JPH08160309A - Optical microscope - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To simultaneously move an objective lens and a condenser in the optical axis direction while maintaining the arrangement relation between the both. CONSTITUTION: The optical microscope is so constituted that the specimen S placed on the stage 43 fixed on the mirror stand 41 is applied with the transmission illumination by the illumination optical system composed of an afocal optical system, and the revolver 25 is held by the foresight part 22 supported freely movably in the observing optical axis direction with respect to the mirror structure 20 through the connecting member 23. The optical microscope is provided with the interlocking mechanism 30 capable of moving the condenser 40 in the observing optical axis direction linked with the foresight movement of the revolver 25 connected to the connecting member 23 disposed freely movably in the observing optical axis direction while holding the condenser 40.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical microscope in which a revolver holding an objective lens moves in the optical axis direction via a focusing mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Focusing systems for optical microscopes are roughly classified into a stage moving system in which a stage is moved vertically and a revolver moving system in which a revolver is moved in the observation optical axis direction. In particular, the revolver moving method has an advantage that a stage on which a sample is placed can be fixed to a mirror table and that the rigidity of the stage can be sufficiently ensured and a large and heavy sample can be dealt with.

FIG. 13 shows a revolver moving type optical microscope. This optical microscope is provided with a focusing unit 3 which is vertically driven by a focusing handle 2 on a side surface of a microscope body 1, and a revolver holding member 5 which arranges a revolver 4 near an observation optical axis is a focusing unit. It is attached to 3.
The revolver 4 can simultaneously hold a plurality of objective lenses 6 and arranges any objective lens on the observation optical axis.

On the other hand, the stage 7 is held on a mirror stand 8 via a plurality of columns 9. A fixing member 11 is fixed to the same surface of the mirror base 8, and a capacitor holder 13 to which a capacitor 12 is attached is attached to the fixing member 11 so as to be vertically movable. The condenser holder 13 is vertically driven by a condenser focusing portion 14 provided on the fixing member 11.

In such an optical microscope, the revolver 4 and the objective lens 6 are operated by operating the focusing handle 2.
Is moved in the optical axis direction to focus on the sample placed on the stage 7. In addition, the condenser focusing unit 14
By operating, the condenser 12 is moved up and down to obtain an optimum illumination state.

In addition to this, various types of revolver movement type optical microscopes have been considered. For example, JP-A-4-
Japanese Patent No. 184312 discloses that a revolver holding member holding a revolver and a capacitor holder holding a capacitor can be selectively attached to a focusing unit connected to a focusing handle.

[0007]

However, the optical microscope of the revolver moving type has a problem that the moving range of the revolver in the optical axis direction is limited to the range where the illumination performance by the condenser can be exhibited. In order to avoid such a problem, it is necessary to adjust the position of the condenser in the optical axis direction in accordance with the focusing operation of the revolver, which requires complicated work.

In recent years, three-dimensional images have been constructed by so-called digital confocal, which is one of the television image processing. In this digital image processing method, a television image of a sample captured by a CCD image pickup device is subjected to image processing to remove extra images other than the focal plane, and an optical slice image of only the focal plane is obtained. Then, the stage or revolver of the microscope is intermittently moved in the direction of the optical axis, and optical section images of portions of the sample sequentially located on the focal plane are photographed at predetermined intervals, and the plurality of optical section images are processed to obtain the final image. Build a three-dimensional image.

[0009] For example, a thick sample such as a cell
When constructing a three-dimensional image, first, the revolver is moved in the optical axis direction so that the first surface of the sample coincides with the object-side focal plane of the objective lens. Next, the condenser arranged on the mirror stand is adjusted in the optical axis direction so that the field stop image is formed on the first surface, and the optical section image of the first surface is photographed by the television camera. Next, the second surface moves the revolver in the optical axis direction, and
The optical adjustment is performed so that the field stop is projected in the same manner as the surface, and the second surface is photographed by the television camera as an optical slice image. Hereinafter, similarly, each surface of the thick sample is photographed by a television camera to construct a three-dimensional image.

When constructing a three-dimensional image as described above, uniform illumination is required and it is necessary to finely adjust the condenser in accordance with the movement of the revolver, but this is an extremely troublesome work. It was

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to move both the objective lens and the condenser in the optical axis direction at the same time while maintaining the positional relationship between the objective lens and the condenser. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical microscope capable of irradiating a sample with light in an optimum state, eliminating uneven illumination due to insufficient fine adjustment of a condenser, and simplifying adjustment work.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical microscope capable of preventing interference between a sample and a condenser in a retracting operation of an objective lens accompanying sample exchange, and preventing damage to the sample.

[0013]

The present invention has taken the following means in order to achieve the above object. The present invention corresponding to claim 1 illuminates a sample mounted on a stage fixed on a mirror table with an illumination optical system configured by an afocal optical system, and forms a part of the illumination optical system. In an optical microscope that holds a revolver holding an objective lens, which is arranged to face each other across a sample in a condenser, via a connecting member in a focusing unit movably supported in the observation optical axis direction with respect to a mirror body, The condenser is held so as to be movable in the observation optical axis direction, and is coupled or engaged with the coupling member or the focusing portion to move the condenser in the observation optical axis direction in conjunction with the focusing movement of the revolver. It is configured to have an interlocking mechanism.

The present invention corresponding to claim 2 is further provided with a gap adjusting mechanism for moving the condenser in the observation optical axis direction independently of the focusing portion. According to the present invention corresponding to claim 3, the interlocking mechanism is moved to a condenser holder for holding the condenser, a fixing portion attached to the connecting member or the focusing portion, and the fixing portion in the observation optical axis direction. An intermediate member that is freely supported and that supports the capacitor holder so as to be movable in the observation optical axis direction; and an elastic member that is hung between the intermediate member and the capacitor holder to urge the capacitor holder toward the stage. , A rack and pinion mechanism which is disposed between the fixed portion and the intermediate member and drives the intermediate member in the observation optical axis direction.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, one end of the interlocking mechanism that holds the capacitor and extends toward the connecting member is pressed against a part of the connecting member from below by a predetermined biasing force. And a resilient member that biases the condenser receiver upward, and is held by the connecting member so as to be movable back and forth in the observation optical axis direction from an end face of the connecting member facing the one end of the capacitor receiver. A screw member having a thread groove formed on the outer periphery thereof, and a dial member which is rotatably held by the connecting member in a state in which movement in the observation optical axis direction is restricted and is screwed into the screw member are provided. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the interlocking mechanism holds the capacitor, and one end extending toward the connecting member pushes a part of the connecting member from below with a predetermined biasing force. A first contact part having a position regulating surface that is attached to the focusing part and is in contact with one end of the capacitor receiver; and the connecting member is provided with an elastic body that biases the capacitor receiver upward. A first connecting member that holds the revolver and is movably attached to the first connecting member in the observation optical axis direction, and has a lower end located closer to the condenser than the first connecting member. The second connecting member and the interval adjusting mechanism for moving the second connecting member in the observation optical axis direction independently of the first connecting member. In the present invention corresponding to claim 6, the movement of the condenser to the stage side is restricted by the stage or the mirror stand.

[0017]

The present invention has the following effects by taking the above measures. According to the present invention corresponding to claim 1, when the objective lens held by the revolver is moved by focusing by moving the focusing unit, the objective lens is coupled or engaged with the connecting member or the focusing unit holding the revolver. The associated interlocking mechanism simultaneously moves the condenser of the illumination optical system in the same direction as the coupling member or the focusing unit moves. Therefore, during the focusing movement of the objective lens, the positional relationship between the objective lens and the condenser in the observation optical axis direction is always maintained constant.

According to the present invention corresponding to claim 2, the condenser is moved in the direction of the observation optical axis independently of the focusing portion by the distance adjusting mechanism. Therefore, the positional relationship between the objective lens and the condenser in the observation optical axis direction can be adjusted to an arbitrary relationship.

According to the present invention corresponding to claim 3, when the connecting member holding the revolver moves together with the focusing part, the fixing part attached to the connecting member or the focusing part works together. . Since the condenser holder is held in the fixing portion via the intermediate member and the elastic member, the condenser held in the condenser holder and the revolver (objective lens) held in the connecting member are interlocked as a result. . Further, when the intermediate member is driven in the observation optical axis direction by the rack and pinion mechanism, the capacitor holder and the capacitor held by the intermediate member via the elastic body move independently from the focusing unit. Therefore, the positional relationship between the objective lens and the condenser in the observation optical axis direction can be adjusted to an arbitrary relationship.

According to the present invention corresponding to claim 4, when the focusing unit is driven to move the connecting member together with the revolver and the objective lens in the observation optical axis direction, a part of the connecting member is provided from below with a predetermined distance. The condenser receiver pressed by the urging force moves together. For example, when the connecting member moves upward, the position regulating surface of the capacitor receiving member by the connecting member rises, so that the capacitor receiving member biased upward by the elastic body rises, and as a result, the capacitor holding member is held. Will rise in conjunction with the objective lens. Further, when the connecting member is pushed down against the biasing force of the elastic body, the capacitor receiver is pushed down by the connecting member. Therefore, the relationship between the objective lens and the condenser is always kept constant.

When the dial member whose movement in the observation optical axis direction is restricted with respect to the connecting member is rotated, the screw member relatively moves in the observation optical axis direction. If the end surface of the screw member protruding from the end surface of the connecting member is in contact with a part of the capacitor receiver, the capacitor receiver moves independently of the connecting member in conjunction with the movement of the screw member.

According to the present invention corresponding to claim 5, when the focusing unit is driven, the first and second connecting members move in the observation optical axis direction. Since one end of the condenser receiver is pressed against any one of the connecting members from below with a predetermined biasing force, the condenser receiver also moves in conjunction with the movement of the focusing portion.

The second connecting member holding the revolver is driven independently of the first connecting member by the gap adjusting mechanism. Therefore, if the second connecting member is moved while the position of the condenser receiver is regulated by the first connecting member, only the revolver and the objective lens are moved, and the distance between the objective lens and the condenser can be adjusted.

According to the present invention corresponding to claim 6, the movement of the condenser to the stage side is restricted by the stage or the mirror stand. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent a problem such as the condenser colliding with the sample due to the focusing movement. In addition, in the microscope according to claims 3 to 5, after the movement of the condenser is restricted, the elastic member expands and the connecting member,
Since only the revolver and the objective lens move, a sufficient space can be secured between the sample and the objective lens.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an optical microscope according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the optical microscope of this embodiment, a focusing handle 21 is rotatably attached to a side surface of a mirror body 20 constituting a microscope body, and a focusing unit 22 is provided on the front surface of the mirror body 20 so as to be movable in an observation optical axis direction. Has been. Focusing handle 2
1 and the focusing unit 22 are connected via a focusing mechanism (not shown) disposed inside the mirror body 20, and the focusing unit 22 moves in the vertical direction (optical axis direction) according to the rotation of the focusing handle 21. To move to.

A connecting member 23 is attached to the focusing portion 22. A revolver 25 capable of holding a plurality of objective lenses 24 is rotatably provided at one end of the connecting member 23, and a condenser unit 30 is connected to the other end below the stage.

The capacitor unit 30 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 3, the unit fixing portion 26 fixed to the connecting member 23, the capacitor holder 27, and the intermediate member 28 interposed between the unit fixing portion 26 and the capacitor holder 27. A condenser fine adjustment handle 31 is attached to the unit fixing portion 26, and a pinion gear 32 is arranged coaxially with the rotation axis of the condenser fine adjustment handle 31. A guide dovetail groove is vertically formed on a side wall of the unit fixing portion 26 facing the intermediate member 28.

A guide 33 is formed on one surface of the intermediate member 28 so as to be slidably fitted into the guide dovetail groove of the unit fixing portion 26. A rack gear 34, which meshes with the pinion gear 32, is provided in the center of the guide 33 formed on the intermediate member 28 along the vertical direction.

On the other hand, on the other surface of the intermediate member 28, both sides of the capacitor holder 27 are supported movably in the vertical direction via ball guides 35. Intermediate member 28
The screws 36 and 37 are fastened to the opposing surfaces of the capacitor holder 27 and the capacitor holder 27 at different heights, and the two screws 36 and 37
A spring 38 is provided between 37. In addition, the intermediate member 28
A pin 39 that restricts the movement of the capacitor holder 27 to the revolver side is fastened to this. The capacitor holder 27 is mounted on the intermediate member 28 by means of a spring 38 and a screw 37.
However, the upper limit position is regulated by the pin 39 provided on the intermediate member 28.
Further, the closest position of the relative position of the condenser 40 and the objective lens 24 in the optical axis direction is determined by the stopper 27a that is attached to the lower surface of the stage 43.

An optical path for guiding the illumination light to the condenser 40 is formed inside the mirror base 41 which constitutes the lower part of the mirror body 20, and a plurality of columns 42 for directly supporting the stage 43 are provided upright on the upper surface of the mirror base 41. Has been done. A light source box 44 that supplies illumination light to the optical path inside the mirror base is provided on the back surface of the mirror base 41. An illumination optical system is configured by the optical system from the light source box 44 to the condenser 40. Further, the mirror body 20 is provided with an eyepiece lens 45 on which the light passing through the objective lens 24 enters.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. Specimen S placed on stage 43
When observing the image of 3 through the eyepiece lens 45, the following operation is required.

First, the focal plane of the objective lens 24 and the image plane of the field stop image (the image of the field stop arranged in the illumination optical system) are matched. Therefore, the condenser fine adjustment handle 31 is rotated. When the condenser fine adjustment handle 31 rotates in a predetermined direction, the rotational force is converted into a force for moving the intermediate member 28 in the optical axis direction by the rack and pin-on mechanism (32, 34). When the intermediate member 28 moves in the optical axis direction while being restricted from moving in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis by the guide 33, the capacitor holder 27 supported by the intermediate member 28 via the spring 38 in the optical axis direction together with the capacitor 40. Moving. That is, by rotating the condenser fine adjustment handle 31, the intermediate member 28 of the condenser unit 30, the condenser holder 27, and the condenser 40.
However, the objective lens 2 moves independently of the revolver 25, the objective lens 24 and the connecting member 23 in the optical axis direction.
The condenser 40 can be moved so that the field stop image coincides with the focal plane of No. 4.

Next, the focal plane of the objective lens 24 is adjusted to the sample S so that the sample image can be observed. Therefore, the focusing handle 21 is rotated. When the focusing handle 21 rotates, the focusing unit 22 moves in the optical axis direction via a focusing mechanism (not shown). When the focusing unit 22 moves in the optical axis direction, the connecting member 23 held by the focusing unit 22 moves together with the focusing unit 22. Since the revolver 25 and the condenser unit 30 are held by the connecting member 23, the objective lens 24 held by the revolver 25 and the condenser 40 of the condenser unit 30 maintain the positional relationship in the optical axis direction with respect to each other in the optical axis direction. Move to. When the focal plane of the objective lens 24 coincides with the surface of the sample S, the sample image is guided to the eyepiece lens 45 through the objective lens 24 and the image of the sample S is observed.

At this time, the condenser 40 is the revolver 2 in which the objective lens 24 is always arranged by the connecting member 23 during the focusing operation of the objective lens 24 by the focusing handle 21.
5, the optimum illumination state in which the field stop image is always aligned with the focal plane is maintained.

Further, the thickness of the slide glass or the cover glass differs depending on the sample. When various specimens such as a slide glass having different thicknesses are observed with the constant distance between the objective lens 24 and the condenser 40, the specimen S may not be optimally illuminated, and the observed image may be uneven. The field stop image may be blurred.

In such a case, the condenser fine adjustment handle 31 is again rotated to operate the condenser 4
The relative distance between 0 and the objective lens 24 is changed to an optimum state.

When replacing the sample S, the focusing handle 2
1 is rotated to move the focusing unit 22 in a direction in which the objective lens 24 moves away from the sample S. The condenser unit 30 connected to the connecting member 23 rises due to the raising of the focusing portion 22. As shown in FIG. 4, in the condenser unit 30, the stopper 27 a of the condenser holder 27 contacts the stage 43 immediately before the condenser 40 interferes with the sample S. After that, when the focusing portion 22 rises in accordance with the rotation of the focusing handle 21, the unit fixing portion 26 fixed to the connecting member 23 and the intermediate member 28 connected to the unit fixing portion 25 via the rack and pinion mechanism. And receive an upward force, and the capacitor holder 27 also receives an upward force via the spring 38. However, the condenser holder 2
Since the stopper 27a of No. 7 is in contact with the stage 43, the capacitor holder 27 remains stopped at that position, while the spring 38 extends so that the intermediate member 2
8. Only the unit fixing portion 26 and the connecting member 23 are raised. Therefore, after the condenser 40 stops, the distance between the condenser 40 and the stage 43 does not change, but the connecting member 23, the unit fixing portion 26, the intermediate member 28, the revolver 25, and the objective lens 24 move upward. Thus, a sufficient space is secured between the objective lens 24 and the stage 43.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the objective lens 2 is attached to the focusing portion 22 which is moved up and down by the focusing handle 21.
Connecting member 2 to which a revolver 25 holding 4 and a capacitor unit 30 holding a capacitor 40 are attached
3 is attached and the sample S is held on the stage 43 independent of the vertical movement by the focusing handle 21,
Even if the objective lens 24 is moved by the focusing handle 21, the positional relationship between the focal plane of the objective lens 24 and the field stop image by the condenser 40 can be maintained. Therefore,
It is possible to eliminate the difficult adjustment work conventionally required, and to greatly improve the operability.

Further, in the case of constructing a three-dimensional image of a thick sample, only by rotating the focusing handle 21, the focal plane of the objective lens 24 and the field stop image by the condenser 40 overlap. Since the surface can be moved in the optical axis direction, a plurality of images from the first surface to the n-th surface can be easily acquired.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are views showing the essential parts of a modification of the optical microscope according to the first embodiment. The modification shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which the unit fixing portion 26 ′ is not fixed to the connecting member 23 but directly attached to the focusing portion 22. The other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment described above.

According to this modification, when the focusing portion 22 moves in response to the rotation operation of the focusing handle 21, the unit fixing portion 26 'and the connecting member 23 holding the revolver move in conjunction with this movement. Therefore, the same operational effects as the first embodiment can be obtained.

A modification shown in FIG. 6 is a key-shaped stopper 51.
Is provided on the upper surface of the mirror base 41, and the hook 52 that engages with the stopper 51 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the capacitor holder 27 '. Therefore, the stopper 27a provided on the capacitor holder in the first embodiment is omitted.
The other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment described above.

According to this modification, immediately before the condenser 40 and the sample S interfere with each other, the hook 52 of the condenser holder 27 'engages with the stopper 51 of the mirror base 41, and the movement of the condenser 40 is stopped.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an optical microscope configured by the afocal optical system according to the present embodiment. 8 is a front view of the capacitor unit portion, and FIG. 9 is a side view. In the optical microscope of the present embodiment, a focusing handle 61 is rotatably attached to the side surface of a mirror base 60a integrally formed in the lower part of the mirror body 60, and a focusing unit 62 is provided in front of the mirror body 60 in the observation optical axis direction. It is provided so that it can move freely. The focusing handle 61 and the focusing unit 62 are connected via a focusing mechanism (not shown) provided inside the mirror body 60, and the focusing unit 62 moves in the vertical direction (light It is designed to move in the axial direction).

A connecting member 63 is attached to the focusing portion 62. A revolver 65 capable of holding a plurality of objective lenses 64 is rotatably provided at one end of the connecting member 63.

A lens barrel 66 including an optical path switching prism is arranged at the observation optical axis position on the upper surface of the mirror body 60, and an eyepiece 67 and a television camera 68 are installed on the two optical axes divided by the lens barrel 66. Has been done. A light source box 69 is provided on the back surface of the mirror stand 60a. On the other hand, the mirror stand 60a
A stage receiver 71 having four columns is fixed to the upper part of the stage, and a stage 73 is provided on the stage receiver 71 via a stage holder 72.

A condenser unit 30 'is arranged between the columns of the stage receiver 71. The capacitor unit 30 'has a cylindrical mounting base 80 fixed to the upper surface of the mirror base 60a. The mount 80 has an opening formed in the center thereof, and is fixed to the mirror mount 60a so that the optical axis and the center of the opening coincide with each other. This mount 8
The attachment portion 81 is attached to 0. The mounting portion 81 has an annular shape with a central portion passing through in the vertical direction. At the lower end of the mounting portion 81, a cylindrical opening having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the mounting base 80 and an abutting surface for the upper end surface of the mounting base 80 are formed. Further, ring-shaped projections 82 and 83 projecting toward the center are formed on the upper end opening of the mounting portion 81 and on the substantially same surface as the contact surface. Mounting base 8
A slight gap is provided between the outer periphery of the upper end portion of 0 and the inner peripheral surface of the attachment portion 81 attached to the upper end portion.
A tip end of a lead knob 84 for moving the attaching portion 81 in the centering direction within the movable range of the gap is screwed into the side surface of the attaching portion 81. The mounting base 80 with which the tip of the core knob 84 comes into contact
The outer peripheral surface is formed with a taper whose diameter continuously decreases from the upper end surface to the lower end surface.

Further, the cylindrical portion 87 which is integrally formed with the condenser receiving member 86 is inserted from the upper end opening of the mounting portion 81. The cylindrical portion 87 has an insertion end bent outward to form a large diameter portion. The large diameter portion of the tubular portion 87 engages with the ring-shaped projection 82 of the mounting portion 81.

The cylindrical portion 87 of the condenser receiving member 86 is
A ring-shaped protrusion 8 protruding inward at a predetermined height on the inner peripheral surface thereof.
9 is formed. The ring-shaped protrusion 89 and the mounting portion 8
An elastic body 91 having an outer diameter substantially the same as that of the tubular portion 87 is interposed between the first ring-shaped projection 83 and the first ring-shaped projection 83. The elastic body 91 is made of a metal or synthetic resin coil spring. The elastic body 91 acts so as to push up the capacitor receiving portion 86 by the elastic force.

The width of the mounting portion 81 in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis is substantially the same as the width of the multifunctional capacitor 90 in the same direction. The base end portions of the pair of mounting portion side guide portions 92 are fixed to both side surfaces of the mounting portion 81 set to have such dimensions. The upper end of the mounting-side guide 92 extends near the upper surface of the multifunctional capacitor 90.

On the other hand, in the multi-function capacitor 90, a pair of capacitor side guide parts 93 are vertically arranged at positions facing the mounting part side guide parts 92, respectively. Capacitor side guide portion 93 corresponding to the pair of attachment portion side guide portions 92
Are sandwiched via rollers 94. A cross roller guide is composed of the mounting portion side guide portion 92, the condenser side guide portion 93 and the roller 94.

The upper surface of the multi-function condenser 90 faces the lower surface of the stage holder 72, and the upper surface of the multi-function capacitor 90 is a pin 9 for contacting the lower surface of the stage holder 72.
5 are provided.

Further, the lower end of the connecting member 63 is notched on the side surface on the capacitor side so as to have an L-shaped cross section, and a guide hole is formed along the longitudinal direction from the notched lower end surface. A male screw 96 is inserted into a guide hole of the connecting member 63, and a focus adjusting dial 97, which is rotatably held in the connecting member 63 with its longitudinal movement restricted, is screwed onto the male screw 96. . One end portion 86a of the condenser receiving portion 86 on the side of the coupling member is inserted into the cutout portion of the coupling member 63, and the upper surface of the one end portion 86a is located at the lower end surface of the male screw 96 or the surface where the guide hole is formed.
It is pressed by a biasing force of 1.

Next, the operation of this embodiment configured as described above will be described. 7 and 9 show a state in which the focusing handle 61 is rotated to move the revolver 65 held by the connecting member 62 to a position where the focal plane of the objective lens 64 and the observation surface of the sample S coincide with each other. ing. At this time,
The condenser receiving portion 86 is biased upward by the elastic body 91 and one end portion 86 of the condenser receiving portion 86.
The connecting member 63 engaged with a restricts the upward movement of the connecting member 63 and is positioned.

When the dial 97 is rotated, the dial 9
Since the position of 7 is regulated in the vertical direction with respect to the connecting member 63, the male screw 96 relatively moves in the vertical direction in the guide hole. When the male screw 96 moves upward with respect to the connecting member 63 due to the rotation of the dial 97, one regulation surface by the lower end face of the male screw 96 changes upward. As a result, the condenser receiving member 86, which is urged by the elastic member 51, moves up to the position where the position is restricted again. At this time, the multifunctional capacitor 90 fixed to the capacitor receiving member 86 is guided by the attachment-side guide 92 and the capacitor-side guide 93 and moves upward.

When the dial 97 is rotated in the direction in which the male screw 96 moves downward with respect to the connecting member 63,
The rotating force of the dial 97 serves as a force to push down the male screw 96, and pushes down the one end portion 86a of the condenser receiving member 86 that is in contact with the lower end surface of the male screw 96. As a result, the condenser receiving member 86 is pushed down against the elastic force of the elastic body 91, and the multifunctional condenser 90 moves downward along the attachment portion side guide portion 92 and the condenser side guide portion 93.

In this way, by rotating the dial 97, the multifunction capacitor 90 is connected to the connecting member 63 and the revolver 6.
The objective lens 6 can be moved up and down independently of
It is possible to obtain an optimum illumination state in which the field stop image is aligned with the focal plane of No. 4. At this time, there is a slight gap between the pin 95 and the stage holder 72.

Next, the focusing handle 61 is rotated to move the revolver 65 together with the connecting member 63 in the upward direction.
As the revolver 65 is raised, the pin 95 contacts the stage holder 72 before the multifunction condenser 90 hits the sample S. Further, when the operation of raising the revolver 65 is performed, the raising of the multifunction condenser 90 is restricted thereafter by the pin 95, but the lower end surface of the male screw 96 and the one end portion 86a of the condenser receiving member 86 are opened and connected. The member 63 and the revolver 65 continue to rise. Until the pin 95 comes into contact with the stage holder 72, the objective lens 64 and the multifunction condenser 90 move in the same direction and the same distance in conjunction with the rotation operation of the focusing handle 61. The positional relationship of is always maintained.

When each of the above-mentioned operations is completed and the focusing handle 61 is rotated to move the revolver 65 and the like downward, the male screw 96 supported by the connecting member 63 pushes the condenser receiving member 86 downward, Capacitor receiving portion 86 and contenter 90 urged by the elastic body 91
Etc., the tip of the tubular portion 87 is the ring upper protrusion 8 of the mounting portion 81.
It descends to the position regulated by 3. Here, in the downward movement of the revolver 65 and the like, the objective lens 64 and the other-function condenser 90 return to the optimal illumination state initially set when the pin 95 separates from the stage holder 72.

Thus, according to this embodiment, the elastic member 91
Since the condenser and the like are urged upward and the position is regulated by the mounting portion 81 and the male screw 96, there is an advantage that it is possible to easily return to the position in the optimum illumination state and reduce the returning work.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the cross roller guide is used as a mechanism for guiding the vertical movement of the multifunctional condenser 90 and the like, but other guide mechanisms can be used. For example, a ball guide or a combination of a shaft and a bearing may be used. A leaf spring can also be used as the elastic member 91.

10 to 12 show modifications of the optical microscope according to the second embodiment. In the modification shown in FIG. 10, the connecting members attached to the focusing portion 62 driven in the optical axis direction are the first connecting member 63-1 and the second connecting member 6.
It is an example divided into 3-2. First connecting member 63-1
Is composed of a single unit having a length similar to that of the focusing unit 62, and is directly attached to the focusing unit 62. First connecting member 63
A condenser fine adjustment handle (not shown) is attached to -1, and a pinion gear 101 is arranged coaxially with the condenser fine adjustment handle. The second connecting member 63-2 is processed into a shape such that the lower end portion thereof covers the pinion forming surface and the upper end surface of the first connecting member 63-1. A rack 102 in which the pinion gear 101 meshes is fastened to the second connecting member 63-2 on the surface facing the pinion forming surface of the first connecting member 63-1. In addition, the first connecting member 63-1 and the second connecting member 63-2
And a pair of ball guides 103 interposed between the opposite surfaces so as to sandwich both side surfaces of the first connecting member 63-1.
It is held movably in the vertical direction via 104.
A step portion having an L-shaped cross section is formed in the lower portion of the first connecting member 63-1, and the capacitor receiving member 8 is formed in the step portion.
The one end portion 86a of No. 6 is engaged so that the upward movement is restricted. In this modification, the second connecting member 63-
When 2 is lowered to abut on the first connecting member 63-1, the lower end portion of the second connecting member 63-2 appears below the position regulating surface of the first connecting member 63-1. It is assumed that the dimensions are set as follows. Other configurations are the same as those in the second embodiment described above.

In the modified example configured as described above, in order to match the focal plane of the objective lens 64 with the field stop image,
When adjusting the relative distance between the objective lens 64 and the condenser 90 in the optical axis direction, a condenser adjusting handle (not shown) is rotated.

When the handle for adjusting the condenser is rotated, the pinion gear 101 is rotated and the second connecting member 6 is rotated.
3-2 moves independently of the first connecting member 63-1 while being guided by the ball guides 103 and 104. By rotating the capacitor adjusting handle, the second connecting member 63-2 is raised with respect to the first connecting member 63-1 so that the one end portion 86a of the capacitor receiving member 86 is located at the position of the first connecting member 63-1. Engage with the restriction surface. That is, the second
The lower end of the connecting member 63-2 of the first connecting member 63-1
Match the position regulation surface of.

When the above setting is completed, the pinion gear 101 is rotated when the optimum illumination state is reached by rotating the condenser adjusting handle in the direction of raising the second connecting member 63-2 while observing the illumination state. To stop.

Next, when the focal plane is made to coincide with the observation plane of the sample S, the focusing handle 61 is rotated. When the focusing handle 61 rotates, the first member attached to the focusing unit 62
The connecting member 63-1 and the second connecting member 63-2 attached to the first connecting member 63-1 via the rack and pinion mechanism move. For example, when the focusing portion 62 moves upward, the position regulating surface of the first connecting member 63-1 rises and the capacitor receiving member 8 urged by the elastic body 91.
6 rises. At the same time, the revolver 65 and the objective lens 64 held by the second connecting member 63-2 rise. On the contrary, when the focusing part 62 is lowered, the position regulating surface of the first connecting member 63-1 is lowered, so that the capacitor receiving member 86 is pushed down against the biasing force of the elastic body 91. It will be. At the same time, the revolver 65 and the objective lens 64 move down together with the second connecting member 63-2. Therefore, the positional relationship between the objective lens 64 and the condenser 90 in the optical axis direction is maintained while the focusing handle 61 is rotated to adjust the focal plane to the observation plane.

The modified example shown in FIG. 11 is an example in which a stopper 105 for restricting the upward position of the condenser 90 is provided on the mirror base 60a. According to such a modification, it is possible to prevent the load of the capacitor 90 from being applied to the stage receiver 71.

The modification shown in FIG. 12 is a modification of the modification shown in FIG.
In addition to the lower end surface of No. 1, the lower end surface of the focusing portion 62 is used as a position regulating surface. The position of the condenser 90 is regulated by engaging one end portion 86a of the condenser receiving member 86.

Although the illumination optical system is composed of an afocal optical system in the above description of the second embodiment and its modification, the observation optical system is not limited to the afocal optical system but is a finite optical system. May be. When the observation optical system is a finite optical system, the revolver and the lens barrel are attached to the connecting member so that they can be moved integrally. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0070]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, both the objective lens and the condenser can be moved in the optical axis direction at the same time while maintaining the positional relationship, and the illumination light is always optimized. It is possible to provide an optical microscope capable of irradiating a sample in such a state that the illumination ram due to insufficient fine adjustment of the condenser can be eliminated and the adjustment work can be simplified.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical microscope capable of preventing interference between the sample and the condenser in the retracting operation of the objective lens accompanying the sample exchange and preventing damage to the sample.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an optical microscope according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit section in the optical microscope shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the capacitor unit portion shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing different operation states of the optical microscope according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit section in an optical microscope according to a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit section in an optical microscope according to another modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an optical microscope according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a front view of a capacitor unit portion of the optical microscope shown in FIG.

9 is a side view of a capacitor unit portion in the optical microscope shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit section in an optical microscope according to a modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit portion in an optical microscope according to another modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a capacitor unit portion in an optical microscope according to another modification of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional revolver moving type optical microscope.

[Explanation of symbols]

20, 60 ... Mirror body 21, 61 ... Focusing handle 22,
62 ... Focusing part, 23, 63 ... Connection member, 24, 64 ... Objective lens, 25, 65 ... Revolver, 26 ... Unit fixing part, 27 ... Condenser holder, 28 ... Intermediate member, 30
... Capacitor unit, 31 ... Capacitor fine adjustment handle, 38 ... Spring, 40 ... Capacitor, 41 ... Mirror stand, 43
... stage, 66 ... lens barrel, 67 ... eyepiece lens, 68 ... TV camera, 71 ... stage receiver, 72 ... stage holder.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A sample mounted on a stage fixed on a mirror stand is transmitted and illuminated by an illumination optical system composed of an afocal optical system, and the sample is stored in a condenser which constitutes a part of the illumination optical system. An optical microscope in which a revolver holding an objective lens disposed opposite to each other is held in a focusing unit movably supported with respect to a mirror body in an observation optical axis direction via a connecting member, An interlocking mechanism that is provided so as to be held and movable in the observation optical axis direction and that is coupled or engaged with the coupling member or the focusing unit and that moves the condenser in the observation optical axis direction in conjunction with the focusing movement of the revolver. An optical microscope characterized by being provided. 2. The optical microscope according to claim 1, further comprising an interval adjusting mechanism that moves the condenser in the observation optical axis direction independently of the focusing unit. 3. The interlocking mechanism is supported by a condenser holder for holding the condenser, a fixing portion attached to the connecting member or the focusing portion, and movably in the observation optical axis direction on the fixing portion. An intermediate member that supports the capacitor holder movably in the direction of the observation optical axis, an elastic member that is provided between the intermediate member and the capacitor holder and urges the capacitor holder toward the stage, and the fixing portion. The optical microscope according to claim 1, further comprising a rack and pinion mechanism which is arranged between the intermediate member and the intermediate member and drives the intermediate member in the observation optical axis direction. 4. The interlocking mechanism holds the capacitor and has one end extending in the direction of the connecting member pressed against a part of the connecting member from below by a predetermined urging force, and the capacitor receiver. An elastic body for urging the receiving member upward, and the connecting member is held so as to be movable back and forth in the observation optical axis direction from an end face of the connecting member facing the one end of the capacitor receiving member, and has a thread groove on the outer periphery. And a dial member that is rotatably held by the connecting member while being restricted from moving in the observation optical axis direction and that is screwed into the screw member. The optical microscope according to claim 1. 5. The interlocking mechanism holds a capacitor, and has one end extending in the direction of a connecting member, which is pressed against a part of the connecting member from below with a predetermined biasing force. An elastic body for urging the condenser receiver upward, and the coupling member includes a first coupling member attached to the focusing portion and having a position regulating surface with which one end of the condenser receiver abuts, A second connecting member that holds the revolver and is movably attached to the first connecting member in the direction of the observation optical axis, and has a lower end located closer to the capacitor than the first connecting member; The optical microscope according to claim 1, further comprising: an interval adjusting mechanism that moves the second connecting member in the observation optical axis direction independently of the first connecting member. 6. The optical microscope according to claim 1, wherein movement of the condenser toward the stage side is restricted by the stage or the mirror stand.