Microscope

The invention discloses a microscope (1) whose stand (2) comprises a transverse main section (3), a stand column section, and a stand base section (5). The stand (2) receives an element (25) that is rotatable about an axis and carries several optical elements (26). A flap (8) through which the rotatable element (25) is accessible is provided on the stand. The flap (8) coacts with a preloaded bolt element (28) in such a way that when the flap (8) is open, the bolt element (28) locks the rotatable element (25).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of the German utility model application 203 13 678.0 which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a microscope. The invention concerns in particular a microscope having a stand, the stand receiving an element that is rotatable about an axis and carries at least one optical element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to configure a microscope in such a way that dependable and user-friendly changing of the optical elements arranged on a rotatable element can be performed in reliable fashion. Particular attention is to be paid here to the user-friendliness and dependable operation of the microscope.

Japanese Patent Application 2001-208981 A discloses a microscope having a rotatable element that represents a filter cassette. The rotatable element is arranged within the stand of the microscope. Several optical elements can be mounted on the rotatable element. The optical elements can be, for example, filters, mirrors, or dichroic filters.

Japanese Patent 2002-090646 A discloses a method and an apparatus for monitoring a motor-driven part of a microscope. The motor drives a rotatable element on which several elements can be mounted. The document does not, however, give any indication as to how the rotatable element is secured upon changing of the optical elements, to make possible simple and reliable changing of optical elements.

Japanese Patent Application 2003-029160 A discloses a rotatable element on which several interchangeable optical elements can be mounted. With the rotatable element, the optical elements can be introduced into the beam path of a microscope. The rotatable element is arranged in the stand of a microscope. A bolt element coacts with the stand of the microscope and with the rotatable element in such a way that upon changing of the optical elements on the rotatable element, the latter can be immobilized in a fixed position. In addition, the rotatable element or a specific optical element arranged on the rotatable element can likewise be fixedly positioned in the beam path of the microscope using the bolt element. The apparatus proposed here has the disadvantage, however, that a user must personally release the lock made possible by the bolt element if he or she wishes, for example, to pivot another optical element into the beam path of the microscope.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to create a microscope with which optical elements on a rotatable element can be changed in simple and reliable fashion while guaranteeing dependable operation for a user. Retention should be accomplished as automatically as possible. The term “microscope” here encompasses both upright and inverted microscopes.

The aforesaid object is achieved by a microscope comprising: a stand, an element rotatable about an axis wherein the element is received by the stand and the rotatable element carries several optical elements; a flap provided at the stand, through which the rotatable element is accessible from the outside; and a preloaded bolt element which coacts with the flap in such a way that when the flap is open, the bolt element automatically locks the rotatable element.

The object is achieved as well by a microscope comprising: a stand, an element rotatable about an axis wherein the element is received by the stand and the rotatable element carries several optical elements; a flap provided at the stand, through which the rotatable element is accessible from the outside; and a preloaded pin which coacts with the flap in such a way that when the flap is open, the pin automatically locks the rotatable element.

The object is achieved as well by a microscope comprising: a stand, an element rotatable about an axis wherein the element is received by the stand and the rotatable element carries several optical elements; a flap provided at the stand, through which the rotatable element is accessible from the outside; and a preloaded lever which coacts with the flap in such a way that when the flap is open, the lever automatically locks the rotatable element.

The invention has the advantage that the microscope is equipped with a stand, and that the stand receives an element which is rotatable about an axis. In addition, the rotatable element carries several exchangeable optical elements. Access to the exchangeable optical elements is ensured by a flap that is provided on the stand of the microscope. The flap coacts with a preloaded bolt element in such a way that when the flap is open, the bolt element locks the rotatable element. The stand comprises a stand base section, a stand column section, and a transverse main section. It is particularly advantageous if the rotatable optical element is provided in the transverse main section.

The rotatable element carries several exchangeable optical elements. The optical elements can encompass optical deflection and/or filter systems that are embodied as beam splitter mirrors, beam splitter cubes, or the like. The exchangeability of the optical elements is guaranteed by the fact that the transverse main section has embodied an end face, and that the flap is provided in the end face. Opening the flap makes the rotatable element accessible, and the optical elements arranged on the rotatable element can be exchanged at will. As already mentioned above, upon opening of the flap a bolt element engages into the rotatable element in such a way that the latter is locked in terms of further rotary motion. This ensures that a user can reliably exchange the optical element or elements on the rotatable element, since the latter is securely immobilized in its position by the engaged bolt element. A further advantage results from the fact that the locking of the optical element is automatically canceled by closing the flap. The motor associated with the rotatable element can then, depending on the setting of the microscope, deliver the desired optical element into the beam path.

In a particular embodiment, the rotatable element is movable or rotatable in motorized fashion. Locking of the rotatable element by the bolt element has the advantage that during exchange of an optical element, there is no change in the location of the motor so that any data indicating its position are lost or misinterpreted.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is a frontal view of microscope1. Microscope1encompasses a stand2that comprises a transverse main section3, a stand column section4, and a stand base section5. A microscope stage holding element10is provided on stand column section4. A display6, with which a user can make adjustments to microscope1, is provided in stand base section5.FIG. 2is a side view of microscope1according to the present invention. For the sake of simplicity, the same reference characters as inFIG. 1are also used in FIG.2. Stand transverse main section3defines an end face3a. In transverse main section3, there is provided on end face3aa flap8that can be opened by a user in order thereby to gain access to the interior of stand2and of transverse main section3. Transverse main section3also carries a rotatable nosepiece12. Rotatable nosepiece12carries at least one objective14that, in the working position, defines an optical axis16. Stand2furthermore carries a rotatable operating element18with which the focus position in the Z direction can be modified. Operating element18encompasses a first operating element18awith which a coarse displacement in the Z direction is possible, and a second operating element18bwith which a fine displacement in the Z direction is possible.

FIG. 3is a perspective view of transverse main section3of microscope1. The perspective depiction allows a view into the interior of transverse main section3. Provided on end face3aof transverse main section3is a flap8which, in this depiction, is shown pivoted. Opposite flap8, transverse main section3apossesses a flange20to which an illumination device (not depicted) can be attached. Several optical elements22, which can be brought in suitable fashion into illuminating light beam L, are also provided in the interior of transverse main section3. The illumination beam path is defined by the light source attached to flange22[sic]. For better clarity, rotatable element25is not shown in the depiction of FIG.3. In the embodiment depicted here, rotatable element25would be arranged directly behind flap8on end face3aof transverse main section3. Of the several optical elements26that can be provided on rotatable element25, one is arranged in the position that directs illuminating light beam L of the light source through objective14of microscope1. A bolt element28that is mechanically preloaded is provided in the region of end face3aof transverse main section3. The mechanical preloading of bolt element28allows the latter to transition automatically into a locking position when a force is not exerted. In the embodiment shown here, bolt element28is embodied as a pin50(seeFIG. 6) on which is shaped a lug29that is guided in a slot30of transverse main section3. Transverse main section3moreover possesses several openings32through which optical elements can be introduced into the beam path of illuminating light L. A further embodiment of bolt element28is a lever60.

FIG. 4is a perspective view of rotatable element25that can be used in the region of end face3aof transverse main section3. Rotatable element25is arranged on a mounting plate34. Also provided on mounting plate24is a motor36whose rotary motion is transferred via a transfer wheel37to rotatable element25. Rotatable element25is rotatable about an axis D. In the embodiment depicted here, the rotatable element is embodied in a circular shape and has on its periphery a toothed ring25a. The rotary motion of motor36is thus transferred via at least one gear to toothed ring25aof rotatable element25. A cylindrical element40is arranged on rotatable element25symmetrically about axis D. Optical elements26can be mounted on cylindrical element40(see FIG.5). Rotatable element25furthermore possesses several openings39through which it is possible for the light of illuminating light beam L to pass. Cylindrical element40possesses, on the side facing away from rotatable element25, several grooves41. Bolt element28engages into grooves41, thereby locking or blocking further rotation of rotatable element25. In the embodiment of pin50as bolt element28as shown inFIG. 3, lug29joined to pin50would engage into grooves41of cylindrical element40.

FIG. 5is a partial view of end face3aof transverse main section3. In this depiction, flap8on end face3ais partly swung away in order to illustrate the coaction of bolt element28with grooves41of cylindrical element40. Cylindrical element40is rotatable about axis D. In the embodiment depicted here, an optical element26that deflects the light of illuminating light beam L into optical axis16of microscope1is mounted on cylindrical element40. Flap8on end face3aof transverse main section3is here shown pivoted, in order to illustrate the coaction of flap8with bolt element28. Flap8can, however, be completely removed by the user in order to gain access to the interior of transverse main section3, so that optical elements26can be mounted on cylindrical element40or removed therefrom. Flap8possesses an extension43that coacts with a front surface28aof bolt element28.

In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6, bolt element28is configured as a pin50. Bolt element28is provided with a lug29that protrudes perpendicularly from pin50. As already described inFIG. 3, lug29engages through a slot30. Bolt element28or pin50is impinged upon by a spring44, so that when flap8is removed, bolt element28is moved in the direction of end face3aof transverse main section3so that bolt element28or lug29engages into one of grooves41of the cylindrical element. When flap8is open, cylindrical element40is thus locked in terms of rotary motion or any change in position due to rotation. When flap8is closed, bolt element28is pushed away from end face3aof transverse main segment3by extension43of flap8. Bolt element28and lug29come out of engagement with grooves41, and rotatable element25can be freely rotated, e.g. by motor36, into the desired position.

The configuration of bolt element28as pin50is depicted in FIG.6. Pin50encompasses lug29mounted perpendicularly on it. The pin is furthermore equipped with an extender element51which has an end surface51aon which extension43of flap8engages. Spring44engages on end53of pin50that is opposite to end surface51a. Lug29is thread-joined to pin50. This thread join can be additionally secured with an adhesive.

FIG. 7is a detail view of bolt element28, which in this embodiment is configured as lever60. Lever60is mounted pivotably about a shaft61, the shaft being articulated on housing62of the microscope. Lug29is mounted on lever60and, when the position of lever60is suitable, engages into one of grooves41of cylindrical element40. When flap8is open, cylindrical element40is thus locked in terms of any rotary motion or change in position due to rotation. When flap8is closed, lever60is pushed by extension43of flap8away from an end face3aof transverse main section3. Spring44impinges upon lever60in the direction of extension43.