Vibrating Microtome Knife Alignment via Synchronized Light Barrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vibrating microtomes require time-consuming and cumbersome manual adjustments to minimize vertical runout, which results in wave-like patterns in sections due to knife misalignment, especially when dealing with short-lived samples.
Innovation Solution
An electronic measurement system that generates control application signals based on knife vibration data to accurately determine transverse offset, using a light barrier and control signals to synchronize measurements with vibration maxima, thereby simplifying and speeding up the alignment process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of knife alignment is used to minimize vertical runout, then measurement precision can be achieved, but alignment time becomes excessively long and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electronic measurement and control system. The light barrier (optical system) automatically detects the cutting edge position, and the control system automatically adjusts the knife alignment based on measured values, eliminating time-consuming manual operations while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system enables the knife alignment process to be self-regulating. The system automatically measures the vertical runout, compares it against target values, and adjusts the knife position without requiring operator intervention, making the alignment process autonomous and significantly faster.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment procedures are used for knife alignment, then measurement capability is available, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome adjustment processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual mechanical adjustment procedures with an automated electronic system. The light barrier provides automatic optical detection of the cutting edge position, and the control system automatically processes measurements and executes adjustments, transforming a cumbersome mechanical process into a simple automated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic measurement and control system as an intermediary between the operator and the knife alignment process. This intermediary automatically performs measurements using the light barrier and executes adjustments based on pre-programmed criteria, simplifying the operator's task to merely initiating and monitoring the automated process.
3Productivity
If conventional measurement methods are used without vibration synchronization, then measurement capability is provided, but measurement precision decreases due to vibration-induced signal fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic sampling of the light barrier signal synchronized with the knife vibration cycle. By taking measurements at specific phases of the vibration period (when the cutting edge is at extreme positions), the system captures accurate transverse offset information while rejecting vibration-induced noise, thereby maintaining high measurement precision during rapid vibration-based alignment.
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
This approach significantly increases the accuracy and repeatability of vertical runout measurement, allowing for rapid and reliable alignment across various vibration amplitudes and frequencies, reducing wave-like patterns in sections.
Implementation Method 1
a light barrier into which the cutting edge is placeable, the light barrier being oriented in a direction parallel to the section plane and the cutting edge partially covering the light beam of the light barrier; the fluctuation over time of the measured signal derived from the light barrier
Data Source
AI summary
A vibrating microtome and measuring device for measuring the transverse offset of a vibrating knife comprises a light barrier into which the knife is placeable and a control application signal (pklo, pkhi) that describes the time course of the vibration of the knife and an electronic measurement system of the measuring device measures the coverage of the light barrier as an oscillating signal (tpm), and determines the transverse offset from the signal values at points in time that are defined by the control application signal.