Microscope Magnification Control via Zoom Lens Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopes that utilize both objective lens switching and zoom lens mechanisms face challenges in maintaining consistent observation positions during magnification changes, leading to difficulty in handling and potential loss of observation focus.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system that integrates a zoom section for continuous magnification adjustment, a switching section for objective lens changes, and a control system to maintain total magnification by calculating and adjusting the zoom section's magnification to match the desired total magnification after lens switching, using sensors and motors to ensure smooth transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the magnification is changed using the objective lens, then the magnification can be changed significantly, but the observation field of view changes greatly causing the user to miss the observation position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the objective lens switching mechanism with the zoom lens mechanism into an integrated magnification control system. When the objective lens is switched, the zoom lens automatically adjusts its magnification to compensate for the change, merging the functions of both mechanisms to maintain stable total magnification and observation field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control where the control unit detects the switching state of the objective lens and automatically adjusts the zoom lens magnification accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the total magnification remains constant after objective lens switching, preventing loss of observation position.
2Ease of operation
If the magnification is changed using the zoom lens, then the magnification can be changed linearly, but the range of magnification variation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the zoom lens mechanism (providing continuous linear adjustment) with the objective lens switching mechanism (providing discrete magnification steps). By coordinating both mechanisms, the system achieves both smooth operation and extended magnification range, as the zoom lens can compensate for the discrete steps of objective lens switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both objective lens switching and zoom lens mechanisms are used, then the magnification range is widened, but the total magnification becomes unstable after lens switching
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the magnification settings of both the objective lens and zoom lens, and automatically adjusts the zoom lens magnification in response to objective lens switching. This feedback control stabilizes the total magnification by compensating for changes introduced by lens switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary adjustment of the zoom lens magnification immediately upon detecting objective lens switching. By proactively adjusting the zoom lens before the user can observe the magnification change, the system prevents instability and maintains consistent total magnification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a microscope system configured to allow operability to be improved. An electric zoom 21 consecutively changes a magnification for a sample. Furthermore, a revolver 24 includes a plurality of objective lenses of different magnifications and switches the objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. The control section 34 calculates a total magnification at which the sample is observed based on a magnification provided by the electric zoom 21 and the magnification of the objective lens currently placed in the observation optical path. The control section 34 operates when the revolver 24 switches the objective lens placed in the observation optical path, to determine a target magnification that is the magnification of the electric zoom 21 required to keep the total magnification obtained after the switching of the objective lens equal to the total magnification obtained before the switching of the objective lens. Then, the electric zoom control section 32 controls the electric zoom 21 in such a manner that the magnification of the electric zoom 21 is set equal to the target magnification. The present invention is applicable to, for example, a stereoscopic microscope.