Compact Fluorescence Microscope Lighting Module Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluorescence microscope lighting modules are difficult to assemble, large in size, and require numerous parts, making them cumbersome and prone to mechanical stress, which complicates maintenance and precise positioning.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting module design featuring a lens directly blocked on a tubular body's shoulder with an elastic member, allowing for simple assembly and maintenance, precise axial positioning, and reduced mechanical stress through an annular segment spacer and a diaphragm with a tapered aperture, eliminating the need for screws and minimizing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional lighting modules are used, then the lighting function is achieved, but the assembly is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated body structure. The body simultaneously serves as the housing, the mounting surface for the lens (via its shoulder), and the support for the diaphragm. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, housings, and adjustment mechanisms, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining all necessary lighting module functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The body is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple roles: structural support, lens mounting platform, diaphragm support, and alignment reference. The shoulder of the body universally serves as both a mechanical stop and a mounting surface, eliminating the need for dedicated mounting features and reducing the total part count.
2Volume of moving object
If conventional lighting modules are used, then the lighting function is achieved, but the size is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the diaphragm is positioned within the body structure, and the lens is mounted on the body's shoulder in a space-efficient manner. The filter support extends from the body in a compact configuration. This nesting of components within the body's volumetric space reduces the overall module size while maintaining all functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the spatial arrangement of components by utilizing the body's three-dimensional structure more effectively. The lens is positioned axially on the shoulder, the diaphragm is integrated into the body's wall, and the filter support extends in a direction that minimizes the module's footprint. This dimensional optimization reduces the overall volume occupied by the lighting module.
3Ease of repair
If conventional lighting modules are used, then the lighting function is achieved, but maintenance is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting module into distinct functional components (light source, lens, diaphragm, filter support) that are all attached to the central body. This segmentation allows each component to be independently accessed and replaced. The lens can be removed by detaching it from the body's shoulder, and the diaphragm can be accessed by removing it from the body wall, enabling straightforward maintenance without disassembling the entire module.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the lens and diaphragm to be extractable from the body structure. The lens is mounted on the shoulder in a way that allows it to be removed by pulling it axially, and the diaphragm is integrated into the body wall in a manner that permits its extraction. This extraction capability enables easy maintenance and replacement of these components without affecting other parts of the module.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional lighting modules are used, then the lighting function is achieved, but precise positioning is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features directly into the body structure. The shoulder of the body is precision-machined to provide a predetermined axial position for the lens, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms. Similarly, the diaphragm is positioned at a predetermined distance from the light source by its integration into the body wall. This preliminary action of built-in positioning ensures precise axial placement without adding mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The body structure provides self-positioning through its geometric features. The shoulder's geometry automatically positions the lens at the correct axial distance from the light source, and the diaphragm's integration into the body wall ensures its precise positioning relative to the optical axis. These self-service positioning mechanisms eliminate the need for external adjustment devices while maintaining high positioning precision.
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
The solution enables quick and simple assembly, easy maintenance, precise positioning, and a compact form factor, improving the efficiency and reliability of the lighting module while reducing mechanical stress and the number of parts required.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member applied to the spacer in order to secure the spacer to the lens
Implementation Method 2
The assembly proposed by the invention proves to be simple and quick to produce since the lens is directly blocked on a shoulder of the body and by a simple elastic member
Implementation Method 3
The opening of the diaphragm may have a section widening towards the second end of the body, preferably tapered. Such a section of the aperture, continuously increasing downstream, makes it possible to limit the reflections of light on the internal face of the aperture of the diaphragm
Implementation Method 4
The radially outer periphery of the lens can be engaged in a frustoconical groove with a section that widens towards the first end of the body, so as to reduce the mechanical stresses applied to the outer periphery of the lens
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting module, particularly for a fluorescence microscope, comprising a tubular body that has a light source at a first end and a lens which is inserted from a second end that lies opposite the first end, onto an annular shoulder inside said body, wherein a filter support is fitted onto the lens by means of an elastic member that is axially pre-stressed and axially locked by a stop ring of the second end of the body.