JPH11218689A - Condenser device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a condenser device which easily forms a field stop image on the surface of a sample even in the case of the vertical change of the position where the sample is placed on the upper face of a stage. SOLUTION: This condenser device is provided with a condenser lens which is arranged on the optical axis below a microscope stage 60, a condenser holder 1 which holds the condenser lens, and a condenser carrier which moves the condenser holder 1 in the direction of the optical axis so that an upper face 41a of a top lens 41 of the condenser lens doesn't go above an upper face 60a of the stage 60. The condenser holder 1 is provided with a stopper ring 34 which adjust the position to move the top lens 41 of the condenser lens upward from the upper face 60a of the stage 60.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a condenser device used for a transmission illumination unit of an optical microscope.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A condenser device used in a transmission illumination system of an optical microscope is arranged in accordance with Koehler illumination in order to uniformly illuminate a specimen.

[0003] The condenser device is configured so that a condenser lens can be adjusted so that a field stop image is formed on a slide glass (sample) surface in order to perform correct Koehler illumination.

A condenser lens has a focal length and an object distance (distance between the upper surface of a condenser lens and a sample surface, hereinafter referred to as O.D.
D. Is different).

The higher the magnification of a condenser lens for an objective lens, the higher the O.D. D. For example, in an achromatic aplanat condenser lens for 10 × to 100 × (hereinafter referred to as AA Con), the O.D. D. = 1.6 mm.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional capacitor device, in which a slide glass is arranged on the upper surface of a stage.

The condenser device includes a condenser lens holder 101, a condenser carrier 103, a substage 161, a rack 104, and a pinion 162.

A condenser lens holder 101 for holding a condenser lens is mounted on a condenser carrier 103 via a centerable mount 102.

A rack 104 is provided on a side surface of the capacitor carrier 103, and the rack 104 is engaged with a pinion 162 provided on a sub-stage 161. The sub-stage 161 has a slide glass 1
A stage 160 on which the stage 50 is mounted is attached.

A restriction pin 1 urged upward by a compression spring 105 is provided above the capacitor carrier 103.
06 is provided.

[0011] The upper end of the limiting pin 106 is
1, and this restriction pin 161 functions as an upper limit stopper of the condenser lens holder 101.

The amount of protrusion of the limiting pin 106 is determined by the clamp screw 1
07 is determined.

The limit pin 106 is located at a proper position (L2> L1).
And L2−L1 is the minimum).

At this time, the distance between the upper surface of the capacitor carrier 103 and the lower surface of the sub-stage 161 is a.

L1 is the height of the condenser lens (the dimension between the condenser mounting reference surface 102a and the top surface 141a of the condenser lens), and L2 is the dimension between the condenser mounting reference surface 102a and the stage upper surface 160a. Are respectively shown.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional capacitor device, and shows a case where a slide glass is arranged away from the upper surface of a stage.

The slide glass 150 is placed on the stage upper surface 16.
When the lens is disposed at a distance d from 0a, it is necessary to raise the condenser lens (condenser lens holder 101) by the distance d in order to form a field stop image on the slide glass 150.

After the restriction is released by loosening the clamp pin 107, the limit pin 106 is lowered by the distance d.

As a result, the capacitor carrier 103 can be further raised by the distance d.

At this time, the distance between the upper surface of the capacitor carrier 103 and the lower surface of the substage 161 is b (d
= Ab).

[0021]

As described above, for example, when the slide glass 150 is placed away from the stage upper surface 160a for observation, the restriction pin 106 is moved by the distance that the slide glass 150 is separated from the stage upper surface 160a. Just lower it.

When the limiting pin 106 is lowered, the condenser lens has risen from its normal position. When the slide glass 150 is placed on the stage upper surface 160a in this state, the slide glass 150 may be damaged. .

Particularly when using a high-magnification objective lens (40 ×, for example, 0.14 mm) having a short working distance, there is a high possibility of such a problem.

Top lens 141 and slide glass 15
To avoid collision with zero, the limit pin 106 may be returned to the original position, but this operation is not as easy as a user of the microscope. That is, since the fixing position of the limiting pin 106 is determined by the crank pin 107, a precise readjustment by a professional engineer at the factory is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to easily form a field stop image on a sample surface even when a position where a slide glass (sample) is placed on a stage moves up and down. To provide a capacitor device that can be used.

[0026]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a condenser lens disposed on an optical axis below a microscope stage, a condenser holder for holding the condenser lens, and a condenser. Moving means for moving the condenser holder in the optical axis direction so that the top lens upper surface of the lens does not go above the stage upper surface, wherein the condenser lens includes a top lens of the condenser lens. An adjusting means for adjusting a position for moving the stage upward from the upper surface of the stage is provided.

When the lower surface of the sample is arranged away from the upper surface of the stage, the position of the field stop image is adjusted by moving the top lens upward from the upper surface of the stage by adjusting the adjusting means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the capacitor device according to the first aspect, the capacitor holder is provided with buffer means for absorbing a shock when the top lens collides with a sample placed on the stage. It is characterized by having.

When the lower surface of the sample is switched from the position separated from the upper surface of the stage to the position where the lower surface of the sample is positioned on the upper surface of the stage, even if the top lens collides with the slide glass by mistake, the shock caused by the collision by the buffer means is not affected. Absorbed, preventing breakage of slide glass and specimen.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the capacitor device according to the first aspect, the capacitor holder is provided with position display means for displaying the position of the condenser lens in the optical axis direction. .

The moving distance of the condenser lens in the optical axis direction can be easily known from the display of the position display means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a condenser device comprising a condenser lens disposed on an optical axis below a microscope stage, and a condenser holder for holding the condenser lens. Position adjustment means for moving the lens upward from the upper surface of the stage is provided, and buffer means for absorbing a shock when the top lens collides with a sample arranged on the stage is provided. .

When the lower surface of the sample is placed away from the upper surface of the stage, the top lens can be moved upward from the upper surface of the stage to a position where the field stop image is formed on the sample by adjusting the adjusting means. Even if the arrangement is switched from the arrangement to the arrangement located on the upper surface of the stage and the top lens collides with the sample by mistake, the shock at the time of the collision is absorbed by the buffer means, and the specimen is prevented from being damaged.

[0034]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a capacitor holder constituting a capacitor device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating the relationship between the pin and the first inner cylinder. The capacitor carrier (moving means) and the like other than the capacitor holder are the same as those in the conventional example, and their illustration is omitted.

The condenser holder 1 has an outer cylinder 30, an inner cylinder 10, and a condenser lens 40.

The inner cylinder 10 comprises a first inner cylinder 11 and a second inner cylinder 1
2, and the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 are connected by screws 13.

An aperture stop 14 is provided between the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12.

The aperture stop 14 is composed of a honeycomb 14a and a wicker wheel 14b.
The lever 15 is provided with a screw 16 on the honeycomb 14a.
Is fixed.

The beehive 14 is moved by moving the lever 15.
a rotates, the aperture stop 1 formed by the wicker wheel 14b
4 changes the opening area.

The lever 15 is provided with an index 15a, and the numerical aperture can be read by a numerical aperture scale 31 provided on the outer cylinder 30.

A lens chamber 20 is provided above the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12. A condenser lens 40 is fixed to the lens chamber 20 and the second inner cylinder 12 by a not-shown press ring, an adhesive or the like.

The condenser lens 40 has the A.D. A. Is used and O.D. D. = 1.6 mm.

The outer peripheral surface 11a of the first inner cylinder 11 and the outer peripheral surface 12a of the second inner cylinder 12 are slidably engaged with the inner peripheral surface 30a of the outer cylinder (attached to the capacitor carrier) 30. doing.

A compression spring (buffer means) 32 is interposed between the first inner cylinder 11 and the outer cylinder 30.
The first and second inner cylinders 12 are constantly urged upward by the elastic force of the compression spring 32.

The spring constant of the compression spring 32 is preferably as small as possible from the viewpoint of safety at the time of collision between the condenser lens 40 and the slide glass (sample) 50.

The pin 17 is attached to the second inner cylinder 12 through a long hole 33 extending in the vertical direction of the outer cylinder 30. The width of the long hole 33 is formed slightly larger than the diameter of the pin 17.

Since the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 are urged upward by the compression spring 32, the cam surface 3
4a prevents the pin 17 from moving upward, and the pin 17 and the cam surface 34a function as an upper limit stopper.

The tip of the pin 17 engages with a cam surface 34a provided on the inner peripheral surface of a stopper ring (adjustment means) 34 rotatable on the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 30. Stopper ring 34
Is a press ring 18 fixed to the outer cylinder 30 by a screw 18a.
Has been prevented by. A knurl 34c (see FIG. 3) is formed on the outer periphery of the stopper ring 34 for easy operation, and graduations 34b are provided at intervals of 0.1 mm, and hands 18b provided on the press ring 18 are provided.
The upper limit position can be read. Scale 34b
And the pointer 18b constitute a position display means.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cam surface 34a is formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the moving direction of the stopper ring 34.

When the stopper ring 34 is turned in the direction of arrow c from the state shown in FIG. 4, the pin 17 moves upward along the elongated hole 33 while contacting the cam surface 34a. As a result, the positions of the upper limit stoppers of the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 rise.

At this time, the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 1
The lever 2 only rotates in the rotation direction of the stopper ring 34 by the difference between the width of the elongated hole 33 and the diameter of the pin 17.
The relationship between 5 and the numerical aperture scale 31 does not change.

The amount of movement of the pin 17 is determined by the angle of inclination of the cam surface 34a. In the case of FIG. 4, when the stopper ring 34 is fully rotated, the pin 17 rises by the distance d (see FIG. 15).

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the condenser lens, the sample and the stage, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are partially enlarged views.

FIG. 6 shows a slide glass 5 having a thickness of 1.2 mm.
This shows a state in which 0 is placed on the upper surface 60a of the stage and the scale of the stopper ring 34 is set to 0 (the position where the cam surface 34a is the lowest).

At this time, the O.D. D. Is 1.6 mm, so that the top lens upper surface 41a and the slide glass lower surface 50
The distance from b is 0.4 mm.

Since the condenser lens 40 is an oil type, an immersion oil 42 is interposed between the top lens upper surface 41a and the slide glass lower surface 50b.

The field stop image 70 is formed on the upper surface (specimen) 50a of the slide glass (see FIG. 7).

When the capacitor carrier (not shown) is raised to the upper limit stopper position from the state shown in FIG. 7 (see FIG. 8), the distance between the top lens upper surface 41a and the slide glass lower surface 50b is set to 0.1 mm. Has been
The top lens upper surface 41a and the slide glass lower surface 50b are in contact with each other, and the slide glass 41 is not damaged. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the condenser lens, the sample, and the stage, and FIGS. 10 to 11 are partially enlarged views thereof.

FIG. 9 shows a state where the slide glass (thickness: 1.2 mm) 50 is arranged at a distance of 1 mm from the upper surface 60a of the stage by the sample holder 55.

At this time, the upper surface 50a of the slide glass on which the field stop image 70 is formed is the upper surface 41a of the condenser lens.
2.3 mm (distance between top lens upper surface 41a and slide glass lower surface 50b + thickness of slide glass 50)
In the position.

Therefore, O.D. D. The field stop image 70 cannot be formed on the upper surface 50a of the slide glass with the condenser lens 40 of 1.6 mm (see FIG. 10).

Here, the stopper ring 34 is
When rotated, the position of the pin 17 rises by 1 mm.

As a result, the field stop image 70 can be formed on the upper surface 50a of the slide glass (see FIG. 11).

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the condenser lens, the sample, and the stage.

FIG. 12 is different from FIG. 9 only in that a raised bottom petri dish 56 having a bottom formed at a distance of 1 mm (= d) from the upper surface of the stage is used instead of the specimen holder 55. Omitted.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the operation of the top lens when the condenser lens and the sample collide.

The condenser lens 40 is a slide glass 5
0, the top lens 41 is pushed in the direction shown by the arrow P, the compression spring 32 is compressed, and the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 move downward by L3 (see FIG. 13). ).

When the condenser lens 40 descends, the first
The inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 return to the original positions indicated by the two-dot chain line by the elastic force of the compression spring 32.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

Even when the position of the slide glass 50 placed on the stage 60 is raised by the sample holder 55 or the like, the position of the slide glass lower surface 50b is changed by replacing the sample holder 55 or the petri dish 56 during microscopic observation. Even when it changes, the upper limit position of the condenser lens 40 can be easily changed just by turning the stopper ring 34, so that the field stop image 70 is formed on the slide glass upper surface 50a and the bottom surface 56a of the Petri dish 56. Can do the right lighting.

For example, when the condenser lens 40 is lowered but the stopper ring 34 is rotated to the scale 1.0, the position of the pin 17 is set when the slide glass 50 is placed on the upper surface 60a of the stage. However, when the condenser lens 40 is raised without forgetting to reset it, the top lens 41 collides with the slide glass 50, or rises further to move the slide glass 50 between the objective lens and the top lens 41. May be interposed.

However, in this embodiment, when the top lens 41 is pushed by the collision and the compression spring 32 is compressed, the first inner cylinder 11 and the second inner cylinder 12 move downward, so that the top lens 41 Slide glass 50
The worst-case situation in which is damaged is avoided.

The upper limit set by the user, which cannot be easily set by the conventional capacitor device, can be easily set only by rotating the stopper ring 34.
The restriction pin for setting the upper limit used in the conventional capacitor device can be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the condenser lens holder is moved in the optical axis direction. However, only the top lens 41 may be moved in the optical axis direction without moving the condenser lens holder.

Further, the top lens 41 may be supported by a compression spring 32 or the like to absorb a shock when the top lens 41 collides with the slide glass 50.

Further, as a structure for moving the condenser lens 40 up and down, for example, an eccentric cam can be used.

[0078]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the sample lower surface is arranged away from the stage upper surface, the top lens is moved upward from the stage upper surface by adjusting the adjusting means. In addition, a field stop image can be formed on the upper surface (sample) of the slide glass, and correct illumination can be performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the lower surface of the sample is switched from the position separated from the upper surface of the stage to the position positioned at the upper surface of the stage, the top lens collides with the slide glass by mistake. In addition, the worst case in which the impact at the time of collision is absorbed by the buffer means and the slide glass or the specimen is damaged can be avoided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the moving distance of the condenser lens in the optical axis direction can be easily known by the display of the position display means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the lower surface of the sample is arranged away from the upper surface of the stage, the adjusting means is adjusted to move the top lens upward from the upper surface of the stage, and the field stop image is displayed on the slide glass. An image can be formed on the upper surface (specimen), and correct illumination can be performed. Also, when switching the arrangement of the lower surface of the specimen from the upper surface of the stage to the arrangement of the lower surface of the specimen on the upper surface of the stage, even if the top lens collides with the slide glass by mistake, the impact caused by the collision is absorbed by the buffer means. Thus, the worst case in which the slide glass and the specimen are damaged can be avoided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a capacitor holder constituting a capacitor device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view for explaining a relationship between a cam and a pin.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view for explaining a relationship between a pin and a first inner cylinder.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between a condenser lens, a sample, and a stage.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the top lens when a condenser lens and a sample collide.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional capacitor device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional capacitor device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Condenser holder 18b Pointer 32 Compression spring (buffer means) 34 Stopper ring (adjustment means) 34b Scale 40 Condenser lens 41 Top lens 50 Slide glass (sample) 60 Stage 60a Stage upper surface 70 Field stop image

Claims (4)

[Claims] A condenser lens disposed on an optical axis below a microscope stage; a condenser holder for holding the condenser lens; and a condenser lens for preventing a top lens upper surface of the condenser lens from going above the stage upper surface. A condenser device comprising: a moving unit for moving the condenser holder in the optical axis direction; wherein the condenser holder is provided with adjusting means for adjusting a position for moving the top lens of the condenser lens upward from the upper surface of the stage. A capacitor device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The condenser device according to claim 1, wherein the condenser holder is provided with buffer means for absorbing a shock when the top lens collides with a sample placed on the stage. . 3. The condenser device according to claim 1, wherein the condenser holder is provided with position display means for displaying a position of the condenser lens in an optical axis direction. 4. A condenser device comprising: a condenser lens disposed on an optical axis below a microscope stage; and a condenser holder for holding the condenser lens, wherein a top lens of the condenser lens is placed on the condenser holder from above the stage. A capacitor device comprising: a position adjusting means for moving the sample upward; and a buffer means for absorbing a shock when the top lens collides with a sample placed on the stage.