JP2005115273A - Optical element switching device for microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical element switching device for a microscope capable of satisfactorily performing various types of observation including dark field observation, and also, which is obtained at low cost by eliminating the duplication of optical elements. <P>SOLUTION: Regarding the microscope capable of switching a plurality of observation methods such as a basic bright and dark field observation method and an observation method by an interchangeable cube, a lens holding member 23 is rotated cooperatively with the shift of a cube holding member 12 holding a bright and dark field observation cube 11 and the interchangeable cube 17, then, an illumination lens 25 is inserted/retreated to/from the optical path of an illumination optical system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a switching device for optical element units for various observations arranged on an optical path of an illumination optical system of a microscope.

  Conventionally, there are various observation methods such as bright-field observation, dark-field observation, DIC (differential interference) observation, fluorescence observation, etc., and generally supports various observations on the optical path of the illumination optical system. By changing the arrangement of the optical element units (hereinafter referred to as cubes), it is possible to perform speculum using a plurality of observation methods.

  FIG. 14 explains the arrangement of optical elements on the optical path of the illumination optical system in the bright field observation, dark field observation, and fluorescence observation.

  In this case, in the illumination optical system for bright field observation shown in FIG. 5A, the illumination lens 2, the brightness diaphragm 3, the field diaphragm 4, the illumination lenses 5, 6 and the bright lenses are arranged on the optical path of the illumination light from the light source 1. A field cube 7 is arranged. The illumination light emitted from the light source 1 passes through the illumination lens 2, the brightness stop 3, the field stop 4, and the illumination lenses 5 and 6 and enters the bright field cube 7. The bright field cube 7 has a half mirror 7a, reflects the light from the illumination lens 6 to the sample side by the half mirror 7a, illuminates the sample by an objective lens (not shown), and observes the observation light (from the sample). Return light) is passed through the objective lens, and this time is transmitted through the half mirror 7a and guided to the observation optical path side.

  In the fluorescence observation illumination optical system shown in FIG. 5C, the arrangement of the optical elements on the optical path from the light source 1 to the fluorescence cube 9 is the same as that in the bright field observation described above. The fluorescent cube 9 has an excitation filter 9a, a barrier filter 9b, and a dichroic mirror 9c. Light from the illumination lens 6 is incident on the dichroic mirror 9c through the excitation filter 9a, and the dichroic mirror 9c causes the sample side. The reflected light and the observation light (return light from the sample) are transmitted through the dichroic mirror 9c and the barrier filter 9b and guided to the observation optical path side.

  On the other hand, in the illumination optical system for dark field observation shown in FIG. 5B, the arrangement of optical elements on the optical path from the light source 1 to the dark field cube 8 is bright field observation except that the illumination lens 6 does not exist. It is the same as the case of. In other words, in the dark field observation, unlike ordinary illumination methods such as bright field observation and fluorescence observation, the illumination lens 6 is necessary depending on the design of the illumination optical system because the annular illumination is performed by removing the central portion of the light beam. And not. Or, conversely, there may be a difference in the optical system in which an illumination lens is required only during dark field observation.

  In view of this, in the microscope capable of spectroscopic imaging by switching the cubes corresponding to the various observations described above, the illumination lens 8a as indicated by the dotted line only in the dark field cube 8 is used in order to avoid lens overlap. The other bright field cubes 7 and fluorescent cubes 9 are configured not to have an illumination lens.

  However, since dark field observation is annular illumination and does not use most of the central part of the light beam, the amount of light is absolutely smaller than bright field observation or the like. Therefore, when the illumination lens 8a is provided in the dark field cube 8, a sufficient amount of light cannot be obtained due to a loss of light amount in the illumination lens 8a, and dark field observation becomes dark. In addition, if the illumination lenses are provided in the bright field cube 7 and the fluorescent cube 9 instead of the dark field cube 8 in order to brighten the dark field observation, the illumination lenses are overlapped. In general, the optical element is expensive, and duplication of illumination lenses increases the cost of the microscope.

On the other hand, as a microscope switching mechanism capable of performing various conventional observation methods, for example, the one disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses a type in which various observation cubes are detachably held, the observation cubes can be positioned at predetermined positions, and the cubes can be easily replaced.
Japanese Patent No. 2945114

  However, Patent Document 1 discloses various observation cubes that are detachably held so that each cube can be easily replaced. Regarding the problems in the case where dark field observation is dark, nothing is disclosed about means for solving these problems.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can perform various observations including dark field observation favorably, and also eliminates duplication of optical elements and can be made inexpensive in price. An object is to provide a switching device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the optical element unit holding means holding a plurality of optical element units corresponding to various observation methods, the optical element unit holding means are moved, and the optical element unit is selectively used in a microscope. A moving means for inserting / removing the optical element in the optical path of the illumination optical system; an optical element holding means for holding the optical element; and the optical element holding means is moved in conjunction with the movement of the optical element unit holding means, And an optical element inserting / removing means for inserting / removing the light into / from the optical path of the illumination optical system.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the optical element unit holding means has at least an optical element unit for dark field observation, and the optical element insertion / removal means is for the dark field observation. The optical element unit is retracted from the optical path of the illumination optical system in a state where the optical element unit is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the optical element holding means is rotatably supported in a state where the optical element is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system, The removing means rotates the optical element holding means in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, and moves the optical element to the light of the illumination optical system. It is characterized by retreating from the road.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the optical element holding means is supported so as to be linearly movable in a state where the optical element is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system, The removing means linearly moves the optical element holding means in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, and moves the optical element to the light of the illumination optical system. It is characterized by retreating from the road.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the invention, the optical element holding means is supported so as to be linearly movable in a state where the optical element is inserted on an optical path of the illumination optical system, and the optical element insertion unit is supported. The detaching means comprises a cam member that connects between the moving means and the optical element holding means, and is rotated in accordance with the movement of the optical element unit holding means by the moving means. With the optical element unit for dark field observation inserted in the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, the optical element holding means is moved linearly to retract the optical element from the optical path of the illumination optical system. In addition, at least one of the plurality of optical element units can be moved to the outside of the apparatus in conjunction with the moving means.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the optical element held by the optical element holding means is one or more of an illumination lens, a field stop, a field stop projection lens. It is characterized by the combination.

  According to the present invention, the optical element holding means is moved in conjunction with the movement of the optical element unit holding means, and the optical element is inserted into and removed from the optical path of the illumination optical system. The optical element can be inserted into the optical path only in the case of the method, and various observations can be performed under optimum conditions.

  Further, according to the present invention, an optical element such as an illumination lens is retracted from the optical path of the illumination optical system in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the loss of light amount due to the illumination lens in dark field observation, and only one illumination lens is required other than the dark field observation, so that duplication of lenses can be avoided and the price is low. it can.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, at least one of the plurality of optical element units can be moved to the outside of the apparatus in conjunction with the moving means, whereby an exchange cube (various observation cubes for switching observation methods) can be obtained. When exchanging, it is not necessary to take out the entire optical element unit holding means outside the microscope, and the exchange cube can be quickly replaced and quickly returned to the microscopic state, so that the observation work can be performed efficiently. it can.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
1A, 1B, and 1C show a schematic configuration of an optical element switching device of a microscope to which the present invention is applied.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a microscope body, and the optical element switching device of the present invention is mounted on the microscope body 10. In this case, the microscope body 10 is provided with an opening 10a, and a female ant 10b is formed in the horizontal direction from the opening 10a to the inside. A male ant 12f of a cube holding member 12 as an optical element unit holding unit is inserted into the female ant 10b, and the entire cube holding member 12 is linearly movable along the female ant 10b. In this case, the female ants 10b and the male ants 12f constitute moving means for moving the cube holding member 12.

  A lever 21 is connected to the cube holding member 12. The lever 21 is provided with a knob portion 21a. The knob portion 21a protrudes to the outside from the opening 10a of the microscope body 10, and while holding the knob portion 21a, the cube holding member 12 is linearly moved along the female ant 10b, and the bright / dark field cube 11 and the exchange cube 17 described later. At the same time, the microscope body 10 can be taken out from the opening 10a.

  The cube holding member 12 is integrally fixed with a bright / dark field cube 11 as an optical element. The bright / dark field cube 11 is formed by integrating a bright field cube 11a and a dark field cube 11b. In this case, the bright field cube 11a accommodates a half mirror that reflects light from a light source (not shown) to the sample side and transmits observation light from the sample to guide it to the observation optical path. Further, the dark field cube 11b is provided with a slit portion 111 that converts light from a light source (not shown) into annular illumination. An insertion / removal pin 13 is fixed upright on the side surface of the bright / dark field cube 11 opposite to the attachment surface to the cube holding member 12.

  The cube holding member 12 is provided with a male ant 12 a along a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the cube holding member 12. The female ant 17a of the exchange cube 17 is inserted into the male ant 12a until it contacts the abutting surface 12e. As the exchange cube 17 here, an observation cube such as an exchangeable DIC cube or a fluorescent cube is used.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, the male ant 12a of the cube holding member 12 is provided with a notch 12h. A fixing member 14 is disposed in the notch 12h. The fixing member 14 has one side surface formed on a tapered surface 14a having the same inclination as the side surface of the male ant 12a, and the other side surface formed on a tapered surface 14b for position adjustment. Such a fixing member 14 is fixed to the bottom surface of the notch 12 h via a fixing screw 15. In this case, the hole 14c through which the fixing screw 15 of the fixing member 14 passes is larger than the diameter of the fixing screw 15, and the fixing member 14 can protrude from the side surface of the male ant 12a by the dimensional difference.

  The end surface of the male ant 12a is provided with a screw part 12c that penetrates to the notch part 12h. A detachable screw 16 is screwed into the screw portion 12c. The tip of the detachable screw 16 is in contact with the tapered surface 14b of the fixing member 14, and by screwing, the tapered surface 14a side of the fixing member 14 protrudes from the side surface of the male ant 12a to press the side surface of the female ant 17a of the replacement cube 17. The replacement cube 17 is fixed while being positioned.

  Groove portions 12 g are formed on the distal end surface of the male ant 12 f of the cube holding member 12 so as to correspond to the positions of the bright field cube 11 a, the dark field cube 11 b and the exchange cube 17 of the bright and dark field cube 11. A positioning means 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the female ant 10 b of the microscope body 10. The positioning means 20 includes a spring 18 and a ball 19, and the groove 12 g on the male ant 12 f side is called into the ball 19 as the cube holding member 12 is moved. Each of the field cube 11a, the dark field cube 11b, and the exchange cube 17 can be positioned on the optical axis a.

  A lens holding member 23 as an optical element holding unit is rotatably supported on the microscope body 10 via a support shaft 22. The lens holding member 23 has a rectangular plate shape, and a tapered portion 23c is formed on the side surface of the end portion supported by the support shaft 22 so as to become gradually narrower toward the tip end. In addition, the lens holding member 23 has a through hole 23a at the center. A step portion 23b is formed at the peripheral edge of the one opening of the through hole 23a, and the illumination lens 25 is disposed in contact with the step portion 23b. A presser ring 24 is fitted into the other opening of the through hole 23a, and the presser ring 24 presses and fixes the illumination lens 25 as an optical element to the stepped part 23b side.

  The support shaft 22 is provided with a torsion coil spring 26. One end of the torsion coil spring 26 is locked to the microscope body 10, and the other end is locked to the spring hook 23 d of the lens holding member 23. The lens holding member 23 is always pressed against the positioning pin 27 attached to the microscope body 10 by the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26 in the torsional direction, so that the illumination lens 25 is reproducible on the optical axis a. Positioning is performed. FIG. 1B shows this state.

  In this case, the amount of pressing force of the lens holding member 23 against the positioning pin 27 by the torsion coil spring 26 is designed to be sufficiently smaller than the amount of positioning force of the cube holding member 12 by the positioning means 20.

  The above-described insertion / removal pin 13 of the cube holding member 12 can come into contact with the tapered portion 23c of the lens holding member 23. In this case, when the insertion / removal pin 13 presses the tapered portion 23 c of the lens holding member 23 by the movement of the cube holding member 12, the lens holding member 23 rotates around the support shaft 22 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26. The illumination lens 25 is moved away from the optical axis a.

  Note that the opening 10a of the microscope body 10 is usually closed with a cover or the like (not shown).

  Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  First, when exchanging the exchange cube 17, a cover (not shown) of the opening 10 a of the microscope body 10 is removed, and the cube holding member 12 is pulled out by holding the knob portion 21 a of the lever 21. Is taken out of the microscope body 10.

  Next, the attaching / detaching screw 16 is loosened to remove the exchange cube 17 from the male ant 12a of the cube holding member 12, and the replacement cube 17 is inserted along the male ant 12a until it hits the abutting surface 12e, and the attaching / detaching screw 16 is screwed and fixed. To do.

  Then, the male ant 12 f of the cube holding member 12 is inserted into the female ant 10 b of the microscope main body 10 and pushed in until the positioning means 20 positions and fixes it.

  Next, a method for switching the arrangement of cubes according to various observation methods will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, in FIG. 3A, the bright field cube 11a among the bright and dark field cubes 11 is arranged on the optical axis a and is set to a bright field observation state. In this case, the lens holding member 23 is pressed against the positioning pin 27 by the biasing force in the twisting direction by the torsion coil spring 26, and the illumination lens 25 is positioned on the optical axis a. Thereby, bright field observation using the bright / dark field cube 11 is performed in a state where the illumination lens 25 is arranged on the optical path of the illumination light.

  Next, in order to switch from dark field observation to dark field observation, hold the knob 21a of the lever 21 and push the cube holding member 12 all the way into the dark field cube 11b as shown in FIG. Is positioned on the optical axis a.

  In this case, the lens holding member 23 is pressed on the taper portion 23c by the insertion / removal pin 13 as the cube holding member 12 is moved, and is rotated about the support shaft 22 against the biasing force of the torsion coil spring 26, thereby illuminating lens. 25 withdrawn from the optical axis a. Thereby, dark field observation using the dark field cube 11b is performed in a state where the illumination lens 25 is removed from the optical path of the illumination light.

  Next, in order to switch from dark field observation to bright field observation, hold the knob portion 21a of the lever 21 and pull the cube holding member 12 forward, and the positioning means 20 causes the bright field cube 11a as shown in FIG. Is positioned on the optical axis a. In this case, since the pressing force of the insertion / removal pin 13 against the lens holding member 23 is released by the movement of the cube holding member 12 in the pulling direction, the lens holding member 23 automatically hits the positioning pin 27 by the torsion coil spring 26. And return to the optical axis a.

  Next, in order to switch from bright field observation to fluorescence observation (exchange cube 17), hold the knob portion 21a of the lever 21 and pull the cube holding member 12 further forward, and the positioning means 20 as shown in FIG. The replacement cube 17 is positioned on the optical axis a. In this case, since the insertion / removal pin 13 does not contact the lens holding member 23 due to the movement of the cube holding member 12 in the pulling direction, the lens holding member 23 does not move from the optical axis a. Thereby, fluorescence observation using the exchange cube 17 (fluorescence cube) is performed in a state where the illumination lens 25 is disposed on the optical path of the illumination light.

  Therefore, in this way, the microscope can switch between a basic bright-and-dark field observation and a plurality of observation methods using an exchange cube, and the lens holding member 23 is rotated in conjunction with the movement of the cube holding member 12, Since the illumination lens 25 is inserted into and removed from the optical path of the illumination optical system, the illumination lens 25 can be inserted into the optical path only in the case of an observation method that requires the illumination lens 25, and various observations are optimal. Can be performed under various conditions.

  In addition, among the bright field cube 11a, dark field cube 11b, and exchange cube 17 held by the cube holding member 12, the lens is used only when the dark field cube 11b used for dark field observation is arranged on the optical axis a. Since the holding member 23 is rotated to retract the illumination lens 25 from the optical axis a, it is possible to eliminate the light amount loss caused by the illumination lens 25 for dark field observation, and it is necessary for other than dark field observation. Since only one illumination lens 25 is required, duplication of lenses can be avoided and the price can be reduced.

(Modification 1)
In the first embodiment, as moving means for moving the lens holding member 23, a support shaft 22 that rotatably supports the lens holding member 23, and a twist that applies a biasing force in the twisting direction to the lens holding member 23. Although the coil spring 26 is used, the first modification is configured to use a tension spring.

  4 (a) and 4 (b) show a schematic configuration of the modified example 1, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In this case, a linear guide 32 is fixed to the microscope body 10 by a mounting screw 31 along the moving direction of the cube holding member 12. A lens holding member 33 is attached to the guide 32 by an attachment screw 34. The lens holding member 33 can move linearly along the guide 32.

  The lens holding member 33 can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis a by moving along the guide 32. In this case, the lens holding member 33 has the same configuration as the lens holding member 23 described in the first embodiment, and has an illumination lens 25.

  The microscope body 10 is provided with a spring hanging member 35. A tension spring 36 is provided between the spring hook member 35 and a spring mounting member 33 a provided on the lens holding member 33. The tension spring 36 exerts a pulling force in the pulling direction of the cube holding member 12 on the lens holding member 33, and the lens holding member 33 is pressed against the positioning pin 27 by this pulling force, and the optical axis of the illumination lens 25. Positioning with reproducibility on a is performed.

  In this case, the amount of pressing force of the lens holding member 33 against the positioning pin 27 by the tension spring 36 is designed to be sufficiently smaller than the amount of positioning force of the cube holding member 12 by the positioning means 20.

  The insertion / removal pin 13 of the cube holding member 12 described above can come into contact with the side surface of the lens holding member 33. In this case, when the insertion / removal pin 13 presses the side surface of the lens holding member 33 by the movement of the cube holding member 12, the lens holding member 33 is moved along the guide 32 against the pulling force of the tension spring 36. The lens 25 is retracted from the optical axis a.

  In such a configuration, first, in FIG. 5 (a), the bright field cube 11a of the bright and dark field cubes 11 is arranged on the optical axis a and is set in a bright field observation state. In this case, the lens holding member 33 is pressed against the positioning pin 27 by the tensile force of the tension spring 36, and the illumination lens 25 is positioned on the optical axis a.

  Next, to switch from bright-field observation to dark-field observation, hold the knob portion 21a of the lever 21 and push the cube holding member 12 all the way back, and the dark field cube 11b as shown in FIG. Is positioned on the optical axis a.

  In this case, the lens holding member 33 is pressed along the side by the insertion / removal pin 13 along with the movement of the cube holding member 12, moved along the guide 32 against the pulling force of the tension spring 36, and the optical axis together with the illumination lens 25. a Removed from above.

  Next, to switch from dark field observation to bright field observation, hold the knob portion 21a of the lever 21 and pull the cube holding member 12 forward, and the positioning means 20 positions the bright field cube 11a on the optical axis a. In this case, since the pressing force of the insertion / removal pin 13 on the lens holding member 33 is released by the movement of the cube holding member 12 in the pulling direction, the lens holding member 33 is moved along the guide 32 by the pulling force of the tension spring 36. It automatically returns until it hits the positioning pin 27 and returns to the optical axis a.

  Next, in order to switch from bright field observation to fluorescence observation, the cube holding member 12 is further pulled out by holding the knob portion 21a of the lever 21, and the replacement cube 17 is positioned on the optical axis a by the positioning means 20. Also in this case, since the insertion / removal pin 13 does not contact the lens holding member 33 due to the movement of the cube holding member 12 in the pulling direction, the lens holding member 33 does not move from the optical axis a.

  Therefore, even in this case, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected. In the first modification, a tension spring is used, but a compression spring can also be applied. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be expected.

(Modification 2)
In the first modification, the tension spring 36 is used as the means for moving the lens holding member 33. However, in the second modification, the gear mechanism is used.

  6 (a) and 6 (b) show a schematic configuration of the modified example 2, and the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Also in this case, a linear guide 32 is fixed to the microscope main body 10 with a mounting screw 31 along the moving direction of the cube holding member 12. A lens holding member 41 is attached to the guide 32 with an attachment screw 42. The lens holding member 41 can move linearly along the guide 32.

  The lens holding member 41 can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis a by moving along the guide 32. In this case, the lens holding member 41 has the same configuration as the lens holding member 23 described in the first embodiment, and has an illumination lens 25.

  The lens holding member 41 and the bright / dark field cube 11 are provided with racks 43 and 44 having the same number of teeth, respectively. A gear 45 is disposed between the racks 43 and 44. The gear 45 is rotatably supported on a shaft 46 provided in the microscope body 10.

  In this case, the rack 43 is engaged with the gear 45, and when one rack 44 is moved by the movement of the cube holding member 12, the gear 45 is rotated and the other rack 43 is moved in the moving direction of the rack 44. It moves with the lens holding member 41 in the opposite direction.

  A positioning member 49 is disposed along the guide 32. The positioning member 49 has grooves 49 a formed at positions corresponding to the bright field cube 11 a, the dark field cube 11 b, and the exchange cube 17 of the bright and dark field cube 11. The lens holding member 41 is provided with positioning means 48 as shown in FIG. The positioning means 48 includes a spring 48a and a ball 48b. As the lens holding member 41 moves along the guide 32, the ball 48b is called into each groove 49a on the positioning member 49 side. By the pressing force, the reproducible positioning of the lens holding member 41 on the optical axis a and outside the optical axis a is performed.

  In such a configuration, first, in FIG. 7A, the bright field cube 11a of the bright and dark field cubes 11 is arranged on the optical axis a and set to a bright field observation state. In this case, in the lens holding member 33, the ball 48b is called into the groove 49a of the positioning member 49, and the pressing force is applied by the spring 48a, whereby the illumination lens 25 is positioned on the optical axis a.

  Next, to switch from bright-field observation to dark-field observation, hold the knob 21a of the lever 21 and push the cube holding member 12 all the way into the dark-field cube 11b as shown in FIG. Is positioned on the optical axis a. In this case, as the cube holding member 12 moves, the lens holding member 41 moves on the guide 32 due to the meshing of the racks 43 and 44 and the gear 45, escapes from the optical axis a, and is positioned by the positioning member 49. .

  Next, to switch from dark field observation to bright field observation, hold the knob portion 21a of the lever 21 and pull the cube holding member 12 forward, and the positioning means 20 positions the bright field cube 11a on the optical axis a. In this case, when the cube holding member 12 is moved in the pulling direction, the lens holding member 41 is moved on the optical axis a by moving on the guide 32 by meshing the racks 43 and 44 and the gear 45 with the movement of the cube holding member 12. Return to.

  Next, in order to switch from bright field observation to fluorescence observation, the cube holding member 12 is further pulled out by holding the knob portion 21a of the lever 21, and the replacement cube 17 is positioned on the optical axis a by the positioning means 20. In this case, even if the cube holding member 12 moves, the rack 44 does not mesh with the gear 45, so the lens holding member 41 does not move from the optical axis.

  Therefore, even in this case, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be expected. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to calculate the amount of force as in the case of a torsion coil spring or a tension spring, a more reliable optical element switching device for a microscope can be provided.

  In the second modification, a moving mechanism using direct meshing between the racks 43 and 44 and the gear 45 is used. However, when it is difficult to arrange these moving mechanisms, belts, pulleys, or the like are used to transmit the rotation. It doesn't matter.

(Modification 3)
In the first embodiment, the cube holding member 12 is provided with the bright / dark field cube 11 and the exchange cube 17. However, in the third modification, all cubes held by the cube holding member 12 are exchange cubes. It is set as composition.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of the modified example 3, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  In this case, the cube holding member 12 is provided with three male ants 12 a arranged along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the cube holding member 12. The female ants 171a, 172a, and 173a of the exchange cubes 171, 172, and 173 are detachably fixed to the male ants 12a with reproducibility of positioning. As the exchange cubes 171, 172, and 173 here, a DIC cube or a fluorescent cube is used in addition to the exchangeable bright field cube and dark field cube.

  The cube holding member 12 is provided with an arm portion 12i so as to avoid the exchange cube. An insertion / removal pin 55 is detachably attached to the tip of the arm portion 12i. The insertion / removal pin 55 corresponds to the insertion / removal pin 13 described in FIG.

  In such a configuration, first, when dark field observation is not included in the observation, the insertion / removal pin 55 is removed from the tip of the arm portion 12i. In this way, the illumination lens 25 of the lens holding member 23 is not removed from the optical axis a.

  Next, when performing dark field observation, as in the first embodiment described above, the entire cube holding member 12 is taken out of the microscope, the dark field cube is set in the male ant 12a at the right end, and the insertion / removal pin 55 is inserted. It is attached to the arm part 12i and returned to the inside of the microscope. The dark field cube in this case does not include the illumination lens 8a as shown by the dotted line in FIG.

  Subsequent switching of the various observation methods during the speculum is the same as described in the first embodiment.

  Even if it does in this way, the effect similar to 1st Embodiment can be anticipated. Furthermore, by making the insertion / removal pin 55 removable, the insertion / removal of the illumination lens can be invalidated. Therefore, when dark field observation is not performed, the insertion / removal pin is removed and the speculum is examined using another observation cube. Therefore, it is possible to provide an optical element switching device for a microscope that is more selective for the examiner.

  In addition, although this modification 3 described what was based on the structure of 1st Embodiment, of course, what is based on the structure of the modification 1 and the modification 2 is applicable. In addition, the insertion / removal pin 55 may be directly attached to the dark field cube instead of the cube holding member 12. Furthermore, the number of observation cubes is three, but of course it may be larger.

  Moreover, although the first embodiment and the first to third modifications all show a manual interlocking mechanism, switching of the observation method may be controlled by an electric motor or the like, and the lens holding member 23 is inserted and removed. In addition, the same effect can be obtained by controlling the lens holding member 23 out of the optical path only when the dark field cube is selected using an electric motor or the like.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  By the way, in the first embodiment, when exchanging the exchange cube 17, the entire cube holding member 12 is taken out of the microscope main body 10. However, the exchange cube 17 is quickly exchanged and quickly examined. It is extremely important to restore the operation to efficiently perform the observation work. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the replacement cube 17 can be replaced quickly.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B show the schematic configuration of the second embodiment, and the same parts as those in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, a Y-type cam 62 as a cam member is rotatably attached to the cube holding member 12 via a connecting pin 61. Details of the Y-type cam 62 will be described later.

  The Y-shaped cam 62 is provided with a Y-shaped movable groove 62a. An insertion / removal pin 64 attached to the lens holding member 63 is inserted into the movable groove 62a. In addition, a limit pin 65 is inserted into the movable groove 62 a at a half position on the linear distance between the connecting pin 61 and the insertion / removal pin 64. The restriction pin 65 is attached to the microscope main body 10.

  A linear guide 32 is fixed to the microscope body 10 along the moving direction of the cube holding member 12. A lens holding member 63 is attached to the guide 32 with an attachment screw 66. The lens holding member 63 can move linearly along the guide 32.

  The lens holding member 63 can be inserted into and removed from the optical axis a by moving along the guide 32. In this case, the lens holding member 63 has the same configuration as the lens holding member 23 described in the first embodiment, and has an illumination lens.

  The lens holding member 63 is provided with positioning means 48 as shown in FIG. The positioning means 48 includes a spring 48a and a ball 48b. As the lens holding member 63 moves along the guide 32, the ball 48b is called into each groove 49a on the positioning member 49 side, whereby the spring 48a By the pressing force, reproducible positioning of the lens holding member 63 on the optical axis a and outside the optical axis a is performed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the Y-type cam 62 in detail. Here, the positional relationship between the Y-type cam 62 and the connecting pin 61, the limiting pin 65, and the insertion / removal pin 64 is shown. A1, A2, and A3 indicate the positions of the connecting pins 61 at the time of each observation, and A4 indicates the position when the exchange cube comes out of the microscope (at the time of exchange). Similarly, C1 and C2 indicate the positions of the insertion / removal pins 64 at each observation. The limit pin 65 is fixed because it is attached to the microscope body 10.

  From this state, when the connecting pin 61 moves from the position A3 in FIG. 10A to the position A2 in FIG. 10C through the state in FIG. 10B, the straight portion of the Y-shaped movable groove 62a. As shown in FIG. 10 (c), the insertion / removal pin 64 is pushed around the limit pin 65 while sliding, and the insertion / removal pin 64 moves to C2.

  Further, when the connecting pin 61 moves from the state of FIG. 10C to A1 of FIG. 10D, the linear portion of the movable groove 62a moves around the limit pin 65 while sliding, as before, Moves so that the curved portion of the movable groove 62a avoids the insertion / removal pin 64 (this state is shown in FIG. 11). In other words, the Y-shaped cam 62 is provided with a straight groove that pushes the insertion / removal pin 64 and a curved groove that avoids the insertion / removal pin 64. Therefore, even when the connecting pin 61 moves to A1, the insertion / removal pin 64 does not move. Conversely, the insertion / removal pin 64 does not move when returning from A1 to A2. The same applies when the connecting pin 61 moves to A4 in FIG. 10E, and the insertion / removal pin 64 does not move due to the curved groove that avoids the insertion / removal pin 64. The lengths of the left and right curved grooves are different because the distance from A3 to A4 is different from the distance from A1 to A2.

  Here, there are two restrictions on the movable groove 62a. One is when the connection pin 61 and the limit pin 65 are closest to each other in the state shown in FIG. 10B. At this time, the end of the straight groove and the limit pin 65 do not contact each other, and the other is A3 (A2 ) To C1 (C2) is longer than the distance from A4 to the limit pin 65. This is because if the distance is short, the limit pin 65 contacts the curved portion of the movable groove 62a before the connecting pin 61 moves to A4.

These will be described with reference to FIG. 12. When the distance from A2 to A3 is a, the distance from A3 to A4 is ka (k: constant), and the distance in the optical axis direction from the connecting pin 61 to the limiting pin 65 is s.
s ≧ a {(2k + 3) (2k−1) / 12} ^1/2
Therefore, the movement distance of each cube and the position of the limit pin 65 may be determined so as to satisfy the above equation.

  In the second embodiment, (a) in FIG. 10 is a dark field observation, (c) is a bright field observation, (d) is an exchange cube, and (e) is a cube exchange position. The component is positioned.

  In such a configuration, the lens holding member 63 is positioned outside the optical axis a in the dark field observation state shown in FIG. When the lever 21 is pushed from the dark field observation to switch to the bright field observation shown in FIG. 13B, the Y-type cam 62 pushes the insertion / removal pin 64 at the linear portion of the movable groove 62a around the limit pin 65, The lens holding member 63 moves along the guide 32 together with the moving member 34 and is inserted into the optical axis a, and is positioned on the optical axis by the positioning means 49. When the lever 21 is further pushed to switch from the bright field observation to the exchange cube, the curved portion of the movable groove 62a of the Y-type cam 62 moves so as to avoid the insertion / removal pin 64, and the position of the lens holding member 63 remains as the optical axis. It is held on (FIG. 13C).

  Next, when the exchange cube 17 is exchanged, the cover (not shown) is removed, and the lever 21 is further pulled from the dark field observation state, and the cube exchange position shown in FIG. Similar to the switching to the exchange cube, only the exchange cube 17 is moved out of the microscope, and the position of the lens holding member 63 is held as it is outside the optical path.

  The exchange method of the exchange cube 17 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. After the replacement, the replacement cube 17 is returned into the microscope. At this time, the lens holding member 63 does not move and quickly returns to the dark field state.

  Therefore, in this case, when exchanging the exchange cube 17, it is not necessary to take out the entire cube holding member 12 to the outside of the microscope main body 10, and the exchange cube 17 can be exchanged quickly and quickly in the microscopic state. Since it can be restored, the observation work can be performed efficiently.

  Although the manual interlocking mechanism is shown in the second embodiment, the observation method may be switched by an electric motor or the like.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the implementation stage, it can change variously in the range which does not change the summary. For example, in the first embodiment, the first to third modifications, and the second embodiment described above, the combination of the fixed cube and the exchange cube integrated with the bright and dark fields, or all of them are described as the configuration of the exchange cube. Of course, it is also possible to apply a fixed cube configuration that is impossible. In the above description, the illumination lens is used as the optical element. However, a field stop, a field stop projection lens, or the like may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the arrangement of each optical element on the optical path of the illumination optical system in bright field observation, dark field observation, and fluorescence observation has been described as an example. If there is a common arrangement of the optical elements, various design changes can be made. For example, each optical element on the optical path of the illumination optical system in bright field observation, dark field observation, and differential interference (DIC) observation can be changed. It can also be applied in the case of arrangement. In this case, a DIC cube can be used in place of the fluorescent cube, and an optical element called a DIC prism (Nomarski prism) can be used for easy implementation.

  Furthermore, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and is described in the column of the effect of the invention. If the above effect is obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating the fixing member provided in the male ant of the cube holding member used for 1st Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the modification 1 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the modification 1 of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the modification 2 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the modification 2 of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows schematic structure of the modification 3 of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows schematic structure of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure for demonstrating in detail the Y-type cam used for 2nd Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating in detail the Y-type cam used for 2nd Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating in detail the Y-type cam used for 2nd Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment. The figure explaining arrangement | positioning of each optical element on the optical path of an illumination optical system in the conventional bright field observation, dark field observation, and fluorescence observation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Microscope main body, 10a ... Aperture, 10b ... Female ant 11 ... Bright dark field cube, 11a ... Bright field cube, 11b ... Dark field cube 111 ... Slit part, 12 ... Cube holding member 12a ... Male ant, 12e ... Butting surface, 12f ... male ant 12g ... groove part, 12h ... notch part, 12i ... arm part 13 ... insertion / removal pin, 14 ... fixing member, 14a ... taper surface, 14b ... taper surface 14c ... hole part, 15 ... fixing screw, 16 ... detachable screw 17 ... Exchange cube 17a ... Female ant, 18 ... Spring, 19 ... Ball 20 ... Positioning means, 21 ... Lever, 21a ... Knob part 22 ... Support shaft, 23 ... Lens holding member, 23a ... Through hole, 23b ... Step part 23c ... taper part, 24 ... presser ring, 25 ... illumination lens 26 ... torsion coil spring, 27 ... pin, 31 ... screw 32 ... guide, 33 Lens holding member, 33a ... Spring hook, 34 ... Screw 35 ... Spring hook, 36 ... Tension spring, 41 ... Lens holding member, 42 ... Screw 43, 44 ... Rack, 45 ... Gear, 46 ... Shaft 48 ... Positioning means , 48a ... Spring, 48b ... Ball 49 ... Positioning member, 49a ... Groove, 55 ... Insertion / removal pin, 61 ... Connection pin 62 ... Y-type cam, 62a ... Movable groove, 63 ... Lens holding member, 66 ... Screw 64 ... Insertion Depinning, 65 ... Limiting pins 171.172, 173 ... Exchange cube 171a. 172a, 173a ... female ant

Claims (6)

Optical element unit holding means holding a plurality of optical element units corresponding to various observation methods;
Moving means for moving the optical element unit holding means, and selectively inserting and removing the optical element unit on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope;
An optical element holding means for holding the optical element;
An optical element inserting / removing means for moving the optical element holding means in conjunction with the movement of the optical element unit holding means, and for inserting / removing the optical element onto / from the optical path of the illumination optical system;
An optical element switching device for a microscope, comprising: The optical element unit holding means has at least an optical element unit for dark field observation,
The optical element insertion / removal means retracts the optical element from the optical path of the illumination optical system in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope. 2. The microscope optical element switching device according to claim 1, wherein The optical element holding means is rotatably supported in a state where the optical element is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system,
The optical element insertion / removal means rotates the optical element holding means in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, and illuminates the optical element. 3. The microscope optical element switching device according to claim 2, wherein the optical element switching device is retracted from the optical path of the optical system. The optical element holding means is supported so as to be linearly movable in a state where the optical element is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system,
The optical element insertion / removal means linearly moves the optical element holding means in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, and the optical element is illuminated. 3. The microscope optical element switching device according to claim 2, wherein the optical element switching device is retracted from the optical path of the optical system. The optical element holding means is supported so as to be linearly movable in a state where the optical element is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system,
The optical element insertion / removal means comprises a cam member that connects between the moving means and the optical element holding means, and is rotated according to the movement of the optical element unit holding means by the moving means,
The cam member linearly moves the optical element holding means in a state where the optical element unit for dark field observation is inserted on the optical path of the illumination optical system of the microscope, thereby moving the optical element to the illumination optical system. 3. The microscope optical element switching according to claim 2, wherein said optical element switching unit is retracted from said optical path and at least one of said plurality of optical element units is movable to the outside of said apparatus in conjunction with said moving means. apparatus. The optical element held by the optical element holding means is any one of an illumination lens, a field stop, a field stop projection lens, or a combination of a plurality of them. Microscope optical element switching device.

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