Objective Lens Mount with Sensor-Driven Crush Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing objective lens mounts with specimen protection are inadequate for preventing operator injury during automated microscopy, as they do not effectively stop motorized focusing drives when the spring range is exhausted, leaving a risk of finger crushing between the objective lens and the specimen.
Innovation Solution
An objective lens mount with a spring-mounted safety element and a sensor that maintains a stand-off-distance between the lens and the safety element, coupled with a drive control unit to stop motorized drives if contact is imminent, ensuring a safety margin to prevent crushing and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a spring-mounted retractable mounting tube is used for specimen protection, then damage to the specimen or objective lens is prevented during manual operation, but operator injury risk remains during automated focusing when the spring range is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
A sensor is introduced as an intermediary between the objective lens and the control system. The sensor detects the position of the mounting tube and generates an electrical signal that triggers the control unit to stop the motorized drive before the spring range is exhausted, thereby preventing operator injury while maintaining specimen protection
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback loop is established where the sensor continuously monitors the mounting tube position and communicates this information to the control unit. When the sensor detects that the mounting tube has reached a predetermined position (before the spring range is exhausted), it sends a signal to stop the motorized focusing drive, preventing further movement that could cause operator injury
2Reliability
If the mounting tube is made fully retractable for maximum protection, then specimen and lens protection is improved, but the working distance control precision deteriorates due to potential errors in retraction positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned and adjusted in advance to detect the mounting tube position at a predetermined point within the spring range. This preliminary positioning ensures that the control unit stops the motorized drive before the mounting tube reaches the end of its retraction travel, maintaining both protection capability and precise working distance control without relying on the mounting tube to travel its full retraction distance
3Reliability
If the spring range is extended to cover larger movements, then protection coverage is improved, but the force required to compress the spring increases, potentially causing operator injury before the spring range is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor and control unit are configured to stop the motorized drive at a predetermined position within the spring range, before the spring is fully compressed. This preliminary stopping action prevents the need to compress the spring to its full range, thereby limiting the maximum force encountered while still maintaining adequate protection coverage for the reduced travel distance
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary that interrupts the motorized drive's movement before the spring compression force becomes dangerous. By detecting the mounting tube position and signaling the control unit to stop the drive, the sensor prevents operator fingers from being subjected to excessive spring force while still providing protection coverage for the reduced travel distance
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
The solution provides effective crush protection and specimen protection by stopping motorized drives when the sensor detects proximity, preventing operator injury and maintaining a safe distance between the objective lens and the specimen, even during automated microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
For the purpose of maintaining a stand-off-distance between a front lens of the objective lens and the safety element a sensor is provided. The sensor is coupled with a drive control unit of the motorized microscope to stop the drive if the stand-off-distance is underrun.
Implementation Method 2
an inner, primarily spring-mounted, movable mounting tube, which contains the objective lens and which retracts relative to a rigid objective lens bell when contact is made with the objective lens
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an objective lens mount (39) with specimen protection and crush protection for objective lenses (4) on a microscope, consisting of an outer objective lens collar (1) having a unit (15) for mounting on an interface of the microscope, preferably on a microscope stand, and a safety element (22) arranged spring mounted and axially movable in the objective lens collar (1), which safety element contains the objective lens (4). According to the invention, in order to maintain a definable stand-off distance between the front lens (5) of the objective lens (4) and the safety element (22) in the objective lens mount (39), a sensor (6) is provided, coupled to a control unit.