Magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscope

Abstract

This application relates to the field of microscopy technology, and more particularly to a magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscopes. The technical solution includes a base fixed to a microscope support column, a support stage, and an adjustment connector. The support stage is equipped with a magnet for rapid sample adsorption. The adjustment connector includes a fixed ball, three bolts with ball heads, and a tension spring connecting the base and the support stage. The bottom surface of the support stage has two vertically aligned V-grooves and a planar contact portion. Each bolt has a hydraulic locking mechanism that controls the horizontal movement freedom of the ball head through a pressing head. During adjustment, pressing the corresponding bolt fixes the ball head at that point horizontally, while allowing the other two ball heads to slide freely, preventing jamming. After adjustment, all horizontal movement of the ball heads is locked. This invention enables non-destructive upgrading of old microscopes, quick sample magnetic exchange, eliminates adjustment drift and jamming problems, and significantly improves imaging stability and operational efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microscope technology, and in particular to a magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscopes. Background Technology

[0002] In precision detection fields such as terahertz near-field optical microscopy and scanning probe microscopy, samples need to be stably and flatly fixed under the microscope to achieve high-resolution imaging. Many laboratories are still using outdated microscope models, whose bases are often just a fixed metal cylinder, lacking the ability to fine-tune the level. At the same time, samples such as paraffin-embedded sections and glass slides widely used in biomedical experiments are fragile and small in size, requiring high precision in mounting methods. In addition, the instrument's leveling mechanism directly affects imaging accuracy and operational efficiency.

[0003] Existing technologies have the following shortcomings: Achieving precise leveling in older microscopes typically requires complete disassembly of the base and replacement with an expensive multi-axis stage, resulting in high costs and long lead times, and hindering non-destructive, low-cost modular upgrades. Mechanical clamps, such as screw-type clamps, are prone to crushing coverslips, and protrusions often obstruct probe paths. Double-sided adhesive adhesion makes it difficult to ensure absolute horizontality of the bottom surface, resulting in uneven adhesive thickness and difficult-to-clean residue. Traditional three-point suspension leveling mechanisms suffer from poor edge rigidity when supporting square samples, leading to cantilever effects. Furthermore, the lack of effective lateral restraint during pitch adjustment causes the stage to easily rotate slightly around the Z-axis or drift laterally, resulting in loss of positioning during micro-area imaging. While four-point support improves rigidity, it suffers from over-constraint; if the heights of the support points do not change synchronously during adjustment, jamming or component damage can easily occur. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this application is to address the problems existing in the background art by proposing a magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscopes that enables non-destructive equipment upgrades, rapid and non-destructive sample mounting, high-rigidity drift-free adjustment, and no risk of jamming.

[0005] The technical solution of this application is: a magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscopes, including a base for fixing to a support column of the microscope;

[0006] A support platform for placing samples is provided above the base. The support platform is provided with a magnet embedding position, and a magnet for adsorbing samples is installed in the magnet embedding position.

[0007] It also includes an adjusting connector installed between the base and the support platform, the adjusting connector comprising:

[0008] A fixed sphere rotatably mounted between the base and the support platform;

[0009] Three bolt rods are threaded to the base respectively. The top of each bolt rod is slidably mounted with a mounting base through a sliding connector. A ball head is rotatably mounted on the mounting base.

[0010] Each of the bolt rods is provided with a locking mechanism for controlling whether the mounting base not located on the bolt rod can move horizontally;

[0011] The bottom surface of the support platform is provided with:

[0012] Two V-shaped grooves are located on both sides of the fixed sphere, and the axes of the two V-shaped grooves are perpendicular to each other. They are used to accommodate and limit the corresponding two ball heads, allowing the limited ball heads to slide along the axis of the V-shaped grooves but restricting their horizontal movement perpendicular to the axis.

[0013] A planar contact portion, located at a diagonal position of the fixed sphere, is used for sliding contact with the remaining ball head;

[0014] Multiple tension springs connect the base and the support platform.

[0015] Optionally, the base is provided with a sleeve interface, and a locking screw is threaded onto the sleeve interface.

[0016] Optionally, two sets of guide members are rotatably mounted on the support platform. Each guide member includes two rotatably mounted cylinders, and the two cylinders form a V-shaped groove that connects to the ball head.

[0017] Optionally, the sliding connector includes a connecting cylinder fixedly mounted on the bolt rod and a sealing plate slidably and sealingly connected inside the connecting cylinder. A support rod is fixedly mounted on the sealing plate, and the support rod is fixedly connected to the mounting base.

[0018] Optionally, the locking mechanism includes multiple valves fixedly installed on the base, each corresponding to a connecting cylinder. Each valve includes a valve stem that is slidably disposed to control the opening and closing of the valve. The valve stem is provided with multiple support points, and a return spring is fixedly installed between the valve stem and the valve.

[0019] Optionally, both sides of the connecting cylinder are connected to both ends of the valve through connecting pipes. The interior of the connecting cylinder, the interior of the connecting pipe, and the interior of the valve are all filled with a transmission medium, which is an incompressible fluid under working conditions.

[0020] Optionally, a lifting rod is installed between any two valve stems, with different lifting rods located below support points at different heights.

[0021] Optionally, a pressing head is slidably mounted on the bottom of the bolt rod, a compression spring is provided between the pressing head and the bolt rod, a drive rod is fixedly mounted on the pressing head, and the other end of the drive rod is fixedly connected to one of the lifting rods, which does not contact the valve corresponding to the bolt rod.

[0022] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0023] The sleeve interface and locking screw enable non-destructive and low-cost installation on old microscope columns, eliminating the need to replace the entire expensive multi-axis displacement stage, significantly lowering the upgrade threshold. The embedded magnets adsorb the sample, avoiding the risk of mechanical clamps crushing the coverslip, and also eliminating the unevenness and residue problems caused by double-sided tape. It achieves quick replacement in seconds and ensures that the bottom surface of the sample is completely adhered.

[0024] The four-point support layout consisting of a fixed sphere and three bolt rods significantly improves the edge rigidity of the square support platform, overcoming the cantilever effect of traditional three-point suspension. Through a controllable locking mechanism and the mechanical linkage between the pressing head and the lifting rod, a precise operating logic is achieved where the active adjustment point is horizontally fixed and the other two points slide freely horizontally during adjustment. This not only releases geometric over-constraints and avoids jamming, but also ensures smooth adjustment and high rigidity after adjustment. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the leveling adapter Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the leveling adapter Figure 2 ;

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the leveling adapter Figure 3 ;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure at the bottom of the support platform;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the connecting pipe;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the locking mechanism.

[0031] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a section at point A in the middle;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the location distribution of the lifting rods;

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the valve and valve stem.

[0034] Reference numerals: 1. Base; 11. Sleeve interface; 12. Locking screw; 2. Support platform; 21. Magnet; 22. Planar contact part; 23. Cylinder; 231. V-groove; 3. Adjusting connector; 31. Fixed ball; 32. Bolt rod; 33. Sliding connector; 331. Connecting cylinder; 332. Sealing plate; 333. Support rod; 34. Mounting seat; 35. Ball head; 36. Locking mechanism; 361. Valve; 362. Valve stem; 363. Support point; 364. Return spring; 365. Lifting rod; 366. Pressing head; 367. Compression spring; 368. Drive rod; 369. Connecting pipe; 4. Tension spring. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] Example

[0037] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this application proposes a magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for microscopes, including a base 1 for fixing to a support column of the microscope, a support stage 2 for placing samples on the base 1, a magnet embedding position on the support stage 2, and a magnet 21 for adsorbing samples installed in the magnet embedding position. The magnet 21 uses magnetic force to quickly adsorb and fix samples with magnetic strips, such as glass slides, onto the support stage 2 without the need for screws, clamps, or double-sided tape. The embedded magnet 21 avoids mechanical stress damage and ensures complete adhesion and flatness between the sample and the upper surface of the support stage 2, while also enabling sample change in seconds.

[0038] The base 1 is provided with a sleeve interface 11, and a locking screw 12 is threaded onto the sleeve interface 11. The sleeve interface 11 is used to directly fit the base 1 onto the outside of the original cylindrical support column of the microscope. After the locking screw 12 is tightened, its end presses against the support column, and the adapter is firmly locked onto the support column by radial friction.

[0039] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the leveling adapter in this embodiment also includes an adjustment connector 3 installed between the base 1 and the support platform 2. The adjustment connector 3 includes: a fixed ball 31 rotatably installed between the base 1 and the support platform 2; three bolt rods 32 threadedly connected to the base 1; a mounting seat 34 slidably installed on the top of the bolt rods 32 through a sliding connector 33; and a ball head 35 rotatably installed on the mounting seat 34. The fixed ball 31 serves as the geometric fixed point for tilt adjustment of the support platform 2, providing a stable reference. The three bolt rods 32 achieve precise fine-tuning in the height direction through threaded rotation. Each ball head 35 contacts the bottom surface of the support platform 2, forming a four-point support.

[0040] The existing three-point suspension leveling mechanism, when carrying a square sample, suffers from poor edge rigidity due to the cantilever effect and lacks lateral constraints during adjustment, making it prone to rotation or lateral drift around the Z-axis, resulting in loss of micro-area imaging positioning. By adopting four-point support, specifically a fixed sphere 31 plus three ball heads 35, the edge rigidity is greatly improved. At the same time, the combined V-groove 231 constraint achieves high rigidity and drift-free leveling.

[0041] The support platform 2 has two V-shaped grooves 231 on its bottom surface, located on both sides of the fixed sphere 31, and the axes of the two V-shaped grooves 231 are perpendicular to each other. Two sets of guide members are rotatably mounted on the support platform 2. The guide members include two rotatably mounted cylinders 23. The two cylinders 23 form a V-shaped groove 231 that connects to the ball head 35. The V-shaped groove 231 is used to accommodate and limit the two corresponding ball heads 35, allowing the limited ball head 35 to slide along the axis of the V-shaped groove 231 but restricting its horizontal movement perpendicular to the axis. It also includes a planar contact part 22 located at the diagonal position of the fixed sphere 31 for sliding contact with the remaining ball head 35. In the prior art, although the ordinary four-point support has good rigidity, it has the problem of over-constraint and is prone to jamming during adjustment.

[0042] The two V-grooves 231 restrict the horizontal displacement of the corresponding ball head 35 along the groove direction, thereby locking the translation and rotation directions of the support platform 2. The planar contact part 22 allows the third ball head 35 to slide in any direction, releasing the geometric internal stress generated during the adjustment process and preventing jamming. This achieves both high rigidity of four-point support and pure pitch adjustment without drift, solving the contradiction of poor rigidity or easy jamming in traditional mechanisms.

[0043] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in this embodiment, multiple tension springs 4 are connected between the base 1 and the support platform 2. The tension springs 4 provide continuous axial preload, so that the support platform 2 is always pressed against the fixed ball 31 and the three ball heads 35, eliminating the inherent backlash gap in the threaded connection.

[0044] like Figures 5 to 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the sliding connector 33 includes a connecting cylinder 331 fixedly installed on the bolt rod 32 and a sealing plate 332 slidably and sealingly connected inside the connecting cylinder 331. A support rod 333 is fixedly installed on the sealing plate 332 and is fixedly connected to the mounting base 34. The sliding connector 33 enables the ball head 35 to move controllably in the horizontal direction. The sealing plate 332 drives the ball head 35 to move horizontally. When the sealing plate 332 is locked, the ball head 35 cannot move horizontally. When the sealing plate 332 can slide freely, the ball head 35 can move horizontally.

[0045] Furthermore, each bolt rod 32 is provided with a locking mechanism 36 for controlling whether the mounting seat 34 not located on the bolt rod 32 can move horizontally. The locking mechanism 36 includes multiple valves 361 fixedly installed on the base 1, each corresponding to a connecting cylinder 331. Each valve 361 includes a valve stem 362 that is slidably arranged to control the opening and closing of the valve 361. Multiple support points 363 are provided on the valve stem 362. A return spring 364 is fixedly installed between the valve stem 362 and the valve 361. Both sides of the connecting cylinder 331 are connected to both ends of the valve 361 through connecting pipes 369. The interior of the connecting cylinder 331, the interior of the connecting pipes 369, and the interior of the valve 361 are all filled with a transmission medium. The transmission medium is an incompressible fluid under working conditions. The two cavities on both sides of the sealing plate 332 in each connecting cylinder 331 are connected to the corresponding valve 361 through the connecting pipes 369. When the valve 361 is closed, the transmission medium on both sides of the sealing plate 332 cannot flow, the sealing plate 332 is locked, and the ball head 35 cannot move horizontally.

[0046] When valve 361 is opened, the medium can circulate, the sealing plate 332 can slide freely, and the ball head 35 can move horizontally.

[0047] In this system, a lifting rod 365 is installed between any two valve stems 362. Different lifting rods 365 are located below support points 363 at different heights. The rise of the lifting rod 365 will lift the support points 363 on the corresponding two valve stems 362, overcome the elastic force of the return spring 364, and lift the valve stems 362, thereby opening the two valves 361. This realizes the function of opening two valves at the same time in one operation, simplifying the operation steps.

[0048] Furthermore, a pressing head 366 is slidably mounted on the bottom of the bolt rod 32. A compression spring 367 is provided between the pressing head 366 and the bolt rod 32. A drive rod 368 is fixedly mounted on the pressing head 366. The other end of the drive rod 368 is fixedly connected to one of the lifting rods 365. The lifting rod 365 does not contact the valve 361 corresponding to the bolt rod 32. The specific operation procedure is as follows:

[0049] When the user needs to adjust the height of a certain bolt rod 32, first press down on the pressing head 366 at the bottom of the bolt rod 32. The compression spring 367 is compressed, and the pressing head 366 drives the drive rod 368 to move upward. The drive rod 368 drives the lifting rod 365 fixedly connected to it to rise. The lifting rod 365 contacts the support point 363 on the valve stem 362 of the other two valves 361, that is, the two valves 361 that do not correspond to the bolt rod 32. Therefore, the two valves 361 will be opened at the same time, so that the sealing plate 332 in the connecting cylinder 331 corresponding to the two valves 361 can slide freely, that is, the other two ball heads 35 can move horizontally.

[0050] The valve 361 corresponding to the adjusted bolt rod 32 is not opened and remains closed. Therefore, the ball head 35 on the bolt rod 32 cannot move horizontally. When the user rotates the bolt rod 32, the height of this point changes. Since the ball head 35 is fixed horizontally, while the other two ball heads 35 can slide freely horizontally, the geometric interference is released, thus preventing jamming. After adjustment, the press head 366 is released, and the reset spring 364 pushes the valve rod 362 to close the valve 361. All ball heads 35 are locked again and prevented from moving horizontally.

[0051] The precise control logic automatically locks the horizontal movement of the active adjustment point and releases the horizontal movement of the other two points through a single press action. It is simple and reliable to operate, completely avoiding the jamming problem of traditional four-point support adjustment. At the same time, it restores high rigidity locking after adjustment, ensuring drift-free imaging stability.

[0052] Working principle: First, the base 1 is installed on the microscope column without damage through the sleeve interface 11 and locking screw 12. When in use, the sample with the magnetic strip is placed on the support stage 2, and the magnet 21 quickly attracts and fixes it. When leveling is required, the user rotates a bolt rod 32 while pressing the pressing head 366 at its bottom. The pressing head 366 opens two other valves 361 through the drive rod 368 and the lifting rod 365, so that the other two ball heads 35 can move horizontally, while the ball head 35 on the current bolt rod 32 is fixed horizontally.

[0053] Rotating the bolt rod 32 changes the height of this point. Since the fixed ball 31 is a stationary point, the bearing platform 2 tilts. The other two horizontally movable ball heads 35 slide adaptively on the vertical V-groove 231 or the plane contact part 22, respectively, releasing geometric interference and avoiding jamming. After adjustment, the pressing head 366 is released, all valves 361 are closed, and all ball heads 35 are locked in horizontal movement. At this time, the two vertical V-grooves 231 form orthogonal constraints on the ball heads 35, completely restricting the translation and rotation of the bearing platform 2, only maintaining a stable tilting posture. Multiple tension springs 4 always provide preload to eliminate thread clearance.

[0054] The above specific embodiments are merely several optional embodiments of the present invention. Based on the technical solutions of the present invention and the relevant teachings of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various alternative improvements and combinations to the above specific embodiments.

Claims

1. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope, characterized in that, include: Base (1) for fixing to the support column of the microscope. A support platform (2) for placing samples is provided above the base (1). The support platform (2) is provided with a magnet embedding position, and a magnet (21) for adsorbing samples is installed in the magnet embedding position. It also includes an adjusting connector (3) installed between the base (1) and the support platform (2), the adjusting connector (3) comprising: A fixed sphere (31) is rotatably installed between the base (1) and the support platform (20); Three bolt rods (32) are threadedly connected to the base (1). The top of each bolt rod (32) is slidably mounted with a mounting seat (34) via a sliding connector (33). A ball head (35) is rotatably mounted on the mounting seat (34). Each of the bolt rods (32) is provided with a locking mechanism (36) for controlling whether the mounting seat (34) not located on the bolt rod (32) can move horizontally; The bottom surface of the support platform (2) is provided with: Two V-shaped grooves (231) are located on both sides of the fixed sphere (31), and the axial directions of the two V-shaped grooves (231) are perpendicular to each other. They are used to accommodate and limit the corresponding two ball heads (35), allowing the limited ball head (35) to slide along the axial direction of the V-shaped groove (231) but restricting its horizontal movement perpendicular to the axial direction. A planar contact portion (22) is located at a diagonal position of the fixed sphere (31) for sliding contact with the remaining ball head (35); Multiple tension springs (4) connect the base (1) and the support platform (2).

2. The magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base (1) is provided with a sleeve interface (11), and a locking screw (12) is threaded onto the sleeve interface (11).

3. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two sets of guide members are rotatably installed on the support platform (2). The guide members include two rotatably installed cylinders (23), and the two cylinders (23) form a V-shaped groove (231) connected to the ball head (35).

4. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding connector (33) includes a connecting cylinder (331) fixedly installed on the bolt rod (32) and a sealing plate (332) slidably and sealingly connected inside the connecting cylinder (331). A support rod (333) is fixedly installed on the sealing plate (332) and the support rod (333) is fixedly connected to the mounting base (34).

5. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 4, characterized in that, The locking mechanism (36) includes a plurality of valves (361) fixedly installed on the base (1) and corresponding to the connecting cylinder (331). Each valve (361) includes a valve stem (362) for controlling the opening and closing of the valve (361) and is provided with a plurality of support points (363). A return spring (364) is fixedly installed between the valve stem (362) and the valve (361).

6. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both sides of the connecting cylinder (331) are connected to the two ends of the valve (361) through the connecting pipe (369). The inside of the connecting cylinder (331), the inside of the connecting pipe (369) and the inside of the valve (361) are all filled with a transmission medium, which is an incompressible fluid under working conditions.

7. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 6, characterized in that, A lifting rod (365) is installed between any two valve stems (362), and different lifting rods (365) are located below support points (363) at different heights.

8. A magnetic high-rigidity leveling adapter for a microscope according to claim 7, characterized in that, A pressing head (366) is slidably installed at the bottom of the bolt rod (32). A compression spring (367) is provided between the pressing head (366) and the bolt rod (32). A drive rod (368) is fixedly installed on the pressing head (366). The other end of the drive rod (368) is fixedly connected to one of the lifting rods (365). The lifting rod (365) does not contact the valve (361) corresponding to the bolt rod (32).

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