Microscope Self-Adapting Iris Diaphragm Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscopes require users to have specialist knowledge and expend significant time and effort to manually adjust the aperture settings, which can lead to errors, especially when changing parameters like zoom settings or lens configurations, limiting the ease of use and quality of images obtained.

Innovation Solution

A control unit automatically determines and sets the optimal aperture based on current microscope parameters, such as zoom settings, lens selection, and user preferences, using motorized adjustment and precise control to ensure ideal aperture settings without user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual aperture adjustment is used, then the user can control the aperture setting, but the user needs specialist knowledge and it is time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture adjustmentVSAvoidaperture setting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically determines the optimal aperture setting based on current microscope parameters (zoom setting, lens selection, user preferences) and adjusts the aperture without user intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for user expertise in aperture selection while ensuring reliable, error-free settings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical aperture adjustment is replaced by an automated control system that uses electronic control to determine and adjust the aperture setting. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with automated electronic control resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If mechanical coupling between zoom system and diaphragm is used, then the diaphragm is automatically adjusted with zoom, but it is only possible for one parameter at a time and not feasible with multiple lens selections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture adjustmentVSAvoidparameter compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed to handle multiple parameters (zoom setting, lens selection, user preferences) and determine the optimal aperture setting based on any combination of these parameters. This universal approach allows the system to adapt to different lenses, zoom levels, and user preferences simultaneously, unlike mechanical coupling which is limited to single-parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical coupling between zoom system and diaphragm is replaced by an electronic control system that can process multiple parameters simultaneously. This substitution enables the system to provide automated aperture adjustment for multiple parameters (lens type, zoom level, user preferences) rather than being limited to a single mechanical linkage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If automated control of aperture is implemented, then the process is simplified and errors reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaperture adjustmentVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The simple manual aperture adjustment mechanism is replaced by an automated control unit that electronically determines and adjusts the aperture based on microscope parameters. While this increases device complexity, it provides significant benefits in ease of operation and reliability, resolving the contradiction by prioritizing operational simplicity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3204813B2Microscope with self-adapting iris diaphragm
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 LEICA MICROSYSTEMS (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3204813B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3204813B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3204813B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a microscope (10) which comprises a lens system (30) and a zoom system (32). The microscope also has a diaphragm (60) for limiting the aperture of the beam path. In addition, the microscope has a control unit (64), said control unit (64) automatically determining, depending on the actual value of at least one parameter of the microscope (10), a setting of the diaphragm (60) which is intended for the actual value, and adjusting the diaphragm (60) accordingly.