Filter switching module

Abstract

The utility model provides a filter switching module relates to fluorescent imaging technical field. Filter switching module includes casing, at least two rotating parts, main shaft and drive arrangement, multiple rotating parts and main shaft are located in the casing, the both sides of casing are equipped with the light inlet hole and the light outlet hole, the light inlet hole and the light outlet hole are in the axial direction of main shaft alignment, and drive arrangement drives rotating part rotation. Every rotating part is equipped with multiple filter light hole for placing filter glass, multiple rotating parts are all rotationally connected on main shaft, and multiple rotating parts can all independently rotate around the axis of main shaft under the drive of drive arrangement, so that every rotating part on filter light hole can pass through the rotation of rotating part and the light inlet hole and the light outlet hole in the axial direction of main shaft alignment. Filter switching module sets up through this coaxial multilayer rotating part to make the whole structure more compact, saves the internal space, reduces the volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fluorescence imaging technology, and in particular to a filter switching module. Background Technology

[0002] Fluorescence imaging systems need to receive the emission light of a sample in the target wavelength band after it is excited by a fluorescent light source, while filtering out the excitation light in the same wavelength band as the fluorescent light source used to excite the sample. Therefore, fluorescence imaging systems require filters to be installed in front of the imaging components (lens, camera, image sensor, film, etc.). Typically, a single fluorescence imaging system needs to frequently change multiple filters to meet the fluorescence imaging requirements of different samples. Traditional filter switching methods include the following:

[0003] 1. Threaded type: A threaded section at the front of the imaging component requires manual unscrewing of the old filter and screwing on the new one. This method is cumbersome and slow. For software-controlled fluorescence imaging systems, manual operation during filter replacement inevitably interrupts software control, leading to discontinuity and errors. 2. Insert-on type: A filter slot is added to the threaded opening, allowing manual insertion and removal of the filter for replacement. However, this method also requires manual operation, interrupting the software flow and causing discontinuity and errors. 3. Manual dial: A multi-hole disc pre-loaded with multiple filters. The disc is manually moved to align the desired filter holes with the imaging component. However, this method still requires manual operation, interrupting the software flow and causing discontinuity and errors. 4. Motorized dial: A multi-hole dial with teeth on the outer edge is installed at the front of the imaging component, pre-loading the desired filters into the holes. The filter is automatically switched by a motor driving the disc to rotate via gears or sprockets. However, this method is noisy and can only accommodate a limited number of filters. If more filters need to be installed, the size of the porous disc for placing the filters must be increased as much as possible, which will result in a larger overall size of the fluorescence imaging module. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, such as inconvenient filter switching operation, easy control errors, and large device size when there are many filters, and to provide a filter switching module.

[0005] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems through the following technical solution:

[0006] This utility model provides a filter switching module, which includes a housing, at least two rotating parts, a main shaft, and a driving device. The rotating parts and the main shaft are disposed inside the housing. The housing has light inlet holes and light outlet holes on both sides. The light inlet holes and the light outlet holes are aligned in the axial direction of the main shaft. The driving device drives the rotating parts to rotate.

[0007] Each of the rotating components is provided with multiple filter holes for placing a filter. The multiple rotating components are rotatably connected to the main shaft, and the multiple rotating components can rotate independently around the axis of the main shaft under the drive of the driving device, so that the filter holes on each rotating component can be aligned with the light inlet hole and the light outlet hole in the axial direction of the main shaft through the rotation of the rotating component.

[0008] In this design, the housing has light inlet and light outlet holes on both sides, aligned axially with the main shaft. These holes are designed to align with the optical path axis of the imaging component. The housing contains multiple rotating components, each with multiple filter holes for placing filters. Each filter hole can accommodate different filters, and one filter hole on each component is left unused as a through-hole. All rotating components are rotatably connected to the main shaft and can rotate independently around its axis, creating a multi-layered structure. This allows the filter switching module to accommodate more filters, and the stacked design of the rotating components results in a smaller overall size. When a specific filter is needed, the drive unit rotates the component containing that filter to align it with the axial direction of the light inlet and outlet apertures. It also rotates the through-holes of other rotating components to align with these apertures. Light enters the housing through the light inlet, passes through the filter holes on the rotating components, and exits through the outlet apertures, ultimately reaching the imaging component. This coaxial, multi-layered rotating component arrangement makes the filter switching module more compact, saving internal space and reducing its overall size. Furthermore, the drive unit operates each rotating component, eliminating the need for manual filter switching. This results in faster and more convenient filter switching, and the electric control eliminates the need to interrupt the software process, reducing the risk of errors.

[0009] Preferably, a support portion is provided below the filter aperture, and the projection of the support portion toward the filter aperture along the axial direction of the main shaft at least partially overlaps with the filter aperture, and the lower end surface of the filter abuts against the upper end surface of the support portion.

[0010] In this solution, a support portion is provided below the filter aperture. The projection of the support portion toward the filter aperture along the axis of the main shaft at least partially overlaps with the filter aperture, and the lower end face of the filter abuts against the upper end face of the support portion. This allows the filter to be disposed between the support portion and the filter aperture, thereby fixing the filter on the filter aperture.

[0011] Preferably, the rotating component and the supporting portion are integrally formed; or, the rotating component and the supporting portion are detachably connected, and the supporting portion is disposed between two adjacent filter holes.

[0012] In this design, the rotating component and the support unit can be integrally molded, eliminating the need for a separate support unit, simplifying manufacturing, and enhancing the connection between the support unit and the rotating component. Alternatively, the rotating component and the support unit can be detachably connected; when using fewer filters, excess support units can be removed, facilitating replacement and maintenance. By placing the support unit between two adjacent filter apertures, one support unit can simultaneously support filters on both sides, reducing the number of support units, lowering costs, and resulting in a more compact structure.

[0013] Preferably, the filter switching module further includes multiple sensors, each of which corresponds to one of the multiple filter holes, and the sensors are used to locate the rotation position of the corresponding filter hole.

[0014] In this solution, multiple sensors are set up and each sensor is associated with a filter aperture. Each sensor can locate the rotation position of the corresponding filter aperture, thereby clarifying the current rotation position of different filter apertures and making the switching of different filters more accurate.

[0015] Preferably, there are multiple driving devices, and each of the multiple driving devices corresponds to one of the multiple rotating parts.

[0016] In this scheme, by setting a corresponding drive device for each rotating component, it is easier to control multiple rotating components separately and avoid mutual interference between different rotating components.

[0017] Preferably, the projections of the plurality of rotating members in the axial direction of the main shaft completely overlap, and the plurality of driving devices are disposed on the outer periphery of the plurality of rotating members.

[0018] In this solution, by completely overlapping the projections of multiple rotating parts on the axial direction of the main shaft, the outer peripheral edges of the multiple rotating parts can be aligned in the axial direction of the main shaft, making the structure of the multiple rotating parts more compact. At the same time, by placing multiple driving devices on the outer peripheral side of the multiple rotating parts, the problem of increased thickness of the filter switching module caused by placing the driving devices in the axial direction of the rotating parts can be avoided, making the internal structure of the filter switching module more compact and smaller in size.

[0019] Preferably, the driving device includes a motor, a transmission component, and a transmission belt. The motor drives the transmission component to rotate. The transmission component has a first transmission groove on its peripheral side, and the rotating component has a second transmission groove on its peripheral side. The transmission belt connects the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove. The first transmission groove and the corresponding second transmission groove are located at the same axial height of the main shaft.

[0020] In this design, the transmission component has a first transmission groove on its circumferential side, and the rotating component has a second transmission groove on its circumferential side. A transmission belt connects the first and second transmission grooves respectively. The motor drives the transmission component to rotate, which in turn drives the rotating component to rotate via the transmission belt. Furthermore, by placing the first and corresponding second transmission grooves at the same axial height on the main shaft, the connection of the transmission belt is facilitated, resulting in better transmission performance.

[0021] Preferably, the filter switching module further includes a sensor circuit board and a drive circuit board, with multiple sensors electrically connected to the sensor circuit board, multiple drive devices electrically connected to the drive circuit board, and the sensor circuit board electrically connected to the sensor circuit board.

[0022] In this solution, by setting up a sensor circuit board and a drive circuit board that are electrically connected to each other, the sensor circuit board is electrically connected to the sensor circuit board, and the drive device is electrically connected to the drive circuit board. This allows the position information of the sensor to be transmitted to the sensor circuit board, and the drive circuit board then drives the drive device to rotate according to the position information of the sensor circuit board. This makes the entire control system more coherent, less prone to errors, and the switching of different filters more accurate.

[0023] Preferably, the plurality of rotating components are disc-shaped structures, and the plurality of filter holes are spaced apart along the circumference of the rotating components.

[0024] In this solution, by setting the rotating component as a disc-shaped structure and the filter holes are spaced apart along the circumference of the rotating component, the disc rotation is more convenient and it is easier to switch between different filter holes. In addition, the way the filter holes are spaced apart along the circumference of the disc-shaped structure is more compact, which further reduces the size of the filter switching module.

[0025] Preferably, the filter switching module further includes multiple bearings, which are connected to the main shaft, and the center holes of the multiple rotating parts are respectively connected to the multiple bearings.

[0026] In this design, multiple rotating components are connected to the main shaft via multiple bearings. The bearings improve the stability of the rotating components during rotation and prevent optical path errors caused by oscillation during rotation.

[0027] The positive and progressive effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0028] The filter switching module includes a housing, at least two rotating components, a main shaft, and a drive unit. The housing has light inlet and light outlet holes on both sides, aligned axially with the main shaft. These holes are used to align with the optical path axis of the imaging component. The housing contains multiple rotating components, each with multiple filter holes for placing filters. Each filter hole can accommodate different filters, and one filter hole on each rotating component is left unused as a through-hole. All rotating components are rotatably connected to the main shaft and can rotate independently around its axis, creating a multi-layered structure. This allows the filter switching module to accommodate more filters, and the stacked design of the rotating components results in a smaller overall size. When a specific filter is needed, the drive unit rotates the component containing that filter to align it with the axial direction of the light inlet and outlet apertures. It also rotates the through-holes of other rotating components to align with these apertures. Light enters the housing through the light inlet, passes through the filter holes on the rotating components, and exits through the outlet apertures, ultimately reaching the imaging component. This coaxial, multi-layered rotating component arrangement makes the filter switching module more compact, saving internal space and reducing its overall size. Furthermore, the drive unit operates each rotating component, eliminating the need for manual filter switching. This results in faster and more convenient filter switching, and the electric control eliminates the need to interrupt the software process, reducing the risk of errors. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a filter switching module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is another three-dimensional structural diagram of a filter switching module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the internal structure of a filter switching module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is another three-dimensional structural diagram of the internal structure of the filter switching module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the support portion according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sensor circuit board and a driver circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0037] Filter switching module 100

[0038] Casing 200

[0039] Upper shell 210

[0040] Lower housing 220

[0041] 230mm aperture

[0042] Light hole 240

[0043] Rotating component 300

[0044] Filter aperture 310

[0045] 320 through hole

[0046] Supporting part 330

[0047] Spindle 400

[0048] Bearing 410

[0049] Drive unit 500

[0050] Motor 510

[0051] Transmission component 520

[0052] First transmission groove 521

[0053] Second transmission groove 522

[0054] 530 transmission belt

[0055] Sensor 600

[0056] Sensor circuit board 710

[0057] Driver circuit board 720 Detailed Implementation

[0058] The present invention will be further described below by way of embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the following embodiments.

[0059] like Figures 1-4As shown, this embodiment provides a filter switching module 100, which includes a housing 200, at least two rotating members 300, a main shaft 400, and a driving device 500. The rotating members 300 and the main shaft 400 are housed within the housing 200. The housing 200 has light inlet holes 230 and light outlet holes 240 on both sides, aligned axially with the main shaft 400. The driving device 500 drives the rotating members 300 to rotate. Each rotating member 300 has multiple filter holes 310 for placing filters. All rotating members 300 are rotatably connected to the main shaft 400, and each rotating member 300 can independently rotate around the axis of the main shaft 400 under the drive of the driving device 500, so that the filter holes 310 on each rotating member 300 can be aligned axially with the light inlet holes 230 and light outlet holes 240 of the main shaft 400 through the rotation of the rotating member 300. In this embodiment, there are two rotating members 300. In other embodiments, there may be three or more rotating members 300, thereby further increasing the number of filter holes 310.

[0060] The housing 200 has a light inlet 230 and a light outlet 240 on each side, which are aligned axially with the main shaft 400. The light inlet 230 and light outlet 240 are aligned with the optical path axis of the imaging component. The housing 200 contains multiple rotating members 300, each with multiple filter holes 310 for placing filters. Each filter hole 310 can accommodate different filters, and one filter hole 310 in each rotating member 300 is left un-filtered as a through hole 320. All rotating members 300 are rotatably connected to the main shaft 400 and can rotate independently around the axis of the main shaft 400. This allows the multiple rotating members 300 to form a multi-layer structure, enabling the filter switching module 100 to accommodate more filters. The stacked design of the rotating members 300 results in a smaller overall size. When a specific filter is needed, the drive device 500 can drive the rotating component 300 containing the filter to rotate, so that the required filter is axially aligned with the light inlet 230 and the light outlet 240. It also rotates the through holes 320 of other rotating components 300 to axially align with the light inlet 230 and the light outlet 240. Light enters the housing 200 through the light inlet 230, passes through the filter holes 310 on the rotating components 300, and exits through the light outlet 240, thus entering the imaging component. This coaxial, multi-layered arrangement of rotating components 300 in the filter switching module 100 makes the overall structure more compact, saving internal space and reducing volume. Furthermore, by using the drive device 500 to drive each rotating component 300, manual filter switching is unnecessary, resulting in faster and more convenient filter switching. The electric control does not require interruption of the software process, reducing the likelihood of errors.

[0061] like Figure 5 As shown, a support portion 330 is provided below the filter aperture 310. The projection of the support portion 330 toward the filter aperture 310 along the axial direction of the main shaft 400 at least partially overlaps with the filter aperture 310, and the lower end surface of the filter abuts against the upper end surface of the support portion 330. By providing a support portion 330 below the filter aperture 310, with the projection of the support portion 330 toward the filter aperture 310 along the axial direction of the main shaft 400 at least partially overlapping with the filter aperture 310, and the lower end surface of the filter abutting against the upper end surface of the support portion 330, the filter can be disposed between the support portion 330 and the filter aperture 310 to fix the filter on the filter aperture 310.

[0062] In this embodiment, the rotating member 300 is detachably connected to the support portion 330, which is located between two adjacent filter holes 310. When using fewer filters, excess support portions 330 can be disassembled, facilitating replacement and maintenance. By placing the support portion 330 between two adjacent filter holes 310, one support portion 330 can simultaneously support filters on both sides, reducing the number of support portions 330, lowering costs, and making the structure more compact. The support portion 330 is threadedly connected to a pressure plate structure of the rotating member 300. The rotating member 300 has a groove matching the shape of the pressure plate structure, facilitating assembly and manufacturing. Those skilled in the art can also choose other suitable detachable structures.

[0063] In other embodiments, the rotating member 300 and the supporting part 330 are integrally formed, so that the supporting part 330 does not need to be installed separately, which makes the manufacturing process more convenient and can also enhance the firmness of the connection between the supporting part 330 and the rotating member 300.

[0064] The filter switching module 100 also includes multiple sensors 600, each corresponding to one of the multiple filter apertures 310. Each filter aperture 310 has its own number, and the sensors 600 are used to locate the rotational position of the corresponding filter aperture 310. By setting multiple sensors 600 and corresponding them one-to-one with the multiple filter apertures 310, each sensor 600 can locate the rotational position of its corresponding filter aperture 310, thereby clearly identifying the current rotational position of different filter apertures 310 and making the switching of different filters more accurate. The sensors 600 can be position sensors or encoders, which can be selected by those skilled in the art according to actual needs.

[0065] like Figure 3As shown, there are multiple drive devices 500, each corresponding to one of the multiple rotating parts 300. By providing a corresponding drive device 500 for each rotating part 300, it is easier to control the multiple rotating parts 300 individually and avoid mutual interference between different rotating parts 300. In this embodiment, there are two drive devices 500, each corresponding to one of the two rotating parts 300. The two drive devices 500 are located on the same side of the rotating parts 300, making the structure more compact and further reducing the size.

[0066] The projections of multiple rotating components 300 onto the axial direction of the main shaft 400 completely overlap, and multiple driving devices 500 are disposed on the outer periphery of the multiple rotating components 300. By completely overlapping the projections of the multiple rotating components 300 onto the axial direction of the main shaft 400, the outer periphery of the multiple rotating components 300 can be aligned in the axial direction of the main shaft 400, making the structure of the multiple rotating components 300 more compact. At the same time, by disposing of the multiple driving devices 500 on the outer periphery of the multiple rotating components 300, the problem of increased thickness of the filter switching module 100 caused by disposing of the driving devices 500 in the axial direction of the rotating components 300 can be avoided, making the internal structure of the filter switching module 100 more compact and smaller in size.

[0067] like Figure 6 As shown, the drive device 500 includes a motor 510, a transmission component 520, and a transmission belt 530. The motor 510 drives the transmission component 520 to rotate. The transmission component 520 has a first transmission groove 521 on its peripheral side, and the rotating component 300 has a second transmission groove 522 on its peripheral side. The transmission belt 530 connects the first transmission groove 521 and the second transmission groove 522. The first transmission groove 521 and the corresponding second transmission groove 522 are located at the same axial height of the main shaft 400. The transmission component 520 has a first transmission groove 521 on its peripheral side, and the rotating component 300 has a second transmission groove 522 on its peripheral side. The transmission belt 530 connects the first transmission groove 521 and the second transmission groove 522 respectively. The motor 510 drives the transmission component 520 to rotate, which in turn drives the rotating component 300 to rotate via the transmission belt 530. Meanwhile, by placing the first transmission groove 521 and the corresponding second transmission groove 522 at the same axial height of the main shaft 400, the connection of the transmission belt 530 is facilitated, resulting in better transmission performance of the transmission belt 530. Specifically, as follows... Figure 6 As shown, the motor 510 and the transmission component 520 are coaxially arranged, and the first transmission groove 521 on the transmission component 520 and the second transmission groove 522 on the rotating component 300 are located at the same height.

[0068] like Figure 7As shown, the filter switching module 100 also includes a sensor circuit board 710 and a drive circuit board 720. Multiple sensors 600 are electrically connected to the sensor circuit board 710, and multiple drive devices 500 are electrically connected to the drive circuit board 720. The sensor circuit board 710 is also electrically connected to the sensor circuit board 710. By setting the sensor circuit board 710 and drive circuit board 720 to be electrically connected, the position information of the sensors 600 can be transmitted to the sensor circuit board 710. The drive circuit board 720 then drives the drive devices 500 to rotate based on the position information from the sensor circuit board 710. This makes the entire control system more coherent, less prone to errors, and ensures more accurate switching between different filters.

[0069] In this embodiment, the multiple rotating members 300 are disc-shaped structures, and the multiple filter holes 310 are spaced apart circumferentially along the rotating members 300. By setting the rotating members 300 as disc-shaped structures and arranging the filter holes 310 spaced apart circumferentially along the rotating members 300, the disc rotation is more convenient, and the switching of different filter holes 310 is easier. Furthermore, the spaced arrangement along the circumferential direction of the disc-shaped structure is more compact, further reducing the volume of the filter switching module 100. In other embodiments, the rotating members 300 may also be polygonal, or other specific shapes of the rotating members 300 that are deemed suitable by those skilled in the art may be selected.

[0070] The filter switching module 100 also includes multiple bearings 410 connected to the main shaft 400. The central holes of multiple rotating components 300 are respectively connected to the multiple bearings 410. The multiple rotating components 300 are connected to the main shaft 400 via the multiple bearings 410. The bearings 410 improve the stability of the rotating components 300 during rotation, preventing optical path errors caused by wobbling during rotation. In this embodiment, there are two bearings 410, corresponding to two rotating components 300 respectively. The two bearings 410 are respectively located at both ends of the main shaft 400, and the outer periphery of the bearings 410 is connected to the central hole of the rotating component 300.

[0071] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", and "outer" indicate the orientation or positional relationship of the device or component during normal use. They are used only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation at any time, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model in this respect.

[0072] While specific embodiments of this utility model have been described above, those skilled in the art should understand that these are merely illustrative examples, and the scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of this utility model, but all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A filter switching module, characterized in that, The filter switching module includes a housing, at least two rotating parts, a main shaft, and a drive device. The rotating parts and the main shaft are disposed inside the housing. The housing has light inlet holes and light outlet holes on both sides. The light inlet holes and the light outlet holes are aligned in the axial direction of the main shaft. The drive device drives the rotating parts to rotate. Each of the rotating components is provided with multiple filter holes for placing a filter. The multiple rotating components are rotatably connected to the main shaft, and the multiple rotating components can rotate independently around the axis of the main shaft under the drive of the driving device, so that the filter holes on each rotating component can be aligned with the light inlet hole and the light outlet hole in the axial direction of the main shaft through the rotation of the rotating component.

2. The filter switching module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A support portion is provided below the filter aperture. The projection of the support portion toward the filter aperture along the axial direction of the main shaft at least partially overlaps with the filter aperture. The lower end face of the filter abuts against the upper end face of the support portion.

3. The filter switching module as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The rotating component is integrally formed with the supporting part; or, the rotating component is detachably connected with the supporting part, and the supporting part is disposed between two adjacent filter holes.

4. The filter switching module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The filter switching module also includes multiple sensors, each of which corresponds to one of the multiple filter holes. The sensors are used to locate the rotation position of the corresponding filter hole.

5. The filter switching module as described in claim 4, characterized in that, There are multiple driving devices, and each of the multiple driving devices corresponds to one of the multiple rotating parts.

6. The filter switching module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The projections of the plurality of rotating components in the axial direction of the main shaft completely overlap, and the plurality of driving devices are disposed on the outer periphery of the plurality of rotating components.

7. The filter switching module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The driving device includes a motor, a transmission component, and a transmission belt. The motor drives the transmission component to rotate. The transmission component has a first transmission groove on its peripheral side, and the rotating component has a second transmission groove on its peripheral side. The transmission belt connects the first transmission groove and the second transmission groove. The first transmission groove and the corresponding second transmission groove are located at the same axial height of the main shaft.

8. The filter switching module as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The filter switching module further includes a sensor circuit board and a drive circuit board. Multiple sensors are electrically connected to the sensor circuit board, multiple drive devices are electrically connected to the drive circuit board, and the sensor circuit board is electrically connected to the sensor circuit board.

9. The filter switching module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The plurality of rotating components are disc-shaped structures, and the plurality of filter holes are spaced apart along the circumference of the rotating components.

10. The filter switching module as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The filter switching module also includes multiple bearings, which are connected to the main shaft, and the center holes of the multiple rotating parts are respectively connected to the multiple bearings.

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