Connecting mechanism of light source device for endoscope

A connecting mechanism of a light source device for an endoscope to which a various types of connectors of endoscopes are selectively connected;

• the first type of connector having a substantially cylindrical connector body connected at one end to the endoscope and at the other end having a recess, and at least one electric contact and a light guide tube extended along the axial direction of the connector body from the bottom of the recess;
• the second type of connector having a substantially cylindrical connector body connected at one end to the endoscope and closed at the other end, said connector body of the second type of connector having a diameter larger than the body of the first type of connector, a light guide tube extended along the axial direction of the body from the other end of the connector body, and at least one electric contact projected from the outer peripheral surface of the connector body;
• and the third type of connector having a substantially cylindrical connector body connected at one end to the endoscope and having at the other end a recess, said connector body of the third type of the connector having a diameter larger than the body of the second type of connector, and at least one electric contact and a light guide tube extended along the axial direction of the connector body from the bottom of the recess;
• said connecting mechanism comprising:
• a socket having a connecting portion to which the light guide tubes of the various types of connectors and the electric contacts of the first and third types of connectors are connected;
• first holding means for engaging with the other end of the connector body of the first type of connector to hold it when the light guide tube and the contacts of the first type of connector are connected to the socket;
• and
• second holding means for engaging with the other end of the connector body of the second type of connector to hold it when the light guide tube of the second type of connector is connected to the socket, the second holding means having a contact portion which contacts with the other end of the connector body of the third type of connector, and being arranged to be movable between a normal position for engaging with the connector body of the second type of connector and an evacuating position for allowing the third type of connector to be connected to the socket, and the second holding means being in contact with the connector body of the third type of connector and moved to the evacuating position by the third type of connector when the third type connector is connected to the socket.