JP2008191545A - Condenser lens positioning device and microscope equipped with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a condenser lens from hitting against a slide glass and a stage, when a thick stage is replaced with a thin stage. <P>SOLUTION: An adjusting piece 35 is arranged between the bottom surface 1A of a substage 1 and the top surface 4A of a condenser holder 4 so that the condenser lens 23 may not hit against the slide glass 22 and the stage 31, before the condenser holder 4 comes into contact with the bottom surface 1A of the substage 1, when the stage 31 comprising two plates 31a and 31b is attached to the substage 1, instead of the stage comprising three plates. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a condenser lens positioning device and a microscope having the same.

  Conventionally, when performing microscopic observation with transmitted illumination, the sample or objective lens is moved up and down to change the distance between the sample and the objective lens to focus. In addition, it is necessary to move the condenser lens up and down in order to uniformly illuminate the sample by Koehler illumination (to obtain an optimal illumination state).

  The condenser lens is held by a condenser holder. The condenser holder supports the condenser lens on the stage or the substage to which the stage is attached so that the field stop image is formed on the upper surface (sample) of the slide glass. As the stage, for example, there is known a stage constituted by three plates, an upper plate, a middle plate, and a lower plate, and a sample mounted on the upper plate can be moved in a two-dimensional direction (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-207176). No. publication).

  After the observer focuses on the sample, the observer moves the condenser lens up and down so that the field stop image of the transmitted illumination is formed on the upper surface of the slide glass. At this time, the observer first raises the capacitor holder until it contacts the lower surface of the substage. Next, a state where the field stop image of the transmitted illumination is narrowed, that is, a state where the field stop image is visible in the field of view is set. Thereafter, the condenser holder is gradually lowered, and the position of the condenser lens is adjusted so that a field stop image is formed on the upper surface of the slide glass.

The condenser lens position is adjusted as described above, but the upper surface on the stage side of the conventional condenser holder is an upper restricting surface, and the condenser holder is raised until it contacts the lower surface of the substage. The condenser lens does not collide with the slide glass or the stage even if it contacts the lower surface of the stage.
JP 2002-207176 A

  However, for example, if a stage composed of three plates for mineral observation is replaced with a stage composed of two plates for biological observation, the stage for mineral observation and biological observation and the condenser lens Since the positional relationship is different, when the condenser lens is raised, the condenser lens may hit the slide glass or the stage before the condenser holder comes into contact with the lower surface of the substage.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its object is to prevent the condenser lens from hitting the slide glass or the stage when the stage is changed from a thick one to a thin one.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with a sub-stage capable of mounting stages having different thicknesses, and mounted on a lower part of the sub-stage so as to be vertically movable with respect to the sub-stage. A condenser lens holder for holding a condenser lens for condensing illumination light on the sample, and the sub stage and the condenser lens holder. When the condenser lens holder is moved upward, the sub lens A movement restricting means for restricting the distance between the stage and the condenser lens holder is provided.

  According to the present invention, when the stage is exchanged from a thick one to a thin one, the condenser lens does not hit the slide glass or the stage.

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

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention, which is partially cut away.

  The microscope includes a base unit 5, a support column 6, a cantilever arm 7, a substage 1, a capacitor holder 4, and a vertical movement handle 3 that moves the substage 1 and the capacitor holder 4 up and down together. ing.

  A column portion 6 extending in the vertical direction is provided at one end portion of the base portion 5. An adapter 2 for attaching a transmission illumination system lamp (not shown) is provided on the back surface of the base portion 5.

  A cantilever arm 7 extending in the horizontal direction is provided at the upper end of the support column 6. An objective lens (not shown) is attached to the lower part of the cantilever arm 7 via, for example, a revolver (not shown), and a lens barrel (not shown) having an eyepiece is attached to the upper part.

  The vertical movement handle 3 is provided on the base portion 5. The vertical movement handle 3 moves the substage 1 up and down in a direction parallel to the column 6, that is, in a direction along the optical axis of the objective lens to be mounted.

  A capacitor holder 4 is mounted on the substage 1 so as to be movable up and down.

  FIG. 2 is a broken sectional view showing a part of the microscope.

  A stage 21 is mounted on the upper surface of the substage 1. The stage 21 is composed of three plates: an upper plate 21a, an intermediate plate 21b, and a lower plate 21c. The upper plate 21a is movable in the X direction with respect to the middle plate 21b, and the middle plate 21b is movable in the Y direction with respect to the lower plate 21c. A slide glass 22 is placed on the upper surface of the upper plate 21a so as to close the opening. The lower plate 21c is fixed to the upper surface of the substage 1 with bolts (not shown). With the above configuration, the slide glass 22 can be moved in a two-dimensional direction.

  A condenser lens 23 is attached to the condenser holder 4. A magnet 34 (for example, a ferrite magnet or a rare earth cobalt magnet) is fixed to the recess 4a formed in the upper surface 4A of the capacitor holder 4 facing the lower surface 1A of the substage 1 with an adhesive. The magnet 34 faces the lower surface 1A of the substage 1 with a slight gap.

  When the capacitor holder 4 is raised, the upper surface 4A of the capacitor holder 4 comes into contact with the lower surface of the substage 1, the upward movement of the capacitor holder 4 is restricted, and the condenser lens 23 is prevented from colliding with the slide glass 22. Is done.

  Next, a method for adjusting the illumination state will be described.

  First, in the case of a microscope equipped with a stage 21 composed of three plates 21a, 21b, and 21c shown in FIG. 2, the stage vertical movement handle 3 is moved to move the substage 1 up and down to move the upper surface of the slide glass 22. Focus on (observation surface). Next, the field stop (not shown) of the transmitted illumination is narrowed so that the image falls within the field of view.

  Next, the condenser holder 4 (condenser lens 23) is raised (moved in the Z direction) while keeping the focus on the observation surface, and the upper surface 4A of the capacitor holder 4 is brought into contact with the lower surface 1A of the substage 1.

  The microscope of FIG. 2 is designed in consideration of the arrangement of the capacitor holder 4 as a microscope on which a stage 21 composed of three plates 21a, 21b, and 21c is mounted. There is no collision.

  Thereafter, the capacitor holder 4 is gradually lowered (moved in the Z direction) to form a field stop image on the upper surface of the slide glass 22. As a result, the optimum illumination state is adjusted.

  Next, the stage 21 of FIG. 2 configured by three plates of an upper plate 21a, an intermediate plate 21b, and a lower plate 21c is replaced with the stage 31 of FIG. 3 configured by two plates of an upper plate 31a and a lower plate 31b. A method for adjusting the illumination state when the stage is replaced with (a stage thinner than the stage 21) will be described.

  In this case, as described above, since the condenser lens 23 hits the slide glass 22 and the stage 31 before the condenser holder 4 contacts the lower surface 1A of the substage 1, the adjustment piece (adjustment) shown in FIG. Member) 35 is used.

  FIG. 3A is a broken sectional view showing a part of the microscope, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view thereof.

  A stage 31 is mounted on the upper surface of the substage 1. The stage 31 includes two plates, an upper plate 31a and a lower plate 31b. The upper plate 31a is movable in the Y direction with respect to the lower plate 31b. The slide glass 22 is placed on the upper surface 31c of the upper plate 31a, and the slide glass 22 is held on the upper plate 31a by a claw (not shown) movable in a direction (X direction) orthogonal to the moving direction of the upper plate 31a. Has been. The lower plate 31b is fixed to the upper surface of the substage 1 through a circular ant DG. With the above configuration, the slide glass 22 can be moved in a two-dimensional direction.

  An adjustment piece 35 is disposed between the substage 1 and the condenser lens holder 4.

  When the stage 21 composed of the three plates 21a, 21b, 21c shown in FIG. 2 is replaced with the stage 31 composed of the two plates 31a, 31b shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface 4A of the capacitor holder 4 and the stage The space | interval with the upper plate 31a of 31 becomes small. However, the interval reduced by the adjustment piece 35 can be compensated, the upward movement of the condenser holder 4 is restricted, and the condenser lens 23 does not move upward from the position shown in FIG. At this time, the condenser lens 23 does not hit the slide glass 22 or the stage 31. The adjustment piece 35 is made of a magnetic material such as iron and is attracted to the condenser lens holder 4 by a magnet 34. The magnet 34 and the adjustment piece 35 constitute movement restriction means.

  By adopting the above configuration, when the stage 21 constituted by the upper plate 21a, the middle plate 21b, and the lower plate 21c is replaced with the stage 31 constituted by the upper plate 31a and the lower plate 31b, the same adjustment method as described above is used. The illumination state can be optimized (Kohler illumination) by the adjustment method.

  When the stage 31 constituted by the upper plate 31a and the lower plate 31b is exchanged with the stage 21 constituted by the upper plate 21a, the middle plate 21b, and the lower plate 21c, the condenser lens 23 is moved to a position where an optimum illumination state is obtained. Since it cannot be raised, the adjustment piece 35 is removed.

  According to this embodiment, the amount of upward movement of the condenser lens holder 4 is regulated by the adjustment piece 35. Therefore, not only when the number of plates constituting the stage is different as in this embodiment, but also the thickness of the entire stage. Even when different stages 21 and 31 are used, the condenser lens 23 can be prevented from hitting the slide glass 22 or the stage 31.

  In the above embodiment, the magnet 34 is fixed to the capacitor holder 4 side. However, the magnet 34 may be fixed to the substage 1 side. Although there is a slight gap between the adjustment piece 35 and the magnet 34, the adjustment piece 35 can be mounted by magnetic force.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the magnet 34 is disposed in the recess 4a, but the magnet 34 is installed in a state of being slightly retracted from the lower surface of the substage 1 or the upper surface of the capacitor holder 4 where the recess 4a is formed. It is preferable to do. High flatness is required for the lower surface of the substage 1 on which the magnet 34 is provided and the upper surface of the capacitor holder 4. However, it is difficult to process the magnet 34 to have flatness. Therefore, it is not preferable that the magnet 34 protrudes.

  FIG. 4A is a broken sectional view showing a part of a microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view thereof. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, the upward movement of the condenser lens holder 4 is restricted by fitting a rod (adjustment member) 45 into the concave portion 44b formed on the upper surface 4A of the condenser lens holder 4. This is different from the first embodiment. By preparing a plurality of rods 45 having different lengths, various stages 31 having different thicknesses can be handled. A movement restricting means is constituted by the rod 45 in the recess 44b.

  According to this embodiment, while producing the same effect as the first embodiment, it is not necessary to use the magnet 34 as in the first embodiment, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 5A is a broken sectional view showing a part of a microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view thereof. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in 1st, 2 embodiment, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In this embodiment, a female screw 54C is formed in a recess 54 formed on the upper surface 4A of the condenser lens holder 4, and a male screw portion 55C of an adjustment screw (adjustment member) 55 is screwed into the female screw 54C. The difference from the first embodiment is that the upward movement of the lens holder 4 is restricted. By preparing a plurality of adjustment screws 55 having different lengths, it is possible to cope with various stages 31 having different thicknesses. The female screw 54C and the adjustment screw 55 constitute a movement restricting means.

  According to this embodiment, the same effect as that of the first embodiment is obtained, and since the adjustment screw 55 is used, the adjustment screw 55 and the capacitor holder 4 are more firmly fixed, and compared with the first and second embodiments. Thus, there is no worry of the adjustment screw 55 dropping off.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a broken sectional view showing a part of the microscope. FIG. 3A is a broken sectional view showing a part of the microscope, and FIG. 3B is a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG. 4A is a broken sectional view showing a part of a microscope according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged view thereof. FIG. 5A is a broken sectional view showing a part of a microscope according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a partially enlarged view thereof.

Explanation of symbols

  1: Substage, 4: Condenser lens holder, 21, 31: Stage, 23: Condenser lens, 34: Magnet, 35: Adjustment piece (adjustment member), 4a, 44b: Recess, 45: Rod (adjustment member), 54C : Female screw, 55: Adjustment screw (adjustment member), 55C: Male screw part.

Claims (6)

A sub-stage capable of mounting stages of different thicknesses;
A condenser lens holder that is attached to a lower part of the sub stage so as to be vertically movable with respect to the sub stage, and holds a condenser lens for condensing illumination light on the sample on the stage;
A movement restricting means that is provided between the substage and the condenser lens holder and restricts an interval between the substage and the condenser lens holder when the condenser lens holder is moved upward; A condenser lens positioning device characterized by the above.   2. The condenser lens according to claim 1, wherein the movement restricting means includes a magnet provided on one of the substage and the condenser lens holder, and an adjustment member attracted to the magnet. Positioning device.   The magnet is disposed in a lower surface of the substage or a recess formed on the upper surface of the condenser lens holder facing the lower surface, and the tip of the magnet is retracted from the lower surface of the substage or the upper surface of the condenser lens holder. 3. The condenser lens positioning device according to claim 2, wherein the condenser lens positioning device is in a position.   The movement restricting means includes a recess formed on the upper surface of the condenser lens holder, and an adjustment member that can be fitted to the recess and can contact the lower surface of the substage. The condenser lens positioning device according to claim 1.   The movement restricting means is composed of a screw formed on the upper surface of the condenser lens holder, and an adjustment member having a male screw portion that can be screwed onto the female screw and capable of contacting the lower surface of the substage. 2. The condenser lens positioning device according to claim 1, wherein   A microscope comprising the condenser lens positioning device according to claim 1.

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