Observation Device Numerical Aperture Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing observation devices face challenges in achieving a compact and lightweight design while maintaining high-speed and silent switching of the observation scope, and ensuring necessary and sufficient observation image performance.

Innovation Solution

The observation device incorporates a numerical aperture changing unit, controlled by a control unit, which adjusts the numerical aperture of the imaging optical system to change the observation scope electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical driving units and allowing for a larger margin of observation scope change without compromising image performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical driving units are used to change observation scope, then observation scope switching is achieved, but device size and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation scope switchingVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical driving units with an electronic numerical aperture changing mechanism. The control unit adjusts the numerical aperture of the imaging optical system electronically, eliminating the need for mechanical moving parts to change observation scope, thereby reducing device weight and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the numerical aperture parameter of the imaging optical system to achieve observation scope switching. By electronically adjusting the numerical aperture rather than mechanically moving components, the device achieves scope changes without increasing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical driving units are used to change observation scope, then observation scope switching is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation scope switchingVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical driving units with a simple electronic control system that adjusts the numerical aperture. This substitution significantly reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to switch observation scopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If mechanical driving units are used to change observation scope, then observation scope switching is achieved, but switching speed decreases and noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation scope switchingVSAvoidswitching speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical driving units with an electronic numerical aperture adjustment mechanism. Electronic control enables faster switching speeds and eliminates mechanical noise, while still achieving observation scope changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If observation scope is changed by extracting part of image information, then observation scope changes, but image performance may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation scope changing processVSAvoidobservation image performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the numerical aperture parameter of the imaging optical system to achieve observation scope changes while maintaining image performance. By adjusting the optical parameter rather than merely extracting image portions, the system preserves necessary image quality for the specified scope.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10897580B2Observation device that controls numerical aperture in accordance with specified observation scope

Publication Date: 2021.01.19 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

An observation device 1 includes an imaging optical system 8 that forms an image on the basis of light from sample S, an aperture diaphragm 2 that changes a numerical aperture on an emission side of the imaging optical system 8, a camera 5 that converts the image of the sample into image signals, the image of the sample being formed by the imaging optical system 8, an observation scope changing unit that performs an observation scope changing process in which an observation scope is changed to a specified scope by changing an extraction scope, the extraction scope being a scope from which the image signals obtained by the camera 5 are extracted, a monitor 33 that displays the image signals from the specified scope obtained through the observation scope changing process, and a control unit that controls the aperture diaphragm 2 in accordance with the specified observation scope.