Inverted Microscope Lateral Reflector Turret Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inverted microscopes with existing change mechanisms require a tall design height, limiting ergonomic operation and necessitating the removal of components for optical changes, which complicates the process and restricts flexibility, especially for small microscopes used in routine operations.
Innovation Solution
The axis of rotation of the retaining device is positioned parallel to the optical axis with displacements towards the side and front walls, allowing the retaining device to protrude from the side wall, enabling optical components to be pivoted into the optical axis without removing it from the stand housing, facilitating simpler and quicker component changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a reflector turret is used as a change mechanism for optical components, then optical component changes are enabled, but the microscope stage height must be increased to avoid collision with drive knobs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the reflector turret from a vertical arrangement (above the stage) to a lateral arrangement (on the side of the stand housing). This dimensional change allows optical components to be changed without increasing the microscope stage height, as the turret now extends horizontally from the side wall rather than vertically from the top.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral displacement mechanism that positions the turret axis offset from the optical axis. This intermediary positioning allows the turret to rotate optical components into the optical path without interfering with the vertical space required for the stage and focus knobs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tall microscope design is used to accommodate the reflector turret, then optical component changes are possible, but ergonomic operation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By moving the turret arrangement from vertical to lateral, the patent maintains a compact vertical profile that allows the stage to be positioned at an ergonomic height. The operator can access both the stage and focus knobs without strain, while optical component changes are performed via lateral access to the turret on the side of the stand.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the reflector turret is arranged above the focusing drive knobs, then collision is avoided, but the microscope height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the vertical stacking arrangement by placing the turret laterally on the side of the stand housing. This removes the need to position the turret above the focus knobs, as both components can now coexist at compatible vertical levels without collision risk.
4Length of moving object
If a lateral turret arrangement is used, then microscope height is reduced, but the turret must protrude from the side wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microscope into distinct functional zones: the main stand housing contains the optical path and stage, while the turret is positioned as a separate lateral module on the side wall. This segmentation allows the turret to protrude horizontally without affecting the vertical compactness of the main body.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an inverted microscope, including a microscope stand having a stand housing. The stand housing has a rear wall, a front wall, and side walls, and an objective turret, a focusing drive, and a rotatable retaining device, which is designed as a reflector turret and which has a plurality of locations for receiving exchangeable optical components.The retaining device protrudes from a side wall of the stand housing so that the optical components can be quickly changed without having to remove the retaining device from the stand housing.