A loading device for a reaction cup with a cup edge

Abstract

The present invention is applicable to the technical field of in vitro diagnostic equipment, and provides a cuvette loading device with a cup edge, comprising: a cavity for holding a cuvette with a cup edge; at least one static track with a first tilt angle and a second tilt angle, which automatically adjusts the state of the cuvette and automatically removes disordered cuvettes; and a pushing mechanism, which can deliver the cuvette from the lower part of the cavity to the higher track. The cuvette loading device with a cup edge of the present invention provides a guarantee for the fully automated operation of the biological sample analysis instrument, deeply utilizes the characteristics of the cuvette and its changes and movement laws in the track, adopts a simple and efficient combination of a multi-angle static track and a pushing mechanism, realizes the loading function of the cuvette, has a compact overall structure, simple operation control, and greatly reduces mechanical complexity and processing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of in vitro diagnostic equipment, and relates to a supporting device for a biological sample analysis instrument, and in particular to a loading device for automatically transporting a reaction cup with a cup rim to an analysis device. Background Art

[0002] Existing analysis devices generally have a supply component part, and the supply component part also has a storage part for storing analysis tools such as containers for preparing samples, and can automatically provide analysis tools one by one from the storage part to the analysis part. In addition, as the degree of automation and test speed requirements of analysis devices become higher and higher, this requires a loading system for automatically transporting reaction cups required for analysis instrument testing.

[0003] US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 106305 discloses a loading device for automatically transferring reaction cups, which includes a storage bin for storing reaction cups, a rotatable elevator chain provided with a plurality of spoons, and a guiding mechanism for the reaction cups.

[0004] There are multiple containers stored in the storage bin. The containers at the bottom of the storage bin are supported by a spoon and transported to the top of the storage bin by a lift chain. The pneumatic components push the reaction cup into the guide mechanism of the reaction cup, and finally the reaction cup can slide into the target position through the guide mechanism.

[0005] However, this system uses multiple pneumatic components, chain transmission, etc., so the system has shortcomings such as complex structure, high failure rate, many modules, difficult assembly, and high cost.

[0006] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 104076161 discloses an analysis device, which includes a storage component for storing a plurality of reaction cups placed therein, a removal component for removing the reaction cups from the storage component, and a vibrating component for moving the reaction cups in the storage component by vibrating the storage component.

[0007] Multiple reaction cups with cup rims are stored in the storage component. Due to the effect of gravity, the reaction cups gather at the bottom of the storage component. The rotating motor drives the shaking rail back and forth to shake the reaction cups and puts the reaction cups into the channel one by one under the action of the shaking guide. The reaction cups are moved to the transport track through the vibrating component and slide into the analysis device.

[0008] At this time, the cup-taking component can take out at most two reaction cups at a time and put them into the transport track. The cup-taking efficiency is too low, and the entire analysis device requires multiple motors for different components, which has high manufacturing costs and a complex system.

[0009] Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 105699676 discloses a reaction cup loading device, which includes a base, a hopper arranged on the base, an adjustment structure arranged in the hopper, and a lifting mechanism arranged on the base and lifting the reaction cup from the bottom of the hopper to the adjustment structure.

[0010] There are multiple reaction cups stored in the hopper. The inclined lifting groove at the bottom will grab the reaction and move it upward. When the height is raised to the same height as the adjustment groove, the lifting groove can be connected with the adjustment groove. The reaction cup can enter the adjustment groove by its own gravity and slide to the exit in the adjustment groove with the heavier cup body inside.

[0011] At this time, when the lifting mechanism transfers the reaction cup to the adjustment mechanism, the outlet of the lifting groove needs to be completely corresponding to the entrance of the adjustment groove. At the same time, the chain-type lifting mechanism can easily cause the reaction cup to be entangled. The lifting groove and the outlet are two different parts. The two parts need to be strictly connected to allow the reaction cup to slide down smoothly. This increases the difficulty of the product's process and assembly requirements, and it is difficult to ensure stability during long-term movement. Summary of the invention

[0012] The present invention is a static track reaction cup loading device, comprising a cavity containing reaction cups; at least one static track with first and second tilt angles, automatically adjusting the state of the reaction cups and automatically removing disordered reaction cups; a pushing mechanism, which can deliver the reaction cups from the lower part of the cavity to the higher track. The reaction cup automatic transport device of the present invention provides a guarantee for the fully automated operation of the biological sample analysis instrument, deeply utilizes the characteristics of the reaction cups and their changes and movement laws in the track, adopts the simple and efficient combination of multi-angle static tracks and pushing mechanisms, realizes the loading function of the reaction cups, has a compact overall structure, simple operation control, and greatly reduces mechanical complexity and processing costs.

[0013] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims and is not limited to any extent by the statements of this section of the invention.

[0014] The present invention provides:

[0015] (1) A loading device for a reaction cup with a cup edge, comprising:

[0016] A cavity composed of a shell and containing the reaction cup with a cup edge, wherein the cavity is a funnel-shaped structure;

[0017] A pushing mechanism for taking out the reaction cup from the cavity,

[0018] A static track having at least one section of the static track characterized by a first inclination angle and a second inclination angle.

[0019] The track comprises: a first support track, a second support track and a channel between the first and second support tracks;

[0020] A fixing assembly for fixing the loading device.

[0021] With such a structure, when too many reaction cups with cup rims are stored in the cavity, and the multiple reaction cups are entangled with each other and mechanically supported and difficult to move due to mutual friction, the reaction cups can be accurately separated by the lifting structure of the pushing device, so that the reaction cups can be stably taken out of the cavity and put on the slide above the cavity, and then enter the track for transportation through the inertia provided by the slide, while the reaction cups that have not entered the track will slide or roll along the inclined surface of the second inclination angle into the cavity containing the reaction cups.

[0022] (2) The loading device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0023] The track includes a first support track with a first inclination angle for supporting the cup edge, an included angle between the second support track and the horizontal direction, and the angles R1 and R2 are both greater than 5 degrees.

[0024] With such a structure, the reaction cups entering the track can slide or roll down in an orderly manner on the track under gravity, with the cup edge outside and the cup body inside. Figure 2 As shown in a, 22 is a horizontal plane and 20 is a first inclination angle.

[0025] (3) The loading device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0026] The track includes a first supporting track, and a second inclination angle R3 between a plane formed by a second supporting track and a horizontal plane is greater than 5 degrees.

[0027] With such a structure, the reaction cup that has not entered the track cannot stay on the track, so it will slide or roll off the track. Figure 2 As shown in 2-b and 2-c, 22 is a horizontal plane, 21 is a second inclination angle, 17 is an inclined plane of the second inclination angle, and 9 is a slide.

[0028] (4) The loading device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0029] The track is a static track.

[0030] With such a structure, the track itself does not move during the reaction cup loading process. The sliding or rolling power of the reaction cup mainly comes from the rolling and sliding caused by the reaction cup's own gravity and friction. There is no external force involved in the movement process, and there is no jamming of the cup or moving parts. The transportation failure rate is low and the efficiency is greatly improved.

[0031] (5) The loading device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0032] The top of the pushing structure is a lifting structure.

[0033] The pushing structure as a whole is in a state of being able to be raised and lowered.

[0034] The holding structure includes a groove structure that can hold up the reaction cup. The groove structure has an inclination angle, and the angle between the inclination angle and the horizontal plane is greater than 5 degrees.

[0035] With such a structure, a small number of cuvettes can be stably grabbed from a cavity storing multiple cuvettes with cup edges. The cuvettes can also be pushed onto a high slide and track, and disordered cuvettes can slide or roll off the slide by gravity. Figure 3 As shown, the pushing mechanism may also adopt other physical properties. People in the industry may think of other solutions for lifting the reaction cup through professional judgment, including but not limited to finger-like structures, mesh structures, inclined structures and groove structures, etc., which can lift the reaction cup to form a high track.

[0036] (6) The loading device according to (1), further comprising:

[0037] The static track has an outer side,

[0038] The slide is located outside the static track.

[0039] When the pushing mechanism pushes the reaction cup in the cavity to the high position of the track, the reaction cup is pushed onto the slide, and the slide guides the pushed reaction cup to move in the direction of the track.

[0040] Using such a structure, Figure 4 As shown, when the pushing mechanism pushes the reaction cup in the cavity to a high place, the reaction cup is pushed onto the slide. The reaction cup on the slide will have a component force F1 in a direction parallel to the slide plane due to the influence of its own gravity G. The component force F1 will provide an impulse for the movement of the reaction cup, moving in the direction of the track. The reaction cups with the cup edge outside and the cup body inside will be neatly arranged after entering the track.

[0041] (7) The slide member according to (5), characterized in that:

[0042] The slide component is in the cavity for holding the reaction cup.

[0043] The main plane of the slide component is inclined at an angle of >5 degrees to the horizontal plane.

[0044] Using such a structure, Figure 4As shown, the disordered reaction cup on the slide will have a component force F2 in the direction parallel to the slide plane due to the influence of its own gravity G. The component force F2 will provide an impulse for the movement of the reaction cup, moving toward the direction of the cavity.

[0045] (8) The loading device according to (1), characterized in that:

[0046] The track includes a turning structure,

[0047] The turning structure is located on a static track.

[0048] The turning structure is located inside the cavity containing the reaction cup.

[0049] Using such a structure, Figure 5 As shown, the turning structure interrupts the abnormal sliding and flipping motions of the reaction cups in the track and causes them to fall into the cavity or enter an orderly sliding state.

[0050] (9) The loading device according to (1), further comprising:

[0051] The fixing assembly of the fixing loading device is located below or at the side of the cavity.

[0052] With such a structure, the reaction cup loading device can be assembled on an instrument or other platform as a connecting structure, that is, it can be installed on the instrument by screws or by means of an interlocking method at the bottom of the fixing component.

[0053] (10) The loading device according to (1), further comprising:

[0054] The cavity has an outer wall.

[0055] The pushing mechanism is connected to the electric motor through forms including but not limited to gears, belts, hinges, etc., converting the rotation of the motor into the reciprocating motion of the pushing mechanism.

[0056] By adopting such a structure, power can be provided for the pushing structure, so that the reaction cup can be automatically pushed to the high platform, maintaining the continuity of the entire transportation process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a reaction cup with an edge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 2 It is a diagram showing the first angle and the second angle characteristics of the first support track of the present invention and an operation diagram of the reaction cup moving on the track;

[0059] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the pushing mechanism of the present invention and a flowchart of the operation;

[0060] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the static track and the outer slide table of the present invention and a force diagram of the reaction cup;

[0061] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the turning structure on the static track of the present invention;

[0062] Figure 6 It is a front view of the loading device of the present invention;

[0063] Figure 7 It is a left side view of the loading device of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 8 is a top view of the loading device of the present invention;

[0065] Fig. 9 It is a right oblique view of the loading device of the present invention;

[0066] Fig.10 It is a left oblique view of the loading device of the present invention;

[0067] Among them, 1-reaction cup, 111-cup edge, 112-cup body, 2-fixed component, 3-cavity, 4-pushing mechanism, 5-track, 6-lifting structure, 7-pushing component, 8-connecting rod, 9-slide, 10-motor, 11-first pulley, 12-belt, 13-second pulley, 14-first support track, 15-second support track. 16-curved track between the first and second support tracks, 17-inclined plane of the second inclination angle, 18-channel of the first inclination angle, 19-fixed component, 20-first inclination angle, 21-second inclination angle, 22-horizontal plane, 23-turning structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0069] A loading device for a reaction cup 1 having a cup rim, comprising:

[0070] (1) a cavity composed of a shell for containing the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, wherein the cavity is a funnel-shaped structure;

[0071] (2) having at least one section of a static track 5 characterized by a first inclination angle 20 and a second inclination angle 21;

[0072] The track 5 includes: a first support track 14, a second support track 15 and a channel between the first and second support tracks;

[0073] The first inclination angle 20 is the angle between the first support rail 14, the second support rail 15 and the horizontal direction. The first inclination angle is greater than 5 degrees, so that the cup edge of the reaction cup 1 entering the track is supported by the first support rail 14 and the second support rail 15, and the reaction cup 1 entering the track 5 moves in an orderly manner along the track under gravity;

[0074] With such a structure, the reaction cup 1 entering the track can slide or roll down in an orderly manner on the track 5 with the cup edge 11 outside and the cup body 12 inside under gravity. Figure 2 As shown in a, 22 is a horizontal plane and 20 is a first inclination angle.

[0075] The angle between the plane formed by the first support track 14 and the second support track 15 and the horizontal plane 22 forms a second inclination angle 21, and the second inclination angle 21 is greater than 5 degrees, so that the cuvette 1 that has not entered the track 5 cannot stay on the track 5;

[0076] With such a structure, the cuvette 1 that has not entered the track 5 cannot stay on the track 5, and thus slides or rolls off the track 5. Figure 2 -b and 2-c, 22 is a horizontal plane, 21 is a second inclination angle, 17 is an inclined plane of the second inclination angle 21, and 9 is a slide.

[0077] (3) a pushing mechanism 4, the pushing mechanism 4 pushes the cuvette 1 in the chamber to a high position on the track;

[0078] (4) Fixing assembly 2 of the loading device.

[0079] The loading device for the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge further includes a slide 9 outside the track 5. When the pushing mechanism 4 pushes the reaction cup 1 in the cavity to the high point of the track, the reaction cup 1 is pushed onto the slide 9, and the slide 9 guides the pushed reaction cup 1 to move in the direction of the track 5 with a certain inertia.

[0080] In the loading device for the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, the slide 9 is located in the cavity for containing the reaction cup 1, and the main plane of the slide 9 is inclined at an angle greater than 5 degrees with the horizontal plane, so that the reaction cup 1 falling on the slide 9 moves toward the track 5 and moves into the cavity at the same time.

[0081] In the loading device for the cuvette 1 with a cup edge, the track further comprises a turning structure 16, so that the cuvette 1 that slides and flips abnormally in the track is interrupted at the turning point and falls into the cavity or enters an orderly movement state.

[0082] In the loading device for the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, the turning structure 23 is located inside the cavity.

[0083] In the loading device for the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, the pushing mechanism includes a lifting structure that can lift the reaction cup 1. When the pushing mechanism pushes the reaction cup 1 to a high position on the slide 9 and the track 5, the reaction cup 1 moves from the slide 9 by gravity.

[0084] In the loading device for the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, the holding structure includes a groove structure that can hold up the reaction cup 1. The groove structure has an inclination angle, and the angle between the inclination angle and the horizontal plane is greater than 5 degrees.

[0085] In the loading device of the reaction cup 1 with a cup edge, the fixing component 2 of the fixing loading device is a connecting structure that can be assembled on an instrument or other platform.

[0086] like Figure 6 , 7 , 8, 9, and 10, this embodiment discloses an automatic transport of a reaction cup with a cup edge ( Figure 1 As shown, 111 and 112 are respectively the cup edge and the cup body) to the auxiliary loading device of the analysis device, including a fixing component 2, a cavity 3 fixed on the fixing component 2 and arranged in sequence along the transportation direction of the reaction cup, a pushing mechanism 4 and a track 5, and the cavity 3 stores batches of Figure 1 The cuvette 1 with an edge shown in the figure, the pushing mechanism 4 automatically grabs the cuvette from the cavity 3 to the track 5, and the track 5 automatically delivers the cuvette 1 to the target hole of the biological sample analysis system, completing the automatic feeding process of the cuvette 1.

[0087] The cavity 3 has a funnel-shaped structure, and the cavity 3 with the funnel-shaped structure design enables the reaction cups 1 stored in batches to slide to the bottom of the cavity 3 by their own gravity.

[0088] The pushing mechanism 4 includes a lifting structure 6 in the form of a lifting structure, a lifting pushing component 7, and a connecting rod 8 located outside the cavity 3. The motor 10 at the lower outer side of the cavity 3 drives a first pulley 11 connected to the motor and a second pulley 12 above the outer wall of the cavity, thereby driving the belt 13 to move up and down, and driving a fixing component 19 fixed on the belt 12 and the connecting rod 8 to move up and down together with the connecting rod 8, so that the pushing component 7 can move back and forth from bottom to top, and the lifting structure 6 can stably grab a small amount of reaction cups 1 in the cavity 3 and transport them to the slide 9 outside the high track 5. The lifting structure style makes it convenient for the picking component to accurately grab the reaction cup 1 in the cavity 3, even if the reaction cups 1 are in a state of mutual friction and entanglement and difficult to move. The track 5 includes a first support track 14, a second support track 15, a turning structure 23 between the first and second support tracks, a slide 9 outside the track, and a channel 18 with a first inclination angle. The inclination angle of the slide 9 is designed so that the reaction cup 1 is sent to the first support track 14 by a certain inertia. At the same time, some reaction cups 1 that have not entered the track will also slide or roll down into the cavity 3 along the inclined surface 17 with the second inclination angle due to the action of gravity. The reaction cup 1 that enters the first support track 14 will enter the track 5 with the cup edge outside due to the mechanical support between the cup edge and the supports on both sides of the track 5, and slide downward along the channel 18 with the first inclination angle. Subsequently, the reaction cup 1 that slides abnormally and flips by inertia in the track 5 is interrupted by the turning structure 23 between the first and second support tracks and falls into the cavity 3 or enters an orderly sliding state, and finally slides orderly into the analysis instrument through the second support track 15. In actual use, the reaction cup 1 stored in the cavity 3 has no directionality when entering the holding structure 6, so when the reaction cup 1 enters the track 5, it may slide along the inclined surface 17 of the second inclined angle to the turning structure 23 between the first and second support tracks under the action of gravity, and finally fly out of the track. As a further improvement of the present invention, a reaction cup baffle is installed at the intersection of the inclined surface 17 of the second inclined angle and the cavity 3 to guide the disordered reaction cups 1 to slide or roll into the cavity 3.

[0089] In actual use, Figure 8 As shown, the design of the channel between the first and second support rails is not limited and can also be extended in a straight line. Figure 6 As shown, the design of the channel between the first and second support rails behind the curved rail 16 is not limited to extending in the lower right direction, but can also be extending in the lower left direction. The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables professionals in the field to implement or use the present invention. In actual applications, a turning structure can be further provided inside the cavity, such as Figure 5 As shown, multiple turns are provided inside the cavity to remove abnormal reaction cups.

[0090] In actual use, Fig.10 As shown, the fixing assembly 2 can connect the loading device to the analytical instrument by screws, or fix the loading device to the analytical instrument by interlocking.

[0091] Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention will not be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A loading device for a reaction cup with a cup edge, characterized in that: Include: (1) a cavity composed of a shell for containing the reaction cup with a cup edge, wherein the cavity is a funnel-shaped structure; (2) having at least one static track having a first inclination angle and a second inclination angle: The track comprises: a first support track, a second support track and a channel between the first and second support tracks; The first inclination angle is the angle between the first support track, the second support track and the horizontal direction, and the first inclination angle is greater than 5 degrees, so that the cup edge of the reaction cup entering the track is supported by the first support track and the second support track, and the reaction cup entering the track moves in an orderly manner along the track under gravity; The angle between the plane formed by the first support rail and the second support rail and the horizontal plane forms a second inclination angle, and the second inclination angle is greater than 5 degrees, so that the cuvette that has not entered the rail cannot stay on the rail; (3) a pushing mechanism, the pushing mechanism pushing the cuvette in the cavity to a high position on the track; (4) A fixing assembly for fixing the loading device.

2. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the track includes a slide. When the pushing mechanism pushes the reaction cup in the cavity to the high point of the track, the reaction cup is pushed onto the slide, and the slide guides the pushed reaction cup to move toward the track.

3. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 2, characterized in that: The slide is located in the cavity for holding the reaction cup, and the main plane of the slide is inclined at an angle greater than 5 degrees to the horizontal plane, so that the reaction cup falling on the slide moves toward the track and moves into the cavity at the same time.

4. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 1, characterized in that: The track includes a turning structure, so that the reaction cups that slide and flip abnormally in the track are interrupted at the turning point and fall into the cavity or enter an orderly movement state.

5. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 4, characterized in that: The turning structure is located inside the cavity.

6. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pushing mechanism includes a lifting structure capable of lifting the reaction cup. When the pushing mechanism pushes the reaction cup to a high position on the slide and the track, the reaction cup moves from the slide by gravity.

7. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 6, characterized in that: The holding structure includes a groove structure that can hold up the reaction cup. The groove structure has an inclination angle, and the angle between the inclination angle and the horizontal plane is greater than 5 degrees.

8. The loading device for a reaction cup with a cup rim according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixing assembly is a connection structure that can be assembled on the instrument.

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