Inverted Microscope Independent Optical Device Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inverted microscopes lack flexibility in arranging and replacing optical devices between the objective lens and imaging lens, limiting system expandability and optical performance.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a microscope main body with installation units that allow optical devices to be fixed independently, featuring abutting reference surfaces shifted perpendicular to the optical axis, enabling easy attachment and detachment of optical devices without altering the microscope's configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If optical devices are directly stacked and fixed in conventional inverted microscopes, then the optical path can be branched, but the optical devices cannot be easily detached or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem expandabilityVSAvoidease of attachment and detachment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical device mounting structure is divided into multiple independent installation units, each capable of holding one optical device. Each installation unit has its own abutting reference surface and mounting mechanism, allowing individual optical devices to be attached or detached without affecting others. This segmentation enables flexible system configuration while maintaining easy access to each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The installation units are designed with standardized abutting reference surfaces that can accommodate different types of optical devices. The same installation unit structure can hold various optical components (filters, mirrors, beamsplitters) by simply changing the device while keeping the mounting structure unchanged, providing universal compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple optical devices are stacked with fixed positions, then the optical system can be configured, but the installation positions cannot be easily changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure transitions from fixed rigid positions to dynamic adjustable positions. Each installation unit can be independently positioned and adjusted within the optical path, allowing the optical devices to be reconfigured at different locations. This dynamic capability enables position flexibility without requiring complex reconfiguration of the entire mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The installation units are arranged in multiple dimensions (vertical stacking and horizontal positioning), creating a three-dimensional mounting architecture. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows optical devices to be positioned at various locations and orientations, providing position flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through spatial distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If optical devices are installed in fixed positions between objective lens and imaging lens, then optical path branching is achieved, but optical performance cannot be optimized according to device positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical performanceVSAvoiddevice arrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure allows for adjustable parameters including the position, orientation, and spacing of optical devices within the optical path. By changing these parameters, the optical performance can be optimized for different applications while maintaining the ability to reconfigure the device arrangement. The abutting reference surfaces provide precise positional control for optimal optical alignment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2645145B1Inverted microscope
Publication Date: 2018.11.07 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP2645145B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2645145B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2645145B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An inverted microscope includes an imaging lens (11a) configured to form an image of light which passes through an objective lens (3) from a specimen (1), and a microscope main body (10) in which optical devices (20) are configured to be arranged between the objective lens (3) and the imaging lens (11a) in a direction of an optical axis of the objective lens (3) and which includes therein installation units (13) that allow the optical devices (20) to be fixed independently of one another. Each of the installation units (13) includes an abutting reference surface (133) on which any one of the optical devices (20) is configured to be abutted. The abutting reference surfaces (133) of the plurality of the installation units (13) are shifted from one another in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the objective lens.