Slide Gripper With Centering Protrusions for Stable Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide handling systems face challenges with slide instability during transport and limited gripping space in slide trays, leading to potential loss and inefficient handling.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with linearly movable first and second gripping elements, featuring perpendicular protrusions for centering, and an actuator for precise movement, ensures stable and reliable transfer of slides between storage and receiving devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual insertion of slides is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity is low and throughput is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated slide handling where the gripping device automatically picks up slides from the slide tray and transfers them to the imaging device without manual intervention. The supply device automatically supplies slides to the imaging device, creating a self-service automated workflow that improves throughput while managing complexity through specialized automated components.
2Reliability
If conventional gripping devices are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability of slide transfer is insufficient leading to instability and loss
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device is divided into multiple gripping elements (first gripping element and second gripping element) that can independently contact different parts of the slide. Each gripping element has specific contact surfaces positioned at defined locations, allowing distributed contact points that enhance transfer stability while keeping each individual element relatively simple in structure.
3Ease of operation
If limited gripping space in slide trays is used, then device complexity is low, but ease of operation is reduced and handling efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning contact surfaces at different heights and depths. The first contact surface is positioned at a first location and the second contact surface at a second location, allowing the gripping elements to engage with slides from multiple spatial dimensions. This enables effective gripping within the limited horizontal space of slide trays by exploiting the vertical and depth dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping device configured for gripping at least one includes: at least one first gripping element including at least one first contact surface for gripping the slide; at least one second gripping element, wherein the second gripping element comprises at least one second contact surface for gripping the slide, wherein the second gripping element further comprises at least two protrusions which respectively extend essentially perpendicular to the second contact surface, wherein the at least two protrusions are located on opposing ends of the second contact surface, wherein the at least two protrusions are configured for centering the slide during gripping the slide via the gripping device; wherein the first gripping element and the second gripping element are linearly movable relative to one another, wherein the first contact surface of the first gripping element and the second contact surface of the second gripping element face each other.