Microscope Objective Lens Units with Parfocal Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microscope systems face challenges when switching between multiple objective lenses with different parfocal distances, leading to potential image focus issues or lens contact with specimens due to varying withdrawal distances in the optical axis direction.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system design where multiple objective lens units are equipped with a raising mechanism and mounting devices, with pre-set equal distances from the mounting position to the focal positions, allowing for seamless exchange while maintaining parfocal distances, using adaptable components like mounting adaptors to compensate for size differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of objective lenses with different parfocal distances are used by switching them, then the observation flexibility is improved, but the image focus stability deteriorates because the withdrawal distance in the optical axis direction differs for each mounting device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mounting device interface that can accommodate multiple types of objective lenses with different parfocal distances. The mounting device is designed with a standardized attachment mechanism that ensures consistent optical axis positioning regardless of which objective lens is installed, allowing the system to maintain focus stability while supporting diverse lens types for flexible observation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts and standardizes the optical axis distance parameter from the mounting position to the focal position across all mounting devices. By controlling this critical parameter to be equal for all mounting devices in the plurality, the system enables seamless switching between different objective lenses while maintaining consistent focus, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and focus stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mounting device is exchanged with another mounting device, then the lens selection capability is improved, but the operation complexity increases due to the need to withdraw and reposition the mounting device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures all mounting devices with equal optical axis distances from their mounting positions to the focal positions of their respective objective lenses. This preliminary design decision eliminates the need for complex repositioning operations during lens exchanges, as the standardized interface ensures that mounting devices can be swapped without requiring adjustment of the optical axis position, thereby simplifying the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a standardized mounting device interface as an intermediary between the microscope body and various objective lenses. This intermediary component with fixed, equal optical axis distances acts as a mediator that simplifies the exchange process, allowing different mounting devices to be replaced without complex repositioning while maintaining consistent optical alignment.
3Volume of moving object
If the mounting device is moved back by the same distance after exchange, then the space constraint is satisfied, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases to ensure the image remains in focus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent standardizes the critical parameter of optical axis distance from the mounting position to the focal position across all mounting devices. By setting this parameter to be equal for all mounting devices, the system allows them to be moved back by the same distance after exchange without compromising focus precision, thereby satisfying space constraints while maintaining manufacturing precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an equipotential condition where all mounting devices have identical optical axis distances from their mounting positions to the focal positions. This equipotential design ensures that when mounting devices are exchanged and moved back by the same distance, they all return to equivalent focal positions, eliminating the need for high-precision individual adjustments and reducing the overall manufacturing precision burden.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of mounting devices are selectively exchanged while keeping the same parfocal distances for objective lenses among these mounting devices. A microscope system includes a microscope main unit and a plurality of attachable/detachable objective lens units that are selectively attached to the microscope main unit. The microscope main unit includes raising mechanism that can move the attached objective lens unit in an optical axis direction. The plurality of objective lens units have a revolver or a nosepiece that can be attached to the microscope main unit and an objective lens that can be mounted on the revolver or the nosepieces in an attachable/detachable manner. Distances from an attachment position in the microscope main unit for the revolver or the nosepiece to focal positions of the objective lenses are set to be mutually equal among the objective lens units.