Objective Changer

Abstract

An objective changer for a microscope is described, comprising a changing device for transferring at least a first objective held in a first objective holder from a first stand-by position along a first transfer path into an operating position where the first objective defines an optical axis and a second objective held in a second objective holder from a second stand-by position along a second transfer path into an operating position where the second objective defines an optical axis. The first and second transfer paths differ from each other but both extend substantially perpendicular to the optical axis at least within a first area of the first transfer path and a first area of the second transfer path.

1 . An objective changer for a microscope, comprising:
 a changing device for transferring at least a first objective held in a first objective holder from a first stand-by position along a first transfer path into an operating position where the first objective defines an optical axis and a second objective held in a second objective holder from a second stand-by position along a second transfer path into an operating position where the second objective defines an optical axis, wherein   the first and second transfer paths differ from each other but both extend substantially perpendicular to the optical axis at least within a first area of the first transfer path and a first area of the second transfer path.   
     
     
         2 . The objective changer according to  claim 1 , wherein for the first objective a first drivable slide is connected to the first objective holder and for the second objective a second drivable slide is connected to the second objective holder. 
     
     
         3 . The objective changer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second transfer paths share within their respective first areas one and the same plane and extend within that plane at least one of along a straight line and a curved line. 
     
     
         4 . The objective changer according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and the second transfer paths are located next to each other and defined a V-shape. 
     
     
         5 . The objective changer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second objective holders may each hold a plurality of objectives assuming simultaneously their respective stand-by position. 
     
     
         6 . The objective changer according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and the second transfer paths each comprise a second area extending directly adjacent to the first area. 
     
     
         7 . The objective changer according to  claim 1 , wherein the respective first area of the first and the second transfer paths is a major part of the respective entire first and second transfer paths. 
     
     
         8 . The objective changer according to  claim 6 , wherein the respective second areas of the first and the second transfer paths comprise a component extending in a direction parallel to the optical axis. 
     
     
         9 . The objective changer according to  claim 2 , further comprising a first adjusting unit for the first objective and a second adjusting unit for the second objective, wherein both the first and the second adjusting units each comprise a slide. 
     
     
         10 . The objective changer according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one guide rod for each one of the first and second slides, wherein the slides can be moved along the respective at least one guide rod. 
     
     
         11 . The objective changer according to  claim 9 , further comprising at least one guide groove in each of the first and the second adjusting unit, wherein the first and second slides are movable along the respective guide grooves. 
     
     
         12 . The objective changer according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and the second slide are connected to a respective guide receptacle of the respective first and second adjusting units via the at least one guide rod. 
     
     
         13 . The objective changer according to  claim 11 , wherein the guide grooves are formed on respective stationary carriers of the respective first and second adjusting units. 
     
     
         14 . The objective changer according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and the second slide are connected to a respective guide receptacle of the respective first and second adjusting units and respective couplings for coupling the first and the second slide and the respective guide receptacle to the respective guide groove are provided, the guide grooves being provided in a stationary carrier. 
     
     
         15 . The objective changer according to  claim 9 , further comprising a respective drive mechanism for the first and second adjusting units for each of the first and the second slide. 
     
     
         16 . The objective changer according to  claim 2 , wherein the first and the second objective holder are arranged pivotably on the respective first and second slide and are connected to the respective slide via at least one of a biasing device and a lever mechanism holding the center axis of the respective objective holder at least in the respective first area of the first and second transfer path under an angle of inclination relative to the optical axis. 
     
     
         17 . The objective changer according to  claim 16 , wherein the first and the second transfer paths each comprise a second area extending directly adjacent to the first area and the at least one of the biasing device and the lever mechanism hold the center axis of the respective objective holder in the second area of the respective transfer path under a smaller angle of inclination relative to the optical axis than the one in the first area. 
     
     
         18 . The objective changer according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second adjusting units are connected to respective intermediate plates. 
     
     
         19 . The objective changer according to  claim 18 , wherein on the respective intermediate plate a centering mount for stationary fixing of the first and the second objective holder is arranged. 
     
     
         20 . A microscope having an objective changer comprising:
 a changing device for transferring at least a first objective held in a first objective holder from a first stand-by position along a first transfer path into an operating position where the first objective defines an optical axis and a second objective held in a second objective holder from a second stand-by position along a second transfer path into an operating position where the second objective defines an optical axis, wherein   the first and second transfer paths differ from each other but both extend substantially perpendicular to the optical axis at least within a first area of the first transfer path and a first area of the second transfer path.   
     
     
         21 . The microscope according to  claim 20 , further comprising a first adjusting unit for the first objective and a second adjusting unit for the second objective, and a respective first and second support element that is adjustable in focusing direction and on that the first and second adjusting units are mounted. 
     
     
         22 . The microscope according to  claim 20 , wherein
 for the first objective a first drivable slide is connected to the first objective holder and for the second objective a second drivable slide is connected to the second objective holder;   a first adjusting unit for the first objective and a second adjusting unit for the second objective are provided, wherein both the first and the second adjusting units each comprise a slide;   the first and second adjusting units are connected to respective intermediate plates; and   the respective intermediate plates can be connected to a respective support element of the microscope, said support element being adjustable in focusing direction.   
     
     
         23 . The microscope according to  claim 22 , wherein the intermediate plate is connected to a counter receptacle of the support element via a dovetail connection. 
     
     
         24 . The microscope according to  claim 21 , wherein on the respective intermediate plate a centering mount for stationary fixing of the first and the second objective holder is arranged. 
     
     
         25 . The microscope according to  claims 20 , wherein the respective first area of the first and second transfer paths extends from a user perspective substantially in a direction to and from in relation to a position of the user when using the microscope.