Cryostat Microtome Spherical Alignment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cryostats and microtomes face challenges in cleaning and sample alignment due to impedimentive refrigerant piping and electrical wiring, which hinder effective cleaning and accurate sample application and alignment.
Innovation Solution
The cryostat features a microtome with a cutting blade attached to a blade holder, a head that rotates vertically and horizontally, a cylindrical coupling with a hollow center for internal wiring, and a temperature controller with refrigerant piping and electrical wiring connected internally through a spherical member, allowing for non-obstructive cleaning and precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant piping and electrical wiring are connected to the lower part and lateral side of the head, then the temperature controller can cool or heat the sample, but the piping and wiring become impeditive and prevent complete cleaning of the head circumference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional connection approach by routing refrigerant piping and electrical wiring through the center of the head from the upper side rather than from the lower part and lateral sides. This inversion allows the connections to be made through the alignment mechanism's through-hole, eliminating the impediment to cleaning the head circumference while maintaining temperature control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment mechanism's through-hole serves multiple functions: it allows passage of refrigerant piping and electrical wiring, and maintains the alignment capability of the head. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by accommodating both temperature control requirements and cleaning accessibility without requiring separate pathways
2Reliability
If refrigerant piping and electrical wiring are provided around the head, then the temperature controller can regulate temperature, but they impede works in applying the sample to the head and adjusting alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the routing approach by channeling piping and wiring through the central through-hole of the alignment mechanism rather than around the head perimeter. This central routing eliminates interference with sample application and alignment adjustment operations while preserving temperature regulation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the piping and wiring from the problematic peripheral location and relocates them through the central through-hole of the alignment mechanism. This extraction removes the impediment to sample application and alignment work while maintaining the temperature control function through the relocated connections
3Temperature
If the head is equipped with refrigerant piping and electrical wiring for temperature control, then the sample can be cooled or heated, but complete cleaning of the head is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the connection geometry by routing refrigerant piping and electrical wiring through the upper center of the head via the alignment mechanism's through-hole, rather than from the lower part and lateral sides. This inversion creates unobstructed access to the entire head circumference for cleaning while maintaining temperature control through the relocated connections
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of connections from peripheral (lateral and lower) to central (upper vertical axis). This dimensional change routes piping and wiring through the alignment mechanism's through-hole, eliminating surface obstructions and enabling complete cleaning access while preserving temperature regulation function
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
This design enables thorough cleaning and precise sample alignment without interference from refrigerant piping and electrical wiring, ensuring efficient operation and preventing damage to the refrigerant piping.
Implementation Method 1
an alignment mechanism which is provided on the back side of the head and aligns the head so that the head can rotate in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant piping for circulating a refrigerant in the temperature controller
Implementation Method 3
a retainer portion holding the outer periphery of the spherical member slidably along a spherical surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is a microtome in which refrigerant piping and electrical wiring are not impeditive so that cleaning and other works can be surely conducted. The microtome includes a head 32 which holds a sample, an alignment mechanism 50 which aligns a head 32, a body portion 42 which is provided on the back face side of the alignment mechanism 50, a cylindrical coupling portion 41 which couples the body portion 42 with the head 32, a temperature controller 34 in the head 32, and refrigerant piping 40 and electrical wiring 46 for the temperature controller 34, and the alignment mechanism 50 includes a spherical member 68 coupled with the back face side of the head and having a spherical outer periphery and includes retainer portions 70 and 71 retaining the outer periphery of the spherical member 68 slidably along a spherical surface, the spherical member 68 has a through hole 74 formed communicating with the hollow portion 43 of the coupling portion 41, and the refrigerant piping 40 and the electrical wiring 46 are connected with the temperature controller 34 in the head 32 through the through hole 74 of the spherical member 68 and the hollow portion 43 of the coupling portion 41.