating member 14, and by providing a sealing member 52 made of an elastic material between the electrode contact 51 and the insulating member 14, watertightness is maintained. Has become. In this example, for the sake of convenience, the configuration of the connector plug 6 has been described as shown in FIG.
The configuration on the side may be implemented, or may be provided on both sides of the connector plug 6 and the connector receptacle 4.

(Operation) In this example, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, and the same effect is obtained. Further, in this example, when the lock ring 23 is tightened to connect the electrical connector, first, each electrode contact 51 projecting beyond the other electrode contacts 13 comes into contact with the corresponding electrode contact 37. Establish electrical connection.

When the lock ring 23 is further tightened, the sealing member 52 is crushed and the other electrode contacts 13 also come into contact with the corresponding electrode contacts 37 to establish an electrical connection.

On the other hand, the operation when the electrical connector is removed is reversed. First, the electrical connection between each electrode contact 13 and the corresponding electrode contact 37 is released, and then each electrode contact 51 and the corresponding electrode contact are removed. The electrical connection with the contact 37 is released.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, since the connection between the power supply and the GND can be taken prior to the imaging signal, the latch-up Destruction of the image sensor due to a phenomenon or the like can be prevented.

(Modification 4) Next, Modification 4 of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that this example is an improvement of the above-described Modifications 2 and 3, and only different parts will be described. (Configuration)
Modified Example 3 in place of the elastic member 50 (see FIG. 4) provided in the plug 6 or the connector receptacle 4
The structure (see FIG. 5) of the sealing member 52 for each electrode contact implemented in the above is provided. That is, the seal member 52 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with all the electrode contacts 13 without providing the elastic member 50 in the connector plug 6 or the connector receptacle 4 in FIG. in this case,
The same effects as in the third modification can be obtained by appropriately changing the dimensions of the seal member 52 for each electrode contact and applying the same.

(Operation and Effect) The operation and effect of this embodiment are substantially the same as those of the third modification.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the electrical connector device according to the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration in a case where a three-dimensional wiring board is provided in a connector plug. The configuration other than the components shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and only different portions will be described.

(Construction) As shown in FIG. 6, the electrical connector device according to the present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that each electrode contact 13 and the insulating member 14 in the first embodiment are connected to a three-dimensional wiring board (MID: Molded Interconnect).
(Device) 53 as a wiring pattern 54. That is, the three-dimensional wiring board 53 is
And the insulating member 13 are integrally formed, and the wiring pattern 54 is formed so as to have the same wiring configuration as that of the first embodiment. Thus, by providing the three-dimensional wiring board 54 in this way, it is possible to reduce the number of components constituting the electrical connector device.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, the case where the three-dimensional wiring board 53 is formed on the connector plug 6 side is shown, but the three-dimensional wiring board 53 is a connector receptacle. 4 or on both sides of the connector receptacle 4 and the connector plug 6.

(Operation) In this embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed, and the same effect is obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, the electrode contacts 13
(See FIG. 1) is formed by using the three-dimensional wiring board 53 formed as the wiring pattern 54,
Is increased, and the surface shape becomes easier to wipe.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, it is possible to further improve the wiping workability of the press contact surface 55 of each plug. As well as the three-dimensional wiring board 53
By adopting this method, the number of components including the electrode contacts 13 and the insulating member 14 can be reduced, which greatly contributes to the cost reduction of the electrical connector device.

Next, modified examples 1 to 3 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Modification 1) FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the three-dimensional wiring board 53 is modified to explain a first modification of the second embodiment. The configuration other than the configuration shown in FIG.
This embodiment is the same as the above embodiment, and only different parts will be described.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 7, in this example, the insulator material of the three-dimensional wiring board 53 provided in the second embodiment is formed of a flexible material having elasticity. . Further, a slight step 57 is provided in a portion of the wiring pattern 56 for connecting the power source and the GND of the image sensor. Although FIG. 7 does not show the connector receptacle 4 side, the connector receptacle 4
The side may be similarly configured, or both may be provided.

(Operation and Effect) In this example, the same operation as in the second embodiment is performed, and the same effect is obtained. Further, in this example, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the second modification of the first embodiment by simply changing the insulator material of the three-dimensional wiring board 53. That is,
The contact reliability of the electrode member can be improved with a simple configuration.

Further, as described above, the power supply of the image sensor and the GN
By providing a slight step 57 in the portion of the wiring pattern 56 connecting D, the third modification of the first embodiment is provided.
Similarly to the above, since the connection between the power supply and the GND can be established prior to the imaging signal, the effect of preventing the destruction of the imaging device due to a latch-up phenomenon or the like can be obtained.

(Modification 2) Next, Modification 2 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8A and 8B are perspective views showing a configuration of a portion in which an improvement is made on the connector plug side. FIG. 8A shows a case where a conductive elastic member 62 is provided, and FIG. The case where it is changed to the anisotropic conductive elastic member 63 is shown. In addition,
The structure other than the structure shown in FIG. 8 is the same as that of the second embodiment, and only different parts will be described. (Structure) As shown in FIG. In addition to the constituent features of this embodiment, an arbitrary number of conductive elastic members 62 formed, for example, in a similar pattern shape (electrode contact shape) are provided on the wiring pattern 54 of the connector plug 6. . The conductive elastic member 62 is provided at a location corresponding to the wiring pattern 54 for connecting the power source of the image sensor and the GND, similarly to the third modification of the first embodiment.

Therefore, by providing these conductive elastic members 62, electrical connection between the connector plug 6 and the connector receptacle 4 is achieved via the conductive elastic members 62.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the conductive elastic member 62 is formed, for example, in the same shape as the press-contact surface, and has an anisotropic property having electrical characteristics for conducting according to each wiring pattern 54. The conductive elastic member 63 may be provided, and the anisotropic conductive elastic member 62 may be provided on the press contact surface 55. Note that the anisotropic conductive elastic member 63 may be provided with a step.

(Operation and Effect) In this example, the same operation as in the second embodiment is performed, and the same effect is obtained. Further, in this example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the conductive elastic member 62 is provided on the wiring pattern 54, so that when the connector plug 6 and the connector receptacle 4 are connected by the lock ring 23, first, Each conductive elastic member 62 protruding from the other wiring patterns 54 comes into contact with the corresponding electrode contact 37 to establish an electrical connection.

Further, by tightening the lock ring 23,
The conductive elastic member 62 is crushed and the other electrode contacts 13 also contact the corresponding electrode contacts 37 to establish an electrical connection. Thereby, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the fourth modification of the first embodiment.

Similarly, in the configuration shown in FIG. 8B, when the connector plug 6 and the connector receptacle 4 are connected by the lock ring 23, the connector plug 6 and the connector receptacle are connected by the anisotropic conductive member 63. 4 has been achieved and at the same time
Watertightness is maintained by the anisotropic conductive member 63. Thereby, it is possible to obtain the same effect as that of the fourth modification of the first embodiment. Further, by providing the anisotropic conductive elastic member 63 with a step, the same effect as in the third modification of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Modification 3) Next, Modification 3 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a connector plug when the three-dimensional wiring board is replaced with a PC board. The configuration other than the components shown in FIG. 9 is the same as that of the second embodiment, and only different portions will be described. (Configuration) In this example, the connector plug 6 according to the second embodiment is described. Three-dimensional wiring board 5 configured on one of the connector side and the connector receptacle 4 side
3 (see FIG. 6), a general P is used as shown in FIG.
C board (Printed Circuit Board) 5
8 is provided. In this case, through holes 5 for inserting and fixing the electrode contacts are provided on the PC board 58.
Since 9 may be formed, the through hole 59 is buried with solder 60 or the like in order to maintain the watertightness of the connector. Note that an arbitrary electronic component 61 can be mounted on the surface of the PC board 58 on the side opposite to the press contact surface, as long as the connector function is not impaired. (Operation) In this example, the PC board 58 is provided instead of the three-dimensional wiring board 53 (see FIG. 6), so that the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed and the same effect is obtained.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present example, in addition to obtaining the same effects as in the first embodiment, by changing the three-dimensional wiring board 53 to the PC board 58, the second An electrical connector device that is less expensive than the embodiment can be configured.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 show a third embodiment of the electrical connector device according to the present invention, and are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration of a main part when an improvement is made on the connector receptacle side. Shows the configuration at normal temperature, and FIG. 11 shows the configuration at high temperature. FIG.
Structures other than those shown in FIG. 0 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and only different parts will be described.

(Structure) As shown in FIG. 10, the electrical connector device according to the present embodiment is configured such that any or all of the electrode contacts 37 on the connector receptacle 4 side in the first embodiment are connected to a shape memory alloy. Is provided in place of the electrode contact 63 formed by the above. This electrode contact 63
At normal temperature, as shown in FIG.
The shape of the shape memory alloy is high at high temperatures due to the characteristics of the shape memory alloy.
2 so as to protrude from the press contact surface 45.

As shown in FIG. 10, a heater 6 is provided on the space side of the connector receptacle 4 above the insulating member 38.
The heater 64 is connected to a power supply electrode contact 65. The power supply electrode contact 6
5 is not particularly required to be formed of a shape memory alloy, but is arranged at a position protruding from the press contact surface 45 at normal temperature.

Further, a power supply electrode contact 66 is provided at a position corresponding to the power supply electrode contact 65 on the connector plug 6 side. When the connector is connected, the power supply electrode contact 65 is connected to the power supply electrode contact 65. Both contact and establish an electrical connection, which abuts to form a clearance 67 between the pressure contact surfaces 16 and 46 at the other electrode contacts 63.

(Operation) In the present embodiment, the same operation as in the first embodiment is performed and the same effect is obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, with the above configuration,
When the connector plug 6 is connected to the connector receptacle 4 using the cup link 23, first, an electrical connection is established between the power supply electrode contact 65 and one of the power supply electrode contacts 66, and power is supplied to the heater 64. Is done.

Thereafter, when the heater 64 is driven by power supply, the temperature of each electrode contact 63 made of a shape memory alloy becomes high, and as shown in FIG.
Deforms into a shape that protrudes from Then, each deformed electrode contact 63 exceeds the clearance 67 and comes into contact with each electrode contact 13 on the connector plug 6 side, so that an electrical connection is established.

(Effects) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the flatness of the connector pressure contact surface at normal temperature is further improved. By doing so, it is possible to improve the wiping workability, and it is possible to achieve more reliable connector connectivity by protruding the electrode contacts from the press contact surface during connector connection. That is, it is possible to configure an electrical connector device having better reliability.

Next, a first modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Modification 1) (Configuration) The configuration in this example is substantially the same as the electrical connector device according to the third embodiment, except that an electrode contact for connecting the power source of the image sensor and GND. Is disposed near a heater 64 (shown in the figure), and an electrode contact for connecting an imaging signal is disposed at a position distant from the heater 64.

(Operation and Effect) Therefore, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the operation and effect similar to those in the third embodiment, the same effect can be obtained, and the electrode contact connecting GND connects the imaging signal. Since the deformation can be started prior to the electrode contact and the electrical connection can be established, the same effect as the third modification of the first embodiment, that is, the destruction of the image pickup device due to the latch-up phenomenon or the like can be prevented. The effect that becomes possible is also obtained.

The present invention relates to each of the above-described embodiments,
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and the modifications, and the present invention can be applied to any of the embodiments and the modifications.

In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the case where the electrical connector device according to the present invention is configured as a medical endoscope system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any equipment that requires workability such as electrical connection, watertight maintenance, and simple washing and disinfection, which are performed using the connector device.

[Supplementary Note] (Supplementary Note 1) A plug having at least one or more first electrical contact electrode portions and a first insulator portion for insulating the first electrical contact electrode portions from each other. Part and
Like the plug portion, the receptacle portion includes at least one or more second electrical contact electrode portions and a receptacle portion having a second insulator portion for insulating the second electrical contact electrode portions. Contact fixing means for bringing each second electrical contact electrode portion provided at a position corresponding to the first electrical contact electrode portion of the plug portion into the receptacle portion, so as to be in a contact fixed state, respectively. Wherein the plug portion and the receptacle portion are detachable by the contact fixing means, wherein the first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug portion and the receptacle portion are provided. An electrical connector device, wherein an electrode and said first and second insulator portions are located on the same substantially flat surface.

(Supplementary Note 2) At least one of the first electrical contact electrode and the second electrical contact electrode is formed as a pattern on an electrical substrate. The electrical connector device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

(Appendix 3) At least one of the first electrical contact electrode and the second electrical contact electrode uses a conductive elastic member having conductivity and elasticity. Item 1 characterized by being formed by
An electrical connector device according to claim 1.

(Supplementary Note 4) At least one of the first electrical contact electrode and the second electrical contact electrode is connected to a connector between the plug portion and the receptacle portion. 3. The electrical connector device according to claim 1, further comprising a projecting means for projecting from the substantially flat surface.

(Additional Item 5) The additional item 4, wherein the projecting means is constituted by an electric contact electrode formed of a shape memory alloy, and a heating means for heating the electrode when the connector is connected. An electrical connector device as described.

[0089]

As described above, according to the present invention, the residual moisture in both the plug portion and the receptacle portion can be easily wiped to improve the cleaning / disinfecting workability, and the structure can be simplified. A compact and inexpensive electrical connector device can be configured.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of an electrical connector device according to the present invention and illustrating a configuration of the device.

FIG. 2 is a configuration perspective view for explaining the configuration of each press-contact surface of a connector receptacle and a connector plug included in the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a connector plug for explaining a first modification of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a connector plug for describing a second modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connector plug for explaining a third modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the electrical connector device according to the present invention, and showing a configuration of a connector plug of the device.

FIG. 7 is a configuration perspective view of a three-dimensional wiring board 53 for describing a first modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration perspective view of a connector plug for describing a second modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a connector plug for explaining a third modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector device according to the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the shape of the electrode contact at room temperature.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for explaining the shape of an electrode contact at a high temperature.

FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram when the electric connector device is used as a medical endoscope system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Endoscope, 2 ... Image sensor, 3 ... Subject, 4 ... Connector receptacle, 5 ... Cable part, 6 ... Connector plug, 8 ... Video processor, 10 ... Video signal processing part, 11 ... Monitor, 13, 37 ... Electrode contacts, 14, 38: insulating member, 15, 16, 45, 46: press-contact surface, 17, 39: frame, 18: screw portion, 20, 30, 426, O-ring, 22, 31: projection, 23 ... Lock ring, 24 key, 25 female screw, 26 housing, 27 screw, 28 mounting hole, 29 space, 32 connector shaft, 33 hole, 34 composite cable, 36 single cable, 40 Ring member, 41 ... key, 47 ... key projection.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kuroda 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Inside Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Nobuyoshi Tanizawa 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Yamashita 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Within Olympus Optical Industries Co., Ltd. (72) Toshinari Fukushima 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Honda 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo In-line Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroshi Okabe 2-43-2, Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo No. Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takeaki Nakamura 2-43-2 Hatagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Olimpa Optical Industry Co., Ltd. in the F-term (reference) 4C061 AA00 BB00 CC00 DD00 JJ13 NN09 5E087 EE03 EE13 FF01 FF16 GG02 HH01 LL03 LL04 LL12 QQ06 RR04 RR12 RR29 RR36

Claims (1)

[Claims] A plug portion having at least one or more first electrical contact electrode portions, and a first insulator portion for insulating each of the first electrical contact electrode portions;
Like the plug portion, the receptacle portion includes at least one or more second electrical contact electrode portions, and a receptacle portion having a second insulator portion for insulating the second electrical contact electrode portions. Contact fixing means for bringing each second electrical contact electrode portion provided at a position corresponding to the first electrical contact electrode portion of the plug portion into the receptacle portion, in a contact fixed state, respectively. Wherein the plug portion and the receptacle portion are configured to be detachable by the contact fixing means, wherein the first and second electrical contacts provided on the plug portion and the receptacle portion are provided. An electrical connector device, wherein an electrode and said first and second insulator portions are located on the same substantially flat surface.