IP Library Granted Patent US 9,345,393
Granted Patent B2
US 9,345,393 · App. 13/788,345 · Granted May 24, 2016

Endoscope camera

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,345,393
App. No.
13/788,345
Granted
May 24, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided an endoscope camera that achieves closer cumulative tolerance of a camera head and achieves improved accuracy in positioning the camera head. An endoscope camera includes a cylindrical hard case, a camera head provided at a distal end portion of the hard case, and a cover attached to the distal end portion of the hard case which covers the camera head. A rib wall having a holding section is provided inside the cover, and an abutment section which is held by the holding section is provided at the camera head. The abutment section is biased toward the holding section.

Claims (22)

1. An endo scope camera comprising:

a cylindrical hard case;

a camera head provided at a distal end portion of the hard case; and

a dome-shaped cover attached to the distal end portion of the hard case which covers the camera head,

wherein the cover is provided with a holder, the camera head is provided with an abutment, and the abutment is held by the holder to locate a spherical center of the cover on an optical axis of the camera head,

wherein the cover is provided with a rib wall for reinforcing the cover,

wherein the holder is provided within the rib wall,

wherein a first space for housing the camera head and a second space for housing an illuminator are provided inside the cover, and

wherein the illuminator is disposed between the rib wall and the cover.

2. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , wherein the abutment is biased toward the holder.

3. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a rotation driver which rotates the camera head about a rotation axis of the camera head; and

a bearing member which pivotally supports the camera head such that the camera head is rotatable about the rotation axis,

wherein the abutment comprises a distal end portion of the bearing member.

4. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , wherein the abutment comprises a shaft member which is provided on the rotation axis of the camera head.

5. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , wherein the rib wall extends from the cover.

6. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 ,

wherein the illuminator is disposed on one side of the rib wall, and

wherein the camera head is disposed on another side of the rib wall.

7. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , wherein the holder comprises an arcuate surface.

8. The endo scope camera according to claim 1 , wherein a light-blocking board is provided on a surface of the rib wall.

9. The endoscope camera according to claim 1 , wherein the rib wall is provided on an interior surface of the cover.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ERRONEOUSLY FILED APPLICATION NUMBERS 13/384239, 13/498734, 14/116681 AND 14/301144 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034194 FRAME 0143. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 24, 2020
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 056788/0362 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 034194/0143 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2014
From: WADA, JYOUJI; TAKENAGA, YUUICHI; MISAWA, MASAHIKO
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032001/0388 →