Microscope Illumination Unit Using 3D Molded Interconnect Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard printed circuit boards in microscopy are limited by their planar surface, leading to complex and costly mounting solutions, and are prone to damage during installation, restricting the spatial arrangement of electronic and optical components.
Innovation Solution
An MID structure with integrated conductor tracks and a ring-shaped beam aperture, featuring columns with light-emitting means and a control unit, allowing for flexible spatial arrangement and easy maintenance, with a cooling structure to manage air flow influences and a shielding unit to prevent unwanted light incidence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If standard printed circuit boards are used, then simple circuit implementation is achieved, but spatial arrangement flexibility is restricted and mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar printed circuit boards to a three-dimensional MID structure with vertical columns extending from the main body. This dimensional change allows light-emitting means to be positioned at various heights and spatial locations, providing flexible spatial arrangement while maintaining integrated circuit functionality through the molded-in conductor tracks.
2Reliability
If standard printed circuit boards are used, then circuit functionality is achieved, but mounting cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the circuit carrier function, mechanical support structure, and optical component mounting interface into a single integrated MID structure. The molded-in conductor tracks provide circuit functionality while the vertical columns and main body simultaneously serve as mechanical supports for light-emitting means, eliminating the need for separate mounting hardware and reducing overall assembly complexity.
3Reliability
If repair is needed for MID structures, then functionality can be restored, but the entire unit must be exchanged and readjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination unit into a permanent MID main body and replaceable light-emitting means mounted on vertical columns. This segmentation allows individual light-emitting components to be replaced without exchanging the entire MID structure or performing complex readjustment procedures, significantly easing maintenance while preserving the integrated circuit functionality of the main body.
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 efficient, cost-effective, and simplified mounting and disassembly of electronic and optical components, reducing component count, mounting time, and manufacturing costs, while providing flexible illumination and optical adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
columns, on the free ends of which light-emitting means are provided
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination unit for microscopes has an MID structure for the free spatial arrangement of different electronic and optical components, so that surfaces of a three-dimensional carrier are available as a replacement for printed circuit boards. The MID structure designed as an illumination unit contains a closed annular main part having an annular free beam opening, where columns are arranged on the main part. On the free ends of the columns, illumination means are provided which can be contacted via conductor paths provided on the surface of the MID structure. The columns contain a cooling structure on a side surface facing away from the free beam opening, and a plug for the power supply and a control unit for controlling the illumination means are provided on the main part of the MID structure. The MID structure designed as an illumination unit is provided in a housing of a microscope objective.