Microscopy Assembly With Monolithic Optical Pathways for Precise Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopy assemblies are complex and time-consuming to assemble, require multiple components leading to tolerance stackup and degraded performance, and involve intricate alignment and distance sensing mechanisms that need reference inputs and are sensitive to power interruptions.
Innovation Solution
The microscopy assembly features a monolithic body with integrated optical pathways, modular inserts for easy alignment and stray light reduction, a distance sensor that directly measures positions without reference inputs, and a motor with reduced mechanical positioning errors, enabling efficient assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional microscopy assemblies use multiple sub-components, then the assembly can be disassembled and reconfigured, but the assembly becomes complex and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The microscopy assembly is divided into a monolithic body and separate modular inserts. The monolithic body contains the objective lens and optical pathways, while modular inserts contain optical devices like mirrors and light sources. This segmentation allows the assembly to be configured in different ways while simplifying the monolithic body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple components including the objective lens, optical pathways, and mounting structures are merged into a single monolithic body. This integration reduces the number of parts and eliminates tolerance stackup while maintaining the ability to reconfigure through modular inserts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used in conventional microscopy assemblies, then functionality can be achieved, but tolerance stackup degrades performance
Solution Approach 1:
The objective lens, optical pathways, and structural support are combined into a single monolithic body, eliminating tolerance stackup between multiple components. This ensures precise alignment of optical axes while maintaining functional capability through modular inserts.
Solution Approach 2:
The monolithic body self-aligns optical components during manufacturing since there are no assembly steps involved. The integrated structure inherently maintains precise geometric relationships between optical elements without requiring post-assembly alignment procedures.
3Measurement precision
If conventional distance sensors are used, then relative positions can be measured, but reference inputs are required which increase alignment time
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor directly measures the distance between the objective lens and the monolithic body without requiring reference inputs or manual alignment procedures. The sensor is integrated into the monolithic body structure, enabling automatic distance detection that reduces alignment time while maintaining measurement precision.
4Measurement precision
If conventional distance sensors are used, then position measurement is possible, but operation stops when power is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The distance sensor is designed to maintain operation during power interruptions through passive measurement capabilities. The sensor continuously monitors the distance between the objective lens and monolithic body without requiring active power supply, ensuring operational continuity and reliable position detection even when power is halted.
5Ease of operation
If mechanical movement mechanisms are used for positioning optical devices, then adjustment is possible, but mechanical positioning errors and backlash occur
Solution Approach 1:
Mechanical positioning mechanisms are replaced with direct optical coupling between the objective lens and the monolithic body. The integrated structure eliminates mechanical interfaces that cause backlash and positioning errors, while adjustment capability is maintained through the modular insert system.
Solution Approach 2:
The objective lens and monolithic body are optically coupled through direct contact or fixed positioning, eliminating mechanical movement mechanisms. This integration removes sources of mechanical error and backlash while maintaining positioning accuracy through the precision-machined monolithic structure.
6Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional assemblies require anodization and complex machining, then stray light reduction is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monolithic body is precision-machined as a single integrated component with built-in stray light reduction features. The integrated design incorporates light-blocking structures and optical pathways that eliminate the need for separate anodization processes, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining stray light reduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Chemical surface treatment processes like anodization are replaced with precision mechanical machining of the monolithic body. The integrated structure includes built-in light-blocking features and optical pathways that achieve stray light reduction through geometry rather than chemical surface modification, simplifying the manufacturing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A microscopy assembly may comprise an objective lens defining an imaging path axis, one or more light sources, and a microscopy body, wherein the microscopy body defines an objective optical pathway having an objective optical axis, the monolithic microscopy body defines a light source optical pathway having a light source optical axis, the light source optical axis is transverse to the objective optical axis, the objective lens is optically coupled to the objective optical pathway, and each light source of the one or more light sources is optically coupled to the light source pathway.