IP Library Granted Patent US 8,194,312
Granted Patent B2
US 8,194,312 · App. 12/745,457 · Granted Jun 5, 2012

Optics changer

Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,194,312
App. No.
12/745,457
Granted
Jun 5, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to an optics changer for arranging an optical element in a target position in a changer chamber of an optical device accessible from the outside via a insertion channel, including a base frame and the optical element that is pivotally fastened to the base frame via a swivel mechanism, wherein the swivel mechanism effects a pivoting movement of the optical element when the optics changer is inserted through the insertion channel in the changer chamber starting at a predetermined insertion depth such that after inserting, the optical element is placed and pivoted in the target position.

Claims (16)

1. An optics changer for arranging an optical element in a target position in a changer chamber of a microscope apparatus accessible from the outside via an insertion channel, the optics changer comprising:

a base frame; and

an optical element pivotably fastened to the base frame via a swivel mechanism, wherein the swivel mechanism effects a pivoting movement of the optical element when the optics changer is inserted through the insertion channel in the changer chamber starting at a predetermined insertion depth, and wherein after completing the insertion the optical element has been pushed and pivoted to the target position.

2. An optics changer according to claim 1 , further comprising a guide for at least one of insertion and swiveling movement.

3. An optics changer according to claim 1 , comprising a holding unit provided to the changer chamber for holding the optical element in the target position.

4. An optics changer according to claim 3 , wherein the holding unit presses the optical element against a stop of the optics changer in the target position.

5. An optics changer according to claim 4 , wherein the swivel mechanism arrests the optical element in a displacement position during the insertion of the optics changer up to a predetermined insertion depth and produces the swiveling movement from the displacement position from the predetermined insertion depth.

6. An optics changer according to claim 1 , wherein the base frame includes two parallel legs, between which the optical element is arranged such that the swivel axis extends perpendicularly in relation to the direction of extension of the two legs.

7. An optics changer according to claim 6 , wherein, in the target position, the optical element is tilted in relation to a plane in which both legs are disposed.

8. An optics changer according to claim 1 , wherein the swivel axis is parallel to the direction of insertion through the insertion channel.

9. An optics changer according to claim 1 , wherein the swivel axis has an angle range of 0° to 90° with the insertion direction.

10. An optics changer according to claim 1 , wherein the optical element is arranged in a receiving frame, the receiving frame comprising three contact surfaces which rest in the target position on a guide surface in the changer chamber.

11. An optics changer according to claim 1 , wherein the optical element is arranged in a receiving frame, the receiving frame being longitudinally displaceable relative to the base frame.

12. A microscope apparatus, comprising a changer chamber which is accessible from the outside via an insertion channel; and an optics changer, comprising:

a base frame; and

an optical element pivotably fastened to the base frame via a swivel mechanism, wherein the swivel mechanism effects a pivoting movement of the optical element when the optics changer is inserted through the insertion channel in the changer chamber starting at a predetermined insertion depth, and wherein after completing the insertion the optical element has been pushed and pivoted to a target position.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 23, 2013
From: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMBH
To: CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY GMBH
Reel/Frame 030471/0514 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 26, 2010
From: MITZKUS, REINER; SCHNUELL, PETER; BAUER, FRANK; WOLF, UWE; WAHL, HUBERT
To: CARL ZEISS MICROIMAGING GMNH
Reel/Frame 024598/0170 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2007 057 436 · Nov 29, 2007 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100309573A1 · Dec 9, 2010