JP3590878B2 - Microscope condenser - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a condenser for a microscope, in particular, when both one of a top lens for high magnification and an auxiliary lens for low magnification are located in the optical path, the two lenses are interlocked so that the other is located outside the optical path. And a switchable microscope condenser.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of condenser for a microscope, for example, a technique disclosed in WO 94/07/169 is known. This conventional technique holds a fixed lens held by a condenser body and a top lens disposed above the fixed lens, and rotates around a rotation axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens on a side wall of the condenser body. A first arm movably supported, and an auxiliary lens disposed below the fixed lens, the side wall having a rotation axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the fixed lens and a rotation axis of the first arm; And a second arm rotatably supported about another rotation axis. The first and second arms are connected so that when one of the top lens and the auxiliary lens is located in the optical path, the other is located outside the optical path.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above-described conventional technology, the first arm holding the top lens and the second arm holding the auxiliary lens have a structure in which each of the first arm and the second arm rotates around another rotation axis perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens. It is necessary to secure a space for the first arm to rotate above the fixed lens, and to secure a space for the second arm to rotate below the fixed lens.
[0004]
Specifically, when the above-described conventional technique is applied to an upright microscope, the microscope condenser is mounted on a condenser holder below the stage. At this time, the condenser body is fixed to the condenser holder with the condenser holder positioned between the fixed lens and the auxiliary lens. Therefore, in order to prevent the second arm holding the auxiliary lens from hitting the condenser holder, it is necessary to secure a large space below the condenser holder for the second arm to rotate. As a result, there is a problem that the dimension in the height direction required for mounting the condenser for the microscope is increased, and the entire microscope is increased in size.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a condenser for a microscope in which the size in the height direction required for mounting is reduced to reduce the size of the entire microscope.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, a condenser for a microscope according to the invention according to claim 1 holds a fixed lens held by a condenser body and a top lens disposed above the fixed lens, wherein the top lens is An arm rotatably supported by the condenser body between an insertion position located in the optical path of the fixed lens and a retracted position in which the top lens is located outside the optical path; and an arm disposed below the fixed lens. A microscope condenser comprising an auxiliary lens and configured to displace the other of the auxiliary lens and the top lens out of the optical path when one of the auxiliary lens and the top lens is positioned in the optical path. Holding the auxiliary lens between a first position in which the auxiliary lens is located in the optical path and a second position in which the auxiliary lens is retracted out of the optical path. A slide member movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the first member; and a second position of the slide member rotating the arm to the retracted position in conjunction with movement of the slide member to the first position. And an interlocking mechanism for turning the arm to the insertion position in conjunction with the movement of the arm.
[0007]
By moving the slide member between the first position and the second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens, the auxiliary lens is moved between a position in the optical path of the fixed lens and a position outside the optical path. The top lens is switched between the position outside the optical path and the position inside the optical path in conjunction with the switching. Therefore, it is only necessary to secure a space below the fixed lens for the slide member to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens.
[0008]
The microscope condenser according to the invention according to claim 2, wherein the interlocking mechanism is provided on a cam provided on a rotation shaft of the arm and on the slide member, and when the slide member is moved to the first position, A cam engaging portion that engages with the cam to rotate the arm when moving to the second position.
[0009]
A microscope condenser according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the slide member has a light transmitting portion located in the optical path when the slide member is at the second position.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0011]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a condenser for a microscope according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the microscope condenser includes a fixed lens 2 held on a condenser body 1, a high-magnification top lens 3 disposed above the fixed lens 2, and a top lens 3. , An auxiliary lens 5 for low magnification arranged below the fixed lens 2, and a slide member 6 holding the auxiliary lens 5.
[0013]
The capacitor body 1 has a horizontal wall portion 1a, a side wall portion 1b extending vertically downward from the wall portion 1a, and a round dovetail portion 1c provided at a lower portion. A turret 7 is rotatably mounted on a turret shaft 8 at the center of the horizontal wall 1a. The turret 7 holds a plurality of optical elements 9 used for phase difference observation, differential interference observation, and the like. The side wall 1b is provided with a support hole 1d. By fitting the round dovetail portion 1c into a dovetail groove of a condenser holder (not shown) provided on the microscope main body, the microscope condenser can be attached to the condenser holder. This capacitor holder is below the stage in an upright microscope.
[0014]
The top lens 3 is held at the upper end of the arm 4, and the lower end of the arm 4 is fixed to a rotating shaft 10 that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens 2 and that is fitted into the support hole 1 d of the side wall 1 b. As a result, the arm 4 has the top lens 3 located in the optical path of the fixed lens 2 (the optical axis of the top lens 3 matches the optical axis of the fixed lens 2 to form a high-magnification condenser lens with both lenses). The insertion position (the position shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4 (a) and FIG. 5 (a)) and the retreat position where the top lens 3 is located outside the optical path (FIG. 4 (d) and FIG. (Position shown), and is supported by the condenser main body 1 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 10. A cam 11 (see FIG. 4) is formed on the end of the rotating shaft 10 opposite to the arm 4. This cam 11 has cam surfaces 11a and 11b.
[0015]
A tension spring 12 is provided between the lower end of the arm 4 and the side wall 1b. When the arm 4 is at the insertion position, the extension spring 12 applies a clockwise turning force about the rotation center (center of the rotation shaft 10) 11c to the arm 4 (see FIG. 5A). ), And when the arm 4 is at the retracted position, the arm 4 is arranged so as to apply a turning force in the counterclockwise direction around the rotation center 11c (see FIG. 5D).
[0016]
In order to limit the rotation of the arm 4 at the insertion position and stop it, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 (a), the arm member 4 is fixed on the upper wall 1a of the capacitor body 1 and the screw member 13a An adjusting screw 13b screwed into a screw hole of the female screw member 13a is provided. The adjustment screw 13b is fixed to the screw hole of the female screw member 13a by adhesion after adjusting the arm 4 to stop at the insertion position. Therefore, in the insertion position, the arm 4 is biased by the tension spring 12 so that a part thereof abuts against the end face of the adjustment screw 13b, and is held at the insertion position. Thus, the top lens 3 is held at a position in the optical path of the fixed lens 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as an optical path).
[0017]
On the other hand, in order to limit the rotation of the arm 4 at the retracted position and stop it, the upper part of the arm 4 directly comes into contact with the capacitor body 1 (see FIG. 5D). Therefore, in the retracted position, the arm 4 is biased by the tension spring 12 so that the upper portion thereof directly contacts the capacitor body 1 and is held in the retracted position. Thereby, the top lens 3 is held at a position outside the optical path.
[0018]
The slide member 6 is in a first position where the auxiliary lens 5 is located in the optical path (the optical axis of the auxiliary lens 5 coincides with the optical axis of the fixed lens 2 to form a low-magnification condenser lens with both lenses) (FIG. 3). The position of the condenser body between a position (c) and a second position (a position in FIG. 3A) where the auxiliary lens 5 is retracted out of the optical path, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens 2. 1. The slide member 6 includes a cam engaging portion 14 having inclined surfaces 14a and 14b engageable with the cam surfaces 11a and 11b of the cam 11, and a hollow hole positioned in the optical path when the slide member 6 is at the second position. (Light transmitting portion) 15. Since the hollow hole 15 is located in the optical path when the slide member 6 is at the second position in FIG. 3A, the light beam traveling toward the fixed lens 2 may pass through the hollow hole 15 without being blocked by the slide member 6. it can.
[0019]
The cam engaging portion 14 is provided so as to protrude in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the slide member 6 (the left-right direction in FIG. 3A) (see FIG. 3). The inclined surface 14a of the cam engaging portion 14 engages with the cam surface 11a when the slide member 6 moves to the first position to rotate the arm 4 toward the retracted position, and the inclined surface of the cam engaging portion 14 14b engages with the cam surface 11b when the slide member 6 moves to the second position, and rotates the arm 4 toward the insertion position.
[0020]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the knob 16 which is held when the slide member 6 is moved and the corner of a leaf spring 17 provided on the capacitor body 1 are engaged with the slide member 6. Grooves 18a and 18b are provided. When the slide member 6 is moved to the first position in FIG. 3C, the corner of the leaf spring 17 engages with the groove 18a by elastic force to stop the slide member 6, and moves the slide member 6 to the position shown in FIG. When the slide member 6 is moved to the third position, the corner of the leaf spring 17 is engaged with the groove 18b by elastic force, and the slide member 6 stops. The leaf spring 17 and the grooves 18a and 18b constitute a click stop mechanism.
[0021]
The cam 11 and the cam engaging portion 14 rotate the arm 4 to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 6 to the first position, and in conjunction with the movement of the slide member 6 to the second position. An interlocking mechanism for rotating the arm 4 to the insertion position is configured.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c) are operation explanatory views showing the movement of the slide member 6, wherein FIG. 3 (a) is a view when the slide member 6 is at the second position, and FIG. Is a position when the slide member 6 is at the first position, and FIG. 3C is a diagram when the slide member 6 is at the first position. 4 (a) to 4 (d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing a positional relationship between the cam engaging portion 14 of the slide member 6 and the cam 11, and FIG. 4 (a) is a diagram when the arm 4 is at the insertion position. FIG. 4B is a diagram when the arm 4 is slightly rotated from the insertion position, FIG. 4C is a diagram when the arm 4 is further rotated from the position in FIG. 4B, and FIG. () Is a diagram when the arm 4 is at the retracted position. 5 (a) to 5 (d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing the movement of the arm 4. FIG. 5 (a) is a diagram when the arm 4 is at the insertion position, and FIG. FIG. 5 (c) is a view when the arm 4 is further rotated from the position of FIG. 5 (b), and FIG. 5 (d) is a view when the arm 4 is in the retracted position. FIG.
[0023]
When the slide member 6 is at the second position shown in FIG. 3A, the auxiliary lens 5 is located outside the optical path, and the hollow hole 15 is located inside the optical path. At this time, the arm 4 is at the insertion position shown in FIGS. 4A and 5A, and the top lens 3 is located in the optical path.
[0024]
In order to retract the top lens 3 out of the optical path and position the auxiliary lens 5 in the optical path, the knob 16 of the slide member 6 is held and the slide member 6 is moved from the second position shown in FIG. 4A, the inclined surface 14a of the cam engaging portion 14 comes into contact with the cam surface 11a of the cam 11 and pushes the surface 11a in the initial stage of the movement (FIG. 4A). 3 (b) and 4 (b). As a result, the arm 4 starts rotating from the insertion position to the retracted position side against the urging force of the extension spring 12 (see FIGS. 4B and 5B). In FIG. 5B, the rotation center 11c of the arm 4 is on a straight line connecting the main body side mounting position 12a and the arm side mounting position 12b of the extension spring 12, and the urging force of the extension spring 12 is applied to the arm 4. It shows a state in which it is not acting, that is, a state in which the biasing direction is at the dead center.
[0025]
When the slide member 6 moves further to the right from the position shown in FIG. 3B, the inclined surface 14a further pushes the cam surface 11a, so that the arm 4 is moved to the position shown in FIGS. 4C and 5C. Rotate. Since the biasing direction of the tension spring 12 passes through the dead center due to this rotation, a counterclockwise turning force is applied to the arm 4 by the tension spring 12. After the biasing direction passes through the dead center in this way, the arm 4 is suddenly rotated to the retracted position shown in FIG. The inclined surface 14b of the cam engaging portion 14 receives the cam surface 11b of the cam 11 in order to prevent a sharp collision (see FIG. 4C).
[0026]
When the slide member 6 further moves to the right, the position at which the inclined surface 14b receives the cam surface 11b of the cam 11 is lowered along the inclined surface 14b with this movement, so that the arm 4 is moved as shown in FIGS. It further rotates counterclockwise from the position shown in FIG.
[0027]
After the upper part of the arm 4 directly hits the capacitor body 1 as shown in FIG. 5D and its rotation is restricted, the inclined surface 14b separates from the cam surface 11b (see FIG. 4D). At this time, the corner of the leaf spring 17 engages with the groove 18a of the slide member 6 by elastic force, and the slide member 6 stops at the first position (see FIG. 3C). Thus, the top lens 3 is held at a position outside the optical path, and the auxiliary lens 5 is held at a position inside the optical path.
[0028]
In order to retract the auxiliary lens 5 out of the optical path and position the top lens 3 in the optical path, the knob 16 of the slide member 6 is held and the slide member 6 is moved from the first position shown in FIG. 4C, the inclined surface 14b of the cam engaging portion 14 comes into contact with the cam surface 11b of the cam 11 and pushes the surface 11b in the initial stage of the movement (FIG. 4D). FIG. 4C). Thus, the arm 4 starts rotating from the retracted position to the insertion position side against the urging force of the extension spring 12 (see FIGS. 4C and 5C).
[0029]
When the slide member 6 moves to the position shown in FIG. 3 (b) and the arm 4 rotates to the position shown in FIG. 5 (b), the urging direction of the tension spring 12 is in the state of being at the dead center.
[0030]
When the slide member 6 moves further to the left from the position shown in FIG. 3B, the inclined surface 14b further pushes the cam surface 11b, so that the arm 4 further rotates clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 5B. I do. This rotation causes the biasing direction of the tension spring 12 to pass through the dead center, so that the tension spring 12 applies clockwise turning power to the arm 4. After the biasing direction has passed through the dead center, the arm 4 is suddenly rotated to the insertion position shown in FIG. 5A by the biasing force of the tension spring 12, and the arm 4 is brought into contact with the end face of the adjusting screw 13b. In order to prevent a sharp collision, the inclined surface 14a receives the cam surface 11a (see FIG. 4B).
[0031]
When the slide member 6 moves further to the left, the position at which the inclined surface 14a receives the cam surface 11a of the cam 11 is lowered along the inclined surface 14a with this movement, so that the arm 4 is shown in FIG. Rotate further clockwise from the position.
[0032]
After the arm 4 comes into contact with the end face of the adjusting screw 13b as shown in FIG. 5A and its rotation is restricted, the inclined surface 14a separates from the cam surface 11a (see FIG. 4A). At this time, the corner of the leaf spring 17 engages with the groove 18b of the slide member 6 by elastic force, and the slide member 6 stops at the second position (see FIG. 3A). Thereby, the auxiliary lens 5 is held at a position outside the optical path, and the top lens 3 is held at a position inside the optical path.
[0033]
As described above, according to the one embodiment, the slide member 6 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens 2 between the first position shown in FIG. 3C and the second position shown in FIG. The auxiliary lens 5 is switched between a position in the optical path of the fixed lens 2 and a position outside the optical path by moving the top lens 3 in a direction other than the optical path. It can be switched between positions in the optical path. Therefore, it is only necessary to secure a space below the fixed lens 2 for the slide member 6 to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens 2. Therefore, there is no need to secure a large space below the fixed lens for the arm to rotate, unlike the above-described related art.
[0034]
Specifically, when the microscope condenser according to the embodiment is applied to an upright microscope, the microscope condenser is attached to a condenser holder below the stage. At this time, all the components of the microscope condenser are above the condenser holder, and it is not necessary to secure a large space below the condenser holder. As a result, the height dimension required for mounting the condenser for the microscope can be reduced as compared with the above-described conventional technology, and the entire microscope can be reduced in size.
[0035]
In the above embodiment, the microscope condenser having the turret 7 has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a bright field microscope condenser having no turret.
[0036]
In the above-described embodiment, the knob 16 is provided at the end of the slide member 6 as shown in FIG. 2, but the knob 16 is provided at the position shown by a dashed line in FIG. A configuration may be made so that the top lens 3 cannot be retracted from a position in the optical path from a position in the optical path to a position outside the optical path. For example, in an oil-immersion type top lens, the distance between the tip and the slide glass on the specimen side is small (for example, 0.6 mm), and the gap is filled with oil. Therefore, if the top lens is splashed during observation, the specimen may be destroyed or oil may leak. Therefore, when performing observation using such an oil immersion type top lens, the knob 16 is provided at a position indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2 to move the slide member 6 from the second position to the first position. The top lens 3 cannot be moved to the side, and splashing of the top lens 3 during observation can be prevented.
[0037]
By screwing a male screw provided at the tip of the knob 16 into a screw hole provided on the slide member 6 side, the knob 16 is moved to one of the position shown by the solid line and the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. By configuring so that the knob 16 can be switched and attached, the knob 16 can be easily attached to the attachment position according to the type of observation.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the condenser for a microscope according to the first aspect of the invention, by moving the slide member between the first position and the second position in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens. The auxiliary lens is switched between a position in the optical path of the fixed lens and a position outside the optical path, and the top lens is switched between a position outside the optical path and a position in the optical path in conjunction with the switching. Can be Therefore, it is only necessary to secure a space below the fixed lens for the slide member to move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens. Therefore, the dimension in the height direction required for mounting can be reduced, and the size of the entire microscope can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a microscope condenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view showing the movement of a slide member.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view showing a positional relationship between a cam engaging portion of a slide member and a cam.
FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing the movement of an arm.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Condenser main body 2 Fixed lens 3 Top lens 4 Arm 5 Auxiliary lens 6 Slide member 10 Rotating shaft 11 Cam 14 Cam engaging part

Claims (3)

A fixed lens held by the condenser body and a top lens disposed above the fixed lens are held, and the insertion position where the top lens is located in the optical path of the fixed lens and the top lens that is located outside the optical path An arm rotatably supported by the condenser main body between the retracted position and an auxiliary lens disposed below the fixed lens, wherein one of the auxiliary lens and the top lens is In a microscope mirror condenser configured to displace the other side out of the optical path when located in the optical path,
Holding the auxiliary lens, between a first position where the auxiliary lens is located in the optical path and a second position where the auxiliary lens is retracted out of the optical path, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the fixed lens; A movable slide member,
The arm is rotated to the retracted position in conjunction with the movement of the slide member to the first position, and the arm is rotated to the insertion position in conjunction with the movement of the slide member to the second position. A condenser for a microscope, comprising: an interlocking mechanism for causing the microscope to operate. The interlocking mechanism is provided on a cam provided on a rotation shaft of the arm and on the slide member. 2. The condenser for a microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a cam engaging portion for rotating the arm together. 3. The condenser for a microscope according to claim 1, wherein the slide member has a light transmitting portion located in the optical path when the slide member is at the second position.

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