Inverted Microscope Stage Rigidity via Segmented Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inverted microscopes face issues with rigidity and susceptibility to vibrations and heat when multiple optical devices are added between the objective lens and tube lens, leading to increased stage height and high costs for precise optical device attachment.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a microscope main body with stage supporting parts and a beam part connecting the tube lens and objective lens, allowing for sliding adjustment and autofocusing, which enables cost-effective and rigid attachment of optical devices within the observation optical system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical devices are arranged between the objective lens and tube lens by selecting and arranging a spacer member, then the optical device can be attached to the observation optical system, but the height of the stage must be raised greatly which deteriorates rigidity of the stage and increases susceptibility to vibration and heat effects
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the stage supporting structure into multiple independent stage supporting parts (first, second, third, and fourth stage supporting parts) that can be individually adjusted. This segmentation allows the optical devices to be attached at different heights without requiring a uniform raise of the entire stage, thereby maintaining stage rigidity while enabling optical device attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces adjustable mechanisms (screws, sliding parts) that allow the height of each stage supporting part to be dynamically adjusted according to the thickness of optical devices. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to different optical device configurations without permanently raising the stage height, thus preserving rigidity while achieving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the stage is greatly raised to accommodate multiple optical devices, then the optical devices can be positioned between the objective lens and tube lens, but susceptibility to vibration and heat effects increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the stage supporting structure into multiple independently adjustable parts, the invention allows optical devices to be supported at optimal heights close to their attachment positions. This eliminates the need for great stage elevation, thereby reducing susceptibility to vibration and heat effects while maintaining the ability to configure multiple optical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate stage supporting parts that act as mediators between the stage and the optical devices. These intermediate supports provide localized height adjustment without requiring the entire stage to be raised, thus enabling optical device configuration while minimizing the impact on system stability and resistance to vibration and heat.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the optical device is attached between the microscope main body and the stage unit with unitized stage and objective lens, then the optical device can be positioned, but the attachment surfaces require high precision in parallelism and rigidity which increases cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the optical device attachment function from the stage and objective lens unitization. By providing independent stage supporting parts with adjustable height, the invention allows optical devices to be attached without requiring high-precision parallelism between the stage and objective lens units, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the attachment parameters by allowing independent height adjustment of stage supporting parts. This parameter flexibility enables optical devices to be attached at various heights without requiring precise parallelism, thus reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the ability to attach optical devices between the objective lens and tube lens.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the optical device is attached between the microscope main body and the stage unit, then the optical device can be positioned, but the assembly of the optical device cannot be changed easily
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the stage supporting structure into multiple independent adjustable parts, the invention allows individual optical devices to be easily removed or replaced by adjusting only the relevant stage supporting part. This segmentation enables flexible assembly changes without affecting the entire microscope system, thus improving ease of repair and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable mechanisms (screws, sliding parts) enable dynamic reconfiguration of optical device positions. This dynamic capability allows the assembly of optical devices to be easily changed by adjusting the height of stage supporting parts, without requiring disassembly of the entire microscope system, thereby improving ease of repair and adaptability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention aims to provide an inverted microscope in which an optical device can be attached to an observation optical system from an objective lens to an eyepiece and which is of superiority in rigidity, in the inverted microscope provided with a microscope main body 1, a stage 2 that is supported by the microscope main body 1, and an observation optical system 3 that allows observing a sample placed on the stage 2 from underneath, the microscope main body 1, to which an optical device 4 can be attached between an objective lens 31 and a tube lens 32 which constitute the observation optical system 3 includes a back wall part 1b and a front wall part 1c that support the stage 2; and a beam part 1d that connects together, in a manner of locating between the tube lens 32 and the objective lens 31, the back wall part 1b and the front wall part 1c which become a pair at front and back sides.