Digital microscope having a spring-mounted pivotable unit

Abstract

A digital microscope includes a stationary stand body (12) and a pivot unit (14) that is mounted on a shaft (24) of the stand body (12), pivotably around the longitudinal axis (26) of the shaft (24). The pivot unit (14) includes an image sensing unit for acquiring images of objects to be examined microscopically. The microscope (10) further has a brake unit (22) for braking and/or immobilizing the pivot unit (14), and an actuation element (44) for releasing the brake unit (22). Also provided is an elastic element (82) that, upon pivoting of the pivot unit (14) out of a predetermined zero position, exerts a return moment (M.sub.R) on the pivot unit (14), the return moment (M.sub.R) being directed against a tangential moment (M.sub.T) brought about by the weight (G) of the pivot unit (14).

Claims

1. A digital microscope comprising: a stationary stand body including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a pivot unit mounted on the shaft of the stand body pivotably about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the pivot unit includes an image sensing unit for acquiring images of objects to be examined microscopically; a brake unit for braking and/or immobilizing the pivot unit; an actuation element for releasing the brake unit; at least one elastic element arranged to exert, upon pivoting of the pivot unit out of a predetermined zero position, a return moment on the pivot unit, the return moment being directed against a tangential moment generated by a weight of the pivot unit; wherein the following equation is satisfied at least in a portion of a pivoting range of the pivot unit:
M.sub.R>=M.sub.T M.sub.R=return moment of the elastic element M.sub.T=tangential moment of a weight of the pivot unit.

2. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein at least in a portion of a pivoting range of the pivot unit, the return moment corresponds to 0.8 to 1.2 times the tangential moment.

3. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the equation is satisfied for any pivoting of the pivot unit out of the zero position through at least 50% of a maximum pivot angle of the pivot unit from the zero position.

4. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the equation is satisfied for the entire pivoting range.

5. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is fastened on the stand body.

6. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a torsion spring.

7. The microscope according to claim 6, wherein the stand body includes a gate, and a rod that projects into the gate is fixedly arranged on the pivot unit.

8. The microscope according to claim 7, wherein the gate is in the shape of a circular segment or arc having a center point located on the rotational axis of the pivot unit.

9. The microscope according to claim 7, wherein the torsion spring is arranged rotatably on a stub shaft, the torsion spring includes a first end and a second end each angled with respect to turns of the torsion spring such that a gap is defined between the first and second ends, the rod projects into the gap, and a projection of the stand body projects into the gap.

10. The microscope according to claim 9, wherein upon pivoting of the pivot unit out of the zero position in a first direction, the first end of the torsion spring braces against the projection and the second end of the torsion spring is entrained by the rod; and upon pivoting of the pivot unit out of the zero position in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the second end of the torsion spring braces against the projection and the first end of the torsion spring is entrained by the rod.

11. The microscope according to claim 10, wherein when the pivot unit is in the zero position, the rod does not contact either of the first and second ends of the torsion spring.

12. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is unloaded when the pivot unit is in the zero position.

13. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the pivot unit includes a first latching element and the stand body includes a second latching element complementary to the first latching element, wherein the first latching element and the second latching element are coupled to one another when the pivot unit is arranged in the zero position and the actuation element is arranged in an unactuated default position, and wherein the first latching element and the second latching element are coupled to one another when the pivot unit is arranged in the zero position and the actuation element is actuated within a predetermined first actuation range.

14. The microscope according to claim 1, wherein the brake unit includes a brake element biased by a further elastic element into a braked position in which the brake element contacts the shaft, wherein the brake element is movable against a return force of the further elastic element from the braked position into a released position by manual actuation of the actuation element, and wherein the actuation unit is coupled to the brake element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING VIEWS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from the description that follows, which explains the invention in further detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments in conjunction with the appended Figures, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective depiction of a microscope;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective depiction of a portion of the microscope, showing a brake unit;

(4) FIG. 3 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the brake unit arranged in a braked position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a further sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with a side view of the brake unit arranged in the braked position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with a brake unit arranged in a released position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with a side view of the brake unit arranged in the released position;

(8) FIG. 7 is a further schematic perspective depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a click-stop mechanism;

(9) FIG. 8 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with a latching element of the click-stop mechanism arranged in an initial position;

(10) FIG. 9 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, an actuation element having been actuated in a first actuation range;

(11) FIG. 10 is a sectioned depiction of a portion of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, with an actuation element actuated within a second actuation range;

(12) FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective depiction of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing a rear side of the microscope with housing parts omitted;

(13) FIG. 12 is a sectioned depiction of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivot unit being arranged in a zero position;

(14) FIG. 13 is a further sectioned depiction of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivot unit being pivoted out of the zero position into a first position;

(15) FIG. 14 is a further sectioned depiction of the microscope according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pivot unit being moved out of the zero position into a second position;

(16) FIG. 15 is a diagram of the forces acting as a function of the pivot angle of the pivot unit, according to a first embodiment;

(17) FIG. 16 is a diagram of the forces acting as a function of the pivot angle of the pivot unit, according to a second embodiment;

(18) FIG. 17 is a diagram of the forces acting as a function of the pivot angle of the pivot unit, according to a third embodiment; and

(19) FIG. 18 is a diagram of the forces acting as a function of the pivot angle of the pivot unit, according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(20) FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective depiction of a digital microscope 10. Microscope 10 encompasses a stationary stand body 12 with which microscope 10 can be placed on a surface.

(21) Microscope 10 furthermore has a pivot unit 14 pivotable relative to said stand body 12. The pivotable fastening is also described in further detail below in conjunction with FIG. 2.

(22) Pivot unit 14 encompasses at least an image sensing unit with which an image of the objects to be examined microscopically can be acquired. In particular, using this image sensing unit it is possible to acquire not only individual images but also videos, which allow observation from different viewing angles of the object to be examined microscopically.

(23) Pivot unit 14 furthermore comprises an objective system and/or a zoom system with which different magnifications of the objects to be examined microscopically can be set. The objective system has, in particular, a plurality of objectives, one of which can respectively be swung selectably into the beam path of microscope 10 so that said swung-in objective is currently being used. The beam path or optical axis of microscope 10 is labeled in FIG. 1 with the reference character 15.

(24) The image sensing unit, which is in particular at least one camera, and the objective system, are not visible in FIG. 1 because they are concealed by a housing 16 of pivot unit 14.

(25) The objectives of the objective system are, in particular, embodied to be parfocal, so that an objective change does not necessitate refocusing by the operator. The objectives are, in particular, coordinated with the distance between the rotation axis around which pivot unit 14 is rotated and the interface of the objectives, i.e. the region in which the objectives are arranged; this yields a eucentric system, the consequence being that refocusing need not occur when pivot unit 14 is pivoted relative to stand body 12.

(26) Also fastened on stand body 12 is a stage 18 on which the objects to be examined microscopically are placed. This microscope stage 18 can be displaced in the direction of double arrow P1 relative to stand base 12 with the aid of adjusting wheels 20, thereby enabling focusing of the objects to be examined microscopically.

(27) FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective depiction of a portion of microscope 12, looking toward a brake unit 22 and showing the mounting of pivot unit 14 relative to stand body 12. Housing 16 of pivot unit 14 is, for this purpose, omitted. The upper part of pivot unit 14 is also not depicted, so that these internally located components can be made more visible.

(28) Stand body 12 encompasses a shaft 24 on which pivot unit 14 is mounted rotatably around longitudinal axis 26 of shaft 24. Longitudinal axis 26 of shaft 24 thus constitutes the rotation axis of pivot unit 14.

(29) Pivot unit 14 encompasses a rod 28 that is fastened fixedly on pivot unit 14 and is guided within a gate 30 of stand body 12. Gate 30 is embodied, in particular, in the shape of a circular segment or arc, the center point of that circle being located on longitudinal axis 26. Gate 30 and the engaging rod 28 result on the one hand in movement guidance and on the other hand, in particular, in a limitation of the maximum possible pivoting.

(30) Gate 30 is embodied in particular in such a way that it covers an angle of 120, with the consequence that the pivot unit is pivotable, from a zero position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, through 60 in both directions of double arrow P2. The zero position is that position at which the pivot is oriented uprightly, i.e. it is arranged centeredly above microscope stage 18, and the lateral housing parts of housing 16 are aligned vertically. In other words, the zero position is that position in which optical axis 15 of microscope 10 extends perpendicularly to the surface of microscope stage 18.

(31) Brake unit 22, which comprises a total of four radial pistons 32 to 38, is provided in order to immobilize pivot unit 14 in a desired position and in order to brake its motion; said pistons are each biased via a spring 40 in such a way that they press against the surface of shaft 24 so that a frictional connection is formed, the force resulting therefrom serving respectively as a braking force or immobilizing force. FIGS. 3 and 4 are respective sectioned depictions of the portion of pivot unit 14 and of shaft 24, FIG. 3 being a plan view and FIG. 4 a side view. What is depicted in both Figures is a braked position in which radial pistons 32 to 38 are contacting the surface of shaft 24, and pivot unit 14 is thus immobilized.

(32) Radial pistons 32 to 38 each comprise a beveled contact surface 42, the latter enclosing in particular an angle of between 45 and 70, preferably an angle of approximately 60, with end face 32a to 38a of the respective radial piston. The result of these beveled surfaces is that the radial pistons contact shaft 24 along the largest possible contact line, and exert on the shaft a force F1 by means of which the necessary friction is applied and thus immobilization of brake unit 22 is accomplished.

(33) In an alternative embodiment more or fewer than four radial pistons 32 to 38, for example two radial pistons or six radial pistons, can also be provided. Contact surface 42 can moreover also have a different shape. For example, the shape of the contact surface can be adapted to that of shaft 24, so that force transfer is accomplished not only along a line, but in planar fashion.

(34) Brake elements other than radial pistons 32 to 38 can moreover also be used, for example brake shoes.

(35) In addition, other elastic elements, for example rubber or silicone blocks, can also be used instead of springs 40.

(36) Brake unit 22 can be released with the aid of an actuation element 44. This actuation element 44 encompasses a lever 46 whose end facing away from brake unit 22 can be manually actuated by an operator. In a default position, for example as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this actuation element 44 is not actuated. In order to release brake unit 22, lever 46 must be moved by the operator out of said default position. In the exemplifying embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, lever 46 must be pulled by the operator toward him- or herself, so that simple operation is possible.

(37) Actuation element 44 furthermore encompasses two intermediate elements 48, 50 by way of which lever 46 is mounted pivotably around a pivot axis 52 relative to housing 16. These intermediate elements 48, 50 furthermore comprise extensions 54, 56 that are each arranged between two mutually oppositely arranged radial pistons 32 to 38. In the braked position, the surfaces of these extensions 54, 56 and the end faces of radial pistons 32 to 38 are aligned approximately parallel to one another.

(38) When lever 46 is moved from the operating position toward oneself, i.e. in the direction of arrow P3 (FIG. 6), intermediate elements 48, 50 are then pivoted together with lever 46, with the consequence that extensions 54, 56 become tilted, the result being that, as shown in the sectioned depictions of FIGS. 5 and 6, radial pistons 52 to 58 are moved out of the braked position, away from one another, toward a released position. In the released position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, radial pistons 52 to 58 are moved sufficiently far away from one another that they no longer contact shaft 24 at all, so that no further braking force at all exists. Conversely, if lever 46 is not moved quite so far as in the case of the extreme situation in FIGS. 5 and 6, it may then be the case that radial pistons 32 to 38 are still in contact with shaft 24, but the force is less than in the braked position. Pivot unit 14 can thus be moved despite the braking force, but the braking force can thus be adjusted steplessly by the operator depending on how far he or she pulls lever 46. Precise positioning of the pivot units, in particular, is thus easily possible.

(39) When the operator releases lever 46, however, radial pistons 32 to 38 are automatically moved back into the braked position by springs 40, so that brake unit 22 is automatically immobilized and inadvertent uncontrolled pivoting of pivot unit 14 is avoided.

(40) A further effect of springs 40 of radial pistons 32 to 38, via the contact of radial pistons 32 to 38 with intermediate elements 48, 50, is that when lever 46 is released, it is automatically moved back into the default position without requiring further elastic elements for that purpose. Alternatively, however, further elastic elements for biasing lever 46 into the default position can also be provided.

(41) FIG. 7 is a further schematic perspective depiction of the portion of microscope 10, here looking toward a latched connection serving as a click-stop mechanism. This latched connection is established between a first latching element embodied as pin 60 and a second latching element embodied as recess 62. Pin 60 is part of pivot unit 14, whereas recess 62 is provided in a ring 64 of stand body 12.

(42) FIGS. 8 to 10 are respective sectioned depictions of a portion of microscope 10 showing said click-stop mechanism, the section being selected so that pin 60 is sectioned. FIGS. 8 to 10 depict different positions of pin 60 that result as a function of the actuation of actuation element 44.

(43) FIG. 8 depicts the state in which brake unit 22 is arranged in the braked position and lever 46 is thus unactuated and arranged in its default position. Pin 60 is biased into the initial position via an elastic element embodied as spring 66. When pivot unit 14 is arranged in its zero position, pin 60 that is arranged in the initial position engages into recess 62 so that a latched connection is established. Because brake unit 22 is arranged in the braked position when lever 46 is arranged in the default position, pivoting of pivot unit 14 is generally not possible.

(44) Lever 46 is connected via a connecting pin 68 to pin 60, said connecting pin 68 projecting into an elongated hole 70 of pin 60.

(45) When lever 46 is actuated out of the default position within a predetermined first actuation range, connecting pin 68 is then moved away from stand body 12 only sufficiently far that it is moved within elongated hole 70, but without moving pin 60 out of its initial position. This first actuation range corresponds approximately to half the maximum possible actuation travel of lever 46.

(46) When lever 46 is actuated within this first actuation element, brake unit 22 is released at least sufficiently that it is possible for pivot unit 14 to pivot. When pivot unit 14 is moved out of the zero position, pin 60 is then moved out of its initial position via contact with ring 64 out of the initial position, and correspondingly slides on ring 64. In order to ensure this movement out of recess 62, recess 62 has, in particular, beveled edges and the pin has, in particular, a semi-spherical end 72 that engages into recess 62.

(47) When pivot unit 14 is moved back into the zero position while lever 46 is still actuated within the first actuation range, pin 60 is automatically moved back into the initial position due to the return force of spring 66 when the zero position is reached and thus when recess 62 is reached, and thus latches into recess 62. The operator can perceive this latching-in haptically by way of corresponding vibrations and/or acoustically by way of a corresponding click, so that the operator can return exactly to the zero position at any time.

(48) If, however, the operator actuates lever 46 farther than the first actuation range, so that it is actuated within a predetermined second actuation range as depicted, for example, in FIG. 10, pin 60 is then, via contact with connecting pin 68, already moved against the return force of spring 66 sufficiently far out of the initial position that even when pivot unit 14 is arranged in the zero position, pin 60 does not latch into recess 62. This has the advantage that pivot unit 14 can be moved through the zero position while no corresponding latching-in occurs. This avoids vibration, for example, which is advantageous when acquiring videos during pivoting of pivot unit 14.

(49) FIG. 11 is a further schematic perspective depiction of microscope 10 looking toward its rear side, a rear wall of the housing of stand body 12 being omitted in order to make the internally located components visible.

(50) Arranged inside the housing of stand body 12 is a stub shaft 80 that is arranged, in particular, coaxially with shaft 24. In an alternative embodiment, stub shaft 80 and shaft 24 can also be embodied integrally.

(51) A torsion spring 82 is mounted on this stub shaft 80 in such a way that its turns extend around stub shaft 80, so that the axis of torsion spring 82 is also arranged coaxially with stub shaft 80 and thus with shaft 24, and thus in turn with rotation axis 26 of pivot unit 14.

(52) The two ends 84, 86 of the wire of torsion spring 82 are bent upward and are arranged in such a way that a gap 88 is embodied between them. That end of rod 28 which faces away from pivot unit 14 projects into this gap 88. Also arranged in this gap 88 is a projection 90 connected fixedly to stand body 12.

(53) FIGS. 12 to 14 are respective sectioned depictions of microscope 10, the section being placed so that the front end 86, viewed from the rear side, is sectioned. In FIG. 12, pivot unit 14 is arranged in the zero position. In this zero position, rod 90 does not contact either of the two spring ends 84, 86 and torsion spring 82 is not loaded, so that no force and no moment are exerted by it on pivot unit 14.

(54) If the weight of pivot unit 14 is regarded as a concentrated force G that acts at the center of gravity S of pivot unit 14, then in the zero position the vertical of that force G, called the gravity vertical 100, extends through rotation axis 26 of pivot unit 14, so that no torque around rotation axis 26 is generated by weight G.

(55) In FIG. 13, pivot unit 14 is pivoted out of the zero position approximately 60 to the left in a first direction. Torsion spring 82 braces with its second end 86 against projection 90, the other end 84 of the torsion spring being concurrently moved via rod 28, so that torsion spring 82 becomes loaded and exerts a return force F.sub.F on rod 28 and thus on pivot unit 14.

(56) When pivot unit 14 is pivoted out of the zero position, gravity vertical 100 is then no longer directed so that it intersects rotation axis 26. The weight G can instead, in accordance with a parallelogram of forces, be divided into a radial force F.sub.R and a tangential force F.sub.T. This radial force F.sub.R is directed toward rotation axis 26, so that it generates no torque around rotation axis 26. The tangential force F.sub.T, on the other hand, generates a corresponding torque (tangential moment) M.sub.T around rotation axis 26, by which pivot unit 14 is pulled downward.

(57) The return force F.sub.F of the spring is directed oppositely to the tangential force F.sub.T and parallel to it, so that it likewise generates a torque, called the return moment M.sub.R, around rotation axis 26, although it is directed oppositely to the tangential moment M.sub.T and is thus referred to as a counter-moment. The moment resulting from the torque M.sub.T generated by the tangential force F.sub.T, and from the counter-moment, is thus less than the tangential moment M.sub.T generated by the tangential force F.sub.T. The consequence of this is that an operator needs to apply less force in order to move pivot unit 14 toward the zero position. The dimensions of brake unit 22 can furthermore be smaller, since in order to immobilize pivot unit 14 in a desired position it thus needs to apply only a smaller braking force, specifically one that only needs to compensate for the resultant moment.

(58) FIG. 14 shows the pivoting of pivot unit 14 in the direction opposite to the deflection as seen in FIG. 13. In this case first end 84 of the spring braces against projection 90, whereas second end 86 of the spring is entrained by rod 28. Thanks to the symmetrical embodiment of torsion spring 82 and the symmetrical arrangement, once again a return moment M.sub.RF is generated which is directed oppositely to the tangential moment M.sub.T of pivot unit 14 and has the same magnitude as in the case of the same deflection in the other direction. By way of the strength of torsion spring 82 that is used, it is possible to adjust the magnitude of the return force and thus of the return moment M.sub.R, and thus the magnitude of the residual resultant moment

(59) In a first embodiment shown in FIG. 15, torsion spring 82 is selected in such a way that the return moment M.sub.R for a pivoting motion of 50 out of the zero position is of approximately the same magnitude as the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that no resultant moment remains. Upon pivoting of more than 50 out of the zero position the return moment M.sub.R is greater than the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that a negative resultant moment is produced.

(60) In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 16, torsion spring 82 is selected in such a way that the return moment M.sub.R for a pivoting motion of 38 out of the zero position is of approximately the same magnitude as the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that no resultant moment remains. Upon pivoting of more than 38 out of the zero position the return moment M.sub.R is greater than the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that a negative resultant moment is produced.

(61) In a third embodiment shown in FIG. 17, torsion spring 82 is selected in such a way that the return moment M.sub.R is always greater than or equal to the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that the resultant moment is always less than or equal to zero.

(62) In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 18, torsion spring 82 is selected in such a way that the return moment M.sub.R is always less than the tangential moment M.sub.T or equal to the tangential moment M.sub.T, so that the resultant moment is always greater than zero. With this embodiment, unlike with the other embodiments, pivot unit 16 is not prevented from abutting against a stop in order to limit the maximum pivot angle of pivot unit 16, but a result of this embodiment is also that the operator needs to exert less force for pivoting, and that the required braking force of brake unit 22 is smaller. In particular, upon pivoting through the maximum possible angle out of the zero position, the return moment M.sub.R is of the same magnitude as the tangential moment M.sub.T.

(63) In all the embodiments, the torsion spring is selected in such a way that over the entire pivoting range, the return moment M.sub.R corresponds to 0.8 times to 1.2 times the tangential moment M.sub.T. What is achieved thereby is that the resultant moment M.sub.R is always equal to at most+/20% of the tangential moment M.sub.T, and thus the force to be applied by the operator or by brake unit 22 is always small, and pivot unit 22 is thus prevented from springing away in both directions when brake unit 22 is released.

(64) In an alternative embodiment of the invention, other types of springs and other elastic elements can also be used instead of torsion spring 82.

PARTS LIST

(65) 10 Microscope

(66) 12 Stand body

(67) 14 Pivot unit

(68) 15 Optical axis

(69) 16 Housing

(70) 18 Microscope stage

(71) 20 Adjusting wheels

(72) 22 Brake unit

(73) 24 Shaft

(74) 26 Rotation axis

(75) 28 Rod

(76) 30 Gate

(77) 32 to 38 Radial piston

(78) 32a to 38a End surface

(79) 40 Spring

(80) 42 Contact surface

(81) 44 Actuation element

(82) 46 Lever

(83) 48, 50 Intermediate element

(84) 52 Pivot axis

(85) 54, 56 Extension

(86) 60 Pin

(87) 62 Recess

(88) 64 Ring

(89) 66 Spring

(90) 68 Connecting pin

(91) 70 Elongated hole

(92) 72 End

(93) 80 Stub shaft

(94) 82 Torsion spring

(95) 84, 86 End

(96) 88 Gap

(97) 90 Projection

(98) 100 Gravity vertical

(99) F1, F.sub.F, F.sub.R, F.sub.T, G Force

(100) M.sub.R, M.sub.T Moment

(101) S Center of gravity

(102) P1 to P3 Direction