Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a stereomicroscope. The stereomicroscope comprises a microscope main body, a stand including a stand base portion on which a sample is to be laid, a support disposed vertically on the stand base portion, a focus adjust portion attached so as to be movable along the support, and an arm portion connected to the focus adjust portion for connecting the microscope main body thereto, so that the microscope main body is mounted on the stand to focus the sample, a light source lamp which illuminates the sample, and a light source unit in which the light source lamp is contained and which is attachable to at least one of the stand base portion, the support, and the arm portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-380387, filed Dec. 13, 2001, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a stereomicroscope which includes an illuminating apparatus.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    In general, a stereomicroscope has a zoom portion and focus portion that can be separated from each other. Furthermore, stereomicroscopes have been variously modified to improve operational efficiency. A technique is known, in which a fiber illuminating apparatus comprising a fiber having a small tip is employed to illuminate a sample to be observed by the stereomicroscope.  
           [0006]    The use of this fiber illuminating apparatus makes it unnecessary for the stereomicroscope to have large-sized light source heretofore. Thus, more space is available around the sample, which improves the operability of the stereomicroscope.  
           [0007]    When the fiber illuminating apparatus is used, applying light to the sample, the loss intensity of light illuminating the sample will decrease if the light source unit including a light source applying light to the fiber is locate far away from the sample. Therefore, the sample cannot be illuminated enough to be observed well, unless the light source unit is increased in size and output. If a large, high-output light source is used, not only the cost of installing the light source unit will increase, but also the handling of the fiber will be cumbersome.  
           [0008]    The light source unit that is used to achieve the illumination using the fiber illuminating apparatus is designed for exclusive use. Therefore, for example, when the sample is observed by transmitted illumination without using any fiber, a light source for transmitted illumination must be used in addition to the light source unit.  
           [0009]    Furthermore, to observe a sample having an excessively low reflectance, more light is required. In this case, the fiber can hardly be used. However, if the fiber is not used, the light source unit for applying light through the fiber has to be held and adjusted so as to directly illuminate the sample.  
           [0010]    Hitherto, various light sources must be prepared to illuminate samples well in various illuminating methods, respectively. Among the various illuminating methods are: a method that uses a fiber to perform oblique illumination; a method in which light is directly applied to the sample from the light source to perform the oblique illumination, without using the fiber; and a method that perform transmitted illumination.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0011]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stereomicroscope comprising: a microscope main body; a stand including a stand base portion on which a sample is to be laid, a support disposed vertically on the stand base portion, a focus adjust portion which is attached so as to be movable along the support, and an arm portion connected to the focus adjust portion for connecting the microscope main body thereto, so that the microscope main body is mounted on the stand to focus the sample; a light source lamp which illuminates the sample; and a light source unit in which the light source lamp is contained and which is attachable to at least one of the stand base portion, the support, and the arm portion.  
           [0012]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a side view showing a stereomicroscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stereomicroscope according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the junction between the fiber introducing portion and the light source unit attaching portion, both incorporated in the stereomicroscope;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is another diagram depicting the junction between the fiber introducing portion and the light source unit attaching portion;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is a side view showing another structure that the stereomicroscope according to the first embodiment may have;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating still another structure that the stereomicroscope according to the first embodiment may have;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a side view showing another structure that the stereomicroscope according to the first embodiment may have;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 is a side view explaining how a fiber illuminating apparatus performs oblique illumination in a stereomicroscope according to another embodiment of this invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flexible arm;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a side view explaining how an illuminating apparatus performs oblique illumination in a stereomicroscope according to another embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a side view explaining how a fiber illuminating apparatus performs oblique illumination in a stereomicroscope according to still another embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    [0025]FIGS. 1 and 2 are a side and plan views, respectively, showing a stereomicroscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The stereomicroscope will be described, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2.  
         [0026]    The stereomicroscope comprises a microscope main body  1  and stand  13 , which can be separated from each other. It further comprises a light source unit  8  that is connected to the stand  13  and can be removed therefrom.  
         [0027]    The stereomicroscope has a main body  1 . The main body  1  contains a zoom portion  3  and an eyepiece portion  4 . The zoom portion  3  includes an objective lens  5  and zoom handle  2 .  
         [0028]    The objective lens  5  is positioned, opposing a sample. The zoom handle  2  is operated to magnify an image of the sample. The microscope user observes the sample through the eyepiece portion  4 .  
         [0029]    The stand  13  comprises a base portion  14 , support  15 , focus adjust portion  16 , and focus handle  17 . The support  15  is mounted on the base portion  14 .  
         [0030]    The focus adjust portion  16  is attached to the support  15  and can be vertically movable. When manipulated, the focus handle  17  moves the focus adjust portion  16  up and down.  
         [0031]    The focus adjust portion  16  includes an arm portion  18  for connecting the focus adjust portion  16  to the microscope main body  1 , and a knob  28  for fixing the microscope main body  1  onto the arm portion  18 .  
         [0032]    The focus adjust portion  16  is attached to the support  15  by a guide  23 . The guide  23  comprises a roller guide, ball guide, and slide dovetail. The guide  23  can move the portion  16  vertically, with respect to the support  15 . The guide  23  can be so moved by, for example, using a rack and pinion to rotate the focus handle  17 . The rack-pinion mechanism can adjust the distance between the objective lens  5  and the sample placed on the stand base portion  14 , to bring the sample to the focal point of the objective lens  5 .  
         [0033]    The stand base portion  14  includes a lens  24 , Fresnel lens  224 , mirror  25 , transmitted illumination attaching portion  26 , and fixed knob (not shown).  
         [0034]    The transmitted illumination attaching portion  26  is designed to hold a light source. In the transmitted illumination attaching portion  26 , the light source is fixed by the fixed knob. The lens  24  and Fresnel lens  224  guide light from the light source for the transmitted illumination. The mirror  25  reflects the light upwards.  
         [0035]    The light source unit  8  comprises a light source  6 , fiber  10 , reflector  201 , and fiber introducing portion  7 .  
         [0036]    The reflector  201  collects the light from the light source  6  at one end of the fiber  10  and efficiently applies the light into the fiber  10 . The fiber  10  guides the light to the sample. A light source unit attaching portion  11  is provided on one end of the fiber  10 . The portion  11  is attached to the fiber introducing portion  7 ; it can be removed from the portion  7 . The portion  11  fiber tip end  12  is provided on the other end of the fiber  10 , holding the fiber  10  such that the light beam emitted from the fiber travels in a desired direction. The light source  6  incorporates a halogen lamp in the present embodiment.  
         [0037]    The fiber introducing portion  7  and light source unit attaching portion  11  may include screw portions so that they may be detached from each other. Alternatively, a magnet may be used to couple the portions  7  and  11  together. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source unit attaching portion  11  incorporates a spring  202  and the outer periphery of the cylindrical fiber introducing portion  7  has a V groove  203 . As long as the spring  202  remains clamped in the V groove  203 , the light source unit attaching portion  11  may be detachable. As shown in FIG. 4, a screw  204  may be used to fix the unit. In this case, the light source unit attaching portion  11  is detachable.  
         [0038]    A clamp screw  206  fastens a power source substrate  205  to the bottom of the light source  6  of the light source unit  8 . The substrate  205  is provided to supply power to the light source  6 .  
         [0039]    A method of connecting the stand  13  to the light source unit  8  will be described.  
         [0040]    A stand attaching portion  9  is provided on the back of the light source unit  8 . That is, the portion  9 , which will be attached to the support  15 , lies in a surface that opposes the light source unit  8 .  
         [0041]    The support  15  includes a mounting portion  19  that supports the light source unit  8  so that the unit may be detached. To attach the light source unit  8  to the support  15 , the stand attaching portion  9  of the light source unit  8  is first aligned with the mounting portion  19  of the support  15  and then fixed with screws. The fixing means is not limited to screws, nonetheless. For example, a hook or magnet may be used instead, to mount the light source unit  8  on the stand base portion  14 . The light source unit  8  may be bonded, if it needs to be permanently fixed.  
         [0042]    As FIG. 2 shows, the arm portion  18  has an opening  21  that allows passage of the fiber tip end  12  and light source unit  8 . A fixing member  22  is provided on one side of the arm portion  18 . A fiber attaching member  27  is held in the opening  21 , secured to the fixing member  22 . Thus held in the opening  21 , the member  27  holds the fiber tip end  12  so that the light beam emitted from the fiber may travel to the sample.  
         [0043]    Various illuminating methods using the stereomicroscope of the first embodiment will be described below.  
         [0044]    A method that uses a fiber illuminating apparatus to perform oblique illumination will be described, with reference FIGS. 1 and 2. First, the light source unit attaching portion  11  of the fiber  10  is secured to the fiber introducing portion  7  of the light source unit  8 . The stand attaching portion  9  of the light source unit  8  is aligned with the mounting portion  19  of the support  15  and fixed by the screws. Then, the fiber tip end  12  is passed through the opening  21  made in the arm portion  18 . Further, the fiber  10  is adjusted in position so that the light beam emitted from it may travel to the sample. Finally, the fixing member  22  is manipulated, holding the fiber attaching member in the opening  21 . As a result, the fiber tip end  12  is fixed in position in the opening  21 .  
         [0045]    A method that uses the light source  6 , but not the fiber  10 , to perform transmitted illumination will be described, with reference to FIG. 5. At first, the light source unit attaching portion  11  on the fiber end is detached from the fiber introducing portion  7  of the light source unit  8 . Next, the fiber introducing portion  7  of the light source unit  8  is attached to the transmitted illumination light source attaching portion  26 .  
         [0046]    A method that uses the light source  6 , but not the fiber  10 , to perform oblique illumination will be described, with reference to FIG. 6. The fiber  10  is detached from the light source unit  8 . Then, the fixing member  22  is manipulated, holding the light source unit  8  in the opening  21  such that the light beam emitted extends to the sample. As shown in FIG. 2, the opening  21  has a shape conforming to the shape of the light source unit  8 . Hence, not only the fiber  10 , but also the light source unit  8  can be held in the opening  21 .  
         [0047]    The first embodiment is characterized in that the light source unit  8  is attached to the back of the stand  13  of the stereomicroscope, not spaced apart from the stereomicroscope as in the conventional method.  
         [0048]    The light source unit  8  is therefore located closer to the sample than in the conventional method. This helps to shorten the fiber  10 . As a result, the loss of the light amount can be reduced. In other words, a sufficient amount of light can be applied to the sample to achieve good observation of the sample, even the lamp used is a small, low-output one.  
         [0049]    Moreover, the unit does not obstruct the observation of the sample, because the light source unit  8  is attached to the stand  13 .  
         [0050]    While the light source unit  8  remains attached to the stand  13 , heat from the light source may be transferred to, and propagate through, the stand  13 . Even in this case, the observation of the sample is not influenced, though some deflection occurs. This is because the stereomicroscope has a large focal depth. Therefore, the light source unit  8  does not need a cooling fan. This helps to achieve further miniaturization of the light source unit  8 . If necessary, ventilation holes may be cut in the bottom of the light source unit  8 .  
         [0051]    In the first embodiment, the light source unit  8  is provided in the support  15 . Nevertheless, this invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the light source unit  8  may be is attached to the left side, right side, front, or back of the stand base portion  14 . In this case, the advantage is achieved as in the first embodiment.  
         [0052]    If the light source unit  8  is made as small as possible, the light source unit  8  can be attached at more positions than otherwise and is less likely to obstruct the operation of the sample. The light source unit  8  of the first embodiment is elongated, extending vertically, with the power source substrate  205  positioned under the light source  6  and reflector  201 . The light source unit  8  is therefore less broad than otherwise. This meets the requirement that the unit be attached and detached at many positions and that a sufficient operation space be provided.  
         [0053]    The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, nonetheless. The light source unit  8  may be further miniaturized by separately disposing the power source substrate  205 . As FIG. 7 illustrates, the light source unit  8  may be smaller if an AC adapter  207  is used instead of the power source substrate  205 . The AC adapter  207  converts the power-supply, AC voltage to a DC voltage, which is applied to the light source unit  8  via a connector  208 .  
         [0054]    In the stereomicroscope described above, one light source unit  8  can be used as a light source for fiber illumination, transmitted illumination and oblique illumination. The microscope user can select any one of these illumination modes.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 8 is a side view explaining how the fiber illuminating apparatus performs oblique illumination in the stereomicroscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Parts similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted at the same reference numerals and will not be described in detail.  
         [0056]    A fiber tip end  31  holds the fiber such that the light beam emitted from the fiber travels in a desired direction is disposed in one end of the fiber  10 . Moreover, a flexible arm  32  is provided in an arm portion  35  to set the axis of the fiber tip end  31  in the desired direction.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the flexible arm  32 .  
         [0058]    A fixing portion  34  is provided at one end of the flexible arm  32 . An L-shaped arm member  301  is attached to the arm portion  35  and can rotate about the axis of the fixing portion  34 . The arm member  301  and an L-shaped arm member  309  are mounted on a fixing portion  302  and can rotate about the axis of the fixing portion  302  which is the rotation axis. The respective arm members constituting the flexible arm  32  are connected to one another and can rotate about the axes of the fixing portions  302 ,  303 ,  305  and  306 , respectively.  
         [0059]    Moreover, an insertion portion  307  is attached to the other end of the flexible arm  32  and can be rotated by the fixing portion  306 . The insertion portion  307  has an opening in which the fiber tip end  31  may be inserted and held by a fixing portion  33 .  
         [0060]    The fiber tip end  31  is thus secured to the flexible arm  32 . The fiber tip end  31  can apply light to the sample (not shown) at an arbitrary angle, because the flexible arm  32  can be freely moved.  
         [0061]    Various illuminating methods using the stereomicroscope of the second embodiment will be described.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 8 shows a method that uses the fiber illuminating apparatus to perform oblique illumination on the sample. The light source unit attaching portion  11  of the fiber  10  is attached to the fiber introducing portion  7  of a light source unit  36 . The stand attaching portion  9  of the light source unit  36  is fixed in position after aligned with the mounting portion  19  of the support  15 . The fiber tip end  31  is attached to the flexible arm  32  and fixed by the fixing portion  33 . Then, the flexible arm  32  can move the fiber tip end  31  freely, by virtue of the structure specified above. The fiber tip end  31  can therefore be directed to the sample at any desired angle to illuminate the sample.  
         [0063]    The method of performing the transmitted illumination, using the light source  6  and not using the fiber  10 , is similar to the method of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, it will not be described.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 10 depicts a method of performing oblique illumination, using the light source  6  and not using the fiber  10 . The light source unit attaching portion  11  provided at the fiber end is removed from the fiber introducing portion  7  of the light source unit  36 . A fixing portion  37  secures the light source unit  36  to the flexible arm  32 . Then, the flexible arm  32  can move the light source unit  36  freely, owing to the above-described structure. Therefore, the sample can be illuminated with the light applied directly from the light source  6 , at a desired angle to the sample.  
         [0065]    The stereomicroscope described above attains an advantage similar to that of the first embodiment. Once the fiber tip end  31  and light source unit  36  are attached to the flexible arm  32 , the optical axes of the fiber tip end  31  and light source unit  36  can be fixed in any desired directions.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 11 is a side view showing the oblique illumination performed by the fiber illuminating apparatus that is incorporated in the stereomicroscope according to a third embodiment of this invention. The parts similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted at the same reference numerals, and will not be described in detail.  
         [0067]    In the third embodiment, a light source unit  41  includes a light source  6 , a light adjustment volume  42 , and a lamp change portion  43 . The light adjustment volume  42  adjusts the amount of light. The lamp change portion  43  is configured to replace a lamp with another. Screws (not shown) fasten a lid  44  is attached to the lamp change portion  43 . The lid  44  can be removed to replace the lamp with another. The structure shown in FIG. 7 can be applied to the third embodiment. That is, the AC adapter  207  may be used to miniaturize the light source unit  41 , instead of using the power source substrate  205  in the light source unit  41 .  
         [0068]    Various illuminating methods using the stereomicroscope of the third embodiment will be described.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 illustrates a method that uses the fiber illuminating apparatus to carry out oblique illumination on the sample. The light source unit attaching portion  11  of the fiber  10  is attached to the fiber introducing portion  7  of the light source unit  41 . The stand attaching portion  9  of the light source unit  41  is aligned with and attached to the mounting portion  19  of the support  15 . The fiber tip end  12  is inserted in the opening  21  made in the arm portion  18  of the stand  13 . It is then adjusted and fixed, directing the fiber  10  to the sample.  
         [0070]    The light adjustment volume  42  is incorporated in the light source unit  41 , which is mounted on the back of the support  15 . Hence, the light adjustment volume  42  can lie near the other operation portions, such as the focus handle  17  and zoom handle  2 . Moreover, the light source unit  41  can be attached not only to the back of the support  15 , but also to the left side, right side, front or back of the stand base portion  14 . The light adjustment volume  42  and lamp change portion  43  can therefore be positioned in the vicinity of the microscope user&#39;s hands.  
         [0071]    The method of performing transmitted illumination, by using the light source  6  and not using the fiber  10 , is similar to the method of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, it will not be described.  
         [0072]    The method of performing oblique illumination, by using the light source  6  and not using the fiber  10 , is similar to the method of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6. Therefore, it will not be described.  
         [0073]    The stereomicroscope described above can achieve an advantage similar to the advantage of the first embodiment. In addition, the stereomicroscope is improved in operability. This is because both the light adjustment volume  42  and the lamp change portion  43  can be provided near the focus handle  17  and zoom handle  2 .  
         [0074]    The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. According to the invention, the embodiments may be used in any appropriate combinations.  
         [0075]    Moreover, the invention is applied not only to the stereomicroscopes of the above-described embodiments. It can also be applied to microscopes of general types. The invention can be applied to not only a stereomicroscope that has two objective lenses, but also a microscope that includes one single objective lens only.  
         [0076]    Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.