Gripper Device with Dual Profiles for Rack Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gripper devices for transporting microscope slide racks are limited in versatility and require multiple systems for different orientations, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A gripper device with separate profiles for gripping racks in vertical and horizontal positions, integrated into a single transport device, allowing adaptable use in automated stainers and coverslippers, featuring a translational drive mechanism and spring-loaded arms for efficient force application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single gripper device is used for both vertical and horizontal rack positions, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing cost decreases, but the gripping mechanism must accommodate multiple orientations which increases design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section is designed with a universal profile that can engage with the rack handle in both vertical and horizontal orientations. The profile includes a gripping surface angled at 45 degrees that adapts to different rack positions, allowing a single gripper device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate gripping mechanisms for each orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism incorporates a spring-loaded arm that can dynamically adjust its position and angle to accommodate both vertical and horizontal rack orientations. The spring force allows the gripping section to adapt to the rack handle regardless of orientation, providing versatile gripping capability while maintaining a single device structure.
2Reliability
If separate gripping mechanisms are used for vertical and horizontal positions, then gripping reliability for each orientation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section features a universal profile design that ensures reliable gripping in both vertical and horizontal orientations through a single mechanism. The 45-degree angled gripping surface is specifically designed to engage the rack handle effectively regardless of orientation, eliminating the need for separate gripping mechanisms while maintaining gripping reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring force parameter is optimized to provide sufficient gripping force for both vertical and horizontal orientations. By adjusting the spring constant and pre-compression force, the mechanism achieves reliable gripping across different orientations without requiring separate mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gripping section has a simple profile, then manufacturing cost decreases, but it cannot accommodate both vertical and horizontal rack positions
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping section employs a universal profile with a 45-degree angled surface that can be manufactured as a single integrated component. This profile design allows the same gripping section to engage racks in both vertical and horizontal orientations, achieving versatility without requiring multiple complex profiles or components, thus maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism allows the gripping section to dynamically adapt its contact angle to match the rack orientation. This dynamic adjustment capability is achieved through simple spring mechanics rather than complex adjustable mechanisms, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while enabling compatibility with both vertical and horizontal rack positions.
4Productivity
If multiple transport devices are used for different orientations, then transport capability for each orientation is optimized, but space requirements and system cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple transport devices into a single integrated transport device. The gripper device can handle racks in both vertical and horizontal orientations using the same gripping mechanism, eliminating the need for separate transport devices for different orientations and thereby reducing space requirements while maintaining full transport capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport device incorporates a universal gripping section that can accommodate racks in any orientation, allowing one transport device to perform the work of multiple specialized devices. This multi-functionality reduces the overall space required for the transport system while maintaining optimized transport capability for both vertical and horizontal rack handling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a gripper device for transporting a rack (3) for microscope slides (4), in particular in systems for preparing tissue samples for histological examinations, the gripper device having a gripping mechanism including a pair of gripping arms (2), whose ends are configured as gripping sections (7) for gripping the rack. In order to provide a gripper device which can be used in a versatile manner in automated stainers and coverslippers and contributes to reducing the cost of manufacture, it is proposed that the gripping sections (7) be provided with first profiles (17) for gripping the rack (3) in a vertical position and second profiles (18) for gripping the rack (3) in a horizontal position.