Angled-Base Slide Rack Carousel for Continuous Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional digital slide scanning apparatuses are limited in their capacity to handle multiple glass slides simultaneously, and existing systems do not allow for continuous loading and unloading of slide racks during scanning.
Innovation Solution
A slide rack carousel system for digital slide scanning apparatuses that enables continuous loading and unloading of slide racks while scanning, utilizing a base with angled surfaces to stabilize glass slides and a motor-driven rotation mechanism to facilitate stable positioning and access without a door, incorporating multi-color status indicators for rack slots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a digital slide scanning apparatus processes multiple glass slides simultaneously, then the productivity increases, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple slide racks and handling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the slide storage and handling into multiple independent slide racks that can be individually loaded and unloaded. Each rack is a separate unit that can be independently manipulated by the robotic arm, allowing the system to process multiple slides simultaneously without requiring a completely complex integrated handling mechanism for all slides at once.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple slide racks are nested within or positioned around a central scanning chamber. The racks can be arranged in a compact configuration where smaller racks fit within or alongside larger ones, maximizing the use of space while maintaining accessibility. This nesting approach allows multiple racks to coexist in a relatively compact apparatus without proportionally increasing the overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If the apparatus allows continuous loading and unloading of slide racks during scanning, then the productivity increases, but the stability of glass slides decreases due to potential vibration and movement
Solution Approach 1:
Slide racks are pre-loaded with multiple glass slides before being placed in the scanning chamber. This preliminary preparation allows the robotic arm to simply transfer entire pre-loaded racks rather than individually handling slides during scanning. The slides are secured in their racks in advance, and the racks themselves are designed with vibration-damping features to maintain slide stability during continuous loading and unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide racks incorporate vibration-damping materials and shock-absorbing structures designed beforehand to protect glass slides during movement. The racks are engineered with features such as rubber cushions, foam inserts, or spring-loaded holding mechanisms that absorb vibrations generated during continuous loading and unloading operations, thereby maintaining slide stability despite the dynamic operating conditions.
3Reliability
If a door is added to the apparatus to protect internal components, then the reliability increases, but the ease of operation decreases due to restricted access to the carousel
Solution Approach 1:
The access door is segmented into multiple sections or panels that can be opened independently or in combination. Rather than requiring a single large door to be opened for all access needs, the segmented design allows operators to open only the specific section needed for loading or maintenance, improving ease of operation while maintaining protection for other internal components when other sections remain closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The door mechanism incorporates a multi-dimensional opening approach, such as a combination of horizontal and vertical movement, or a telescoping design that expands the access opening in multiple directions. This allows the door to provide comprehensive protection when closed while enabling easy access to the carousel from multiple angles when opened, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the carousel base is made flat for simple manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture increases, but the stability of glass slides decreases due to vibration-induced movement
Solution Approach 1:
The carousel base employs local quality variation where only specific areas require anti-vibration features. The majority of the base remains flat for ease of manufacture, but localized zones incorporate vibration-damping materials, rubber feet, or adjustable leveling mechanisms precisely where slides are positioned. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing targeted stability enhancement where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The base design incorporates asymmetric features such as angled support legs or non-uniform distribution of vibration-damping elements. Rather than applying uniform anti-vibration measures across the entire base (which would increase manufacturing complexity), the asymmetric design places stabilization features only in specific locations where vibration impact is greatest, maintaining ease of manufacture while effectively improving slide stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and stable handling of multiple slide racks during scanning, reducing vibration-induced movement and allowing uninterrupted operation with improved accessibility and rack slot detection.
Implementation Method 1
the slide rack carousel also functions to use the vibration generated by operation of the apparatus to cause the glass slides to move into more stable positions within their respective slide rack
Implementation Method 2
The base is configured to rotate 360 degrees in either direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5A
Figure 5B
AI summary
A digital slide scanning apparatus slide rack carousel allows continuous loading and unloading of slide racks into the carousel while the digital slide scanning apparatus is simultaneously digitizing glass slides. The slide rack carousel includes a base having an interior portion of its upper surface at an angle. The slide rack carousel also includes plural rack spacers extending upward from the base and adjacent rack spacers define a rack slot. Each rack spacer also includes a rack stopper on each side such that adjacent rack spacers have rack stoppers facing each other. The rack stoppers prevent a slide rack from moving further toward the center of the carousel than desired.