LED Illumination Device with Movable Frames for Fluorescence Microscopy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED illumination systems for fluorescence microscopy face inefficiencies due to light losses when using multiple wavelengths, as each LED source requires separate collimating optics and dichroic mirrors, leading to high incremental costs and limited scalability beyond four wavelengths.
Innovation Solution
The system employs four collimating optics and three dichroic mirrors, with movable frames to align each LED source with the focal axis, allowing up to four different wavelengths to be directed onto a single axis without excessive light loss, using mechanical movement to switch between sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED light sources are used to provide different wavelengths, then the spectral coverage is improved, but the light loss increases due to multiple dichroic mirrors
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the wavelength selection into four distinct groups, with each collimating optics handling one group of wavelengths. This segmentation allows light from each LED source to take a dedicated optical path with minimal mirrors, reducing cumulative light loss while maintaining broad spectral coverage across 12-16 wavelengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fourth dimension to the optical path design by using four separate collimating optics arranged in a two-by-two configuration rather than sequentially stacking mirrors. This spatial arrangement allows parallel light paths to converge on the illumination axis, reducing the number of mirror passes each wavelength group must undergo.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate collimating optics are used for each LED source, then the collimation quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each collimating optics unit is designed as a universal module that can handle multiple wavelengths (up to four per optics). This multi-functional design reduces the total number of components compared to having entirely separate optical paths for each wavelength, as each collimating optics serves multiple LED sources through the movable frame mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates movable frames that allow dynamic reconfiguration of LED sources relative to the collimating optics. This dynamic positioning capability enables a single collimating optics to serve multiple LED sources at different times, reducing the total number of collimating optics needed while maintaining high collimation quality for each active source.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more dichroic mirrors are added to accommodate additional wavelengths, then the wavelength selection range is improved, but the light loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wavelength range is segmented into four groups, with each group handled by a dedicated collimating optics unit. This segmentation ensures that light from any LED source passes through a maximum of two dichroic mirrors rather than accumulating passes through all mirrors in the system, maintaining high transmission efficiency while covering 12-16 wavelengths.
4Loss of energy
If multiple collimating optics are used to reduce light loss, then the light efficiency is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple collimating optics into a shared optical architecture where four collimating optics converge their parallel light paths onto a single illumination axis. This merging allows the system to achieve high light efficiency through parallel processing while sharing common downstream optical components and the illumination path, reducing incremental costs compared to fully separate optical paths.
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 configuration enables efficient illumination with minimal light loss, allowing for selection of up to sixteen wavelengths with reduced incremental costs, making it a competitive solution for wide spectral range applications.
Implementation Method 1
Four collimating optics 10, 20, 30, 40 are provided to collimate light parallel from LEDs to the illumination axis through three dichroic mirrors 50, 60, 70
Implementation Method 2
Light from collimating optics 10 is focused into parallel light which passes through dichroic mirror 50, through dichroic mirror 70 and emerges onto the illumination axis 2
Implementation Method 3
When these dyes are excited with light of a specific colour they undergo a process known as Stokes Shift resulting in light of a longer wavelength being emitted
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an LED illumination device 1. Device 1 comprises at least two collimating optics 10,20,30,40 adapted to collimate light parallel to an illumination axis 2 through one or more dichroic mirrors 50,60,70, and at least two frames 12,22,32,42 each supporting at least two LED light sources, each frame being adapted to present one LED light source onto the focal axis 13,23,33,43 of one of said collimating optics.