Liquid-Lens Stereo Microscope With Adjustable Risley Prism Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zoom stereoscopic microscopes suffer from limited precision, high cost, and slow response due to reliance on external mechanical devices for actuation, and lack continuous zoomability and adjustable stereo sense.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic microscope design incorporating a first and second eyepiece module, objective modules with liquid and solid lens sets, Risley prisms for adjustable stereoscopic angles, and a drive module for real-time focal length adjustment, enabling continuous zooming and fast response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional zoom stereoscopic microscopes use solid lenses and external mechanical devices for actuation, then the structure is simple and cost is reduced, but the precision is limited, response is slow, and continuous zoomability is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional solid mechanical zoom lenses with a liquid lens system that uses electrical control to adjust focal length. The liquid lens employs electrowetting or electrostatic field effects to change curvature and focal length continuously, eliminating the need for mechanical movement and achieving precise, fast, and continuous zoom control without complex mechanical actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the lens from solid to liquid, allowing continuous variation of optical parameters (focal length, curvature) through electrical control. The liquid lens can dynamically adjust its refractive index and surface curvature by changing electrical parameters, enabling continuous zoom and precise magnification control that solid mechanical lenses cannot achieve
2Speed
If conventional zoom stereoscopic microscopes use external mechanical devices for actuation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the response speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces slow mechanical actuation systems with fast electrical control of liquid lenses. The liquid lens responds to electrical signals within milliseconds, adjusting focal length and magnification instantaneously, eliminating the inertia and mechanical delay inherent in conventional motor-driven zoom mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability to the zoom system through liquid lenses that can continuously and rapidly change their optical properties. The system transitions from fixed or stepwise mechanical zoom to continuous, dynamically controllable zoom, allowing real-time adaptation to different magnification requirements with fast response
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional zoom stereoscopic microscopes use solid lenses, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but continuous zoomability and adjustable stereo sense are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses liquid lenses that can continuously vary their optical parameters (focal length, curvature radius, refractive index) through electrical control, enabling continuous zoom functionality. This eliminates the need for multiple fixed-focal-length lenses and mechanical zoom mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while achieving versatile continuous adjustment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the objective and eyepiece lens, provides continuous zoom capability, enables adjustable stereoscopic angle throughRisleyprisms, and allows rapid focus adjustment. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing despite the advanced liquid lens technology
4Adaptability or versatility
If Risley prisms are used for adjustable stereoscopic angle, then the stereo sense adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical adjustment of stereoscopic angle with electrical control of Risley prism rotation. The prisms are mounted on motorized or piezoelectric actuators that can precisely control the relative rotation angle between prisms, enabling continuous and accurate adjustment of the stereoscopic angle without complex manual mechanical linkages
Solution Approach 2:
The Risley prism system is made dynamically adjustable through electrical actuators, allowing real-time change of the stereoscopic angle during observation. The prisms can rotate and reorient themselves under electrical control, providing dynamic adaptability of the stereo viewing angle to match different observation requirements and working distances
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
Enables continuous variation in stereoscopic angle and magnification with fast response, providing clear stereo images with adjustable stereo sense and improved precision, while reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
an objective module and/or an eyepiece module in the left-side optical path and the right-side optical path comprises a liquid lens set, and a drive module configured to change a focal length of each liquid lens in the liquid lens set according to a desired magnification
Implementation Method 2
a first Risley prism and a second Risley prism... the control module is configured to dynamically adjust rotating angles of two wedge-angle prisms in the Risley prism, thereby achieving adjustment of the stereoscopic angle
Implementation Method 3
the first image-rotating prism and the second image-rotating prism are configured to achieve refraction of the light rays and extension of optical paths
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a continuous zoom stereoscopic microscope with an adjustable stereoscopic angle, consisting of a microscope stand, a first eyepiece module, a second eyepiece module, a first objective module, a second objective module, a first Risley prism, a second Risley prism, a first image-rotating prism, a second image-rotating prism, a drive module, a control module and an illumination module. The drive module provides preset drive values for individual liquid lenses in the liquid lens sets according to different magnifications to change the focal lengths of the liquid lenses, thereby changing the effective focal lengths of the objective module and that of the eyepiece module, and finally achieving continuous and fast zooming of the stereoscopic microscope to be adapted to different working scenarios. The control module controls the relative angle between the two wedge-angle prisms in the Risley prism, achieving the continuous adjusting of the stereoscopic angle of the stereoscopic microscope, and then acquiring stereo images with different stereo senses.