JP2013057750A - Microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform observation under an excellent illumination condition.SOLUTION: When a lead screw is rotated normally in response to the driving of a stepping motor 114, a movable unit is guided in a tip direction by bar guides, and an objective lens barrel 111 and tip portions of condenser lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 are projected from a circular opening 131A and rectangular openings 131B-1 to 131B-8, respectively. On the other hand, when the lead screw is rotated reversely in response to the driving of the stepping motor 114, the movable unit is guided in a rear end direction by the bar guides, and the projected objective lens 41 and the projected tip portions of the condenser lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 are retracted into a housing 121 of a body tip portion 32. Thus, the objective lens 41 and an illumination optical system are driven in an optical axis direction in synchronization with each other, thereby allowing observation under an excellent illumination condition. The present invention is applicable to a microscope.

Description

  The present invention relates to a microscope.

  A microscope system including a stand and a microscope main body that can be attached to and detached from the stand is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-256438

  In this type of microscope system, when the microscope main body is detached from the stand and used, the observer performs observation by holding the microscope main body by hand and directing the objective lens on the tip side toward the sample. At this time, the position of the objective lens with respect to the specimen is manually moved to adjust the focal position. However, there is a demand for realizing this adjustment by driving the objective lens in the optical axis direction.

  However, if only the objective lens is driven in the direction of the optical axis, the illumination suitable for the optimum state is shifted, and observation under a good illumination state cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to perform observation under a favorable illumination state when the objective lens is driven in the optical axis direction.

  The microscope of the present invention is a microscope that can be attached to and detached from a stand for observing a specimen placed on a stage, and the specimen is collected by an objective lens that collects observation light from the specimen and illumination light from a light source. A main body housing that houses an illumination optical system for illuminating the imaging lens, an imaging optical system for imaging the observation light from the objective lens, and an imaging means for imaging the sample image formed by the imaging optical system When the body and the main body housing are used by being detached from the stand, either one or both of the objective lens and the illumination optical system is used as light depending on the observation state of the specimen. Drive means for driving in the axial direction.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform observation under good illumination conditions.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of one Embodiment of the microscope observation system to which this invention is applied. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of a microscope main body is seen from the front end side. It is a figure explaining the attachment method of a main-body front-end | tip part. It is a figure explaining the attachment method of a main-body front-end | tip part. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of an objective-lens barrel is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of an objective lens barrel is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of a movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of the housing | casing of a main-body front-end | tip part is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the movable unit is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the housing front end surface portion is viewed from the rear end side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a main-body front-end | tip part. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the front-end | tip part of a main body when a movable unit is driven. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of the 1st movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of the 1st movable unit is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of a 2nd movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of the 2nd movable unit is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the external appearance of the housing | casing of a main-body front-end | tip part is seen from the front end side. It is a front view when the external appearance of the housing | casing of a main-body front-end | tip part is seen from the front end side. It is a front view when the external appearance of the housing | casing of a main-body front-end | tip part is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the 1st movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the 1st movable unit accommodated in the housing | casing is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the 1st movable unit accommodated in the housing | casing is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the 2nd movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the 2nd movable unit accommodated in the housing | casing is seen from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the 1st movable unit and the 2nd movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view when the housing front end surface portion is viewed from the rear end side. It is a perspective view when the housing | casing which accommodated the 1st movable unit and the 2nd movable unit is seen from the front end side. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of a main-body front-end | tip part. It is a flowchart explaining a power supply control process.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be given in the following order.
1. First Embodiment 2. FIG. Second Embodiment 3. FIG. Third embodiment 4. Modified example

<1. First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a microscope observation system to which the present invention is applied.

  The microscope observation system in FIG. 1 is configured by connecting a microscope 11 that acquires an enlarged image of a specimen to be observed (hereinafter referred to as an observation image) and a monitor 12 that displays an observation image acquired by the microscope 11. Is done.

  The microscope 11 includes a microscope main body 21 and a stand 22 connected to the monitor 12, and the microscope main body 21 can be attached to and detached from the stand 22. In FIG. 1, a state in which the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22 is illustrated, and further, the structure in the housing of the microscope main body 21 and the stand 22 is indicated by a broken line.

  In addition to displaying the observation image acquired by the microscope body 21, the monitor 12 displays various information related to observation conditions such as the zoom magnification of the microscope body 21 and the amount of illumination light. The monitor 12 is provided with a touch panel superimposed thereon, and the observer can perform various operations on the microscope 11 by touching buttons or the like displayed on the monitor 12.

  The microscope main body 21 includes a main body part 31, a main body tip part 32, a display operation part 33, and a grip part 34.

  The main body 31 and the main body tip 32 both have a cylindrical shape, and the main body tip 32 is attached to the front end side of the main body 31. Of the main body housing formed by combining the main body 31 and the main body tip 32, the objective lens 41 is disposed on the main body tip 32 side, and zoom lenses 42a to 42d and a connection are formed on the main body 31 side. An image lens 43 and an image sensor 44 are disposed. That is, the objective lens 41 to the imaging element 44 are arranged along the optical axis L1 from the front end side to the rear end side in the housing. The main body 31 is provided with a control board 46 that controls the operation of each part of the microscope main body 21 and a recording unit 47 that records observation image data.

  The observation light from the sample is introduced into the main body 31 via the objective lens 41 disposed in the main body tip 32, and is enlarged to a predetermined magnification by the zoom lenses 42a to 42d, and then the imaging lens. An image of the specimen is formed on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 44 by 43, and observation image data obtained thereby is recorded in the recording unit 47.

  A plurality of LEDs 45 are mounted on the main body tip 32 as a light source for irradiating the specimen with illumination light. The plurality of LEDs 45 are ring illuminations arranged side by side in a ring shape along the outer circumference of the objective lens 41. The detailed configuration of the main body tip 32, such as the objective lens 41 and the LED 45, will be described later.

  In the display operation unit 33, an operation unit (not shown) provided with a plurality of operation buttons is fixed to the side surface of the main body unit 31, and a display unit (not shown) for displaying an observation image is provided via a hinge unit. The main body 31 is attached to be openable / closable and rotatable.

  The grip part 34 is configured to accommodate a battery 48 such as a lithium ion secondary battery, for example. The battery 48 supplies power to each part in the microscope main body 21 when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22. Further, for example, when the microscope main body 21 is connected to the stand 22, the battery 48 is charged by electric power supplied from the charging unit 60 built in the stand 22, or the battery 48 is charged from the grip portion 34. It can be extracted and attached to a dedicated charging device.

  In addition, an imaging button 49 is disposed on the side surface on the distal end side of the grip portion 34 in the vicinity of the connection portion between the grip portion 34 and the main body portion 31. For example, when the observer operates the imaging button 49, observation image data captured by the imaging element 44 is recorded in the recording unit 47.

  The stand 22 is formed in a substantially L shape by a base portion 22a extending in the horizontal direction and a column portion 22b extending in the vertical direction, and a stage 51 on which the specimen 13 is placed is disposed on the upper surface of the base portion 22a. The arm portion 52 is disposed on the side surface of the column portion 22b on the stage 51 side.

  The arm portion 52 is provided with a fitting portion 53 that is mechanically connected to the microscope main body 21 and a connector portion 54 that is electrically connected to the microscope main body 21 on the distal end side extending from the column portion 22b. The microscope body 21 and the stand 22 are connected by connecting the fitting part 53 and the connector part 54 to a fitting part and a connector part (both not shown) provided at corresponding positions of the microscope body 21, respectively. At the same time as being mechanically connected, it is also electrically connected. That is, when the microscope body 21 and the stand 22 are electrically connected, power and control signals are supplied from the stand 22 to the microscope body 21 via the connector portion 54, and the observation image is transferred from the microscope body 21 to the stand 22. Data is supplied.

  Inside the stand 22, a power supply unit 59 that supplies power from a power source (not shown) to each part of the microscope main body 21 via the connector unit 54 is provided. The power feeding unit 59 includes a charging unit 60. The charging unit 60 can also charge the battery 48 by supplying power supplied from the power source (not shown) to the power supply unit 59 to the battery 48 via the connector unit 54.

  Also provided inside the stand 22 is a control board 61 for controlling the operation of each part of the stand 22 and a recording unit 62 for recording observation image data. Observation image data supplied from the microscope main body 21 via the connector unit 54 is recorded in the recording unit 62 based on control by the control board 61.

  Moreover, the arm part 52 is comprised so that a movement along the longitudinal direction of the support | pillar part 22b is possible. A vertical movement handle 55 of the arm portion 52 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the support column 22b, and a vertical movement handle 56 of the stage 51 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the base portion 22a. The control board 61 controls each part in accordance with the operation of the vertical movement handle 55 or 56, thereby adjusting the distance between the microscope main body 21 and the specimen 13 and thereby adjusting the focal position when the specimen 13 is imaged. Done.

  Further, on the side surface on the front side of the base portion 22a, when the microscope main body 21 is used while being attached to the stand 22, the zoom switch 57 operated when changing the zoom magnification of the microscope main body 21 and the illumination light by the LED 45 are used. And a dimming switch 58 that is operated when adjusting the amount of light.

  As described above, in the microscope observation system, when the microscope main body 21 is used while attached to the stand 22, the distal end side of the main body 31 is directed downward in the substantially vertical direction (position facing the specimen 13). In addition, the microscope main body 21 is connected to the stand 22 for observation. Further, the microscope main body 21 includes all the blocks necessary for observation of the specimen in a state where it is detached from the stand 22, and can be used alone.

  Next, the microscope main body 21 used in a state where it is detached from the stand 22 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the microscope main body 21 is viewed from the distal end side.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the front end surface of the main body front end 32 has a circular opening in which the objective lens 41 is disposed, and 8 arranged at equiangular intervals along the outer circumference of the circular opening. A number of rectangular openings are formed. Corresponding to these rectangular openings, LEDs 45 are arranged inside the main body tip 32, and the illumination light from these LEDs 45 is collected by an illumination optical system such as an illumination optical member to be described later. The specimen is irradiated through a rectangular opening. Further, since the illumination optical system is adjusted so that the specimen can be irradiated with the optimum illumination light in a state where the focus position of the objective lens 41 is in alignment, the observer can adjust the position of the distal end side of the microscope main body 21. By directing the objective lens 41 toward the sample, observation can be performed under a favorable illumination state.

  Although not shown in FIG. 2, when the microscope main body 21 is used by being removed from the stand 22, focusing support or from the tip of the objective lens 41 to the sample surface when the sample surface is focused is used. In order to keep the working distance constant, a posture holding member that holds the posture of the microscope main body 21 may be attached to the distal end side of the main body distal end portion 32. This posture holding member supports the load at a point (preferably three or more points) or a region having a certain area or more. As the posture holding member, for example, a cap having a hollow cylindrical shape with both end surfaces in the direction of the optical axis L1 (optical axis direction) opened is used.

  As described above, the main body housing of the microscope main body 21 is configured by combining the main body portion 31 and the main body tip portion 32, but in order to make it easy to understand the connection state of these housings. As for the main body tip portion 32, only the housing portion is illustrated as shown in FIGS. That is, FIG. 3 shows a state in which the housing of the main body 31 and the housing of the main body distal end portion 32 are combined and these housings are integrated as a main body housing. The state where the housing of the main body portion 31 and the housing of the main body tip portion 32 are separated is shown.

  As described above, the main body distal end portion 32 is configured as a housing separate from the main body portion 31, and the main body housing is configured by being attached to the main body portion 31 by a predetermined fixing method. Here, with reference to FIG. 5 thru | or FIG. 13, the internal structure of the housing | casing of the main body front-end | tip part 32 is demonstrated among the housing | casing which comprises a main body housing | casing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the rear end side of the objective lens barrel 111 that houses the objective lens 41 has a flange-like shape along the cylinder of the objective lens barrel 111. 111 A of flange parts which are protrusions are provided. The LED substrate 112 is fixed to the flange portion 111A by screwing or the like. On the LED substrate 112, the plurality of LEDs 45 described above, that is, the LEDs 45-1 to 45-8 are arranged at equiangular intervals, and an illumination optical member 116 described later is disposed between the LEDs 45-1 and the LEDs 45-2. The positioning hole 112B for positioning is formed, and a positioning hole 112A is formed between the LED 45-5 and the LED 45-6. The flange 111A has guide holes 111B-1 and 111B-2 (not shown) through which bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 for guiding the objective lens 41 in the optical axis direction are inserted. They are formed at positions facing each other across the cylinder 111.

  When the objective lens barrel 111 shown in FIG. 5 is viewed from the opposite rear end side, it is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, on the back surface of the flange portion 111A provided in the objective lens barrel 111, the above-described guide holes 111B-1 (not shown) and 111B-2 are connected to the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2. In addition to being inserted, a stepping motor 114 and an origin sensor 115 are attached.

  The stepping motor 114 is attached with a lead screw that extends in the optical axis direction and rotates freely forward and backward. A nut made of polyacetal or the like is fitted to the tip of the lead screw by a screw. A part of this nut is fixed to a mounting portion 111C formed on the back surface of the flange portion 111A, and converts the rotation of the stepping motor 114 into motion in the optical axis direction. The stepping motor 114 rotates the lead screw whose tip is fixed to the mounting portion 111C in the forward rotation direction or the reverse rotation direction according to the control of the control board 46. As the stepping motor 114, it is possible to use a type in which the rotating shaft of the motor enters and exits. In this case, a spring or a magnet can be used for connection between the rotating shaft of the motor and the mounting portion 111C.

  The origin sensor 115 is, for example, a photo interrupter, and the protrusion 111D formed on the back surface of the flange portion 111A serves as a light interrupt plate for the photo interrupter. The photo interrupter is fixed at a predetermined position in the housing of the main body tip portion 32, and the light receiving portion detects that the projection 111D blocks the light from the light emitting portion. Note that a photo interrupter may be provided on the objective lens barrel 111 side and a light shielding plate may be provided on the housing side of the main body distal end portion 32.

  FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the illumination optical member 116 is attached to the positioning holes 112A and 112B formed on the LED substrate 112 illustrated in FIG. The illumination optical member 116 is provided to collect the illumination light from the LED 45 and irradiate the sample, and the LED 45 and the illumination optical member 116 constitute an illumination optical system. The illumination optical member 116 is formed by condensing condensing lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 each having a predetermined shape. The condenser lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 are attached so as to cover the LEDs 45-1 to 45-8 provided at corresponding positions on the LED substrate 112, and collect the illumination light from each LED 45. Light and irradiate the specimen.

  FIG. 8 illustrates the housing 121 of the main body distal end portion 32. As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 121 is a hollow cylinder with both end faces in the optical axis direction opened, and the circular opening on the rear end face has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the objective lens barrel 111. Further, holes 121A-1 and 121A-2 for fixing the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 with screws and screw holes 121B-1 and 121B-2 for fixing the stepping motor 114 are provided on the rear end surface. A shaft hole 121C for the lead screw shaft and an opening 121D for passing cables of the LED 45 and the like are formed.

  That is, the rear end sides of the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 are fixed to the holes 121A-1 and 121A-2 formed in the rear end surface of the casing 121, and the circular opening formed in the rear end surface has The rear end surface side of the objective lens barrel 111 is fitted with a gap. In the objective lens barrel 111, the flange portion 111 </ b> A to which the LED substrate 112 and the illumination optical member 116 are attached has a donut shape, and its inner circumference is accommodated in the objective lens barrel 111. Although it becomes an optical path of the objective lens 41, its outer circumference circle has a shape corresponding to the inner wall of the housing 121. Therefore, each of the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 fixed to the rear end surface of the housing 121 by screwing or the like passes through the guide holes 111B-1 and 111B-2 formed in the flange portion 111A. The objective lens barrel 111 is attached to the housing 121. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the objective lens barrel 111 and the illumination optical system shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, two bar guides are installed in parallel with the optical axis inside the casing 121. However, one bar guide moves the objective lens barrel 111 along the optical axis. The other bar guide is for stopping the rotation of the objective lens barrel 111. The diameter of the guide holes through which these bar guides are inserted can be set to, for example, 2.5 mm, and the length of the holes is preferably 5 times or more the hole diameter and about 20 mm. At that time, the amount of backlash is set to a value that does not impair the optical performance.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 6, a stepping motor 114 and an origin sensor 115 are directly attached to the back surface of the flange portion 111A of the objective lens barrel 111. 121 is screwed to the rear end face. That is, as shown in FIG. 10, the stepping motor 114 is attached by screws screwed into the screw holes 121B-1 and 121B-2 (FIG. 8) from the back surface of the rear end surface of the housing 121, and the lead screw shaft. Only the shaft portion 121C (FIG. 8) is fixed to the attachment portion 111C on the back surface of the flange portion 111A by a magnet or the like. Similarly, the origin sensor 115 is also screwed from the rear surface of the rear end surface of the housing 121, and the protrusion 111D on the rear surface of the flange portion 111A serves as a light interrupting plate for the photo interrupter.

  FIG. 11 illustrates the housing front end surface portion 131 attached to the front end side of the housing 121. As shown in FIG. 11, the housing front end surface portion 131 has a circular shape, and its diameter is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the housing 121 on the front end side. Further, a circular opening 131A having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the objective lens barrel 111 and a rectangular opening 131B− along the outer circumference of the circular opening 131A are formed in the housing front end surface portion 131. 1 to 131B-8 are formed.

  Further, a positioning pin groove 131 </ b> C corresponding to the positioning pin 121 </ b> E (FIG. 9) formed on the inner wall of the casing 121 is formed in the casing front end face portion 131 at a predetermined position on the circumference. Further, on the front end surface portion 131 of the housing, the front ends of the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 are located at positions corresponding to the optical axis directions of the holes 121A-1 and 121A-2 formed in the rear end surface of the housing 121. The mounting holes 131D-1 and 131D-2 for mounting are formed.

  That is, the housing front end surface portion 131 (with respect to the housing 121 in which the objective lens barrel 111 and the like shown in FIG. 9 are accommodated so that the positioning pin 121E formed on the inner wall of the housing 121 and the positioning pin groove 131C are aligned. When FIG. 11) is fitted to the front end surface side of the housing 121 and the side surface of the housing 121 is fixed with screws, the result is as shown in FIG. At this time, the front ends of the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 are fixed to the mounting holes 131D-1 and 131D-2 of the housing front end surface portion 131, and the front end of the objective lens barrel 111 is fixed to the circular opening 131A. The surface side is fitted with a gap. Further, the distal end portions of the condensing lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 of the illumination optical member 116 are fitted into the rectangular openings 131B-1 to 131B-8.

  12 has the above-described internal structure, and therefore the objective lens barrel 111 (objective lens 41) and the LED 45 provided on the flange portion 111A are provided therein. And an illumination optical member 116 (illumination optical system) (hereinafter collectively referred to as a movable unit) are guided by bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 inserted through the flange portion 111A and can be driven in the optical axis direction. Is done.

  For example, when the lead screw rotates forward in accordance with the driving of the stepping motor 114 and the movable unit is guided in the distal direction by the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2, as shown in FIG. From the 131A and the rectangular openings 131B-1 to 131B-8, the objective lens barrel 111 and the tip portions of the condenser lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 protrude. Thus, the objective lens 41 and the illumination optical system, which are integrally configured as a movable unit, are driven in the optical axis direction in synchronism.

  For example, when the microscope main body 21 is removed from the stand 22 and used, a predetermined button on the touch panel displayed on the display operation unit 33 is operated by the observer, and the focus position is adjusted by driving the objective lens 41. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13, the objective lens 41 and the illumination optical system are driven in synchronization with the optical axis direction in the main body tip 32 according to the observation state of the specimen. When observation is performed in this state, the objective lens 41 is driven in the optical axis direction to adjust the focal position, and the illumination optical system is driven in the optical axis direction in synchronization with the objective lens 41. Since the specimen is irradiated with the optimum illumination light, observation under a good illumination condition can be performed.

  On the other hand, for example, when the movable unit is guided in the rear end direction by the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 by the reverse rotation of the lead screw according to the driving of the stepping motor 114, the protruding objective lens 41 and The leading end portions of the condenser lenses 116A-1 to 116A-8 are retracted into the housing 121 of the main body leading end portion 32.

  At this time, the position of the movable unit driven in the casing 121 in the optical axis direction is detected by the origin sensor 115 as described above. Specifically, by setting a predetermined reference position in the optical axis direction as the origin position and providing a photo interrupter at a position corresponding to the origin position, when the movable unit is driven to the origin position, the flange portion The light from the light emitting portion is blocked by the protrusion 111D on the back surface of 111A. Thus, the control board 46 can determine whether or not the movable unit is at the origin position based on the detection signal from the origin sensor 115. For example, when the movable unit is at the origin position, the objective lens 41 and the illumination optical system are completely accommodated in the housing 121.

  As described above, when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22 and used, both the objective lens 41 and the illumination optical system are synchronized to an arbitrary position in the optical axis direction according to the observation state of the specimen. Since it is driven, it is possible to perform observation under good illumination conditions.

<2. Second Embodiment>
In the above-described first embodiment, the configuration in which the objective lens and the illumination optical system are driven in synchronization by driving the movable unit in the optical axis direction has been described. Either one or both of the systems may be driven in the optical axis direction. That is, in this case, the objective lens and the illumination optical system are driven asynchronously.

  Then, with reference to FIG. 14 thru | or FIG. 29, the internal structure of the main body front-end | tip part 32 in the case of driving an objective lens and an illumination optical system asynchronously is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the objective lens barrel 211 that houses the objective lens 141 is not provided with a flange-like projection along the cylinder, and the objective lens 141 is disposed on the cylindrical surface of the objective lens barrel in the optical axis direction. Guide holes 211A-1 and 211A-2 through which bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 (to be described later) are inserted are formed at positions facing each other across the objective lens barrel 211.

  The objective lens barrel 211 shown in FIG. 14 is viewed from the opposite rear end side as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, on the rear end side of the objective lens barrel 211, there are an attachment portion 211B for attaching a lead screw shaft of an objective stepping motor 214-1 described later, and an objective origin sensor 215-1 described later. A projecting portion 211C for a photo interrupter is formed.

  FIG. 16 illustrates an illumination optical system. The illumination optical system includes an illumination optical member 216 including LEDs 145-1 to 145-8 (not shown) provided on the LED substrate 212 and condenser lenses 216A-1 to 216A-8 attached to the LEDs 145. Composed. As shown in FIG. 16, the LED substrate 212 is not fixed to the flange portion provided in the objective lens barrel as described above, but is constituted by itself. Guide holes 212A-1 and 212A-2 through which bar guides 213-1 and 213-2, which will be described later, for guiding the optical system in the optical axis direction are opposed to each other across a circular opening formed in the center. Formed in position.

  When the LED substrate 212 shown in FIG. 16 is viewed from the opposite rear end side, it is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 17, on the back surface of the LED substrate 212, in addition to the guide holes 212A-1 and 212A-2, an attachment portion 212B for attaching a lead screw shaft of an illumination optical system stepping motor 214-2, which will be described later, A projection 212C for a photo interrupter of an illumination optical origin sensor 215-2, which will be described later, is formed.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the objective lens and the illumination optical system are not integrated, but the objective lens (FIGS. 14 and 15) and the illumination optical system (FIGS. 16 and 17). Is structured in a structurally separated state.

  FIG. 18 illustrates the housing 221 of the main body distal end portion 32. As shown in FIG. 18, the housing 221 is a hollow cylinder having both end faces in the optical axis direction opened, and the circular opening on the rear end face has a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the objective lens barrel 211. Bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 are also fixed to the rear end face at positions facing each other with the circular opening interposed therebetween. The housing 221 shown in FIG. 18 is as shown in FIG. 19 when viewed from the front end side, and as shown in FIG. 20 when viewed from the rear end side. That is, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the objective stepping motor 214-1 is attached to the rear end surface of the housing 221 with screws screwed into the screw holes 221A-1 and 221A-2, and illumination optics. A system stepping motor 214-2 is attached by screws screwed into the screw holes 221B-1 and 221B-2. Similarly, the objective origin sensor 215-1 and the illumination optical origin sensor 215-2 are also screwed from the back side of the rear end face of the housing 221. An opening 221 </ b> C for passing cables of the LED 145 and the like is also formed on the rear end surface of the housing 221.

  That is, the guide holes 211A-1 and 211A-2 formed in the objective lens barrel 211 are inserted into the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 fixed to the housing 221, and the objective lens barrel 211 is When housed in the housing 221, it becomes as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the lead screw shaft of the objective stepping motor 214-1 attached to the rear end surface of the housing 221 is attached to the attachment portion 211B formed in the objective lens barrel 211. It is done. Further, the projection 211C formed on the objective lens barrel 211 serves as a shielding plate for the photo interrupter of the objective origin sensor 215-1 attached to the rear end surface of the housing 221.

  On the other hand, the guide holes 212A-1 and 212A-2 formed in the LED substrate 212 are inserted into the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 fixed to the housing 221, so that the illumination optical system is installed in the housing 221. When it is accommodated, it becomes as shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the lead screw shaft of the illumination optical system stepping motor 214-2 attached to the rear end surface of the housing 221 is attached to the attachment portion 212B formed on the back surface of the LED substrate 212. . Further, the protrusion 212 </ b> C formed on the back surface of the LED substrate 212 serves as a photo interrupter shielding plate of the illumination optical origin sensor 215-2 attached to the rear end surface of the housing 221.

  Then, after inserting the guide holes 212A-1 and 212A-2 formed in the LED substrate 212 into the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 fixed to the housing 221, the objective lens barrel is further inserted. When the guide holes 211A-1 and 211A-2 formed in 211 are inserted, the objective lens 141 and the illumination optical system are accommodated inside the housing 221 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 27 illustrates a housing front end surface portion 231 attached to the front end side of the housing 221. The housing front end surface portion 231 in FIG. 27 has the same shape as the housing front end surface portion 131 in FIG. 11, and the rectangular opening 231 </ b> B− extends along the circular opening 231 </ b> A and the outer circumference of the circular opening 231 </ b> A. 1 to 231B-8 are formed. In addition, the housing front end surface portion 231 has positioning pin grooves 231C corresponding to positioning pins 221D (FIG. 28) formed on the inner wall of the housing 221 and bar guides 213-1 and 213 at predetermined positions on the circumference. -2 mounting holes 231D-1 and 231D-2 are formed.

  That is, the front end of the casing is aligned with the positioning pin groove 231C formed on the inner wall of the casing 221 in which the objective lens barrel 211 and the illumination optical system shown in FIG. 28 are accommodated. When the surface portion 231 (FIG. 27) is fitted to the front end surface side of the housing 221, and the side surface is screwed and fixed, the result is as shown in FIG. At this time, the distal ends of the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 are fixed to the mounting holes 231D-1 and 231D-2 of the front end surface portion 231 of the housing, and the distal end surface of the objective lens barrel 211 is fixed to the circular opening 231A. The side is fitted with a gap. Further, the distal end portions of the condenser lenses 216A-1 to 216A-8 of the illumination optical member 216 are fitted into the rectangular openings 231B-1 to 231B-8.

  And since the main body front-end | tip part 32 of FIG. 29 is comprised with the internal structure mentioned above, in the inside, the objective-lens barrel 211 (objective lens 141) (henceforth a 1st movable unit), The LED 145 and the illumination optical member 216 (illumination optical system) (hereinafter also referred to as a second movable unit) are separately guided by the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 and can be driven in the optical axis direction.

  For example, when the first movable unit is guided in the front end direction by the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 by forward rotation of the lead screw according to the driving of the stepping motor 214-1, the circular opening 231A Only the tip of the objective lens 141 housed in the objective lens barrel 211 protrudes. On the other hand, for example, when the first movable unit is guided in the rear end direction by the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 due to the reverse rotation of the lead screw according to the driving of the stepping motor 214-1, it protruded. The objective lens 141 is retracted into the housing 221 of the main body distal end portion 32.

  Further, for example, when the second movable unit is guided in the distal direction by the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 by forward rotation of the lead screw according to the driving of the stepping motor 214-2, the rectangular opening 231B From -1 to 231B-8, only the tip portions of the condenser lenses 216A-1 to 216A-8 protrude. On the other hand, for example, when the second movable unit is guided in the rear end direction by the bar guides 213-1 and 213-2 by the reverse rotation of the lead screw according to the driving of the stepping motor 214-2, the condensing lens 216A-1 to 216A-8 are retracted into the housing 221 of the main body distal end portion 32.

  Note that the first movable unit and the second movable unit can be simultaneously driven by simultaneously driving the stepping motors 214-1 and 214-2. Similarly to the origin sensor 115 described above, the origin position of the first movable unit is detected by the objective origin sensor 215-1, and the origin position of the second movable unit is detected by the illumination optical origin sensor 215-2. Is done.

  For example, even if the illumination state is optimal for observation of a certain specimen, the illumination state is not optimal when observing other specimens (for example, a shining substrate or a scratch on a substance). There is a case. In that case, for example, by driving only the first movable unit or by driving the first movable unit and the second movable unit asynchronously, the optimal illumination state is different from other samples, Observation can be performed under good illumination conditions.

  As described above, when the microscope main body 21 is used by being detached from the stand 22, either one or both of the objective lens 141 and the illumination optical system are arbitrarily arranged in the optical axis direction according to the observation state of the specimen. Therefore, observation can be performed under good illumination conditions.

<3. Third Embodiment>
By the way, when the microscope main body 21 is used while being fixed to the stand 22, it is driven by electric power supplied from the power supply unit 59 via the connector unit 54, while when it is used by being detached from the stand 22, a battery is used. As described above, it is driven by the electric power stored in 48. In the case of driving by the battery 48, since the electric power stored is limited, it is desirable to save the electric power as much as possible.

  Then, next, the power supply control process performed by the control board 46 is demonstrated with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 11, the control board 46 determines whether or not the microscope main body 21 has been removed from the stand 22 by monitoring a connection state with the arm unit 52 of the stand 22.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the stand 22 is not detached, the process returns to step S11, and the determination process is repeated. In this case, since the microscope main body 21 is fixed to the stand 22, the microscope main body 21 is driven by electric power supplied from the power supply unit 59 of the stand 22 via the connector unit 54.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that the stand is detached from the stand, the process proceeds to step S12, and the control board 46 drives the movable unit to the origin position.

  Specifically, the control board 46 controls the stepping motor 114 while monitoring the detection signal from the origin sensor 115 to drive the movable unit in the rear end direction. When the origin sensor 115 detects that the movable unit is at the origin position, the control board 46 stops driving the movable unit by the stepping motor 114. Accordingly, the movable unit is driven to the origin position, and for example, the objective lens 41 and the illumination optical system are completely accommodated in the housing 121.

  In addition, although the movable unit of 1st Embodiment was demonstrated here, it is the same also about the 1st movable unit and 2nd movable unit of 2nd Embodiment.

  In step S <b> 13, the control board 46 controls the battery 48 and stops power supplied from the battery 48 to each part of the microscope body 21.

  Note that the control board 46 may control the battery 48 and the like to operate each part of the microscope main body 21 with lower power consumption than usual (so-called power saving mode).

  When the process of step S13 ends, the power supply control process executed by the control board 46 ends.

  As described above, when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, the microscope main body 21 is forcibly turned off or operated in the power saving mode after the movable unit is returned to the predetermined origin position. The power stored in the battery 48 can be saved. Further, when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, irradiation of illumination light from a light source such as the LED 45 is stopped, so that the illumination light is prevented from entering the eyes of the observer. The observer can handle the microscope main body 21 safely.

  In addition, when the microscope main body 21 is removed from the stand 22, the movable unit has returned to the origin position. Therefore, when the observer observes the sample using the removed microscope main body 21, Observation can be resumed quickly.

  Note that when the microscope main body 21 is detached from the stand 22, only the power supply control for turning off the power of the microscope main body 21 or operating in the power saving mode is performed without returning the movable unit to the origin position. Good.

<4. Modification>
In the above description, the main body housing of the microscope main body 21 has been described as a combination of the housing of the main body portion 31 and the housing of the main body tip portion 32. However, the main body portion 31 and the main body tip portion 32 are described. These housings may be formed integrally so as to consist of a single housing.

  In the above description, when one or both of the objective lens and the illumination optical system is driven in the optical axis direction, it is described as being operated by a predetermined button on the touch panel displayed on the display operation unit 33. However, other operation means may be used, for example, when a dedicated switch or button (not shown) such as a seesaw switch is provided on the main body 31 or the grip part 34 and the switch or the like is operated, It may be driven. When the microscope main body 21 is attached to the stand 22 and either or both of the objective lens and the illumination optical system are driven in the optical axis direction, buttons displayed on the monitor 12 and the like It may be operated by touching or by operating a dedicated switch (not shown) provided on the stand 22 or the like.

  The shape of the holes of the guide holes 111B-1 and 111B-2 formed in the flange portion 111A of the objective lens barrel 111 is changed from a circular shape to a V groove, and the surface of the V groove is changed to the bar guide 113-1 and You may make it contact 113-2. In this case, the bar guides 113-1 and 113-2 are made of a magnetic material or a stainless steel having magnetism, and nonmagnetic such as magnesium alloy, aluminum alloy, or resin so that the bar guide and the V-groove are not separated. A magnet is embedded in the vicinity of the V groove of the objective lens barrel 111 made of a body, or is fixed by adhesion. As a magnet used for fixing, for example, a neodymium magnet having a diameter of about 4 mm and a height of about 4 mm is preferably used. In addition, when the microscope main body 21 is dropped, a separation preventing means can be provided so that the bar guide and the V-groove are temporarily separated by an impact so that they can stay at a distance that can be attracted again by magnetic force.

  In addition, both ends of the bar guide are fixed to the casing 121 or the front end surface portion 131 of the bar guide. When fixing both ends or other portions of the bar guide to the casing, for example, the casing 121 or the front end of the casing In addition to providing and fixing the mounting holes in the surface portion 131, U-grooves or V-grooves may be provided and fixed with leaf springs or bonded. The leaf spring may be fixed to the housing with a screw, or may be hooked on the housing without using a screw and fixed by applying pressure to the bar guide.

  In the present specification, the term “system” represents the entire apparatus constituted by a plurality of apparatuses.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Microscope, 12 Monitor, 21 Microscope main body, 22 Stand, 31 Main body part, 32 Main body tip part, 33 Display operation part, 34 Grip part, 41 Objective lens, 45, 45-1 to 45-8, 145, 145-1 To 145-8 LED, 46 control board, 47 recording unit, 48 battery, 59 power feeding unit, 60 charging unit, 61 control board, 62 recording unit, 111, 211 objective lens barrel, 111A flange part, 112, 212 LED board , 113-1, 113-2, 213-1, 213-2 Bar guide, 114 Stepping motor, 115 Origin sensor, 116, 216 Illumination optical member, 116A-1 to 116A-8, 216A-1 to 216A-8 Optical lens, 121, 221 housing, 131, 231 Front end surface of housing, 214-1 stepping motor for objective, 214-2 stepping motor for illumination optical system, 215-1 origin sensor for objective, 215-2 origin sensor for illumination optical

Claims (6)

A microscope that can be attached to and detached from a stand for observing a specimen placed on a stage,
An objective lens that collects the observation light from the specimen;
An illumination optical system that illuminates the specimen with illumination light from a light source;
An imaging optical system for imaging the observation light from the objective lens;
A main body housing that houses an imaging means for capturing an image of the specimen imaged by the imaging optical system;
When being used in the main body casing and being detached from the stand, either one or both of the objective lens and the illumination optical system is moved in the optical axis direction according to the observation state of the specimen. And a driving means for driving. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit drives the objective lens and the illumination optical system in synchronization. The illumination optical system is fixed to the lens barrel of the objective lens so that the sample is illuminated by illumination light from a plurality of light sources arranged in an annular shape along the outer periphery of the lens barrel of the objective lens Has been
The driving means drives the lens barrel of the objective lens and the illumination optical system fixed to the lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis by guiding them with the same guide member. microscope. The microscope according to claim 3, wherein the objective lens, the illumination optical system, and the driving unit are housed in a housing different from the housing housing the imaging optical system and the imaging unit. Power supply means for supplying power to each part in the main body casing;
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power control unit configured to stop power from the power source unit when operating from the stand or operate each unit in the main body casing with lower power consumption than normal. The microscope according to one item. The power control unit is configured to stop the power after the objective lens and the illumination optical system have returned to a predetermined reference position in the optical axis direction, or to operate with lower power consumption than usual. microscope.

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