JP4632469B2 - Shutter device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shutter device used in an optical apparatus such as a microscope.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a fluorescence microscope that enables fluorescence observation of a specimen is known as a microscope. However, such a fluorescence microscope transmits excitation light from a light source such as a mercury lamp through an excitation filter and reflects it with a dichroic mirror to obtain an objective lens. The fluorescence emitted from the specimen surface is transmitted through a dichroic mirror and an absorption filter so that it can be observed as a fluorescent image by an eyepiece.
[0003]
In this case, the excitation filter, the dichroic mirror, and the absorption filter are integrated in a unit called a cube, and by moving the slider on which a plurality of such cubes are mounted, the excitation filter, dichroic mirror, and absorption filter are adjusted according to the wavelength of the fluorescent image to be observed. The optimal cube can be positioned on the optical path.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to such a fluorescence microscope, since the light source is turned on when switching the cube on the observation optical path, there is a so-called hole in which the cube is not attached to the adjacent position, or the hole itself. When the light source is located on the optical path, the excitation light from the mercury lamp as the light source may leak from the hole and directly enter the eyes of the operator.
[0005]
Also, during switching between two adjacent cubes, depending on the wavelength of the excitation light and the wavelength characteristics of the two cubes, the excitation light of one cube passes through the dichroic mirror and absorption filter of the other cube. As a result, the excitation light may enter the eyes of the operator as in the case where the cube and the hole are adjacent to each other. A state where the excitation light enters the eyes of the operator in this case will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
[0006]
FIG. 19 is a view seen from the side opposite to the light source, and shows a state in which the cubes 104 are being switched, with the arrangement interval of the cubes 104 being short. In this case, 118a is a transmission hole that transmits illumination light that does not move with respect to the fixed part 125, 104 is a cube, 105 is an excitation filter that selectively transmits the wavelength of the illumination light, and 103 is a fixed part with the cube 104 attached thereto. The slider 103 is held so as to be movable in the left-right direction with respect to 125, 103b and 125a are illumination light and a transmission hole through which observation light is transmitted, 101 is an illumination optical axis, 111 is a specimen, and 111a is an observation optical axis. Yes.
[0007]
During the switching of the cube 104, there are two common hole portions 105a (cross-hatched portions in the figure) that transmit both the excitation filter 105 and the transmission hole 118a because the arrangement interval of the cubes 104 is short. The excitation light transmitted through one common hole 105a is reflected by a dichroic mirror (not shown) in the cube 104, passes through the transmission hole 103a of the slider 103, and further passes through the transmission hole 125a of the fixing part 125. The sample 111 is reached via the zoom lens and the objective lens that do not (thick arrows in the figure indicate the path of the light beam). Then, fluorescence is generated from the specimen 111, and this fluorescence is observed. At the same time, the excitation light is also reflected by the specimen 111, and this reflected excitation light passes through the transmission hole 103a of the adjacent slider 103 from the transmission hole 125a. The light passes through and passes through a dichroic mirror (not shown) and an absorption filter (not shown) in the adjacent cube 104 from the other common hole 105a and reaches the eyes of the operator. The excitation light at this time has a very large intensity compared to the fluorescence, so that the operator feels very dazzling.
[0008]
Therefore, conventionally, when exchanging the cube 104, before the slider 103 is moved, the shutter is manually operated to shut off the excitation light from the light source, or a light shielding plate is attached to the hole position. Although leakage is prevented, there is a problem in that cube replacement takes a great deal of time and imposes an unnecessary burden on the operator.
[0009]
Further, as means for preventing leakage of excitation light, it is considered to increase the arrangement interval of the cubes 104 as shown in FIGS.
[0010]
FIG. 4A shows a state where the cube 104 is slightly shifted from the observation optical axis 111a in the middle of switching, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the cube 104 is further shifted from the observation optical axis 111a to reach the switching intermediate position. ing. In this case, even in the state of FIG. 6A, there is a common hole portion 105a (cross-hatched portion in the drawing) that transmits both the excitation filter 105 and the transmission hole 118a. However, here, since the switching interval between adjacent cubes 104 is made longer, the excitation light reflected by the specimen 111 is blocked by the slider 103 as shown by the ray path of the bold arrow in the figure, and the adjacent cubes. In the state of FIG. 10B, there is no portion corresponding to the common hole 105a, and therefore there is no excitation light reaching the eyes of the operator. Thereby, leakage of excitation light can be prevented.
[0011]
However, such a structure in which the arrangement interval of the cubes 104 is increased leads to an increase in the size of the entire apparatus, and there is a problem in adopting such a configuration in a microscope or the like.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a shutter device that can open and close the shutter in conjunction with the movement of the moving body.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The invention according to claim 1 is a shutter blade that opens and closes an optical path;Cam receiving means, and through the cam receiving means,A driving means for driving opening and closing of the shutter blades, and a moving body that is movably provided and causes the driving means to act on the driving means for opening and closing the shutter blades by the movement;An optical element unit that is provided so as to be freely attachable to the moving body, and has cam means for operating a driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades in conjunction with the cam receiving means in a state of being attached to the moving body. The shutter means is closed by the driving means without the cam means being interlocked with the cam receiving means when the optical element unit is in a position other than a predetermined position and when the optical element unit is moved. When it ’s out of the body,It is a feature.
[0014]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the shutter blade includes two shutter blades that are rotatably provided along a plane orthogonal to the optical path. The optical path can be opened and closed.
[0015]
  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2,The drive means has an urging means for urging the shutter blades in a closed state, and the cam means is against the urging means of the drive means when the optical element unit is in a predetermined position. When the optical element unit is attached to the movable body, the shutter blades are opened.
[0017]
  Claim4The invention described in claims 1 to3In the invention according to any one of the above, the moving body isThe optical element unitArrange multiple pieces at a predetermined intervalIs possible,These are characterized in that they are integrally provided so as to be movable in a linear direction.
[0018]
As a result, according to the present invention, the driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades can be applied to the driving means according to the movement of the moving body, so that the shutter is opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the moving body. It is possible to prevent leakage of light when the moving body moves.
[0019]
In addition, according to the present invention, the two shutter blades open and close symmetrically with respect to the optical path, and when the optical path is closed, the light can be gradually shielded from the periphery of the optical path, so that leakage from the periphery of the optical path occurs. Stray light that comes out can be prevented.
[0020]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, when the moving body is at a position other than the predetermined position, the shutter blades are driven in the closed state, so that light leakage can be prevented even when the optical element is switched.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0022]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a stereomicroscope to which the shutter device of the present invention is applied, here a fluorescent microscope. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a light source composed of a mercury lamp, and this light source 1 emits excitation light for exciting fluorescence.
[0023]
Such a light source 1 is attached to the side surface of the intermediate lens barrel 2. The intermediate lens barrel 2 accommodates a plurality of cubes 4 mounted on a slider 3 to be described later, and the cubes 4 on the optical path can be switched by an operation of moving the slider 3. Here, the cube 4 has an excitation filter 5, a dichroic mirror 6, and an absorption filter 7. The excitation light from the light source 1 passes through the excitation filter 5 and is reflected by the dichroic mirror 6 to be described later as an objective lens 10. In addition, the fluorescent light that is emitted from the objective lens 10 is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 6 and the absorption filter 7.
[0024]
An objective lens 10 is disposed below the intermediate lens barrel 2 via a zoom unit 8. The zoom unit 8 has a pair of zoom lens systems 9, and irradiates the sample 11 with excitation light from the cube 4 through the objective lens 10 from one zoom lens system 9 and emits fluorescence on the surface of the sample 11. Is incident on the intermediate lens barrel 2 from the objective lens 10 through the respective zoom lens systems 9.
[0025]
A binocular tube 12 is disposed above the intermediate tube 2. The binocular tube 12 has a pair of imaging lenses 13 and eyepieces 14, and the fluorescence from the pair of zoom lens systems 9 is transmitted to the imaging lens 13 through the cube 4 and the infinite system of the intermediate lens barrel 2. While making it enter, it forms an image with the eyepiece 14 and enables observation as a fluorescent image.
[0026]
FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the slider 3 and the cube 4 accommodated in the intermediate lens barrel 2. In this case, the slider 3 is linearly movable along the guide shaft 15 in directions orthogonal to the optical axis 1 a of the excitation light from the light source 1 and the optical axis 11 a of the fluorescence from the specimen 11. Also, the slider 3 has a plurality of dovetail grooves 3a along the direction of the optical axis 1a of the excitation light with a predetermined pitch in the moving direction. These dovetail grooves 3a have two transmission holes 3b on the bottom surface, and are moved to a position where the optical axis 1a of the excitation light and the optical axis 11a of the fluorescence from the specimen 11 are orthogonal to each other by the movement of the slider 3. Each transmission hole 3b is positioned on the optical axis 11a of the fluorescence from the specimen 11.
[0027]
The cube 4 can be inserted into and removed from the plurality of dovetail grooves 3a. This cube 4 has an ant 4a corresponding to the ant groove 3a, and an excitation filter 5 is arranged on a side surface corresponding to the excitation light incident from the light source 1, and the excitation light transmitted through the excitation filter 5 is reflected. At the same time, the dichroic mirror 6 is disposed so as to transmit the fluorescence from the specimen 11, and the absorption filter 7 is disposed on the upper surface corresponding to the fluorescence transmitted through the dichroic mirror 6.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the cube 4 is provided with a cam plate 16 as cam means on the side surface on which the excitation filter 5 is disposed. The cam plate 16 has a triangular shape having an inclined portion 16a on which a cam follower 20b of a shutter device 17 to be described later slides. The cam plate 16 is formed on the inclined portion 16a of the cam plate 16 as the cube 4 integrated with the slider 3 moves. The shutter device 17 is opened and closed by sliding the cam follower 20b along.
[0029]
On the other hand, in the intermediate barrel 2, a shutter device 17 is disposed on the optical axis 1 a of excitation light from the light source 1.
[0030]
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of such a shutter device 17. In the figure, reference numeral 18 denotes a shutter seat, and a central portion of the shutter seat 18 has a transmission hole 18a through which excitation light from the light source 1 passes. Further, a notch 18b is formed at the center of the upper edge of the shutter seat 18, and a pair of holes 18c are formed with the notch 18b interposed therebetween.
[0031]
Reference numeral 19 denotes a pair of shutter blades 19. These shutter blades 19 can be rotated by forming a protrusion 19a on one surface of a base end portion and inserting the protrusion 19a into each hole 18c of the shutter seat 18. It is supported by. That is, these shutter blades 19 are rotatable around the protrusion 19a. Further, the shutter blade 19 has a long hole 19b at the base end.
[0032]
Reference numeral 20 denotes a plate-like link, and the center of the link 20 is rotatably supported by the shutter seat 18 by a spacer 21 and a screw 22. The link 20 is formed with a protrusion 20a on one surface at one end, and the protrusion 20a is inserted into the elongated holes 19b of the pair of shutter blades 19 together. The projection 19a is pivoted in a reciprocal direction so that the opening degree of the shutter seat 18 on the front surface of the transmission hole 18a can be controlled. That is, the optical path of the excitation light can be opened and closed by rotating the optical path of the light source 1 along a plane orthogonal to the light source 1. Further, the link 20 has a cam follower 20b formed of a projection as cam receiving means on one surface of one end. The cam follower 20b rotates the link 20 against the biasing force of the spring 23 by sliding along the inclined portion 16a of the cam plate 16 accompanying the movement of the cube 4 integrated with the slider 3 described above, and thereby the shutter blades. The opening degree of 19 is controlled. In this case, the shutter blade 19 moves the link 20 in the counterclockwise direction against the biasing force of the spring 23 when the cam follower 20b is slid along the inclined portion 16a in a direction approaching the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 16. While rotating, the opening degree is gradually increased to reach the maximum opening degree when located at the apex of the triangle, and when the inclined portion 16a is slid away from the apex of the triangle, the spring 23 is biased. The opening degree is gradually reduced while rotating the link 20 clockwise according to the force.
[0033]
In the drawing, reference numeral 24 denotes a blade presser for holding the shutter blade 19 together with the shutter seat 18.
[0034]
Next, the operation of the embodiment configured as described above will be described.
[0035]
In this case, it is assumed that cubes 4 are appropriately mounted in the plurality of dovetail grooves 3 a of the slider 3 in the intermediate lens barrel 2.
[0036]
First, when the cube 4 on the slider 3 is not positioned on the optical axis 1a of the excitation light from the light source 1, that is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the cam plate 16 of the cube 4 is light of excitation light. When it is deviated from the shaft 1 a, the cam follower 20 b of the link 20 of the shutter device 17 is located at a place where it is not affected by the cam plate 16.
[0037]
In this state, the link 20 of the shutter device 17 is rotated clockwise by the biasing force of the spring 23, and the shutter blade 19 closes the transmission hole 18 a of the shutter seat 18. Here, reference numeral 25 denotes a fixed portion that supports the above-described guide shaft 15 and is fixed to the slider 3 that is a movable portion. The fixing portion 25 is provided with a transmission hole 25a whose center axis coincides with the observation optical axis 11a in order to secure an observation optical path (see FIGS. 2 and 5).
[0038]
When the cube 4 is moved together with the slider 3 from this state and brought closer to the optical axis 1 a of the excitation light of the light source 1, the cam follower 20 b of the link 20 of the shutter device 17 moves along with the inclined portion 16 a of the cam plate 16 as the cube 4 moves. Is slid along. In this case, the cam follower 20b is slid on the inclined portion 16a in a direction approaching the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 16, so that the link 20 rotates counterclockwise against the biasing force of the spring 23. The shutter blade 19 gradually increases the opening degree. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the cam follower 20b is positioned at the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 16, that is, when the cube 4 coincides with the optical axis 1a of the excitation light, the shutter blade 19 has the maximum opening. Then, the transmission hole 18a of the shutter seat 18 is opened.
[0039]
In this state, the excitation light from the light source 1 that has passed through the shutter device 17 passes through the excitation filter 5 of the cube 4, is reflected by the dichroic mirror 6, and is irradiated onto the surface of the sample 11 through the objective lens 10. The fluorescence emitted from the eleventh surface passes through the dichroic mirror 6 and the absorption filter 7 and is observed as a fluorescence image by the eyepiece lens 14.
[0040]
Thereafter, when the cube 4 is moved together with the slider 3 in order to switch the cube 4, the cam follower 20b of the link 20 of the shutter device 17 is now moved along the inclined portion 16a of the cam plate 16 along with the movement of the cube 4. The inclined portion 16a is slid in a direction away from the apexes of the sixteen triangles. In this case, since the link 20 rotates clockwise according to the biasing force of the spring 23, the opening of the shutter blade 19 gradually decreases, as shown in FIG. When the cam follower 20b comes to a position where it is not affected by the cam plate 16, the shutter blade 19 closes the transmission hole 18a of the shutter seat 18 again.
[0041]
Accordingly, in this way, the shutter device 17 provided on the optical axis 1a of the excitation light of the light source 1 can be controlled to open and close as the cube 4 mounted on the slider 3 moves, and the cube 4 is excited. When it coincides with the optical axis 1a of the light, the opening degree of the shutter blade 19 is maximized to open the transmission hole 18a of the shutter seat 18, and when the cube 4 is disengaged from the optical axis 1a of the excitation light, the shutter blade 19 The opening is reduced, and the transmission hole 18a of the shutter seat 18 is closed.
[0042]
Thus, for example, when the cube 4 is switched, if the cube 4 is removed from the optical axis 1a of the excitation light, the shutter blade 19 of the shutter device 17 can be immediately closed to cut off the optical path of the excitation light. It is possible to prevent the excitation light from leaking through the hole even if there is a hole where the cube is not attached at an adjacent position and the hole moves on the optical path of the excitation light due to the movement of the cube 4. Can be eliminated directly from the eyes of the operator.
[0043]
Further, in the conventional fluorescence microscope, even when switching between two types of adjacent cubes, the excitation light may leak and enter the operator's eyes depending on the relationship between the wavelength of the excitation light and the wavelength characteristics of the two cubes. It was. In this case, if the arrangement interval (attachment pitch) between adjacent cubes is increased, the excitation light will not leak, but this will increase the size of the apparatus.
[0044]
On the other hand, according to the shutter device of the present invention, even if the mounting pitch of the cube 4 mounted on the slider 3 is set to be small, leakage of excitation light during cube switching can be prevented regardless of the wavelength characteristics of the cube. Therefore, the intermediate lens barrel 2 can be downsized.
[0045]
Further, even when a hole on which the cube 4 on the slider 3 is not mounted moves to a position coincident with the optical axis 1a of the excitation light of the light source 1, the shutter blade 19 of the shutter device 17 does not open, and the excitation light Since the optical path is cut off, it is possible to prevent the excitation light from leaking through the holes.
[0046]
Furthermore, the shutter device 17 is opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the cube 4, and when exchanging the cube as in the prior art, the shutter that manually shuts off the excitation light from the light source is operated before the slider is moved. This eliminates the need to install a light-shielding plate at the hole position or the like, so that the labor of changing the cube can be greatly reduced, and the burden on the operator can be reduced.
[0047]
Further, when removing the cube 4 on the optical axis 1a of the excitation light from the slider 3, since the cam plate 16 integrated with the cube 4 is also removed when the cube 4 is removed, the shutter blade 19 of the shutter device 17 is closed and the excitation light is removed. The optical path is cut off. Therefore, leakage of excitation light can be prevented even in such a case.
[0048]
Further, since the two shutter blades 19 are configured so that these two shutter blades 19 open and close symmetrically with respect to the optical axis 11a, when the shutter is closed, the peripheral portion of the opening to be shielded from light The light is gradually shielded from. On the other hand, light that becomes stray light often leaks gradually from the periphery of the opening when the optical element such as the cube 4 deviates from a predetermined position such as on the optical axis that is actually used. By using the shutter blade 19 having the configuration, it is possible to quickly block these leaked lights, and it is possible to efficiently prevent dazzling stray light and harmful stray light to the spectroscope.
[0049]
Further, since the cam plate 16 is provided on the moving body side, a driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades 19 can be applied easily and inexpensively.
[0050]
Furthermore, since a plurality of cubes 4 are arranged as movable bodies and these can be moved integrally, a driving force is applied to the shutter blades 19 in accordance with the presence / absence of each movable body, the arrangement location, and the characteristics of stray light. Timing can be set.
[0051]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0052]
In this case, FIG. 6 is an overall configuration diagram of a fluorescence microscope to which the shutter device of this embodiment is applied, FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the cube cassette portion in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the cube cassette portion in FIG. 9 and 9 show ant structure diagrams of the cube attaching / detaching portion of the cube cassette portion of FIG.
[0053]
In the second embodiment, unlike the case where the present invention is applied to a stereomicroscope in the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to a normal microscope. Therefore, although there is only one observation optical path, The point that the shutter device is applied to the microscope is the same, and the basic principle and method of the fluorescence observation are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only characteristic portions will be described in detail.
[0054]
In this case, in FIG. 6, the excitation light emitted from the light source 1 is guided through the illumination optical system 27 along the illumination optical axis 1a, is transmitted through the excitation filter 5 in a wavelength selective manner, and is transmitted by the dichroic mirror-6. Reflected toward the objective lens 10 coaxially with the observation optical axis 11a, the sample 11 is irradiated. Then, the fluorescence emitted from the specimen 11 through excitation light is transmitted through the dichroic mirror 6 and is selected by the absorption filter 7 and is imaged by the objective lens 10 and the imaging lens 40. Visual observation is possible with the eyepiece 14 while being deflected by the prism 30.
[0055]
In the drawing, 37 is a mirror body that supports the entire microscope apparatus, and 29 is a revolver that switches the objective lens 10.
[0056]
In the microscope having such an overall configuration, the cube 4 that integrally holds the excitation filter 5, the dichroic mirror 6, and the absorption filter 7 in accordance with the emission wavelength characteristics of the fluorescent dye of the specimen 11 is centered on the rotation axis 32. A rotating turret type switchable cube cassette 28 is provided.
[0057]
Next, the cube cassette 28 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. The cube cassette 28 has a cassette support portion 31, and is detachably supported by the mirror body 37 by fitting a male ant 31 a of the cassette support portion 31 to a female ant 36 on the mirror body 37 side. The cassette support portion 31 includes a rotation shaft 31 b of the turret 33. The turret 33 has a cylindrical rotation shaft 33b at the center thereof, and the rotation shaft 31b is inserted into the hollow portion of the rotation shaft 33b, so that the turret 33 is held rotatably relative to the rotation shaft 31b. Yes. A nut 34 that restricts the thrust direction is screwed into the tip of the rotation shaft 31b so that the rotation shaft 33b of the turret 33 does not fall off. A plurality of female dovetail portions 33c are formed along the axial direction of the rotary shaft 33b on the peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 33b of the turret 33, and the cube 4 is detachably held by these female dovetail portions 33c via the dovetail 4a. (See FIG. 9). The cube 4 integrally holds an excitation filter 5, a dichroic mirror 6, and an absorption filter 7.
[0058]
FIG. 8 shows a state in which three cubes 4 are mounted. Reference numeral 35 denotes a cover of the cube cassette 28, which is fixed to the cassette support portion 31 with screws 38. Further, the cover 35 includes an opening 35 a for exposing the knurled portion 33 a of the turret 33.
[0059]
In such a configuration, the spectrographer operates the knurled portion 33a of the turret 33 from the opening 35a of the cover 35, switches the cube 4 by turning the turret 33, and optically moves the desired cube 4 by a positioning click mechanism (not shown). Positioning is possible on the shaft 11a. Further, when replacing with another cube 4 corresponding to the specimen 11, the cube cassette 28 is removed from the mirror body 37 by loosening the fixing screw (not shown) and pulling out the male ant 31a, and further loosening the fixing screw (not shown). The ant 4a is pulled out and another new cube 4 is mounted and fixed with a fixing screw.
[0060]
On the other hand, in FIG. 7, the mirror body 37 is provided with a shutter device 17. In this case, the configuration of the shutter device 17 is the same as that described in the first embodiment. Further, the cube 4 is provided with a cam plate 39 corresponding to the shutter device 17. The cam plate 39 is positioned corresponding to the shutter device 17 in a state where the cube 4 is mounted on the mirror body 37.
[0061]
As a result, when the examiner rotates the cube 4 together with the turret 33, the cam plate 39 rotates around the rotation shaft 32, and the cam plate 39 is moved to the shutter device 17 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. The cam follower 20b is driven, and the shutter blade 19 opens and closes. The timing of opening and closing the shutter is the same as that described in the first embodiment. When the cube 4 is arranged on the optical axis 11a, the shutter blade 19 opens, and the shutter blade 19 closes during the switching of the cube 4. Yes. Further, in the state where the cube 4 is not mounted, the cam plate 39 does not exist with respect to the shutter device 17, so that the shutter blades 19 remain closed as in the middle of switching.
[0062]
As a result, there is an effect that dazzling excitation light entering the eye of the spectroscope can be cut in the same manner as described in the first embodiment.
[0063]
In addition, when the cube cassette 28 is removed from the mirror body 37 for exchanging the cube 4, the cam plate 39 is also removed at the same time, so that the shutter blade 19 of the shutter device 17 is closed and the excitation light is immediately cut off.
[0064]
Therefore, even with such a configuration, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be expected. Further, even if the cube cassette 28 is inadvertently removed, the excitation light including ultraviolet rays becomes stray light. The speculum is not irradiated and the speculum can be continued safely.
[0065]
In the second embodiment, an example in which the cam plate 39 is provided on the cube 4 has been described. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, a cam corresponding to the cam plate 39 is provided on the turret 33. The part 33d can also be formed directly.
[0066]
In this case, the turret 33 is integrally provided with a cube 4 (not shown). That is, in the turret 33, a plurality of, for example, four cubes 4 of a preset type are fixed in respective positional relations divided into four equal parts.
[0067]
Further, the cam plate 39 for driving the shutter device 17 provided on the cube 4 side described in the second embodiment is abolished, and instead, at a position corresponding to the cube 4 on the circumferential surface of the turret 33, A triangular cam portion 33d corresponding to the cam plate 39 is integrally formed. In this case, the cam portion 33d is not formed on the peripheral surface of the turret 33 corresponding to the hole 56 as shown in FIG. The cam portion 33d is not formed on the peripheral surface of the turret 33, but is not limited to the hole 56. For example, an optical element that is used only during transmission microscopy such as a volatilizer used during polarization observation or differential interference observation may be provided. It is the same.
[0068]
In this way, since the triangular cam portion 33d is integrally formed on the peripheral surface of the turret 33, the price can be reduced.
[0069]
(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0070]
In this case, FIG. 11 is an overall configuration diagram of the epi-illumination dark field observation microscope to which the shutter device of the present embodiment is applied, FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the revolver portion in FIG. 11, and FIGS. FIG. 15, FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are diagrams for explaining the shutter device.
[0071]
In this case, in FIG. 11, the illumination light emitted from the light source 1 is guided through the illumination optical system 27 along the illumination optical axis 1 a and converted into a ring-shaped light bundle by the light shielding plate 41. Thereafter, the light is reflected toward the objective lens 10 coaxially with the observation optical axis 11a by a donut-shaped mirror 42 provided with a transmission hole 42a for transmitting the observation light at the center thereof. The light is collected by the light collecting mirror 43 and irradiated on the specimen 11. On the other hand, the illumination light applied to the specimen 11 is scattered by the specimen 11 and part of it enters the objective lens 49. Further, the illumination light (0th order light) directly reflected by the specimen 11 is prevented from entering the objective lens 49. The scattered light entering the objective lens 49 is imaged by the objective lens 49 and the imaging lens 40 and deflected by the prism 30 so that the eyepiece 14 can visually observe the sample image.
[0072]
Next, details of the revolver 29 and the objective lens 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
In this case, the revolver 29 is fixed to the mirror body 37 (see FIG. 11). Further, a V groove 45 a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the revolver body 45 of the revolver portion 29, and a V groove 46 a is formed on the inner surface of the revolver plate 46 disposed so as to cover the revolver body 45. A plurality of balls 57 are sandwiched between the V grooves 45 a and 46 a, and a guide is constituted by the balls 57, and the revolver plate 46 is held by the revolver body 45 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 58. ing.
[0073]
The revolver plate 46 is provided with a plurality of female screw portions 46c. By screwing a male screw portion formed on the objective lens 10 side into the female screw portion 46c, the objective lens 10 can be detachably fixed. .
[0074]
The objective lens 10 includes the outer frame 47 provided with the male screw and the middle frame 48 that holds the objective lens 49. The middle frame 48 is provided with three bridges 48a. The middle frame 48 is connected to the outer frame 47 through the bridge 48a to hold the middle frame 48 and to pass a ring-shaped illumination beam bundle. The space is secured. A part of the inner end of the outer frame 47 forms a condensing mirror 43 so that a ring-shaped illumination beam bundle is condensed on the specimen 11.
[0075]
The vicinity of the optical axis of the revolver body 45 has a structure similar to that of the objective lens 10. That is, three bridges 44a are provided on the outer periphery of the inner cylinder 44, and are held by the revolver body 45 via these bridges 44a. Thus, a space for guiding the ring-shaped illumination light bundle is secured between the inner cylinder 44 and the revolver body 45, and a space for guiding the observation light beam is secured inside the inner cylinder 44, and the illumination light is It is designed not to leak from the observation optical path.
[0076]
In the revolver unit 29 and the objective lens 10 configured as described above, the examiner rotates the revolver plate 46b on the outer periphery of the revolver plate 46 to rotate the revolver plate 46, and an observation optical axis 11a by a click positioning mechanism (not shown). The objective lens 10 can be switched by positioning the desired objective lens 10 thereon.
[0077]
Next, problems in switching the objective lens 10 under such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 (a) and 13 (b) and FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b).
[0078]
FIGS. 13A and 13B show a state where the objective lens 10 is positioned on the observation optical axis 11a, and FIGS. 14A and 14B show a state where the objective lens 10 is slightly shifted from the observation optical axis 11a. Is shown.
[0079]
When the objective lens 10 is on the observation optical axis 11a, the ring-shaped illumination beam bundle is guided to the ring-shaped space of the objective lens 10 and the revolver unit 29 as described above to illuminate the specimen 11. Then, the specularly reflected illumination light other than the scattered light observed as the sample image is returned to the ring-shaped space of the objective lens 10 and the revolver unit 29 again.
[0080]
However, during the switching of the objective lens 10, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B, part of the ring-shaped illumination light is guided to the objective lens 49 that forms an image of the observation light in the objective lens 10. Further, the illumination light is reflected by the specimen 11 and enters the objective lens 49 again, and enters the eye of the spectrographer. Such epi-illumination dark field observation is a microscopic method for observing a slight amount of scattered light scattered by the specimen 11, and therefore the illumination light may have a brightness that is tens of times that of the observed specimen image. In many cases, the illumination light is very dazzling when it enters the eye of the analyst.
[0081]
In order to solve such a problem, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a shutter device for cutting illumination light during switching of the objective lens is provided.
[0082]
FIGS. 16A and 16B show a state in the middle of switching of the objective lens 10. In this case, the shutter plate 50 is held so as to be rotatable about the rotation shaft 53a while being sandwiched between the revolver body 45 by the stepped screw 53 as shown in FIG. The shutter plate 50 has a circular light shielding part 50a at the end opposite to the rotation shaft 53a. One end of the coil spring 51 is hooked on the light shielding part 50a, and the other end of the coil spring 51 is the revolver body. The light shielding part 50a of the shutter plate 50 is always arranged on the observation optical axis 11a by being biased by the spring cake 52 fixed to 45, and urged by the coil spring 51.
[0083]
On the other hand, FIG. 15 shows a state in which the objective lens 10 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11a. In this case, four triangular cam plates 55 are provided on the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the revolver plate 46 along the circumferential direction. These cam plates 55 are formed at the same angle as the female screw portions 46c to which the objective lens 10 is attached with respect to the rotation shaft 58 of the revolver plate 46, and are formed corresponding to these female screw portions 46c.
[0084]
The shutter plate 50 has a pin 54 protruding toward the cam plate 55 at the end opposite to the coil spring 51, and the cam plate 55 moves and contacts the pin 54 as the revolver plate 46 rotates. Thus, the shutter plate 50 is rotated about the rotation shaft 53a, and the observation optical axis 11a is opened and closed by the light shielding portion 50a. In FIG. 15, the triangular inclined surface of the cam plate 55 is pushed in the direction in which the shutter plate 50 is opened against the urging force of the coil spring 51 (right rotation direction in the figure).
[0085]
Next, a description will be given of the case where the spectroscope rotates the revolver plate 46 and switches the objective lens 10 in such a shutter device.
[0086]
First, the objective lens 10 is disposed on the optical axis 11a. As described with reference to FIG. 15, the light shielding portion 50a of the shutter plate 50 is positioned off the observation optical axis 11a, and the shutter is open.
[0087]
When the revolver plate 46 is rotated clockwise from this state, the triangular inclined surface of the cam plate 55 pushes up the pin 54 against the urging force of the coil spring 51 and rotates the shutter plate 50 clockwise to move it in the opening direction. When the revolver plate 46 is further rotated to the right, the cam plate 55 keeps the shutter plate 50 open until the pin 54 reaches the apex of the triangle.
When the pin 54 exceeds the triangular apex of the cam plate 55, the contact state between the pin 54 and the cam plate 55 is released by the urging force of the coil spring 51, and the shutter plate 50 is rotated counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 50 light-shielding portions 50a are positioned on the observation optical axis 11a and the shutter is closed.
[0088]
When the revolver plate 46 is further rotated to the right from here, a new cam plate 55 adjacent to the right approaches the pin 54, and the triangular slope of the cam plate 55 starts to contact the pin 54. Then, while the triangular slope of the cam plate 55 and the pin 54 slide relative to each other, the cam plate 55 pushes up the pin 54 and rotates the shutter plate 50 to the right to retract the light shielding portion 50a from the observation optical axis 11a and start to open the shutter. .
[0089]
Further, the revolver plate 46 rotates to the right, and the objective lens 10 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11a. At the same time, the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 55 is on the line connecting the rotation shaft 58 of the revolver plate 46 and the rotation shaft 53a of the shutter plate 50. When arranged, as shown in FIG. 15, the light shielding portion 50a of the shutter plate 50 is detached from the observation optical axis 11a, and the shutter is completely opened.
[0090]
Therefore, in this way, when the objective lens 10 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11a, the shutter is open, and when the objective lens 10 is slightly removed from the observation optical axis 11a, the shutter is immediately closed. During the subsequent switching of the objective lens 10, the shutter is kept in a closed state, so that when the spectrographer switches the objective lens 10, the dazzling illumination light does not enter the eyes, You can continue the speculum with confidence.
[0091]
In the second embodiment, the shutter plate 50 is described as a single plate that is rotated about the rotation shaft 53a. For example, as shown in FIGS. Those having a single shutter blade 61 can also be used.
[0092]
In this case, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 (a) and FIG. 18 (b) are views seen from the same direction as FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, and the same parts as those in FIG.
[0093]
FIG. 17 is a diagram in the middle of switching the objective lens 10, and FIG. 18 is a diagram of the state where the objective lens 10 is arranged on the optical axis 11a.
[0094]
In this case, the dowels 63 are fixed to the base ends of the two shutter blades 61, and these dowels 63 are formed in holes formed in the bosses 45e of the revolver body 45 as shown in FIG. The shutter blade 61 is rotatably fixed around the dowel 63. Further, the two shutter blades 61 have a long hole 61 a formed at the end portion having the dowel 63. The pin 62 is inserted into the long hole 61a in common, and the movement of the two shutter blades 61 in the thrust direction is restricted by a pair of flange portions 62a formed at a predetermined interval between the pins 62. The pins 62 can be freely moved along the longitudinal direction of the long holes 61 a of the two shutter blades 61.
[0095]
The revolver main body 45 is formed with a boss 45d. The boss 45d is received on the upper surface of the shutter blade 61 so as not to bend. When the shutter blade 61 operates, the boss 45d operates while rubbing the upper surface of the boss 45d.
[0096]
With such a configuration, when the shutter blade 61 is rotated around the dowel 63, the pin 62 moves in the vertical direction along with this rotation, and the shutter blade 61 shields or opens the vicinity of the optical axis 11a. A shutter opening / closing operation is performed.
[0097]
On the other hand, spring blades 64 and 66 are arranged on the shutter blade 61 and the revolver body 45, respectively, and a coil spring 65 is hung between the spring cakes 64 and 66. The coil spring 65 always applies a biasing force in a direction in which the two shutter blades 61 are closed.
[0098]
Four triangular cam plates 55 are provided along the circumferential direction on the periphery of the upper surface of the revolver plate 46. These cam plates 55 are formed corresponding to the female screw portions 46c at the same angle as the female screw portions 46c to which the objective lens 10 is attached with respect to the rotation shaft 58 of the revolver plate 46.
[0099]
With the above configuration, when the cam plate 55 is moved and brought into contact with the pin 62 as the revolver plate 46 rotates, the shutter blade 61 is rotated around the dowel 63 and the shutter is opened and closed. FIG. 18 shows a state where the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 55 is pressed in the direction of opening the shutter blade 61 against the biasing force of the coil spring 65.
[0100]
In such a shutter device, the case where the spectroscope rotates the revolver plate 46 and switches the objective lens will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 18, the objective lens 10 is arranged on the optical axis 11a. The shutter blade 61 is opened.
[0101]
When the revolver plate 46 is rotated clockwise from this state, the pin 62 is moved away from the optical axis 11a along the triangular slope of the cam plate 55 by the biasing force of the coil spring 65, and the shutter blade 61 is moved in the closing direction. When the revolver plate 46 is further rotated to the right, the pin 62 moves away from the triangular slope of the cam plate 55, and the shutter blade 61 is completely closed by the biasing force of the coil spring 65 as shown in FIG.
[0102]
From this point, when the revolver plate 46 is further rotated to the right, the new cam plate 55 on the left side approaches the pin 62, the triangular slope of the cam plate 55 begins to contact the pin 54, and the pin 62 slides on this slope. When moved, the pin 62 is pushed up in the direction approaching the optical axis 11a against the urging force of the coil spring 65, and starts to open the shutter blade 61. Further, when the revolver plate 46 is rotated to the right, the objective lens 10 is arranged on the observation optical axis 11a, and at the same time, the apex of the triangle of the cam plate 55 is arranged on the line connecting the rotation axis 58 of the revolver plate 46 and the optical axis 11a. As shown in FIG. 18, the shutter blade 61 is completely opened.
[0103]
Therefore, even in this manner, when the spectrographer switches the objective lens 10 as in the third embodiment, the speculum can be safely performed without dazzling illumination light entering the eyes. Further, the shutter in this case is constituted by two shutter blades 61, and in the closing operation, the periphery of the opening that is likely to generate stray light entering the eye of the spectrographer is gradually shielded from both sides. Therefore, even if the interval between the revolver objective lens mounting screws is reduced, stray light is not easily generated, and it is possible to attach a larger number of objective lenses to the revolver.
[0104]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades can be applied to the driving means according to the movement of the moving body, and the shutter is opened and closed in conjunction with the movement of the moving body. Can be made.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fluorescence microscope to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration in an intermediate lens barrel applied to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cam plate formed on a cube applied to the first embodiment.
4 is an exploded view showing a shutter device used in an intermediate lens barrel applied to the first embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a fluorescence microscope to which a second embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a cube or set unit applied to the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cube or set unit applied to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an ant structure of a cube attaching / detaching portion of a cube cassette portion applied to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a turret applied to the second embodiment as a modified example of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an epi-illumination dark field observation microscope to which a third embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a revolver unit applied to the third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining epi-illumination dark field observation according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining epi-illumination dark field observation according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a shutter device according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a shutter device according to a third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a shutter device as a modification of the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a shutter device as a modification of the third embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a state of leakage of excitation light.
FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining an example of a conventional excitation light leakage prevention means.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Light source
1a: Optical axis
2 ... Intermediate tube
3 ... Slider
3a ... Ant groove
3b ... Transmission hole
4 ... Cube
4a ... Ali
5 ... Excitation filter
6 ... Dichroic mirror
7 ... Absorption filter
8 ... Zoom part
9 ... Zoom lens system
10 ... Objective lens
11 ... Sample
11a: Optical axis
12 ... Binocular tube
13 ... Imaging lens
14 ... Eyepiece
15 ... Guide shaft
16 ... Cam plate
16a ... inclined part
17 ... Shutter device
18 ... Shutter seat
18a ... Transmission hole
18c ... hole
19 ... Shutter blade
19a ... protrusion
19b ... slot
20 ... Link
20a ... projection
20b ... cam follower
21 ... Spacer
22 ... Screw
23 ... Spring
25. Fixing part
25a ... Transmission hole
27. Illumination optical system
28 ... Cube cassette
29 ... Revolver
30 ... Prism
31 ... cassette support
31a ... Male ant
31b ... Rotating shaft
32 ... Rotating shaft
33 ... Turret
33a ... Knurling
33b ... Rotating shaft
33c ... Female Ant
33d ... Cam part
34 ... Nut
35 ... Cover
35a ... opening
36 ... Female Ant
37 ... Mirror body
38 ... Screw
39 ... Cam plate
40: Imaging lens
41 ... Shading plate
42a ... Transmission hole
44 ... Inner cylinder
44a ... Bridge
45 ... Revolver body
45a ... V groove
45d ... Boss
45e ... Boss
46 ... Revolver plate
46a ... V groove
46b ... Lolet section
46c ... Female thread
47 ... Outer frame
48 ... Middle frame
48a ... Bridge
49 ... Objective lens
50 ... Shutter plate
50a ... Light-shielding part
51 ... Coil spring
52 ... Spring
53 ... Stepped screw
53a ... Rotating shaft
54 ... pin
55 ... Cam plate
56 ... Hole
57 ... Ball
58 ... Rotating shaft
61 ... Shutter blade
61a ... slot
62 ... pin
62a ... Flange
63 ... Dabo
64.66 ... Spring
65 ... Coil spring

Claims (4)

Shutter blades that open and close the optical path;
Drive means having cam receiving means and driving opening and closing of the shutter blades via the cam receiving means ;
A movable body provided so as to be movable, and causing the driving means to act as a driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades by the movement;
An optical element unit that is provided so as to be freely attachable to the moving body, and has cam means for applying a driving force for opening and closing the shutter blades in conjunction with the cam receiving means in a state of being attached to the moving body. ,
The shutter means is closed by the driving means without the cam means interlocking with the cam receiving means when the optical element unit is in a position other than a predetermined position and when the optical element unit is in the moving body. A shutter device , characterized in that the shutter device is disengaged .   The said shutter blade | wing consists of two shutter blade | wings each provided rotatably along the surface orthogonal to the said optical path, The said optical path can be opened and closed by rotation of these shutter blade | wings. Shutter device. The drive means has an urging means for urging the shutter blades in a closed state, and the cam means is against the urging means of the drive means when the optical element unit is in a predetermined position. 3. The shutter device according to claim 1, wherein when the optical element unit is attached to the moving body, the shutter blades are opened. 4. The movable body, the a optical element unit plurality positionable at a predetermined interval, which are according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is movable in a linear direction integrally Shutter device.

Images