SHUTTER INSTALLATION FOR AN OPTICAL BEAM PATH

Abstract

A shutter installation for an optical beam path includes: a shutter element for shutting the optical beam path; a drive for moving the shutter element in a controlled manner along a displacement path between two terminal positions; and at least one detent block having in each case a detent face against which the shutter element in one of the terminal positions is in each case moved, or able to be moved, respectively. Each detent block is configured so as to be displaceable such that the respective detent block, by the shutter element, is able to be displaced from the terminal position of the detent block by a distance along a displacement path.

Claims

1-9. (canceled)

10. A shutter installation for an optical beam path, the shutter installation comprising: a shutter element configured for shutting the optical beam path; a drive configured for moving the shutter element in a controlled manner along a displacement path between two terminal positions; and at least one detent block, each detent block having a at least one detent face against which the shutter element in one of the terminal positions is configured to be moved, wherein each detent block is configured to be displaced by the shutter element from the terminal position of the detent block by a distance along a displacement path.

11. The shutter installation according to claim 10, wherein each detent face of the at least one detent block is composed of a hard material.

12. The shutter installation according to claim 10, wherein each detent face of the at least one detent block is composed of a soft material.

13. The shutter installation according to claim 10, wherein a respective terminal position of a first detent face of the at least one detent block is configured to be re-established, respectively, as a consequence of the displacement of the respective a second detent face of the detent block.

14. The shutter installation according to claim 10, wherein the detent block has a plurality of faces defining a common detent block which has a U-shape or possesses a U-shaped recess.

15. The shutter installation according to claim 10, wherein the drive is configured to be decelerated while traveling a respective portion of the displacement path.

16. The shutter installation according to claim 10, further comprising a means for adjusting a frictional resistance applied to the at least one detent block when the detent block moves along the displacement path.

17. The shutter installation according to claim 16, wherein the means for adjusting a frictional resistance includes a contact pressure means for applying a contact pressure force which is directed from the detent block onto a support of the detent block.

18. The shutter installation according to claim 17, wherein the contact pressure means includes at least one resilient element, which in a tensioned state presses the detent block against the support or pulls the detent block away from the support by way of a predetermined acting force.

19. The shutter installation according to claim 16, wherein the means for adjusting a frictional resistance includes predetermined roughness values of mutually contacting surfaces of the detent block and of a support of the detent block.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Implementations will be explained in more detail hereunder by means of exemplary embodiments and illustrations. In the figures:

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation in a first terminal position;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation in a second terminal position;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation in a first terminal position;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation in a second terminal position;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective illustration of the first exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation on a base plate of a microscope; and

[0040] FIG. 7 shows a schematic illustration of a second exemplary embodiment of a shutter installation having a ball as a displaceable detent block in a plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The substantial elements of a shutter installation 1 include a shutter element 2, a detent block 4 having a first detent face 5.1 and having a second detent face 5.2 and a support 7 (see FIG. 2) on which the detent block 4 is displaceable along a displacement path 6 between a first terminal position E1 and a second terminal position E2 (FIG. 1).

[0042] In the first operating position of the shutter element 2 shown in FIG. 1, a shutter leaf 2.1 functioning as a cover of an optical beam path 9 is pivoted out of the optical beam path 9 and situated in the first terminal position E1. A part of the shutter element 2, referred to as the hammer 2.2, in the first terminal position E1 is moved against the first detent face 5.1 of the detent block 4. As a result of the effect of the impact of the hammer 2.2 on the first detent face 5.1, the detent block 4 is displaced along the displacement path 6 (symbolized by a double arrow) such that the second detent face 5.2 is situated at the position of the second terminal position E2. The detent block 4 is connected to the support 7 by means of screws 10. The screws 10 here each sit in an elongate bore in order to enable the movement of the detent block 4. The shutter element 2, by means of a drive 8, in particular, by means of a DC motor, is pivoted in a controlled manner about a rotation axis 3. In the exemplary embodiment, a metal is in each case chosen as the material of the hammer 2.2 and of the detent block 4.

[0043] In a second operating position of the shutter element 2, the hammer 2.2 is moved to the second terminal position E2 and there moved against the second detent face 5.2 (FIG. 2). The optical beam path 9 is shut as a result of the shutter leaf 2.1 which is now pivoted inward. As a consequence of the hammer 2.2 impacting the second detent face 5.2, the detent block 4 is displaced along the displacement path 6 such that the first detent face 5.1 is now situated at the position of the first terminal position E1.

[0044] The first exemplary embodiment of the shutter installation 1 is again shown in a perspective view in the first operating position in FIG. 3 and in the second operating position in FIG. 4, respectively. Lines 13 which serve for supplying the drive 8 with power and for transmitting control commands from a control unit 14 (see FIG. 5) can be seen by virtue of the perspective illustration. A sectional plane A-A is indicated in FIG. 4.

[0045] A complex detection of a current situation or position of the shutter leaf 2.1, for example, by means of an additional sensor, is advantageously not required. The position of the shutter leaf 2.1 can advantageously be derived by means of the current polarity of the motor for stopping in the first terminal position E1. Should detection nevertheless be required, this would be possible by using a more expensive motor having an encoder or an additionally installed sensor.

[0046] FIG. 5 shows the shutter installation 1 as a sectional illustration along the plane A-A (see FIG. 4). The detent block 4 stands on the support 7 and by means of the screws 10 is held thereon with so much lateral clearance that the movement along the displacement path 6 is possible. A spring 11, which by one end is supported on the screw head and by way of the other end on a protrusion of the detent block 4, is pushed over each of the screws 10. Assembly disks can optionally also be inserted (indicated in the drawing). When the screws 10 during the assembly of the shutter installation 1 are screwed into an assembly plate 15 (see FIG. 6), the springs 11 are simultaneously compressed. In a manner corresponding to the previously selected spring rates of the springs 11, each of the latter causes a force by way of which the detent block 4 and the support 7 are mutually compressed. Taking into account parameters such as the mass of the detent block 4, the material and the roughness values of the mutually contacting surfaces of the detent block 4 and the support 7, as well as optionally envisaged operating temperatures, the action of force caused by the spring can be set such that the desired friction is generated when displacing the detent block 4.

[0047] The shutter installation 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment as a complete technical unit can be easily assembled in a microscope 12 (only indicated in the drawing), for example (FIG. 6). To this end, the shutter installation 1 is inserted in a correspondingly-sized opening (not shown) of an assembly plate 15, for example, and connected to the assembly plate 15 by means of the screws 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 5). The assembly takes place such that the shutter leaf 2.1 exposes the optical beam path 9 in the first operating position (first terminal position E1) and shuts the optical beam path 9 in the second operating position (second terminal position E2, not shown here).

[0048] The shutter installation 1, more specifically the drive 8, by means of the lines 13 is connected to a control unit 14 that can be configured as a microcontroller and a motor driver, as a computer, or as a FPGA (field programmable gate array), for example. The control unit 14 can generate control signals and transmit the latter to the drive 8 which causes the corresponding actuating movements of the shutter element 2. It is also possible for control commands to be generated, which, in at least one of the terminal positions E1, E2 press the hammer 2.2 against the respective detent face 5.1, 5.2 for a certain time period and hold the hammer 2.2 thereon. This operating type of the shutter installation 1 is relevant in particular, for example, when the detent faces 5.1, 5.2, or the entire detent block 4, are/is composed of an elastic material.

[0049] In a second exemplary embodiment of the shutter installation 1, the detent block 4 is configured as a ball which, when the hammer 2.2 impacts one of the detent faces 5.1 or 5.2, respectively, is moved along a displacement path 6 in the form of a groove, a duct or a tube between the first terminal position E1 and the second terminal position E2 (FIG. 7). At the respective terminal positions, the ball 4 by way of part of the circumference thereof protrudes from the displacement path 6 such that the ball 4 can be impinged by the hammer 2.2. The ball 4, by virtue of the acceleration required by the ball 4 and the frictional resistance arising, while traveling the displacement path 6 discharges energy. In order for the ball 4 to be held at the respective terminal positions E1 and E2, respectively, the displacement path 6, for example the duct or the tube, can be shaped so as to slightly taper. A small cavity or a ramp at the respective end of the displacement path 6 is also possible. The use of a magnet would also be conceivable. However, the ball 4 should be held at the terminal positions E1 and E2, respectively, only to the extent that no resistance, or if at all only an insignificant resistance, has to be overcome in order for the occurrence of additional impulses or vibrations to be avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0050] 1 Shutter installation [0051] 2 Shutter element [0052] 2.1 Shutter leaf [0053] 2.2 Hammer [0054] 3 Rotation axis [0055] 4 Detent block [0056] 5 Detent [0057] 5.1 First detent face [0058] 5.2 Second detent face [0059] 6 Displacement path [0060] 7 Support [0061] 8 Drive/motor [0062] 9 Optical beam path, opening [0063] 10 Screw [0064] 11 Spring, resilient element [0065] 12 Microscope [0066] 13 Lines [0067] 14 Control unit [0068] 15 Assembly plate [0069] E1 First terminal position [0070] E2 Second terminal position