Staining and Sticking System with Interconnected Control Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing staining and sticking system requires manual input of staining and sticking condition data, leading to inefficiencies and increased workload for operators, as the system lacks automation in transferring specimens between devices and synchronizing staining and sticking processes.
Innovation Solution
The system integrates interconnected control units for the staining and sticking devices, allowing for automated data transfer and synchronization of staining and sticking processes by storing and reading condition data directly from a transponder attached to the specimen basket, eliminating the need for manual data input and reducing system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the staining device and sticking device are independently arranged with separate control units, then each device can operate autonomously, but the operator workload increases and system efficiency decreases due to manual data input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control units of the staining device and sticking device into a single integrated control system. The control unit of the sticking device is configured to acquire sticking condition data from the control unit of the staining device, eliminating the need for separate independent control and manual data entry, thus reducing operator workload while maintaining functional autonomy
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated control unit serves multiple functions: it controls both the staining process and the sticking process, stores both staining and sticking condition data, and automatically transfers data between processes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate control systems while improving operational efficiency
2Productivity
If manual input of staining and sticking condition data is required, then data accuracy can be verified, but the staining and sticking processes cannot proceed continuously, reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing staining condition data in the control unit of the staining device before the sticking process begins. The sticking control unit automatically acquires this pre-stored data, eliminating the need for real-time manual data entry and enabling continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The control system performs self-service by automatically acquiring and transferring sticking condition data from the staining control unit without requiring external manual intervention. The system serves itself by maintaining internal data storage and automatic data retrieval capabilities
3Extent of automation
If the basket is manually transferred from staining device to sticking device, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but automation level decreases and operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transfer operations into the automated control sequence. The control unit coordinates the basket transfer between staining and sticking devices as an integrated step in the overall process, eliminating manual transfer operations while maintaining process flexibility through programmable control
Data Source
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AI summary
The staining and sticking system is composed of a staining device and a sticking device, which is provided separately from the staining device, is capable of lightening the staining and sticking work and can be downsized. The staining and sticking system comprises the staining device 10 for staining a specimen in a predetermined color by dipping a basket containing a glass slide with the specimen in a plurality of tubs sequentially and a sticking device 12 for sticking a cover film piece onto the stained specimen on the glass slide, which has been taken out of the basket transferred from the staining device 10 by transfer means, and the system is characterized in that a staining control unit 10A of the staining device 10 and a sticking control unit 12A of the sticking device 12 are interconnected so as to communicate with each other, and in that sticking condition data, which relate to the basket fed from the staining device, out of staining condition data and sticking condition data inputted to the staining control unit 10A correspondingly to baskets are sent from the staining control unit 10A to the sticking control unit 12A, and then the sticking device 12 sticks the cover film piece.