Automatic Polarizing Device for Microscopes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polarizing microscopes have fixed positions and angles for the polarizer and analyzer, making it difficult to accurately analyze birefringent materials as the glass slide is rotated, leading to lower recognition and renewed observation challenges.

Innovation Solution

An automatic polarizing device for polarizing microscopes, comprising a base plate, base support, lower and upper polarizing assemblies with drive systems, including stepping motors, controllers, and synchronous belts, allows for precise adjustment and control of polarizer angles, enabling automatic rotation and alignment of polarizers for orthogonal or single polarized light examinations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the polarizer and analyzer positions and angles are fixed in conventional polarizing microscopes, then the device structure is simple, but the recognition accuracy decreases and renewed observation becomes difficult when the glass slide is rotated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed polarizer and analyzer into rotatable components. The polarizer can rotate around the optical axis, and the analyzer can independently rotate, allowing dynamic adjustment of polarization angles to maintain accurate observation regardless of glass slide orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universality by designing a system where the polarizer and analyzer can perform multiple functions: they can rotate to different angles, maintain fixed positions when needed, and work in coordinated or independent modes, making the device adaptable to various observation requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the glass slide is rotated to change the angle of polarized light incident on the material, then different observation angles can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and recognition accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation angle adjustmentVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach: instead of rotating the glass slide to change observation angles, the polarizer and analyzer themselves are rotated to achieve different polarization angles while keeping the glass slide stationary, simplifying operation and improving accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If manual rotation of the glass slide is used to change polarized light angles, then observation can be renewed, but time is lost and recognition is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation efficiencyVSAvoidrecognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually rotating the glass slide with a controlled rotation mechanism for the polarizer and analyzer. This substitution enables precise angular adjustment through controlled rotation, improving both observation efficiency and recognition accuracy by eliminating manual handling errors and time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and automated microscopic examination of orthogonal or single polarized lights without manual rotation of the glass slide, improving recognition and ease of observation by coordinating the upper and lower polarizers, ensuring precise control over polarizing directions and angles.

Implementation Method 1

a first stepping motor, an upper controller, an upper transmission wheel, a first synchronous belt, and a second synchronous belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStepping motor: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

a first synchronous belt, and a second synchronous belt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynchronous belt:

Implementation Method 3

The upper polarizer is disposed in the first light hole via a first wheel of upper polarizer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 4

The photoelectric switch is disposed at an outer end of the linear slide rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric switch: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10386622B2Polarizing device for polarizing microscopes and method for using the polarizing device

Publication Date: 2019.08.20 CHENGDU WESTIMAGE TECH

AI summary

A polarizing device for a polarizing microscope, including: a base plate on which the polarizing microscope is fixed, a base support, a lower polarizing assembly, and an upper polarizing assembly. The base support is vertically disposed at one side of the base plate. The lower polarizing assembly is disposed at the lower-middle part of the base support, and the upper polarizing assembly is disposed at the upper part of the base support.