Eyepiece device and test device with an eyepiece device

Abstract

The invention relates to an eyepiece device (10), in particular for a testing device (100), comprising a socket (20), a reticle (30), a reticle socket (40) in which the reticle (30) is enclosed, wherein the reticle socket (40) is rotatably mounted in the socket about an axis of rotation (50), and wherein a common center of gravity (55) of the reticle socket (40) and the reticle (30) is located outside the axis of rotation (50).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an eyepiece device suitable for use in an optical system, in particular a testing device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a testing device with an eyepiece device. For example, the testing device is used for checking imaging devices such as exoscopes or video microscopes, particularly for medical applications.

[0002] In particular, the user uses the test devices to check the optical zoom sequence and / or the image erection of the imaging device.

[0003] The optical zoom function is verified, in particular, by having a user check with the test device whether the center point of a field of view of the imaging device shifts when the zoom is changed. To verify image orientation, the horizontal propagation of the images from the imaging device relative to a horizontal plane is visually checked by a user.

[0004] For visual inspection, eyepieces with reticles are used as the optically effective part of testing devices on the eye side, by means of which the user can align the center of the field of view of the imaging device or the horizontal propagation of the images of the imaging device with respect to a horizontal plane using lines on a base plate.

[0005] Before each test procedure, the eyepiece must be individually adjusted to the head position and / or, if the test device has two eyepieces, to the user's interpupillary distance by means of swiveling movements, so that the 3D effect of the imaging device is not lost for the human eye due to an incorrect distance between the eyepieces.

[0006] In known eyepieces, adjusting the eyepiece(s) to the user also changes the orientation of the reticle(s), which would lead to an inaccurate visual alignment by the user. Furthermore, this change in reticle orientation can cause the reticle alignments of eyepieces in dual-eyepiece test devices to no longer align, resulting in the user perceiving mismatched reference lines.

[0007] In order to begin a testing process, the user must therefore manually adjust the orientation or reorientation of the reticle of the eyepiece(s) in known eyepieces, a time-consuming process.

[0008] Based on the prior art, the invention aims to achieve simple handling of an eyepiece device.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by eyepiece devices for an optical system, in particular for a testing device, as described herein and defined in the claims.

[0010] The present invention provides an eyepiece device for an optical system, in particular for a testing device. The eyepiece device comprises a mount, a reticle, and a reticle mount in which the reticle is inserted. The reticle mount is rotatably mounted in the mount about an axis of rotation. Furthermore, the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle lies outside the axis of rotation.

[0011] The features according to the invention enable easy handling of an eyepiece device. In particular, the reticle of the eyepiece device can be aligned more easily, especially without user intervention. In particular, the features according to the invention simplify the alignment of an eyepiece device in an optical system.

[0012] Preferably, the optical system can include a test device, in particular a test device for an imaging device such as an exoscope and / or a video microscope. However, the optical system can also be an endoscope, binoculars, a telescope, or a light microscope.

[0013] The eyepiece device can include an eyepiece and / or be attached to or attachable to an eyepiece of the optical system. The eyepiece device can be designed, at least substantially, in the form of a cylinder.

[0014] An eyepiece is, in particular, the optically active part of an optical system that is visible to the eye. An eyepiece can consist of a single lens or a lens system to virtually image an intermediate optical image for the human eye of a user.

[0015] The eyepiece holder can be integrated into a receptacle of the optical system. The receptacle of the optical system may, for example, be in the form of a tube. In particular, the eyepiece holder is integrated into a receptacle of a test fixture. The holder can be cylindrical. Furthermore, the holder can be rotationally symmetrical. The holder may, for example, have an axial and a radial direction.

[0016] The reticle serves primarily to provide the user with visual orientation. It is typically located on the side of the eyepiece facing the eye. Furthermore, the reticle can be positioned directly in front of the individual lens or lens system of the eyepiece. In particular, the reticle is located at the inner focal point of the eyepiece, which allows it to appear sharp to the user's eye.

[0017] The reticle can be a glass plate, in particular an opal glass plate, having at least one reference line. The at least one reference line can be applied to the glass plate and / or embedded in the glass plate. Furthermore, the reticle can have a few reference lines or even an entire network of reticles formed from reference lines. Preferably, the reference lines of the reticle can be configured as a crosshair and / or form a crosshair.

[0018] The at least one reference line can be used to estimate or measure small angles. In particular, the at least one reference line marks the horizon of the optical system. This allows the reticle to be used for estimating and / or measuring small angles.

[0019] Particularly when using the eyepiece device in the test fixture for an imaging device, a visual comparison of the reference lines with lines on a base plate of the test fixture can determine whether the imaging device is faulty and / or has a suitable optical calibration and / or adjustment. For example, in the case of exoscopes or video microscopes set up for 3D image acquisition, this can prevent erroneous superimposition of mono images, which could lead to an irritating and / or incorrectly interpretable 3D perception for the user.

[0020] The reticle housing serves primarily to hold the reticle. The reticle housing can fully encompass the circumference of the reticle, meaning the reticle can define the housing in the radial direction. In the axial direction, the reticle is, for example, largely uncovered by the reticle housing. The reticle housing is typically made of steel.

[0021] The reticle housing and the reticle can be bonded together, in particular by means of a material bond, to form a secure and firm connection between the reticle and the reticle housing.

[0022] To achieve a durable, material-bonded connection, especially by gluing, the reticle mount can be made of steel and the reticle of opal glass.

[0023] The axis of rotation can be formed along the axial direction of the reticle holder and defines in particular the axis around which the reticle holder and the reticle can rotate in the holder, or the axis around which the reticle holder may be rotatably mounted by other elements.

[0024] Because the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle lies outside the axis of rotation, the reticle mount and the reticle can remain aligned, at least to a large extent, regardless of the eyepiece's orientation. In particular, when a separate eyepiece is used for each eye, this ensures that the reference lines of the reticles of the two eyepieces align parallel to and / or in line with each other.

[0025] To allow the reticle mount to rotate smoothly within the eyepiece and to define its axis of rotation, the eyepiece assembly can include a rotary bearing. To ensure low maintenance and a long service life, the rotary bearing can be a plain bearing. Alternatively, ball bearings can be used as rotary bearings for particularly smooth operation.

[0026] To reduce friction between the reticle mount and the socket, the rotary bearing can include a sliding ring. This is particularly the case if the rotary bearing is a plain bearing. The sliding ring can preferably surround the reticle mount or the sliding ring can surround the reticle mount in the radial direction of the sliding ring. The sliding ring can, in particular, rotate with the reticle mount. However, the sliding ring can also be integrated into the socket and be stationary relative to the socket.

[0027] Furthermore, the sliding ring can, in particular, comprise and / or be made of a self-lubricating material. The self-lubricating material can be Teflon and / or a plastic, in particular a black material / plastic and / or black Teflon. The self-lubricating material can reduce the friction between the sliding ring and the housing and / or the friction between the sliding ring and the reticle housing. The use of a black material can prevent disruptive light scattering and / or the presence of components that might irritate the user's field of vision.

[0028] To securely fasten the sliding ring in the reticle mount and thus increase the service life of the eyepiece assembly, the reticle mount can be positively engaged in the sliding ring. For example, the reticle mount can include a recess in the axial direction into which the sliding ring is inserted or fitted.

[0029] Furthermore, the reticle mount can be incorporated into the sliding ring by a material-bonded connection, either in addition to or without an additional form-fit connection. This allows for an even more secure connection between the sliding ring and the reticle mount, further extending the service life of the eyepiece assembly.

[0030] The reticle mount can be designed to be rotationally non-symmetrical or rotationally asymmetrical. This allows the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle to be shifted away from the axis of rotation of the reticle mount. This allows the reticle to align itself automatically due to gravity.

[0031] To shift the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle away from the axis of rotation of the reticle mount, the reticle mount can, in particular, have a radially widened section. This radially widened section can be achieved, for example, by having two different outer diameters of the reticle mount. Specifically, the reticle can have markings that allow the reticle mount to be aligned at a transition between the two different outer diameters of the reticle, thus simplifying the mounting of the reticle in the reticle mount.

[0032] The reticle can be designed to be rotationally symmetrical, in particular to allow the use of cost-effective reticles and thus reduce the cost of the eyepiece device. Standard components can be used as the reticle.

[0033] In order to compensate for the non-rotationally symmetrical shape of the reticle holder and to securely connect the reticle holder to the sliding ring in a form-fitting manner, the sliding ring can have a radial recess in which the radially widened section of the reticle holder is received.

[0034] To shift the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle away from the reticle's axis of rotation, it is alternatively or additionally possible for the reticle to be designed as non-rotationally symmetrical. In some cases, the reticle mount can be designed as rotationally symmetrical. This allows the use of a sliding ring with a simple geometry. Furthermore, it may be possible for the sliding ring to be fixedly connected to the mount.

[0035] Furthermore, the reticle mount can have an inhomogeneous density. This allows the reticle mount and / or the reticle to be rotationally symmetrical, yet the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle can still be shifted away from the axis of rotation of the reticle mount. For example, this can eliminate the need for a sliding ring for the reticle mount, and / or it is possible for the sliding ring to be fixed to the mount.

[0036] Furthermore, the reticle mount can be designed to be mirror-symmetrical. This makes it easier to align the reticle with respect to the reticle mount.

[0037] The reticle can, in particular, define a horizon oriented perpendicular to a radial line extending from the center point of the reticle mount through the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle. This allows, especially when using the eyepiece device in a test fixture for an imaging device, the desired center point of the eyepiece device's field of view to be reliably marked.

[0038] For example, to ensure that the reticle holder is deflected from the desired position during tilting movements of the eyepiece device, the eyepiece device may in particular include a fixing ring that defines a position of the reticle holder in the axial direction.

[0039] Preferably, the fixing ring secures the reticle holder in the axial direction within the holder, thereby preventing, at least to a large extent, the reticle holder from shifting axially relative to the holder.

[0040] Alternatively, the fixing ring can also fix the sliding ring axially in the mount, provided the sliding ring moves along with the reticle mount. This also prevents the reticle mount from shifting axially relative to the mount.

[0041] To reduce friction between the reticle plate and the fixing ring or between the sliding ring and the fixing ring, the fixing ring can be made of a self-lubricating material.

[0042] For example, the fixing ring can be fixed in position relative to the socket to simplify its installation. To securely fasten the fixing ring in the socket, it can be screwed into the socket.

[0043] The eyepiece device can be integrated into a test fixture. The eyepiece device ensures that the reticle remains consistently aligned, even with different orientations of the eyepiece device. This eliminates the need for time-consuming manual adjustments to the reticle's alignment to match the eyepiece device's orientation.

[0044] Furthermore, the test device can include an additional eyepiece and a mount. The mount can be configured to hold the eyepiece and the additional eyepiece. The mount can also be configured to allow the distance between the eyepiece and the additional eyepiece to be adjusted to the user's interpupillary distance. This allows for individual adjustment of the eyepiece and the additional eyepiece to the user and ensures that the 3D effect of an intermediate image in an optical projection is not lost due to an incorrect eyepiece distance.The eyepiece device according to the invention further ensures that, by adjusting the distance between the eyepiece device and the further eyepiece device to the user's interpupillary distance, the reticle no longer needs to be adjusted manually in a time-consuming manner.

[0045] The present invention is described below by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and use them meaningfully in combination within the scope of the claims.

[0046] If more than one instance of a particular object exists, only one of them may be identified with a reference symbol in the figures and description. The description of this instance can then be applied to the other instances of the object. If objects are named using numerical terms, such as first, second, third object, etc., these serve to identify and / or classify objects. Thus, for example, a first object and a third object, but not a second object, may be included. However, numerical terms could also indicate a number and / or sequence of objects.

[0047] They show: Fig. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a test device with an eyepiece device; Fig. 2 an exemplary embodiment of the eyepiece device; and Fig. 3 a sectional view along the section axis AA of the exemplary embodiment, which is shown in Fig. 2 is shown.

[0048] Fig. Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a test device 100 with an eyepiece device 10 according to the invention. The test device 100 comprises a frame 120, a base plate 160 and a swiveling arm 130.

[0049] The frame 120 is attached to the base plate 160 or placed on the base plate 160. The swiveling arm 130 is attached to the frame 120.

[0050] An imaging device 110, in particular a video microscope, is attached to the swiveling arm 130 via a mounting means 150, in particular a dovetail. This is purely an example; it could be any imaging device. The video microscope 110 can be used as an exoscope in this case.

[0051] Furthermore, a mount 140 is attached to the swiveling arm 130. The mount 140 has two receiving areas, in particular in the form of a tube, into each of which an eyepiece device 10 with a reticle 30 (see figure) is inserted. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3) is inserted. The eyepiece devices 10 can be individually adjusted to the user's interpupillary distance by pivoting movements. The pivoting movements can be generated, for example, in the recording 140 by sliding or pivoting the two recording areas apart. These pivoting movements change not only the interpupillary distance but also the orientation of the eyepiece device 10 in the recording 140 with respect to its respective central axis or longitudinal axis.

[0052] Lines (not shown) are applied to the base plate 160. To check the imaging device 110, a user can align reference lines (not shown) on the reticle 30 of the eyepiece devices 10 with the lines on the base plate 160 to detect errors in the imaging device 110. In particular, if the imaging device 110 is a video microscope and / or an exoscope, the alignment of the reference lines on the reticle 30 with the lines on the base plate 160 can be used by the user to visually check an optical zoom operation and / or to visually check the image erection of the imaging device 110.

[0053] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the eyepiece device 10 according to the invention. The eyepiece device 10 comprises a socket 20 in the form of a rotating body.

[0054] A reticle 30 is arranged in the housing 20 and is received in a reticle housing 40. The reticle 30 and the reticle housing 40 can be connected to each other by a material bond and / or a form-fit bond. Furthermore, the reticle 30 and the reticle housing 40 are rotatably mounted in the housing about a pivot axis 50.

[0055] The mounting can be a sliding mounting as shown. For this purpose, the reticle holder can be received in a sliding ring, which rotates together with the reticle holder 40 and reticle 30 relative to the holder 20.

[0056] A lens 80 or a lens system (not shown) can be arranged behind the fixing ring 70. The lens 80 can be held in a lens mount 90.

[0057] The position of the reticle mount 40 can be further defined axially by a fixing ring 70 and a bearing seat 25 of the mount 20. The fixing ring 70 can, for example, be screwed into the mount 20 or, as shown, into the lens mount 90. The lens mount 80 can, in turn, be screwed into the mount 20.

[0058] Fig. Figure 3 shows a sectional view of the exemplary embodiment of the eyepiece device 10 according to the invention, which is in Fig. Figure 2 is shown. The sectional view also shows, by way of example, that the socket 20 can be received into the receptacle 140 of the test device 100 and / or attached to the receptacle 140 of the test device 100, which is located in Fig. 1 is shown.

[0059] The sectional view further shows a top view of the reticle 30, the reticle housing 40, and the sliding ring 60. Reference lines 35 are applied to the reticle 30. The reference lines 35 can also be incorporated into the reticle 30. As shown, the reference lines 35 can be designed as a crosshair and mark a horizontal direction and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction.

[0060] The exemplary reticle housing 40 has a radially widened section 45. The exemplary reticle 30 is rotationally symmetrical.

[0061] Due to the radially widened section 45, the reticle housing 40 is no longer rotationally symmetrical but remains mirror-symmetrical. Furthermore, the radially widened section 45 shifts the common center of gravity of the reticle housing and the reticle 55 away from the axis of rotation 50 in the direction of the radially widened section 45. The common center of gravity of the reticle housing and the reticle 55 is shown only as an example for illustration purposes.

[0062] Due to the mirror-symmetrical design of the reticle mounting, the combined weight force F G of reticle holder 40 and reticle 30 perpendicular to the reference line 35 of the reticle 30, which is intended to mark the horizontal direction, and thereby ensures that the reference lines 35 on the reticle 30 remain correctly aligned after a displacement or pivoting of the eyepiece device 10.

[0063] The reticle housing 40 has two different outer diameters due to the radially widened section 45. Because the reticle housing 45 is received in the sliding ring 60, the different outer diameters of the reticle housing 40 can be compensated for by the sliding ring 60. In particular, the sliding ring 60 has a radial recess 65 to receive the radially widened section 45 of the reticle housing 40. Because the sliding ring compensates for the different outer diameters of the reticle housing 40, smooth and precise bearing, especially sliding bearing, of the reticle 30 in the housing 20 is achieved.

[0064] In other embodiments, a test device may also comprise only one or two eyepieces and a mount to which one or both eyepieces are attached. For testing, the user can hold the imaging device under test in their hand, whereby, due to the described design of the eyepiece, the reticle always rotates into a suitable orientation. Reference symbol list 10 Eyepiece device Version 20 25 bearing seat 30 reticle 35 Reference line 40 reticle holder 45 radially widened section 50 axis of rotation 55 common focus of the reticle mounting and the reticle 60 sliding ring 65 radial recess 70 fixing ring 80 lens 90 lens mount 100 test device 110 Imaging device 120 frame 130 swivel arm 140 recordings 150 fasteners 160 Base plate

Claims

[1] 1. Eyepiece device (10) for an optical system, comprising: one version (20), a reticle (30), a reticle mount (40) in which the reticle (30) is enclosed, wherein the reticle mount (40) is mounted in the mount so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (50), and wherein a common center of gravity (55) of the reticle mount (40) and the reticle (30) lies outside the axis of rotation (50). [2] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a rotary bearing, in particular a sliding bearing, for the reticle mount (40), which defines the axis of rotation (50). [3] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the rotary bearing comprises a sliding ring (60). [4] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the sliding ring (60) is formed from a self-lubricating material. [5] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the reticle holder (40) is received in the sliding ring (60) in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. [6] Eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reticle mount (40) is not rotationally symmetrical; and / or [7] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the reticle mount (40) has a radially widened portion (45). [8] Eyepiece device (10) at least according to claims 5 and 7, wherein the sliding ring (60) has a radial recess in which the radially widened portion (45) of the reticle holder (40) is received. [9] Eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reticle mount (40) has an inhomogeneous density. [10] Eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reticle (30) defines a horizon oriented perpendicular to a radial line extending from a center of the reticle mount (40) through the common center of gravity of the reticle mount and the reticle (55). [11] Eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a fixing ring (70) which defines a position of the reticle holder (40) in the axial direction. [12] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 11, wherein the fixing ring (70) is formed from a self-lubricating material. [13] Eyepiece device (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the fixing ring (70) is stationary relative to the mount. [14] Testing device (100) with an eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims. [15] Test device (100) according to claim 14, further comprising: - a further eyepiece device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, and - a receptacle configured to receive the eyepiece device (10) and the further eyepiece device (10), wherein the receptacle is further configured to enable adjustment of a distance between the eyepiece device (10) and the further eyepiece device (10) to an eye distance of a user.

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