Microscope Conveyance Control for Backlash-Free Cell Focusing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing microscope observation systems face challenges in accurately focusing on cells or cell masses due to mechanical issues such as backlash and lost motion in the drive mechanism, leading to complications and increased costs when multiple devices are operated in parallel.

Innovation Solution

A microscope observation system that includes a conveying apparatus with a control mechanism to move from a current position to a relay position and then to a target position, eliminating backlash by ensuring the first distance is sufficient for actuation and the second distance is shorter, allowing precise focusing and integration of focusing and conveyance functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a common moving mechanism with speed reducer is used to move the microscope device by several tens of microns, then the device can be moved, but mechanical factors such as backlash and twisting prevent precise positioning and focusing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement capabilityVSAvoidpositioning precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical speed reducer system with a direct drive system using a linear motor. The linear motor directly drives the conveying apparatus without mechanical transmission components, eliminating backlash and twisting that occur in gear mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical system allows for precise positioning of the microscope device by directly controlling the linear motor's output force and position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the speed reducer component from the moving mechanism. By eliminating the speed reducer and its associated gears, the system eliminates the source of backlash and mechanical twisting. The direct drive approach removes the problematic mechanical transmission elements while retaining the essential movement function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If multiple cell production devices are operated in parallel, then productivity increases, but the complexity of managing and synchronizing multiple devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecell production throughputVSAvoidsystem management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal conveying apparatus that can serve multiple cell production devices. The same conveying mechanism is used across all parallel devices, allowing for standardized operation and simplified management. The system can move the microscope device between different cell production devices using the same control protocol and mechanical interface, reducing the need for device-specific customization and management complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the controlling functions into a centralized system that manages all parallel devices through a single control unit. The operating control section coordinates the conveying apparatus across multiple devices, synchronizing operations and managing complexity centrally rather than through distributed control of each individual device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If the conveying apparatus moves directly from current position to target position for focusing, then the operation is simple, but backlash in the drive mechanism prevents accurate focusing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidfocusing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical drive system with a linear motor that directly generates the required force without mechanical transmission. This eliminates backlash that would otherwise occur in gear mechanisms, allowing the conveying apparatus to move precisely from current to target position for accurate focusing of the microscope device on cells or cell masses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates a preliminary movement phase where the conveying apparatus first moves to a relay position, then performs the final movement to the target position. This two-stage approach ensures that the linear motor has sufficient time to accelerate and reach the required speed for the first segment, then can precisely control the second segment for accurate focusing, while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260003172A1Microscope observation system

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 FANUC LTD

AI summary

A microscope observation system includes a cell production device with a culture vessel in which cells or cell masses are cultured, a microscope device observing an object including cells or cell masses, a conveying apparatus conveying the microscope device to the cell production device, and an operating control section sending a command to the conveying apparatus to temporarily move the conveying apparatus from a current position to a relay position and then to move the conveying apparatus to a target position when focusing the microscope device onto the object. A first distance from the current position to the relay position is a distance necessary to drive an actuator by at least a predetermined amount in order to actuate a rotation shaft or a translation shaft of the conveying apparatus, and a second distance from the current position to the target position is a shorter distance than the first distance.