Microscope support equipped with support column capable of being lowered, and microscope

Abstract

The invention relates to a microscope holder (1) having a base part (2), the base part (2) having a lower side (2.1) for erecting the holder (1) on a base, and an upper side (2.2) opposite the lower side (2.1), which delimits the base part (2) in the z-direction. A sample carrier (5) extending in the x-y plane, a stand column (3) extending perpendicular to the x-y plane in the z-direction, and a carrier arm (4) fixed to the stand column (3) and projecting above the sample carrier (5) are also provided, the net distance (H) between the carrier arm (4) and the sample carrier (5) being controllably variable in the z-direction. The invention is characterized in that the support column (3) can be moved in the z-direction relative to the foot piece (2) between a bottom dead center (uT) and a top dead center (oT), the bottom dead center (uT) being located in the extension of the foot piece (2) in the z-direction and being located below the plane defined by the upper side (2.2). The invention also relates to a microscope (M) having a microscope holder (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a microscope support, comprising: a foot member having a lower side for standing the support on a base and an upper side opposite to the lower side, the upper side defining a boundary of the foot member along the z direction; a sample carrier extending in the x-y plane; a support column extending perpendicular to the x-y plane along the z direction; and a support arm fixed at the support column and protruding above the sample carrier, wherein a net distance between the support arm and the sample carrier can be controllably changed along the z direction. Background Art

[0002] Technically important components of a microscope, such as a light source, illumination- and / or detection optics, and a detector, can be mounted on a microscope support. Such a microscope support is known to have a foot for standing the microscope support on a base, a sample carrier for accommodating a sample to be observed, a support column, and a support arm fixed to the support column and protruding above the sample carrier.

[0003] In many known models of microscope supports, the net distance between the sample carrier and the support arm can be adjusted to achieve an optimized configuration of the sample thickness and the respectively selected illumination- and / or detection optics. For this purpose, for example, the vertical position of the sample carrier and / or the position of the support arm can be changed along the support column.

[0004] Furthermore, it is known that the support column can be rotated relative to the sample carrier in order to, for example, illuminate and / or image an object (sample) from different angles, or backlight a raised structure on the sample surface. Such microscope supports are known, for example, for the DSX1000 digital microscope (Olympus) and the Zeiss Smartzoom5.

[0005] If the foot member of such a microscope support is relatively thick, for example because an additional light source is mounted on the foot member, then the external dimensions of the microscope support or the microscope equipped with the microscope support are also increased accordingly. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to propose a microscope support and a microscope, which have reduced design dimensions compared with the prior art despite having a variety of application possibilities.

[0007] The technical problem is solved according to the present invention by a microscope support and a microscope having the microscope support.

[0008] The microscope support here has a foot part, which has a lower side for standing the microscope support on a base and an upper side opposite to the lower side, and the upper side defines the boundary of the foot part along the z-direction. There is also a sample carrier extending in the x-y plane and a support column extending perpendicular to the x-y plane along the z-direction. A support arm protruding above the sample carrier is fixed to the support column. The net distance between the support arm and the sample carrier can be controllably changed along the z-direction. Hereinafter, the relative orientations along the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction are referred to the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0009] The microscope support according to the invention is characterized in that the support column can move relative to the foot part between a lower dead center and an upper dead center along the z-direction. The lower dead center is here within the extension dimension (height) of the foot part along the z-direction and below the upper side or the plane determined by the upper side. Such a plane of the upper side is provided, for example, functionally by the outer side of the housing, shield, or lid of the foot part.

[0010] Hereinafter, the microscope support, the support column, and the support arm will also be simply referred to as the support, the column, or the arm.

[0011] The column is advantageously connected to the foot part. Here, the column can move a distance into the interior of the foot part or move out of the interior of the foot part. In other design solutions, the column is arranged, for example, outside the side wall of the foot part connecting the lower side and the upper side and is movably supported on this side wall.

[0012] The basic idea of the invention is that the column can be lowered with a part of its length into or beside the foot part or extended beyond the upper side of the foot part as needed. If the column is at its lower dead center, the support has a more compact dimensional design than similar supports according to the prior art. In addition, when the column is not completely moved out, the center of gravity of the support is closer to or within the foot part, thereby reducing adverse vibrations. Although the column can move along the z-direction, all application possibilities of the support are retained since the support can still operate when the column is completely moved out.

[0013] To achieve a compact dimensional design, the stroke between the lower dead center and the upper dead center, for example, with reference to the upper end of the column, can be at least 5%, preferably at least 10% or 20% of the length of the support column protruding above the upper side at the upper dead center. In an advantageous design of the invention, the column can be moved in to such an extent that at least 50%, preferably not more than 65% of the length of the support column protruding above the upper side at the upper dead center can be moved into the foot part by moving towards the lower dead center.

[0014] The stroke between the two dead centers can be, for example, 170 mm. If the column is at the lower dead center, the remaining length of the column still projects beyond the foot part by, for example, about 110 mm, while when at the upper dead center, for example, it projects beyond the foot part by about 280 mm accordingly.

[0015] The sample carrier of the support can be a fixed support surface extending in the x - y plane. It is also feasible that the sample carrier is part of a sample table which can be moved manually or electrically, for example, can be moved in the x - y plane and / or along the z - direction.

[0016] The column can be implemented in different design variants. In one possible variant, there is a column that can be translated along the z - direction and is held and guided by a position - fixed guide. For example, there can be a fixed slide with a drive device, where there is a movable guide, such as a rail or a rod. If the drive device is operated, the guide can move and be adjusted relative to the position - fixed slide.

[0017] The drive device can be arranged on the side wall forming the lower side of the foot part or in the vicinity of the side wall. In other design variants, the drive device can be arranged away from the lower side of the foot part and, in addition to the element for generating the movement along the z - direction, has guide elements such as rails, bars or profiles, by the action of which the column is held and guided during the movement along the z - direction.

[0018] In addition to the possibility of adjustment in the direction along the z - axis (z - direction, assumed to be the vertical direction for simplicity here), in other design variants of the present invention, the support column can also have at least one rotary joint with a rotation axis. The column can be deflected relative to the x - y plane of the sample carrier about the rotation axis. Since the support arm is located on the column and projects a certain distance beyond the sample carrier, if the arm is equipped with corresponding optical components (see below), the object located on the sample carrier can be irradiated and / or detected in this way from different directions. The deflection movement of the column about the rotation axis can be combined with the movement along the z - axis direction and carried out simultaneously. It is also feasible to carry out the optional deflection movement and the length adjustment of the column along the z - direction sequentially.

[0019] The deflection movement about the axis of rotation is advantageously generated by means of a motor. The motor can be arranged directly on the axis of rotation. It is also possible to arrange the drive device at different positions, for example in the foot part, and to act on the axis of rotation via a transmission. In other embodiments of the invention, the column can also be deflected manually. A magnetic brake can be arranged in the axis of rotation. This can be switched on or off by means of a switch, for example a button, in order to effect the deflection and to hold the column in the desired position after the deflection movement. Furthermore, in a possible embodiment of the support according to the invention, at least one drive device (combined drive device) for adjusting the support column in the z-direction can also be arranged on the axis of rotation. In this way, the centre of gravity can remain close to the foot part despite the fact that the column is inclined and despite the different adjusted extension lengths of the column.

[0020] The movement of the column in the z-direction and / or the inclination of the column about the axis of rotation of the column relative to the x-y plane of the sample carrier can be generated manually, for example by the user adjusting a corresponding operating element, such as a lever or a rotary knob. However, it is advantageous to generate the adjustment movement of the column by means of a drive device in the form of at least one controlled motor. Suitable controlled motors are, for example, stepper motors, piezoelectric drive devices or linear actuators. The motor is preferably controlled by means of a control device, such as a computer, an FPGA or a microcontroller. The drive device can be arranged, for example, fixed in position at the foot part and is effectively connected to the column, for example by means of a spindle or a rack.

[0021] In the context of this description, the drive device is also considered to be fixed in position if it remains in the foot part but moves, for example, on a section of a circular path during the deflection movement of the column about the axis of rotation.

[0022] In order to reduce the vibrations generated during the movement of the column and also in order to have a beneficial effect on the vibration behaviour of the support when the column is partially or completely extended, compensating weights for reducing the vibrations of the driven column can be present at those ends of the column facing the foot part. It is also possible for the guide part, for example a rod serving as a guide part, to be elastically supported at its ends. For this purpose, the guide part can be supported, for example, in a support device made of rubber or a similar material. It is also possible for the guide part to be provided with rubber or a similar material, for example enveloped with rubber or a similar material, at the end to be supported.

[0023] This embodiment effectively enables the design as a floating bearing, so that possible mechanical overconstraints can be avoided when using two guide parts. Furthermore, the floating bearing can be dispensed with if necessary.

[0024] In order to be able to support the compensating counterweight and still be able to utilize its technical advantages, the compensating counterweight can be arranged in a position-fixed manner along the z-direction and connected to the support column by means of a coupling element, which can change its length in the selected design. Such a coupling element can be, for example, a telescopic rod.

[0025] During the length adjustment of the column, i.e., during the process of moving out of or into the foot member, the compensating counterweight, which is position-fixed in the literal sense, can remain in the foot member. It is also feasible here that, if the column can be supported in a deflectable manner about a rotation axis, the compensating counterweight can optionally move, for example, in the form of a damping pendulum on a circular track section.

[0026] The microscope support according to the invention is particularly used for accommodating components of an optical device such as a microscope, holding these components at a predetermined distance from each other and in a relative position, and enabling at least some of these components to change their positions relative to each other in a predictable manner, for example, on a defined track and within a predetermined section and positional relationship. Therefore, the support arm and / or the foot member can be provided for accommodating at least one light source, illumination optics, detection optics, and / or a detector. The invention includes a microscope having a microscope support according to the invention. Description of the Drawings

[0027] The present invention will be explained in more detail below based on embodiments and the drawings. In the drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 A first example of a microscope having a microscope support according to the invention is shown, the microscope support having a support column movable along the z-direction at its lower dead center and a virtual representation of the support column at its upper dead center;

[0029] Figure 2 A first embodiment of a microscope having a microscope support according to the invention is shown, the microscope support having a support column movable along the z-direction and the shown guide;

[0030] Figure 3 A second embodiment of a microscope having a microscope support according to the invention is shown, the microscope support including a support column movable along the z-direction and rotatable about a rotation axis;

[0031] Figure 4 A third embodiment of a microscope having a microscope support according to the invention is shown, the microscope support having a support column movable along the z-direction and having a compensating counterweight;

[0032] Figure 5Shows a fourth embodiment of a microscope with a microscope stand according to the present invention, the microscope stand including a stand column with a compensating counterweight that can move along the z-direction and can rotate about a rotation axis; and

[0033] Figure 6 Shows an embodiment of the stand column. Detailed Description

[0034] In the drawings of the embodiment, the microscope stand 1 (stand 1) according to the present invention is shown simplifiedly and there is no relationship in true scale between its individual components. The same technical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0035] Figure 1 Shows a first embodiment of the stand 1 according to the present invention, the stand having a foot member 2, a stand column 3 (upright column 3) and a stand arm 4 (arm 4). The foot member 2 has a lower side 2.1 for standing the stand 1 on a base, and an upper side 2.2 opposite to the lower side 2.1, the upper side defining the boundary of the foot member 2 along the z-direction. There is a sample carrier 5 on the upper side 2.2 of the foot member 2, the sample carrier extending in the x-y plane of the Cartesian coordinate system. The upright column 3 rises along the z-direction perpendicular to the x-y plane. The arm 4 fixed to the upright column 3 projects a distance above the sample carrier 5.

[0036] There is a net distance H between the arm 4 and the sample carrier 5, and this net distance can be controlled to change along the z-direction. For this purpose, the stand column 3 with a length of L can move along the z-direction relative to the foot member 2 between a lower dead center uT and an upper dead center oT, wherein the lower dead center uT of the end of the upright column 3 located in the foot member 2 is within the extension (height) of the foot member 2 along the z-direction and below the plane determined by the upper side 2.2. The distance between the two dead centers uT and oT is called the lowering length A and corresponds to the distance by which the net distance H can change.

[0037] The controlled positioning of the upright column 3 is achieved by a drive device 7, which is designed in particular as a motor and can be controlled by a control instruction of a control device 11. The control device 11 can be connected to an optional drive device 5.1 of the sample carrier 5 and can control this drive device. The sample carrier 5 can be moved, for example, along the x-direction, y-direction and / or z-direction by means of the drive device 5.1.

[0038] Figure 1 Exemplarily shows the upright column 3 at the lower dead center uT. When the upright column is at the upper dead center oT, the positions of the upright column 3 and the arm 4 are represented by dashed lines.

[0039] The guide device 6 is used to guide the column 3 with as little gap as possible when the column 3 moves along the z direction or to hold it at a respectively set position without generating side gaps ( Figure 6 ). The guide means can be designed as rails, rods, linear ball bearings and / or rods and combinations thereof, for example. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the column 3 is located at the top dead center oT. The clear height H is at its maximum here.

[0040] In another embodiment of the present invention, the column 3 is not only movable in the z-direction but also rotatable about an axis of rotation D, which in the illustrated example points in the y-direction (y-axis) (indicated by an arrow). To this end, in one possible embodiment, a combined drive 8 is arranged on the axis of rotation D, which is capable of both adjusting the column 3 in the z-direction and rotatable about the y-axis. The movements about the y-axis and in the z-direction can optionally occur simultaneously or sequentially.

[0041] In all embodiments of the microscope stand 1 according to the invention, the column 3 can be guided on the outside of the side wall of the foot piece 2, which is exemplified in Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 The moving part can additionally have a protective cover (not shown).

[0042] according to Figure 4 The embodiment of FIG. 4 shows a column 3 which can be lowered into the foot piece 2 by a distance (indicated by the dotted line). This design is of course also possible in all other designs.

[0043] In order to reduce undesirable vibrations that occur during the adjustment movement of the column 3 and during possible different extension lengths of the column 3, a compensating weight 10 ( Figure 4 The compensating weight 10 is arranged in the foot piece 2 at the height of the bottom dead center uT and remains at this height even if the column 3 moves in the z-direction, i.e., it is fixed in position. The compensating weight 10 can be mechanically connected to the column 3, for example, by a telescopic rod, which is shown here as a simplified guide 6. The drive device 7 in the z-direction is again a motor, which is operatively connected to the column 3 by a spindle 10, a rack, a lever transmission, or the like. For clarity, the drive device 7 is shown next to the components.

[0044] The arm 4 can in particular carry different optical components in the section that protrudes above the sample carrier 5. For example, a light source 12 for providing illumination radiation can be provided. In order to deflect the illumination radiation towards the sample carrier 5 and optionally the sample located thereon in a desired manner, illumination optics 13, such as illumination lenses, can be provided. In order to detect light (detection radiation) from the direction of the sample carrier 5, detection optics 14 can be provided in or on the arm 4. The detection optics can for example be designed as detection lenses. In a special design of the support 1 or the microscope M, the functions of the illumination lens 13 and the detection lens 14 can be performed by a single lens. In order to detect the detection radiation collected by the detection lens 14, a detector 15 can optionally be provided and optically connected to the detection lens 14. The detector 15 can be connected to the control device 11 and / or a storage unit (not shown) in a manner suitable for data exchange in order to store the image data generated by the detection radiation.

[0045] If the compensation counterweight 10 is used in conjunction with the column 3 that can be adjusted both along the z-direction and deflected about the rotation axis D, the compensation counterweight 10 can likewise be deflected in correspondence with the inclination of the column 3. For the sake of clarity, the combined drive device 8 is shown next to the column 3. The drive device can for example be arranged on the rotation axis D.

[0046] A schematic view of the support column 3 shows two rods as the guide portion 6 along which the slide 16 can move ( Figure 6 ). The guide rails 6 are covered and connected to end caps 17 at their respective end sides, wherein the guide portion 6 can optionally be fitted in rubber supports 18 in the end caps 17.

[0047] The slide 16 has a drive device 7. During the operation of the drive device 7 and by means of the drive spindle 9, the slide 16 is driven and a relative movement is generated between the guide portion 6 and the slide 16. If the slide 16 is fixedly positioned, for example, on the foot member 2, the length of the guide portion 6 protruding on the corresponding side of the slide 16 can be changed and adjusted purposefully by the action of the drive device 7. The upwardly pointing end cap 17 is connected to the support arm 4, so that the end cap 17 can move along the z-direction when the length changes.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 1 Microscope support

[0050] 2 Foot member

[0051] 2.1 Lower side (of the foot member 2)

[0052] 2.2 Upper side (of the foot member 2)

[0053] 3 Support column

[0054] 4 support arms

[0055] 5 sample carrier / sample stage

[0056] 5.1 Driving device for the sample stage

[0057] 6 Guide part / coupling element (for the support column)

[0058] 7 Driving device along the z - direction

[0059] 8 Driving device along the z - direction and for rotation

[0060] 9 (Driving) main shaft

[0061] 10 Compensation counterweight

[0062] 11 Control device

[0063] 12 Light source

[0064] 13 Illumination optics

[0065] 14 Detection optics

[0066] 15 Detector

[0067] 16 Slide

[0068] 17 End cap

[0069] 18 Rubber support

[0070] A Lowering length

[0071] D Rotation axis

[0072] H Net distance

[0073] L Length of the support column

[0074] M Microscope

[0075] uT Bottom dead center

[0076] oT Top dead center

Claims

1. A microscope support (1), having Foot member (2), wherein, The foot member (2) has a lower side (2.1) for erecting the support (1) on a base, and an upper side (2.2) opposed to the lower side (2.1), and the upper side defines the boundary of the foot member (2) along the z-direction. A sample carrier (5) extending in the x-y plane, A support column (3) extending perpendicular to the x-y plane along the z-direction, and A support arm (4) fixed at the support column (3) and protruding above the sample carrier (5), wherein the net distance (H) between the support arm (4) and the sample carrier (5) can be controllably changed along the z-direction, characterized in that The support column (3) can move along the z-direction relative to the foot member (2) between a lower dead point (uT) and an upper dead point (oT), wherein the lower dead point (uT) is located within the extension of the foot member (2) along the z-direction and below the plane determined by the upper side (2.2).

2. The microscope support (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support column (3) has at least one rotary joint with a rotation axis (D), and the support column can be tilted relative to the sample carrier (5) about the rotation axis (D).

3. The microscope support (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, A drive device (8) of the support column (3) is arranged on the rotation axis (D), and the drive device is used for adjusting the support column (3) along the z-direction.

4. The microscope support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The drive devices (7, 8) for adjusting the support column (3) along the z-direction and / or for rotating the support column (3) about the rotation axis (D) are designed as controlled motors.

5. The microscope bracket (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that, A stepper motor, a piezoelectric drive device or a linear actuator is provided as the controlled motor.

6. The microscope support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, A compensation counterweight (10) for reducing the vibration of the driven support column (3) is provided at the end of the support column (3) facing the foot member (2).

7. The microscope support (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The compensation counterweight (10) is arranged with a fixed position along the z-direction and is connected to the support column (3) by means of a guiding portion (6) or a coupling element.

8. The microscope support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The support arm (4) is provided for accommodating at least one light source (12), illumination optics (13), detection optics (14) and / or a detector (15).

9. The microscope support (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The distance between the lower dead point (uT) and the upper dead point (oT) is 5%, preferably at least 10%, of the length of the support column (3) protruding from the upper side (2.2) at the upper dead point (oT).

10. A microscope (M), having the microscope support (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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