Illumination unit for microscope

Abstract

In order to realize an illumination unit for a microscope, which has an MID structure for spatially freely arranging different electronic and optical components so that the surface of a three-dimensional carrier can be used as a printed circuit board replacement, a MID structure designed as an illumination unit is proposed, which has a closed annular base body with a free annular beam opening (1.1), wherein a cylinder (5) is arranged on the base body (2), a lighting device (4) is arranged at the free end of the cylinder, the lighting device (4) can be contacted via a conductor path (3) arranged on the surface of the MID structure (1), and the cylinder (5) has a cooling structure (9) on the side facing away from the open beam opening (1.1), and wherein a plug (7) for power supply and a control unit (8) for controlling the lighting device (4) are arranged on the base body (2) of the MID structure (1). The MID structure (1) designed as an illumination unit is arranged in a housing (11) of a microscope objective (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an illumination unit for a microscope, which has an MID structure for spatially free arrangement of different electronic and optical components.

[0002] Currently, standard FR4 printed circuit boards as well as rigid-flex or semi-flexible printed circuit boards are used in microscopy for the realization of simple or complex circuits. Although these can improve the layout in space, they also suffer from the disadvantages of a flat surface. This often leads to complex and expensive layout and installation solutions, mainly due to the strong restrictions on the installation space. In addition, the use of printed circuit boards of the above-mentioned types results in higher costs and the risk of impaired functionality due to breakage during installation.

[0003] The prior art discloses a number of applications of MID technology (MID=molded interconnect device) for different fields of application. Thus, for example, DE 102 25 919 B3 discloses an optical module and an optical system, wherein the optical module has a lens holder, into which the lens arrangement is inserted. The lenses are preferably oriented relative to one another and to the lens holder by their geometric design, so that no additional optical alignment of the system is required. The lens holder is designed as an MID with an integrated conductor circuit and serves as a circuit carrier for semiconductor elements applied in flip-chip technology.

[0004] Document DE 103 44 767 B4 also discloses an optical module having a circuit carrier for semiconductor elements applied in flip-chip technology, wherein the circuit carrier has at least one thin region and a thick region holding the thin region, and a lens holder of a lens unit is supported and held in the thin region of the circuit carrier. The thin region and the thick region are designed as an MID with integrated conductor tracks.

[0005] The MIDs known from the prior art are designed as compact units which, in the event of repair, must be replaced as a whole and recalibrated.

[0006] Starting from this prior art, the object of the present invention is to propose an illumination unit for a microscope having an MID structure which is better and more maintenance-friendly than the prior art.

[0007] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention proposes an illumination unit for a microscope, which has an MID structure with an integrated conductor circuit for freely arranging different electronic and optical components in space, characterized in that the formed MID structure has a base with an annular open light beam opening, wherein a column is arranged on the base, and a lighting device is arranged on the free end of the column, and the lighting device can be contacted via the conductor circuit arranged on the surface of the MID structure, and wherein a plug for power supply and a control unit for controlling the lighting device are arranged on the base of the MID structure.

[0008] The term annular beam opening also includes shapes that differ from a strict circle. The beam opening can therefore also be designed as an ellipse, as a polygon or as an irregular shape. It is important that a beam which is usually circular in cross section can pass through a closed beam opening without undesirable effects (e.g. asymmetric shadowing).

[0009] It is advantageously provided that the cylinder has a metal-coated section designed as a cooling structure on the side facing away from the open beam opening, or that the cooling structure of the cylinder is designed as a shaped projection on the side facing away from the open beam opening. The cooling structure can also have different projections or be designed in the form of ribs. The cooling structure is advantageously designed facing away from the open beam opening in order to reduce interfering influences caused by air flows of different densities and refractive powers. In addition to the heat sink, further electrical or electronic components can be arranged on the base body in addition or as an alternative.

[0010] An advantageous development provides that the control unit is designed in such a way that the lighting means can be controlled jointly, in groups or individually in order to set their respective individual intensities.

[0011] Preferably, the MID structure is arranged in the housing of the microscope objective, wherein the front lens of the microscope objective and optionally the further optical lens are arranged along the optical axis and the MID structure is guided to a stop of the housing and is held relative to the stop of the housing. The lighting device protrudes from the housing of the microscope objective next to the front lens to ensure uniform illumination of the sample to be observed or optically detected through the microscope objective. In addition, illumination of the area in front of the front lens is achieved from different directions.

[0012] A preferred embodiment is that, in order to correctly position the MID structure in the receiving portion of the housing of the microscope objective, a calibration protrusion is constructed on the side of the base body that is away from the open light beam opening. In addition, the microscope objective can have a shielding unit to prevent the light of the lighting device from being unexpectedly injected into the interior of the microscope objective, so that only the light from the area in front of the front lens reaches the microscope objective through the shielding unit and is converged by it. For example, there can be a light-tight isolation device between the lighting device and the microscope objective. The above-mentioned arrangement of the lighting device and the shielding unit prevent the light of the lighting device from reaching the optical path of the microscope objective without being converged by the microscope objective.

[0013] A production-technically advantageous design of the housing of the microscope objective is that the lighting unit can either be inserted into the microscope objective, or the housing of the microscope objective is constructed in multiple parts, wherein individual sections of the MID structure that constitutes the lighting unit can be plug-assembled or fixedly connected to each other in the housing of the microscope objective.

[0014] The improved design which is beneficial to production technology is that the housing of the microscope objective manufactured by MID technology has a conductor path and a plug for electrically conductive connection of the integrated control unit with the lighting device. In addition, the integrated control unit is connected to the integrated drive device via the plug on the housing of the microscope objective, so that at least one lens is moved along the optical axis, for example, to realize a zoom function.

[0015] By using MID technology in microscopy, it can be realized that the surface of a three-dimensional carrier with an integrated conductor circuit is used as a printed circuit board substitute, so that different electronic and optical components, such as diodes and sensors, can be freely arranged in space. In addition, by using MID technology, electrical, mechanical and optical properties can be combined in one component, so that a large rationalization potential can be formed in terms of component quantity, installation time and manufacturing cost. If the MID structure configured as a lighting unit is set to be insertable in the housing of the microscope objective, the simple and fast installation and removal of the lighting unit and the MID matrix are realized. In this design scheme as a lighting module, the lighting unit can be easily installed and replaced as an integral component. In addition, in the case of a multi-component structure of the housing of the microscope objective, if the individual sections can be plug-in assembled or, for example, screw-fixed to each other, easy, fast and simple installation or removal can be realized.

[0016] The present invention is further described below based on the accompanying drawings and embodiments:

[0017] in:

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a lighting unit according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing details of a second embodiment of a lighting unit according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a first exemplary embodiment of a microscope objective having an illumination unit according to the invention;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of a microscope objective having an illumination unit according to the invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 1 The base body 2 of the MID structure 1 of the lighting unit according to the present invention is shown, which has an integrated conductor circuit 3 for spatially freely arranging different electronic and optical components, such as diodes and sensors. The MID structure 1 constructed as a lighting unit has a base body 2, which surrounds an open light beam opening 1.1 in an annular shape. The conductor circuit 3 is arranged on the surface of the MID structure 1, and the conductor circuit is used to make electrical contact with the lighting device 4 constructed as an LED or OLED, which is arranged on the free end of the column 5 extending from the base body 2 of the MID structure 1. In order to be able to position the MID structure 1 correctly in a receptacle, for example, in the housing 11 of a microscope objective 10 (see Figure 3 and Figure 4 ), a calibration protrusion 6 is formed on the side of the base body 2 facing away from the open light beam opening 1.1. A plug 7 and a control unit 8 are also arranged on the base body 2. The plug 7 is used to contact an external supply source for electrical energy and / or transmit data in the form of electrical signals. The control unit 8 for controlling the lighting device 4 is configured so that the lighting device 4 can be controlled collectively, in groups or individually and, for example, its corresponding intensity can be set.

[0023] In other possible embodiments of the present invention, additional or alternatively further components, such as a heat sink, and / or other electrical and / or electronic components may be arranged on the base body 2 .

[0024] Figure 2 A detail view shows a detail of a lighting unit according to the invention which is designed as an MID structure 1 and has a cooling structure 9. A cylinder 5 is provided on a base body 2, at the free end of which a lighting device 4 is arranged, which is contacted via a conductor track 3 shown by way of example. A cooling structure 9 is formed on the side of the cylinder 5 in the form of a section of the metallic coating of the cylinder 5. The cooling structure 9 is advantageously facing away from the open beam opening 1.1 (see Figure 1 ) in order to reduce the interference effects caused by air flows of different densities and refractive powers.

[0025] In further exemplary embodiments (not shown in greater detail), the cooling structures 9 are designed in the form of ribs or as differently shaped elevations.

[0026] Figure 3 The first embodiment of a microscope objective 10 is shown, which has an illumination unit configured as an MID structure 1 according to the present invention, which is arranged in the housing 11 of the microscope objective 10. The optional optical lens 13 and the front lens 13.1 of the microscope objective 10 are arranged along the optical axis 12. Here, the MID structure 1 is guided to the stopper 14 of the housing 11 of the microscope objective 10 and is retained there. The stopper 14 is a part of a receiving portion 16 for retaining and positioning the MID structure 1. The illumination device 4 extends from the housing 11 beside the front lens 13.1 and realizes the illumination of the area in front of the front lens 13.1 from different directions. In this way, for example, a uniform illumination of a sample (not further shown) to be observed and / or optically detected through the microscope objective 10 can be realized. The light of the illumination device 4 is not expected to be injected into the optical system of the microscope objective 10, and the shielding of the interior of the microscope objective 10 relative to the illumination device 4 is avoided by corresponding arrangement and by means of a shielding unit 17. The shielding unit is an isolating device (shown briefly) constructed in the form of a light-proof side wall of the microscope objective 10 in the embodiment. Only the light originating from the area in front of the front lens 13.1 and concentrated by it reaches the microscope objective 10. The lighting device 4 can be controlled jointly or selectively by the control unit 8, wherein the control unit 8 is arranged outside in this case. The MID structure 1 is advantageously inserted into the housing 11 of the microscope objective 10 and can be effectively installed with this. The separate installation of each single lighting device 4 is unnecessary. The MID structure 1 can also be easily replaced when necessary.

[0027] Additionally, the housing 11 of the microscope objective 10 can also be a multi-component structure. For example, its sections can be plug-in assembled or, for example, screw-connected to each other. This design of the housing 11 makes the installation and possible replacement of the MID structure 1 easier. The housing 11 of the microscope objective 10 itself can also be manufactured by MID technology. The objective 10 and / or the housing 11 can be used in a microscope M (only schematically represented).

[0028] The housing 11 itself can be manufactured by MID technology. Figure 4 As shown schematically, the housing 11 has a conductor track 3, which electrically connects the plug 7.1 of the objective lens 10 to the optionally also integrated control unit 8 and the lighting device 4. In addition to the control unit 8, a drive device 15 can also be provided, which can also be integrated in particular. By means of the drive device, for example, at least one lens 13 can be moved along the optical axis 12 (indicated by a double arrow) in order to realize a zoom function, for example.

[0029] Reference numerals list

[0030] 1 MID structure

[0031] 1.1 Open beam opening

[0032] 2 Matrix

[0033] 3-conductor circuit

[0034] 4 Lighting devices

[0035] 5 Column

[0036] 6 Calibration tab

[0037] 7 Plug

[0038] 7.1 Plug for microscope objective

[0039] 8 Control unit

[0040] 9 Cooling structure

[0041] 10 Microscope objective

[0042] 11 Housing

[0043] 12 Optical axis

[0044] 13 Lens

[0045] 13.1 Front lens

[0046] 14 Stop

[0047] 15. Drive device

[0048] 16 Accommodation

[0049] 17 Shielding unit

[0050] M Microscope

Claims

1. An illumination unit for a microscope, the illumination unit having a molded interconnection device structure for spatially free arrangement of different electronic and optical structural elements, It is characterized in that A molded interconnection device structure configured as a lighting unit has a closed annularly configured base body (2) with an annular open light beam opening (1.1), wherein a column (5) is arranged on the base body (2), a lighting device (4) is arranged at the free end of the column, and the lighting device (4) can be contacted via a conductor path (3) arranged on the surface of the molded interconnection device structure, and wherein a plug (7) for supplying power and a control unit (8) for controlling the lighting device (4) are arranged on the base body (2) of the molded interconnection device structure, wherein: A molded interconnection device structure is arranged in a housing (11) of a microscope objective (10), wherein an optical lens (13) and a front lens (13.1) of the microscope objective (10) are arranged along an optical axis (12), wherein the molded interconnection device structure is guided to a stop (14) of the housing (11) and is held relative to the stop of the housing, wherein an illumination device (4) protrudes from the housing (11) of the microscope objective (10) next to the front lens (13.1) for uniform illumination of a sample to be observed and / or optically detected through the microscope objective (10).

2. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The cylinder (5) has a metallically coated section on the side facing away from the open beam opening (1.1) which is designed as a cooling structure (9).

3. The lighting unit according to claim 2, It is characterized in that The cooling structure (9) is designed as a projection on the side facing away from the open beam opening (1.1).

4. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The control unit (8) is designed so that the lighting means (4) can be controlled jointly, in groups or individually in order to set their respective individual intensities.

5. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that In order to position the molded interconnection device correctly in a receptacle of a housing (11) of a microscope objective (10), an alignment projection (6) is formed on the side of the base body (2) facing away from the open beam opening (1.1).

6. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The microscope objective (10) has a shielding unit for preventing light from an illumination device (4) from being unexpectedly incident on the interior of the microscope objective (10).

7. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A molded interconnect structure configured as an illumination unit can be inserted into a housing (11) of a microscope objective (10).

8. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing (11) of the microscope objective (10) is constructed in multiple parts, wherein the individual sections can be plug-fitted to a molded interconnection structure or fixedly connected to one another.

9. The lighting unit according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The housing (11) of the microscope objective (10) itself is designed as a molded interconnection device structure, wherein the housing (11) has a conductor path (3) and a plug (7.1) for electrically conductively connecting an integrated control unit (8) to an illumination device (4).

10. The lighting unit according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The control unit (8) is connected to an integrated drive device (15) via a plug (7.1) on the housing (11) of the microscope objective (10) for moving at least one lens along the optical axis (12).

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