Microscope Zoom Control for Seamless Magnification Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Microscopes that use both objective lens switching and zoom lens mechanisms face operability challenges when changing magnification, as users must manually switch lenses, leading to cumbersome operations and a high risk of missing observation positions, especially when magnification changes significantly with objective lens switching.
Innovation Solution
A microscope system with a zoom instructing section, a zoom section, a switching section, and a switching control section that consecutively changes magnification using the zoom lens and intermittently switches objective lenses, maintaining total magnification by determining and adjusting the zoom magnification to match the target magnification after lens switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the magnification is changed using the objective lens switching mechanism, then the magnification can be significantly changed, but the observation field of view changes greatly causing the user to miss the observation position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a field of view adjustment mechanism that acts as an intermediary between objective lens switching and the observation field. When the objective lens is switched, the field of view adjustment mechanism automatically adjusts the magnification of the auxiliary lens to keep the observation field of view substantially unchanged, thereby preventing the user from missing the observation position while still achieving significant magnification changes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the control unit detects the switching of the objective lens and automatically adjusts the auxiliary lens magnification in response. This feedback loop ensures that the observation field of view remains stable during magnification changes, resolving the contradiction between achieving large magnification changes and maintaining observation position
2Ease of operation
If the zoom lens is used to change magnification, then the magnification can be linearly changed and the observation position is maintained, but the zoom lens reaches the upper or lower limit of the zoom range requiring manual switching of objective lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to automatically switch objective lenses when the zoom lens reaches its upper or lower limit. The control unit detects the zoom limit condition and automatically switches the objective lens without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining ease of operation even at the boundaries of the zoom range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares multiple objective lenses with different magnifications in advance, arranged in the lens revolver. When the zoom lens approaches its limits, the system can seamlessly switch to another objective lens that has been pre-positioned, allowing continuous magnification adjustment without operational interruptions
3Adaptability or versatility
If both objective lens switching and zoom lens mechanisms are used, then the magnification range can be widened and linear changes are enabled, but the operability becomes cumbersome when manual switching is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of switching objective lenses with an automated control system. The control unit automatically detects when the zoom lens reaches its limits and triggers the lens revolver to switch to the appropriate objective lens, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining smooth operability throughout the entire magnification range
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 within a magnification changeable range. An electric revolver 24 switches an objective lens placed in an observation optical path to intermittently change the magnification for the sample. A control section 34 calculates a total magnification based on the 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 controls the electric revolver 24 such that the objective lens placed in the observation optical path is switched when the magnification changed in response to the operation of causing the magnification of the electric zoom 21 to be changed falls outside the magnification changeable range of the electric zoom 21. The control section 34 determines a target magnification that is a 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. An electric zoom control section 32 controls the electric zoom 21 such 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.