Microscope Oblique Illumination Automatic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current microscope systems with oblique illumination units require manual operation to change the light emitting area, limiting user flexibility and efficiency in observing microscopic damage and irregularities on specimens.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with an oblique illumination unit that includes a rotatable input unit and an illumination controller to automatically change the light emitting area at regular intervals, allowing for continuous illumination and hands-free operation, enabling easier observation of specimen damage and irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual operation is used to change the light emitting area, then user control is maintained, but operation efficiency and flexibility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination controller automatically changes the light emitting area at regular intervals without requiring continuous manual input from the user. The system serves itself by autonomously rotating through different light emitting units, allowing users to perform other tasks hands-free while maintaining efficient observation capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic rotation of the light emitting area through regular interval changes controlled by the illumination controller. This periodic action automatically cycles through different light emitting units, improving operational efficiency by eliminating the need for continuous manual intervention while maintaining systematic observation coverage
2Ease of operation
If automatic rotation of light emitting area is implemented, then hands-free operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system. The illumination controller uses electrical/control signals to automatically switch between light emitting units, substituting the mechanical hand-switch operation with an automated electronic control mechanism that enables hands-free operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-arranges multiple light emitting units in an annular configuration around the objective lens, with their positions and switching sequences predetermined. This preliminary arrangement allows the automatic control system to efficiently rotate through different illumination areas without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thereby managing device complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light emitting units are arranged annularly, then illumination coverage is improved, but device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The oblique illumination unit is segmented into multiple independent light emitting units arranged annularly around the objective lens. Each unit can be independently controlled to emit light at different angular positions, providing versatile illumination coverage while maintaining a modular structure that manages complexity through functional segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The light emitting units are arranged in an annular configuration around the optical axis, adding a rotational dimension to the illumination system. This annular arrangement provides comprehensive angular coverage without significantly increasing linear space requirements, achieving versatile illumination while maintaining compact structural complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A microscope system includes: a stage on which a specimen is configured to be placed; an objective lens disposed so as to face the stage; an oblique illumination unit having a plurality of light emitting units arranged annularly around or outside the objective lens, the oblique illumination unit being configured to emit oblique illumination light for irradiating the specimen; an input unit configured to receive an instruction signal that instructs a rotation mode for changing, at regular intervals, a light emitting area where one or more light emitting units of the plurality of light emitting units are caused to emit the oblique illumination light; and an illumination controller configured to change the light emitting area at the regular intervals by controlling light emitting timing of each of the plurality of light emitting units when the input unit receives the instruction signal.