Microscope Filter Wheel Segmentation and Stacking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopes require frequent changes of filter wheels due to limited housing areas, leading to high costs and inefficiencies when specific filters are needed, as only a small number of filters can be accommodated, restricting adaptability to various applications.
Innovation Solution
A device with two independently rotatable filter wheels, each with multiple housing areas and a drive unit, allows for the selective positioning of filters in the light path, enabling a broader range of filters to be accommodated and reducing the need for frequent changes by using a compact design with segments that can be easily swapped.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single filter wheel with limited housing areas is used, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different applications is insufficient and frequent filter changes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The filter wheel is divided into multiple independent segments, each capable of holding different filters. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate a larger variety of filters without requiring a single large complex wheel, thereby improving adaptability while keeping individual segment complexity low
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-planar filter wheel to a multi-dimensional arrangement by stacking multiple filter wheels at different heights (axial positions). This dimensional expansion allows the system to hold many more filters in a compact space, significantly increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filter wheels are provided to accommodate different filters, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter wheels are merged into a single integrated assembly that shares common structural elements such as the rotation mechanism and mounting system. This combining approach allows the system to hold many filters while avoiding the complexity of completely separate filter wheel assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The filter wheel assembly is designed as a universal mechanism that can accommodate various types of filters through standardized housing areas and segments. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve multiple applications without requiring specialized separate wheels for each filter type
3Quantity of substance
If the filter wheel diameter is increased to accommodate more filters, then the number of filters that can be held increases, but the compact design is compromised and the device becomes larger
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the diameter of a single filter wheel to hold more filters, the patent utilizes the axial dimension by stacking multiple wheels at different heights. This dimensional transition allows the system to accommodate many more filters while maintaining a compact overall volume, as the wheels are arranged vertically rather than requiring a larger horizontal footprint
Data Source
AI summary
A device for holding filters for a microscope includes a filter wheel (20) rotatable about an axis of rotation (16) and a drive unit (14) for rotating the filter wheel (20). The filter wheel (20) comprises a basic body (44) rotatable about the axis of rotation (16) and at least one segment (46-54) selectively connectable to the basic body. The segment (46-54) comprises at least two housing areas (58, 59) each holding at least one filter (11). Another housing area may provide a transmission range (36, 59) for unfiltered transmission of light. A second rotatable filter wheel may be arranged at a location displaced along the axis of rotation relative to the filter wheel, and may have its own respective transmission range for unfiltered transmission of light, whereby a filter on either filter wheel may be aligned with the transmission range on the other filter wheel.