Device and method for controlling and interchangeable cartridge for microscopes
AssigneeCarl Zeiss Jena GmbH
InventorsFrank Nolte, Ralf Boecker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to a method for controlling a changing magazine for microscopes which combines the simple principle of a catch with a “forward looking” operation having a determined traveling speed profile along path v(x) which can be determined beforehand corresponding to the catch positions xi which are assumed to be known. Accordingly, the braking process can be initiated already before reaching the capture area, that is, before the catch signal is initiated. In contrast to the free positioning with a stepping motor or position-regulated driving means, no particular precision is required because the capture area of the catch mechanism is capable of compensating for greater tolerances.
Claims25
Method for controlling a changing magazine for microscopes with two or more determined changing positions, a motor drive and a mechanical catch mechanism which causes an exact positioning in the respective catch position within a certain capture area, wherein the speed of the changing movement v(x) is controlled in such a way that an elongated approach ramp and/or braking ramp results and the catch position to be moved toward is reached at a low residual speed.
Method according to claim, wherein the path position is determined by a transmitter which supplies a position-dependent analog signal.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-braking is triggered by a transmitter signal at a determined position.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein driving is carried out by an electric motor whose speed profile v(x) is controlled by the driving voltage U(x) or U(t).
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor voltage is controlled by means of pulse width modulation by the pulse width repetition rate.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor voltage is measured as an essential influencing variable and is utilized for accurate calculation of the resulting motor speed with corresponding correction of the time sequence or is readjusted for correcting the resulting motor speed.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the operating voltage taken as the basis of a pulse width modulation or a linearly controllable voltage reduction is measured.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the (average) driving voltage actually applied to the motor is measured.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the motor current is turned off briefly at determined times in order to measure the actual traveling speed based on the generator voltage when idling.
Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actual path length or time period between the signals of the distinguished path positions or catch positions is measured and is utilized as a reference quantity for calibrating the path scale or time scale for subsequent movements.
Changing magazine with two or more determined changing positions with a motor drive and a mechanical catch mechanism which causes an exact positioning in the respective catch position within a certain capture area, characterized in that there are sensors which serve for definite acquisition of the positions marked by code and simultaneously—due to the presence of the mark at a determined position—for controlling the movement operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.