Microscope Mounting Adapter With Asymmetric Positioning Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for attaching sterile covers to surgical microscopes often require high mounting forces, are prone to unwanted disassembly, and fail to maintain a reproducible single mounting position, leading to potential image quality issues due to incorrect or tilted attachments.
Innovation Solution
A mounting adapter with a penetration opening for axial attachment and a latching device that selectively adjusts the passage diameter, combined with positioning geometry features like alignment receptacles and a movable tongue plate, ensuring secure, reproducible, and easy axial mounting without rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an elastic form fit is used to attach the adapter to the microscope, then the mounting process becomes simpler, but the adapter cannot be mounted in a single reproducible position and may twist or tilt
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates asymmetric positioning elements (protrusions and recesses) that allow the adapter to be mounted only in one specific orientation. This asymmetric geometry prevents twisting or tilting while maintaining simple elastic form fit attachment, resolving the contradiction between ease of mounting and positioning reproducibility
2Reliability
If high mounting forces are applied to secure the adapter, then the attachment becomes more secure, but the risk of unwanted disassembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter uses a dynamic latching mechanism with spring-loaded elements that automatically adjust to the mounting force applied. The latching device engages securely when mounted but allows easy release when appropriate force is applied, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of operation
3Ease of operation
If the adapter is made detachable for easy mounting, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability of consistent positioning may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates pre-configured positioning geometry and alignment features that automatically guide the adapter into the correct position during detachment and reattachment. This preliminary positioning action ensures that even when detached and remounted, the adapter returns to its exact original position, maintaining reliability while allowing detachable operation
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 adapter allows for simple, quick, and secure attachment of the sterile cover to the microscope objective in a single predetermined position, preventing twisting or tilting and maintaining consistent image quality during operations.
Implementation Method 1
the latching device (3) is configured and arranged for selectively increasing or reducing a diameter of the passage (D) and/or selectively moving into and/or out of the passage (D)... the latching device is provided and configured particularly for coming into undercutting latching engagement
Implementation Method 2
The adapter (1-3) has an alignment receptacle (4) which is designed to receive a corresponding engaging portion (A)... By the form fit between the alignment receptacle (4) on the adapter side and the engaging portion (A) on the microscope side, the adapter (1-3) can only be mounted on the objective (O) in a single position
Implementation Method 3
The adapter (1-3) has at least one biasing element which acts with an elastic force on the latching device (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting adapter for detachably attaching a sterile cover to an objective of a microscope includes a passage for inserting the objective. A drape-lens or light-transparent disc is arranged in the passage such that it adopts an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the passage. The mounting adapter includes a latching device for an axially holding of the mounting adapter on the objective inserted into the passage. A positioning geometry causes a reproducible target angular positioning or target rotational alignment of the mounting adapter on the objective by its axial attachment to fulfil its positioning function independently and separately from the latching device.