Separate Microscopy System with Kinematic Adjustment Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional microscopy systems face difficulties in precision adjustment due to the direct connection of ocular-lens and objective-lens units, which results in challenges with alignment, weight, and magnification rates, leading to issues with observing specimens within the visual field.
Innovation Solution
A separate microscopy system is designed with an ocular-lens unit, an adjustment unit, and an objective-lens unit, where the ocular-lens unit is adjusted to be perpendicular to the stage, and the adjustment unit, such as a kinematic mount, is used to coaxially align the ocular-lens, objective-lens, and imaging device axes, allowing for independent adjustment of the objective-lens unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the ocular-lens unit and objective-lens unit are directly connected in a conventional microscopy system, then the system structure is simple, but the adjustment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in individually adjusting either unit
Solution Approach 1:
The microscopy system is divided into separate ocular-lens unit and objective-lens unit that can be independently adjusted. The ocular-lens unit is adjusted to be perpendicular to the stage, while the objective-lens unit is adjusted coaxially with the ocular-lens optical axis, allowing independent precision adjustment of each unit without affecting the other.
2Speed
If the ocular-lens unit is made longer to accommodate high magnification, then the magnification capability is improved, but the weight increases making adjustment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the magnification function into two independent units: the ocular-lens unit with longer length for magnification and the objective-lens unit with shorter length for high magnification capability. This segmentation allows the heavier ocular-lens unit to be fixed in position while only the lighter objective-lens unit needs adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If high magnification rate is used in the objective-lens unit, then the observation detail is improved, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to difficulty in coaxial adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment process is segmented into two independent steps: first adjusting the ocular-lens unit to be perpendicular to the stage, then adjusting the objective-lens unit to be coaxial with the ocular-lens optical axis. This segmentation simplifies the alignment process and improves both ocular-lens and objective-lens alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The ocular-lens optical axis serves as an intermediary reference for aligning the objective-lens unit. By first establishing the ocular-lens optical axis perpendicular to the stage, this axis becomes a stable reference that guides the subsequent coaxial adjustment of the objective-lens unit.
4Measurement precision
If the ocular-lens unit is adjusted to align with the specimen, then the visual field alignment is improved, but the adjustment time increases due to the need for precise manual alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment process is divided into two independent sequential steps that can be performed systematically: first aligning the ocular-lens unit perpendicular to the stage, then aligning the objective-lens unit coaxially with the ocular-lens. This segmented approach reduces the complexity and time required for manual adjustment compared to simultaneous alignment of both units.
Data Source
AI summary
A separate microscopy system, applied to observe a specimen positioned on a stage and further to image the specimen on an imaging device, includes an ocular-lens unit, an adjustment unit and an objective-lens unit. The ocular-lens unit has an ocular-lens optical axis, and is manipulated to make the ocular-lens optical axis perpendicular to the stage. The adjustment unit is assembled to a side of the ocular-lens unit close to the stage. The objective-lens unit has an objective-lens optical axis, and is assembled to a side of the adjustment unit close to the stage. The objective-lens unit is manipulated to be adjusted by the adjustment unit to make the ocular-lens optical axis, the objective-lens optical axis and the imaging device co-axially and perpendicular to the stage, such that the specimen can be imaged at an imaging center position of the imaging device. In addition, an adjusting method thereof is also provided.