Digital Microscope Bright and Dark Field Lighting Mixture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital microscopes can only perform either bright field or dark field observations, limiting their ability to effectively display micro unevenness on sample surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A digital microscope with a mixture ratio changing unit that combines bright field and dark field lighting, allowing for adjustable illumination ratios using optical fiber bundles and a dial-operated mechanism to control the light mixture, enabling the display of sample textures that are less visible under single lighting modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If only bright field lighting is used, then the observation system is simple, but micro unevenness and surface textures are not appropriately displayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines bright field lighting and dark field lighting into a single observation system. The light source is split into two paths: one for bright field illumination (through the optical fiber bundle) and one for dark field illumination (through a separate optical path), allowing both lighting modes to coexist and be switched or combined as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a switchable lighting system where the user can dynamically switch between bright field mode, dark field mode, or a combination of both. This is achieved through a switching mechanism that controls which light path is active, allowing the system to adapt to different observation requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If only dark field lighting is used, then surface textures are enhanced, but direct reflected light components are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both bright field and dark field lighting by providing a system where both illumination modes are available. Users can select dark field mode for enhanced surface texture visibility or bright field mode for stronger reflected light, or combine both for comprehensive observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameters by allowing switching between different lighting modes. In dark field mode, the illumination angle is changed to oblique incidence to enhance texture visibility, while in bright field mode, the illumination is changed to direct incidence for maximum reflected light intensity.
3Device complexity
If a single light path is used, then the device structure is simple, but the lighting mode cannot be switched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical system into separate light paths for bright field and dark field illumination. Each path is independently controlled, allowing the user to switch between modes or use both simultaneously. This segmentation enables versatility while keeping each individual path relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal lighting system that can perform multiple functions: bright field observation, dark field observation, and combined observation. The system uses a common light source and optical fiber bundle infrastructure but provides multiple illumination modes through additional optical components and switching 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
Enables the appropriate display of sample textures and micro unevenness by adjusting the lighting ratio, providing gradual changes in image appearance and allowing for better information extraction from the sample surface.
Implementation Method 1
a light source part, a head part, and an optical fiber bundle for guiding light from the light source part to the head part
Implementation Method 2
a magnifying optical system for concentrating light reflected or scattered on the sample
Implementation Method 3
an imaging sensor section for photoelectrically converting light made incident through the magnifying optical system to pick up an image of the sample
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A digital microscope (1) includes a half mirror (13) that supplies bright field light, a ring lens (16) that supplies dark field light, and a mechanism for changing a mixture ratio of the bright field light and the dark field light according to operation in an operating section (26). The mechanism for changing the mixture ratio includes an optical fiber bundle (17) for supplying light to the half mirror (13), an optical fiber bundle (18) for supplying light to the ring lens (16), and an optical fiber bundle (19) for causing light from a light source to enter the optical fiber bundle (17) and the optical fiber bundle (18). A light entry end of the optical fiber bundle (17) and a light entry end of the optical fiber bundle (18) are arranged adjacent to each other to face in the same direction. A light exit end of the optical fiber (19) is arranged to be opposed to both of the light entry ends. The mechanism moves the light exit end of the optical fiber bundle (19) according to an operation amount in the operating section (26) while keeping a state in which the light exit end and both of the light entry ends are opposed to each other. Consequently, it is possible to appropriately display a sample.