JP2003029160A - Optical member changeover mechanism and microscope having the optical member changeover mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical member changeover mechanism, having superior operability and a microscope which have this optical member changeover mechanism. SOLUTION: This optical member changeover mechanism has a turret 40 which is rotatably supported at a cantilever arm section 30 constituting a portion of a microscopic body, a plurality of fluorescent filter blocks 45 which can be selectively arranged on an observation optical axis L and a positioning mechanism which obstructs the rotation of the turret 40, when the fluorescent filter blocks 45 are arranged on the observation optical axis L. An operating rod 75, movable in the radial direction of the turret 40, is held in a holding section 70 formed at the cantilever arm section 30 and projections 72a and 72b, which obstruct the rotation of the turret 40 by fitting to the operating rod 75, when the fluorescent filter blocks 45 are arranged on the observation optical axis L, is formed integrally with the turret 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical member switching mechanism and a microscope having an optical member switching mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a turret rotatably supported on a microscope main body, and a plurality of fluorescent lights which are mounted on the turret and can be selectively arranged on an optical axis of an observation optical system (hereinafter referred to as an observation optical axis). An optical member switching mechanism having a filter block is known.

By the way, the operator of the microscope rotates the turret by hand to arrange the fluorescent filter blocks of different wavelength ranges on the observation optical axis or rotate the turret in the forward and reverse directions during observation. 2 adjacent wavelengths are different
One fluorescent filter block is switched to another, or a place where the fluorescent filter block is not mounted is provided in the turret, and the turret is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to switch between an adjacent fluorescent filter block and a position where the fluorescent filter block is not mounted.

In the above observation, it is necessary to accurately arrange the fluorescent filter block on the observation optical axis.

For this reason, this optical member switching mechanism is provided with a click mechanism for determining the stop position of the turret so that the fluorescent filter block is accurately arranged on the observation optical axis.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a conventional turret.

The turret 140 has a disk shape, and a shaft 141 of the turret 140 is rotatably supported by the microscope body 100.

A part of the turret 140 is exposed to the outside of the microscope body, and the turret 140 can be rotated only by manually applying a tangential force to the part of the turret 140.

A plurality of turrets 140 (6 in FIG. 5) are provided.
Individual) circular holes 142 are formed at equal intervals along a virtual circle centered on the shaft 141.

The observation optical axis L passing through the objective lens is the optical axis L of the illumination optical system through which the illumination light emitted from the light source (not shown) passes.
Orthogonal to 1. An aperture stop 133 and a lens 132 that form an illumination system are arranged on the optical axis L1.

A V groove 143 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the turret 140.
Are formed at equal intervals (every 60 °). V groove 143
Is located on a line extending from the center of the shaft 141 through the center O of the round hole 142.

One end of a leaf spring 105 is supported on the microscope body 100. A steel ball 106 is attached to the other end of the leaf spring 105.
Are supported by welding, and the steel ball 106 is constantly urged to the outer peripheral surface of the turret 140 by the elastic force of the leaf spring 105.

The leaf spring 105, the steel ball 106, and the V groove 143 constitute a click mechanism, and the steel ball 106 is dropped into the V groove 143 to position the turret 140.

[0014]

However, the above-mentioned click mechanism has the following problems.

When the elastic force of the leaf spring 105 is weak, when the observer touches the turret 140 during observation, the V groove 1
When the steel ball 106 rolls out from the 43 and the turret 140 rotates, or when the turret 140 is rotated, the steel ball 106 does not stop at the V groove 143 and goes over the V groove 143 depending on the force input. , Turret 140
The filter or the like attached to the may shift from the desired position, and the turret 140 may not be easily stopped at the correct position.

On the other hand, when the elastic force of the leaf spring 105 is strong, the steel balls 106 are strongly pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the turret 140, so that the turret 140 becomes difficult to rotate.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an optical member switching mechanism excellent in operability and a microscope including the optical member switching mechanism.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is a rotary plate rotatably supported by a microscope main body about an axis parallel to the optical axis of an observation optical system. Prevents rotation of the rotary plate when any of a plurality of optical members that are mounted on the rotary plate and can be selectively arranged on the optical axis of the observation optical system are arranged on the optical axis of the observation optical system. In the optical member switching mechanism, the positioning mechanism is provided on the rotary plate and is movable on the rotary plate in the radial direction, and the rotary plate is fitted to the slider part. And a fitting member that prevents forward and reverse rotation of the.

After rotating the rotating plate to arrange the optical member in the wavelength range to be observed on the optical axis, the slider portion is moved inward in the radial direction to fit the slider portion with the fitting member. It can reliably prevent rotation.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the optical member switching mechanism according to the first aspect, the rotary plate is provided on the rotary plate, and engages with the slider portion on the outer side in the radial direction with respect to the fitting member. It is characterized in that it is provided with an engaging member for limiting a rotation angle.

The slider portion is moved to a position where it can be engaged with the engaging member, and the rotating plate is rotated in the forward and reverse directions so that two adjacent optical members are alternately arranged on the optical axis. As a result, the two optical members can be switched and observed by simply rotating the rotating plate in the forward and reverse directions.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a microscope including the optical member switching mechanism according to the first or second aspect.

The observation method can be changed simply by changing the amount of movement of the slider section which constitutes the optical member switching mechanism.
The operability of the microscope during microscope observation is improved.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an upright microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The upright microscope (microscope) 1 includes a base portion 10, a support portion 20, a cantilever arm portion 30, a turret 40, a focusing vertical moving mechanism 50, and a lens barrel 60. . The base unit 10, the support unit 20, and the cantilever arm unit 30 form a microscope body.

The base portion 10 comprises lenses 11, 12, and 13, an aperture stop 14 and a total reflection mirror 15.

The total reflection mirror 15 is set to 4 with respect to the observation optical axis L.
It is inclined 5 °.

A transillumination lamp house 16 is provided on the back surface of the base portion 10. The lamp house 16 accommodates a lamp 17 such as a halogen lamp.

Lenses 11, 12, 13 and aperture stop 14
The transmission illumination system is composed of.

The focusing vertical moving mechanism 50 is supported by a linear guide mechanism (not shown) so as to be vertically movable along the supporting column 20, and includes a stage 51.

The stage 51 can be moved in the direction of the observation optical axis L by a focus operation knob (not shown), and can be moved by the stage operation knob (not shown).
It can move in the direction orthogonal to.

A condenser lens 55 is attached to the focusing vertical moving mechanism 50.

The cantilever arm portion 30 is provided with lenses 31, 32, an aperture stop 33 and a turret 40.

A lamp house 35 for epi-illumination is provided on the back surface of the cantilever arm portion 30. A lamp 36 such as a mercury lamp is housed in the epi-illumination lamp house 35.

The lenses 31, 32 and the aperture stop 33 constitute an epi-fluorescence illumination system.

An objective lens 70 is attached to the lower portion of the cantilever arm portion 30.

The lens barrel 60 having the eyepiece 61 is attached to the upper portion of the cantilever arm 30.

A second objective lens 62 and prisms 63 and 64 are provided in the lens barrel 60, and an eyepiece lens 65 is provided in the eyepiece section 61.

Second objective lens 62, prisms 63, 6
4. The image forming optical system is composed of the eyepiece lens 65.

The turret 40 has a disc shape, and a shaft 41 of the turret 40 is rotatably supported by the cantilever arm 30.

The axis 41 of the turret 40 and the observation optical axis L are parallel to each other.

A plurality of fluorescent filter blocks 45 are attached to the turret 40. Fluorescent filter block 4
5 is a dichroic mirror 46 and an excitation filter 47.
And an absorption filter 48. The dichroic mirror 46 is inclined at 45 ° with respect to the observation optical axis L.

2 to 4 are end views of the turret, FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which the turret can freely rotate, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotation of the turret is blocked, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the rotation angle of the turret is limited.

A part of the turret 40 is a cantilever arm part 3.
It is exposed to the outside of the turret 40, and the turret 40 can be rotated only by manually applying a tangential force to a part of the turret 40.

On the outer peripheral edge of the turret 40, three arc-shaped projections (engaging members) 71, which come into contact with an operation rod (slider portion) 75 described later and limit the rotation angle of the turret 40, are equally spaced (of the turret 40). They are provided at intervals of about 60 ° in the rotation direction.

The arcuate protrusion 71 extends in the circumferential direction at an angle of approximately 60 ° in the rotation direction of the turret 40, and is formed integrally with the turret 40.

Six fitting members 72, which are fitted to the operating rod 75 and prevent rotation of the turret 40, are arranged at equal intervals (approximately 60 in the rotation direction of the turret 40) radially inward of the arc-shaped projection 71 of the turret 40. Are provided at intervals of °).

A plurality of turrets 40 (six in FIG. 2)
Round holes 42 are formed at equal intervals along an imaginary circle centered on the shaft 41.

Each fitting member 72 is a pair of projections 72a, 72b into which the operating rod 75 can be fitted, and is formed integrally with the turret 40.

The fitting member 72 is formed between the adjacent round holes 42.

The operating rod 75 has a turret 4 in a through hole 73 penetrating the holding portion 70 formed in the cantilever arm 30.
It is held so as to be movable in the radial direction of 0. Operating rod 75
A spherical knob 7 for operating the operating rod 75 at one end of the
4 are provided integrally.

A long groove 76 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the middle of the operating rod 75. On the bottom surface of the long groove 76, three recesses 76a, 76b, 76c are formed.

A hole 77 extending in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the through hole 73 is formed in the holding portion 70, and a steel ball 78 capable of fitting with the recesses 76a, 76b, 76c is urged in the hole 77. A compression spring 79 is housed therein.

The recesses 76a, 76b, 76c, the steel balls 78 and the compression spring 79 constitute a click mechanism, and the movement of the operating rod 75 is prevented by making the steel balls 78 fall into any of the recesses 76a, 76b, 76c. To do.

According to this click mechanism, when the operating rod 75 is fitted in the concave portion 76a, the operating rod 75 moves the turret 4.
When the operating rod 75 is fitted into the recess 76b, the operating rod 75 moves to the second position where it engages with the arcuate protrusion 71 (see FIG. 2). 4), when the operating rod 75 fits into the recess 76c, the operating rod 75 moves to the third position where it fits into the protrusions 72a and 72b (see FIG. 3).

Therefore, by adjusting the movement amount of the operating rod 75, the fitting state with the fitting member 72 and the engagement state with the arcuate projection 71 can be changed, and the operating rod 75 can be fitted with the fitting member 72. Turret 40 by fitting to
Can be accurately fixed to a desired position, and the turret 40 can be prevented from rotating during observation.

When performing epi-illumination fluorescent illumination observation, the lamp 36 of the epi-illumination lamp house 35 is turned on.

At this time, the lamp 17 of the transillumination lamp house 16 is turned off.

Further, the operation rod 75 is moved to the first position and the turret 40 is rotated by hand to arrange the fluorescence filter block 45 corresponding to the wavelength region to be observed on the observation optical axis L.

After that, the operation rod 75 is moved to the third position so that the turret 40 cannot be manually rotated.

The light emitted from the lamp 36 passes through the epi-illumination system and the excitation filter 47, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 46, passes through the objective lens 70, and is irradiated onto the sample 52 on the stage 51 from above.

The fluorescence generated in the sample 52 to which the fluorescent reagent has been added passes through the objective lens 70 and passes through the dichroic mirror 4.
6, the absorption filter 48, and the second objective lens 62.

The fluorescence passes through the second objective lens 62, is guided to the eyepiece section 61 via prisms 63 and 64, and the eyepiece section 6
Image at 1.

The formed image is magnified by the eyepiece lens 65 and observed by the operator's eye M.

When observing with illumination light having a wavelength different from the above, first move the operating rod 75 to the first position and rotate the turret 40 by hand to observe the fluorescent filter block 45 corresponding to the wavelength range to be observed. It is arranged on the optical axis L.

After that, the operating rod 75 is again moved to the third position so that the turret 40 cannot be manually rotated.

For observation, there is also a method in which the turret 40 is rotated in the forward and reverse directions to switch between two adjacent fluorescent filter blocks 45 having different wavelengths.

The operation rod 75 is moved to the first position and the turret 40 is rotated by hand to select two fluorescent filter blocks 45 corresponding to a plurality of wavelength regions to be observed, and then the operation rod 75 is moved to the second position. Move to the position of turret 40
Are allowed to rotate only within the range of 60 ° between the adjacent arc-shaped protrusions 71.

When the turret 40 is rotated and the operation rod 75 is alternately brought into contact with the end face of the arcuate projection 71, the two fluorescent filter blocks 45 are alternately switched.

For example, in FIG. 4, the operating rod 75 is locked by the end face B of the arcuate projection 71, and the filter block 45A is arranged on the observation optical axis L. When the turret 40 is rotated in the clockwise direction from this state, the operation rod 75 is locked by the end faces B of the adjacent arcuate projections 71, and the observation optical axis L is reached.
The filter block 45B is arranged above.

The end surface of the arc-shaped projection 71 is the operating rod 7.
When it comes into contact with 5, the contact state is maintained by a click mechanism (not shown), and the accurate positions of the fluorescence filter block 45 and the observation optical axis L are set.

When the end surface of the arcuate projection 71 comes into contact with the operating rod 75, a steel ball forming a click mechanism (not shown) falls into the V groove.

Most preferably, when the steel ball falls into the V-groove, the steel ball does not move from the bottom of the V-groove (the steel ball goes over the bottom of the V-groove and climbs the wall surface of the V-groove). When the steel ball falls into the V groove, the side surface of the operating rod 75 has an arcuate projection 71.
By forming the arcuate projection 71 so as to contact the end surface of the steel ball, the movement of the steel ball from the bottom of the V groove can be prevented.

The arcuate projection 71 may be formed so that when the steel ball falls into the V groove, the steel ball does not jump out of the V groove even if the steel ball moves from the bottom of the V groove.

Further, the fluorescent filter block 45 is not attached to one of the round holes 42 of the turret 40, and the fluorescent filter block 45 and the fluorescent filter block 4 are processed in the same manner as above.
Fluorescence observation and bright field observation can be performed by switching the round hole 42 to which 5 is not attached. At this time, if the bright field observation is used for focusing and then the fluorescent observation for which the image is dark and it is difficult to focus is performed, the fluorescent observation becomes easy.

At the time of observation with transmitted illumination, the lamp 17 of the transmitted illumination system lamp house 16 is turned on. At this time,
The lamp 36 of the epi-illumination system lamp house 35 is turned off. Further, on the observation optical axis L, the fluorescence filter block 45 is provided.
The round hole 42 not attached is positioned.

The light emitted from the lamp 17 passes through the transmissive illumination system, passes through the condenser lens 55, and is irradiated onto the sample 52 on the stage 51 from below.

The light transmitted through the sample 52 is the objective lens 7
0, passes through the round hole 42, and is guided to the second objective lens 62.

The light passes through the second objective lens 62 and is guided to the eyepiece section 61 via the prisms 63 and 64.
To form an image.

The formed image is magnified by the eyepiece lens 65 and observed by the operator's eye M.

According to this embodiment, the rotation of the turret 40 can be prevented and the fluorescent filter block 45 in the desired wavelength region can be reliably maintained on the observation optical axis L with a simple structure in which the operation rod 75 is moved. Moreover, when the fluorescent filter block 45 is arranged on the observation optical axis L, the turret 40 does not come into contact with the operating rod 75, so that the fluorescent filter block 45 can be swiftly rotated and the operability is improved.

Further, since the rotation angle of the turret 40 can be limited only by moving the operation rod 75, the turret 4
The two fluorescence filter blocks 45 can be switched and observed simply by rotating 0 forward and backward, and the operability is further improved.

In the above embodiment, the present invention has been described by taking the turret 40 arranged between the objective lens 70 and the second objective lens 62 as an example, but it is used for switching the filter below the condenser lens 55. May be applied to the turret.

Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the invention of the present application is applied to the turret 40 has been described, but the invention can be applied to a revolver other than the turret 40. In this case, an objective lens is attached to the round hole.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an upright microscope has been described, but the invention can be similarly applied to an inverted microscope.

[0087]

As described above, according to the optical member switching mechanism and the microscope having the optical member switching mechanism of the present invention, the rotating plate can be stopped accurately at a desired position, and the operability is improved. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an upright microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the turret, showing the turret in a freely rotatable state.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the turret, showing a state in which rotation of the turret is blocked.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the turret, showing a state in which the rotation angle of the turret is limited.

FIG. 5 is an end view of a conventional turret.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Upright Microscope (Microscope) 40 Turret (Rotating Plate) 45, 45A, 45B Fluorescent Filter Block (Optical Member) 71 Arc-Shaped Protrusion (Engaging Member) 72 Fitting Member 75 Operation Rod (Slider Part)

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Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A rotary plate rotatably supported by a microscope main body about an axis parallel to an optical axis of an observation optical system, and a rotary plate mounted on the rotary plate and selectively placed on the optical axis of the observation optical system. In an optical member switching mechanism having a positioning mechanism that blocks rotation of the rotary plate when any of a plurality of disposable optical members is arranged on the optical axis of the observation optical system, the positioning mechanism is And a slider member that is movable in the radial direction of the rotary plate, and a fitting member that is provided on the rotary plate and that fits with the slider unit to prevent forward and reverse rotation of the rotary plate. Optical member switching mechanism. 2. An engaging member, which is provided on the rotating plate, and which engages with the slider portion radially outside of the fitting member to limit a rotation angle of the rotating plate. The optical member switching mechanism according to claim 1. 3. A microscope comprising the optical member switching mechanism according to claim 1 or 2.