Microscope Illumination with Movable Diaphragm and Concave Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transmitted light illumination systems for microscopes, particularly zoom microscopes, face challenges in maintaining high contrast and adaptability across the entire zoom range due to mismatched observation and illumination pupils, limited ergonomic design, and inefficiencies in achieving uniform contrast and relief effects.
Innovation Solution
A transmitted light illumination apparatus featuring a planar light source, a concave mirror surface, and movable diaphragm elements that can be partially opaque, allowing for precise control of illumination angles and contrast modes by positioning the diaphragm elements parallel to the light source plane, ensuring high contrast and uniformity across the field of view and zoom range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light orientation member (louver film) is arranged close to the sample to reduce illumination angle and improve bright field contrast, then contrast is improved, but brightness reduction in the object field occurs causing mismatch of observation pupil and illumination pupil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the light orientation function from a planar louver film to a three-dimensional conical structure. The conical diffuser element redirects light rays at specific angles (e.g., 30 degrees) relative to the optical axis, creating a well-defined illumination cone that matches the observation pupil while maintaining high contrast. This dimensional transformation from 2D planar to 3D conical geometry resolves the pupil mismatch problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical diffuser element acts as an intermediary between the light source and the sample. Instead of placing the light orientation member directly at the sample plane (which causes brightness reduction), the conical structure is positioned in the illumination path to reshape the light distribution. This intermediary element modifies the illumination geometry to achieve both high contrast and proper pupil matching simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If exchangeable objective lenses are used to adjust magnification in compound microscopes, then magnification adjustment is enabled, but the axial position of the conjugated plane of the objective pupil migrates along the optical axis requiring complex illumination zoom
Solution Approach 1:
The conical diffuser element provides a universal illumination solution that works across multiple magnifications without requiring adjustment. By creating a well-defined conical illumination beam, the system maintains consistent illumination geometry for different objective lenses and zoom positions, eliminating the need for complex illumination zoom mechanisms while supporting magnification adjustment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If zoom systems are used to vary magnification, then continuous magnification adjustment is enabled, but the axial position of the conjugated plane of the objective pupil migrates requiring dynamic illumination tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The conical diffuser element creates a dynamic illumination field that automatically adapts to zoom position changes. The conical geometry ensures that the illumination angles remain consistent relative to the optical axis regardless of zoom magnification, providing automatic adaptation without requiring active tracking or adjustment mechanisms.
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
The solution provides high contrast in bright field illumination, maintains uniformity in East-West directions, and allows for ergonomic design with adjustable diaphragm elements that adapt to different microscope configurations, ensuring effective illumination across the entire zoom range without brightness gradients.
Implementation Method 1
a mirror (23) having a concave mirror surface (24) arranged in the direction of light emitted from the planar light source (20)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transmitted light illumination apparatus (2) for a microscope (1), said transmitted light illumination apparatus (2) comprising, a planar light source (20), a mirror (23) having a concave mirror surface (24) arranged in the direction of light emitted from the planar light source (20), and at least one diaphragm element (22) being at least partially opaque and being arranged between the planar light source (20) and the concave mirror surface (24) such that by moving the at least one diaphragm element (22) in at least one direction parallel to a plane defined by the planar light source (20), the planar light source (20) is at least partially covered by the at least one diaphragm element (22).