Microscope with a multi-functional adjustment knob

Details Microscope with a multi-functional adjustment knob Microscope with a multi-functional adjustment knob

1995-04-24

1997-11-04

Nguyen, Thong

Optical: systems and elements

Compound lens system

Microscope

359368, 359383, G02B 2106, G02B 2100

Patent

active

056846274

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a microscope.
In the case of microscopes having functions designed to be motor-driven or semiautomatic, the operating controls, which are to be manually operated, are designed as keys and combined to form a keyboard. This keyboard is either arranged directly on the microscope stand, or else is provided in a separate keyboard console. The use of keys for operating microscope functions which are to be set discretely, such as, for example, switching over the turret, or switching on/off/over the individual lamps of the microscope illumination, is acceptable where the function does not require sensitive setting. However, if microscope functions are operated by keys where sensitive setting is required such as, for example, focusing of the microscope lens, setting stops, controlling the brightness of the lamps, or a X- Y- displacement of the microscope stage, keys are unsuitable as operating controls.
DE 36 07 379 C1 discloses a microscope having a turret, which can be switched by motor, and a motor-driven focusing drive mechanism. As a manipulator of fine setting, the focusing device has a rotating knob with an assigned encoder in a separate keyboard console arranged next to the microscope. Moreover, an additional switch for the turret is provided in this keyboard console.
The device described has the disadvantage that only the motor-driven fine focal setting is performed via a handwheel.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device in which starting from the known adjustment knob for focal setting, additional microscope functions can be controlled via this adjustment knob.
This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the features described below.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of an exemplary embodiment with the aid of diagrammatic drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a side view of the microscope, and
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the individual circuits.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a microscope I having a turret 17, an object stage 22 which can be adjusted by a motor in the Z- direction and on which an X- Y- scanning device having the drive motors 23 and 24 is arranged, a focusing device having a stepping motor 4, and a central adjustment knob 2 which is coupled to an encoder 6. In the case of a slower or faster rotation of the adjustment knob 2, the encoder 6 outputs a slower or faster pulse train. A control device 3 records only the number of the pulses.
A plurality of switches 11; 15; 19; 21; 25 are provided on the microscope stand 5 and are electrically connected to the control device 3. Further arranged in the microscope 1 are a brightness control device 20 for the lamphouse 29 having a light source 28, a speed control circuit 10 for the focusing drive 4, and an interface 26. Stops 12; 16 whose aperture can be varied via one motor 14; 18 each, are respectively arranged in the aperture stop plane AP and the radiant field stop plane LF in the illuminating beam path 13 of the microscope 1.
The adjustment knob 2 having the downstream encoder 6 is electrically connected to the control device 3. During rotation of the knob 2, the pulses generated by the encoder 6 are recorded in the control device 3. The control device 3 applies current to the motor 4, preferably a stepping motor, for the purpose of appropriate Z- adjustment of the object stage 22. The number of the encoder pulses determines the travel of the motor, and the number of the pulses per unit of time determines the speed of the motor adjustment. Further superimposed on this Z- adjustment via three preselection keys 11 and a speed control circuit 10 is a manually preselectable speed component which multiplies or reduces the encoder pulse train, which is a function of the rotation of the adjustment knob 2. This can, for example, be utilized to control a soft start of the motor control unit.
In this way, a mechanical transmission gear is simulated using the presel

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