Device for switching the operating modes of a microscope tube

Optical: systems and elements – Compound lens system – Microscope

Patent

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Details

359638, G02B 2100

Patent

active

060881550

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention
The invention is directed to a device for switching the operating modes of a microscope tube between the observing position, the recording position, and the simultaneous observing and recording position.
2. Description of the related art
Microscope tubes for switchable binocular observation and photographic recording or for the connection of video cameras are often built with only two possible switching positions. This is due to the required width of the tube which usually amounts to three prism widths when two switching positions are provided and would amount to about five prism widths if three adjacent switching positions were provided. Assuming a prism width of 30 mm, this means a space requirement of 150 mm in width. However, in many applications there is a need for one-hundred percent observation as well as one-hundred percent photography and also a divider ratio between both operating modes with simultaneous availability of both binocular partial beam paths.
In U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,913, a continuous beam path, a partially reflecting prism, and a fully reflecting prism are arranged adjacent to one another in a spatially very wide arrangement. This arrangement is not very advantageous either in appearance or with respect to the space requirement and material requirement. In addition, a wide tube limits the accessibility and visibility of additional operating elements located on the microscope.
EP 85317 A1 describes a slide which is switchable in three positions and pushes a prism into the beam path in each case. This likewise has a negative influence on tube width.
DE 3636616 A1 provides two prisms and a switchable mirror which must be driven in a relatively elaborate manner by separate driving means.
DE 3318011 C2 is directed to an add-on device for stereo-microscopes with elements in a plurality of planes and different elaborate guides.
DE-U1-8712342 discloses a prism carriage which is only displaceable between two positions.


OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is a space-saving, and nevertheless simple, arrangement for switching between the three operating modes: visual, photo and visual/photo.
This object is met according to the invention in a device for switching the operating modes of a microscope tube between the observation position, recording position and simultaneous observation and recording position comprising a microscope objective, a fully reflecting first element for full deflection of radiation coming from the microscope objective and a partially reflecting second element for splitting the radiation coming from the microscope objective. The first element and second element are arranged on a first guide carriage and a second guide carriage which are displaceable jointly as well as opposite to one another in a plane.
In the solution according to the invention, only three prism widths are needed for three switching positions in that two prisms which are individually displaceable relative to one another are provided and a compensating plate is advantageously provided above the prisms. This also advantageously results in a separate adjustment possibility for the two prisms, which is impossible when using a compact prism with two fields.
The invention is explained more fully in the following with reference to the schematic drawings.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:
FIGS. 1a-c show schematic side views of a basic construction of a microscope in three different switching positions; and
FIGS. 2a-c show the switching between the switching positions.


DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1a-c show schematic views of a microscope beam path S through an objective 1, a microscope carrier 2, a tube lens 3, and through a prism 4 in FIG. 1a, an additional prism 5 in FIG. 1b and a compensating element 6 in FIG. 3c.
Elements 4, 5, 6 and the tube lens 3 form a component part of a switchable tube 7 to which are connected a binocular view, not shown, designated herein as "visual" outp

REFERENCES:
patent: 4685776 (1987-08-01), Inoue et al.
patent: 5764408 (1998-06-01), Otaki
patent: 5777783 (1998-07-01), Endou et al.
patent: 5861982 (1999-01-01), Takahama et al.

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