Smartphone Microscope Adapter Ring Mount and Clamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptors for mounting image capture devices to optical viewing instruments, such as microscopes and telescopes, are not robust enough and often use expensive components, limiting their widespread adoption for image and video capture and transmission applications.
Innovation Solution
A modular adapter system that includes an observation tube ring mount and a circumferential clamp mechanism, allowing for easy installation and adjustment of image capture devices like smartphones on optical viewing instruments without adding or substituting lenses, enabling image and video capture and transmission while maintaining ocular magnification adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing adaptors are used to mount image capture devices to optical viewing instruments, then image capture capability is provided, but the adaptors are not robust enough and use expensive components
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is divided into multiple independent components: a ring mount that interfaces with the observation tube, a mount body that houses the image capture device, and a circumferential clamp mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately using cost-effective methods while maintaining overall structural robustness through precise inter-component interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring mount serves as an intermediary component that bridges the observation tube and the mount body without requiring direct integration. This intermediate element provides a standardized interface that enhances reliability while simplifying manufacturing, as the ring mount can be produced as a separate, optimized component rather than integrating all functions into a single expensive unit.
2Ease of operation
If a modular adapter system with circumferential clamp mechanism is used, then easy installation and adjustment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential clamp mechanism introduces dynamic adjustability to the otherwise static adaptor structure. The clamp can be opened and closed to facilitate easy installation and removal of the mount body, while also allowing for adjustments during operation. This dynamic element is designed to be simple in mechanism (a clamp that opens and closes) but provides significant operational ease, balancing the trade-off between simplicity and functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the adapter system allows ocular magnification adjustment, then functionality is enhanced, but the mounting system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mount body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate various image capture devices (smartphones, cameras, tablets) and works with different ocular magnifications. The circumferential clamp mechanism and ring mount interface are designed to be device-agnostic, allowing the same adaptor system to support multiple configurations without requiring additional components. This multi-functionality approach enhances versatility while avoiding the complexity of creating separate mounting systems for each device type or magnification level.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to methods and devices for mounting an image capture device to an optical viewing instrument such as a microscope, telescope, or binocular. More specifically, some embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus for mounting a smart phone to an observation tube of microscope. The optical viewing instrument may have an observation tube and an ocular attached thereto. The adapter may include an observation tube ring mount configured to be installed on the observation tube. An observation tube mount may be configured to engage with the installed ring mount. An image capture device holder may be configured to couple with the observation tube mount and configured to receive an image capture device. The image capture device may be a common device such as a smart phone. Optionally, a window may be included in the observation tube mount to facilitate viewing of ocular indicia.