Microscope Holding Frame Evasive Paths for Collision Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern modular microscopes face challenges in achieving stable and flexible attachment of holding frames to sample stages while minimizing the risk of component damage due to collisions, with existing solutions often requiring complex and costly sensor systems.
Innovation Solution
The microscope design incorporates non-fixed connections between the holding frame and sample stage, allowing evasive paths that prevent damage by ensuring the holding frame can move away from components during collisions, utilizing a configuration-based installation space model to determine safe displacement paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the holding frame is rigidly fixed to the sample stage, then stability and position reproducibility are improved, but the risk of component damage during collisions increases and installation/removal becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements evasive paths that allow the holding frame to move away from collision zones before actual contact occurs. The xy-drive system is configured with collision space parameters that define safe displacement limits, enabling the holding frame to take evasive action in lateral spatial directions without damaging microscope components such as objectives or the stand.
2Measurement precision
If the holding frame is rigidly fixed to the sample stage, then position reproducibility is improved, but installation and removal become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static rigid fixation to dynamic attachable/detachable connections. The holding frame is designed to be removable and reattachable to the sample stage, allowing users to easily install and remove different holding frames for various samples while maintaining stable positioning during use through the evasive path mechanism.
3Ease of operation
If the holding frame is made loosely connected to facilitate easy installation and removal, then ease of operation is improved, but stability and position reproducibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The evasive path mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by allowing controlled movement away from collision zones. This enables loose connections that are easy to install and remove while maintaining operational stability through the protective displacement capability built into the xy-drive system.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If active sensor systems are implemented to detect and prevent collisions, then component damage risk is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service collision prevention mechanism where the holding frame automatically takes evasive action through the xy-drive system based on pre-defined collision space parameters. No active sensors or external control systems are required - the system uses its own positional information and the installation space model to autonomously prevent collisions, reducing device complexity while maintaining safety.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If active sensor systems are implemented to detect and prevent collisions, then component damage risk is reduced, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses existing control unit capabilities and pre-stored installation space models to enable self-service collision prevention. By leveraging already-present computational resources and avoiding additional sensor hardware, the patent reduces device cost while maintaining effective collision avoidance through the evasive path mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope having a microscope optics unit, with two independent lateral spatial directions defined by an optical axis thereof, having a sample stage, an xy-drive for moving the sample stage in the lateral spatial directions, a holding frame arranged on the sample stage, wherein the holding frame is able to take evasive action in the lateral spatial directions, at least via finite-length evasive paths in each case, a control unit, at least for controlling the xy-drive, and an installation space model stored in the control unit and in which geometries and positions of the holding frame and of further components of the microscope are in each case at least partially captured as parameters that specify a collision space for displacement positions of the xy-drive. The evasive paths are so long that collisions between the holding frame and the further components that cause damage to colliding pieces cannot occur at displacement positions of the xy-drive.