A sample storage library and a sample storage method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sample storage library and a sample storage method, including a sorting library and a storage library, wherein a temporary storage rack, a scanning device, a test tube capping device, a test tube recovery device, a second manipulator, and a third manipulator are provided in the sorting library, and a storage rack and a fourth manipulator are provided in the storage library, and the storage library is connected with the sorting library. When entering the warehouse, the second manipulator transports the test tubes to be entered into the warehouse to the scanning device for scanning, the test tube capping device caps the test tubes that have been scanned correctly, and the third manipulator transports the capped test tubes to the temporary storage rack. After the test tubes are placed on the temporary storage rack for a period of time, the test tubes are transported to the storage rack under the action of the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator. After the test tubes are placed on the storage rack for a period of time, the test tubes to be recovered are transported to the test tube recovery device under the action of the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator. The sample entry, exit, capping, and recovery processes do not require manual intervention, thereby realizing fully automatic storage of samples and improving the test tube storage efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sample storage, and in particular to a sample storage library and a sample storage method. Background Art

[0002] When the hospital laboratory tests blood, urine and other samples, the samples are usually placed in test tubes for related operations. After the sample test is completed, the test tube containing the sample is sealed with a cap, and then placed in an environment of 2-8°C for seven days. During the seven-day process, samples that need to be retested need to be selected for retesting. Test tubes that have exceeded the seven-day shelf life need to be collected and scrapped.

[0003] Most existing hospitals usually use independent testing equipment to test different samples and use ordinary refrigerators to store samples. For general tertiary hospitals, the daily sample processing volume is 2,000-3,000 tubes. The tested samples need to be capped individually and then stored in the refrigerator one by one. The storage process, outbound process, capping process, and subsequent scrapping process of the test tubes require a lot of manual intervention to complete. The storage process is cumbersome and inefficient.

[0004] The above information disclosed in the background technology is only used to increase the understanding of the background technology of the present application, and therefore, it may include information that does not constitute the prior art known to ordinary technicians in the field. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention proposes a sample storage library and a sample storage method, which realize the full-automatic storage of test tubes and greatly improve the test tube storage efficiency.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] The present invention provides a sample storage library, comprising a sorting library, on which a first test tube port and a first transfer port are provided, wherein a temporary storage rack for placing test tubes is provided in the sorting library, and the test tubes are moved into / out of the sorting library through the first test tube port; a storage library, in which a plurality of storage racks for storing test tubes are provided, wherein a second transfer port is provided in the storage library, and the first transfer port is communicated with the second transfer port; a scanning device, which is provided inside the sorting library and scans and identifies the test tubes; a test tube capping device, which is provided inside the sorting library and caps the test tubes; and a test tube recovery device, which is provided inside the sorting library and recovers the test tubes whose storage expires; A second manipulator is arranged inside the sorting warehouse, and the second manipulator clamps the test tube at the first test tube port and transports the test tube to the scanning device for scanning, and the scanned test tube is transported to the test tube capping device for capping; a third manipulator is arranged inside the sorting warehouse, and the third manipulator transports the test tube between the test tube capping device, the temporary storage rack, the first test tube port, the first transfer port, and the test tube recovery device; a fourth manipulator is arranged inside the storage warehouse, and the fourth manipulator transports the test tube between the second transfer port and the storage rack.

[0008] Furthermore, the test tube is placed on a test tube tray, and the test tube tray can hold multiple test tubes. The second manipulator clamps a single test tube, and the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator clamp the test tube tray.

[0009] Furthermore, a pull-out rack is provided at the first test tube opening, and the pull-out rack moves to the inside or outside of the sorting library through the first test tube opening, and a plurality of the test tube trays can be placed on the pull-out rack.

[0010] Furthermore, a third test tube placement area is provided in the sorting library, the third manipulator transports the test tube tray on the pull-out rack to the third test tube placement area, and the second manipulator clamps the test tube in the third test tube placement area.

[0011] Furthermore, after the test tube is placed on the temporary storage rack for longer than the system set time, the test tube is stored in the storage rack under the action of the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator; when the test tube needs to be re-inspected within the system set time, the third manipulator transports the test tube to the first test tube port for shipment.

[0012] Furthermore, a first test tube placement area and a second test tube placement area are provided in the sorting warehouse, and the second manipulator places the test tubes that have been scanned correctly in the first test tube placement area, and places the test tubes that have been scanned incorrectly in the second test tube placement area; the third manipulator transports the test tubes in the first test tube placement area to the temporary storage rack.

[0013] Furthermore, a second test tube opening is provided on the sorting warehouse, a test tube conveying platform is provided inside the sorting warehouse, and the test tube conveying platform is directly opposite to the second test tube opening, and a test tube conveying line and a first manipulator are provided outside the sorting warehouse, the first manipulator conveys the test tube on the test tube conveying line to the test tube conveying platform, and the second manipulator clamps the test tube on the test tube conveying platform and conveys it to the scanning device for scanning.

[0014] Furthermore, the test tube capping device includes: a top cover supply assembly, which includes a top cover conveyor line and a top cover partition, and the top cover partition separates the multiple top covers on the top cover conveyor line; a top cover picking assembly, which includes a top cover picking portion, and the top cover picking portion simultaneously picks up the multiple top covers separated by the top cover partition; a test tube placing assembly, on which multiple test tubes are placed, and the top cover picking portion simultaneously buckles the multiple top covers onto the multiple test tubes one by one; the third manipulator transports the capped test tubes to the temporary storage rack.

[0015] Furthermore, the test tube recovery device includes: a flipping part, on which multiple test tubes are placed; a driving part, which is connected to the flipping part and drives the flipping part to flip; a recovery bucket, which is located below the flipping part; when the flipping part is flipped to a certain tilt angle under the action of the driving part, the test tube detaches from the flipping part and falls into the recovery bucket; the third manipulator transports the test tube to be recovered to the flipping part.

[0016] The present invention also provides a sample storage method using the sample storage library as described above, the method comprising a sample storage method, a sample storage method, and a sample recovery method;

[0017] The sample storage method comprises: the second manipulator transports the test tube to be stored to the scanning device for scanning, the test tube capping device caps the test tube that has been scanned correctly, the third manipulator transports the capped test tube to the temporary storage rack, when the test tube on the temporary storage rack needs to be re-inspected, the third manipulator transports the test tube to be re-inspected to the first test tube port for out of the warehouse, after the placement time of the test tube on the temporary storage rack reaches the system set time, the third manipulator transports the test tube to the first transfer port, and the fourth manipulator transports the test tube at the second transfer port to the storage rack;

[0018] The sample out-of-warehouse method comprises: the fourth manipulator transports the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, and the third manipulator transports the test tube at the first transfer port to the first test tube port for out-of-warehouse;

[0019] The sample recovery method includes: after the placement time of the test tube on the storage rack reaches the system set time, the fourth manipulator transports the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, the third manipulator transports the test tube at the first transfer port to the test tube recovery device, and the test tube recovery device recovers the expired test tube.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are:

[0021] The sample storage storage disclosed in the present application includes a sorting library and a storage library. The sorting library is mainly used for the storage, out of the warehouse, temporary storage, code scanning identification, test tube capping, and test tube recycling and scrapping of samples. The storage library is mainly used for the storage of samples to realize the fully automatic storage of samples. Specifically, when the sample is put into the warehouse, the second manipulator transports the test tube to be put into the warehouse to the scanning device for scanning, the test tube capping device caps the test tube that has been scanned correctly, and the third manipulator transports the capped test tube to the temporary storage rack. When the test tube on the temporary storage rack needs to be re-inspected, the third manipulator transports the test tube to be re-inspected to the first test tube port for out of the warehouse. After the placement time of the test tube on the temporary storage rack reaches the system setting time (for example, 4 hours), the third manipulator transports the test tube to the first transfer port, and the fourth manipulator transports the test tube at the second transfer port to the storage rack. When the sample is out of the warehouse, the fourth manipulator transports the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, and the third manipulator transports the test tube at the first transfer port to the first test tube port for out of the warehouse. When the sample is recovered, after the test tube has been placed on the storage rack for a system-set time (e.g., seven days), the fourth manipulator will transport the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, and the third manipulator will transport the test tube at the first transfer port to the test tube recovery device, which will recycle the expired test tube. This sample storage library does not require manual intervention during the process of sample entry, exit, capping, and recovery, and realizes fully automatic storage of samples, greatly improving the storage efficiency of test tubes. At the same time, the sorting library and the storage library are separated. For test tubes that need to be re-examined, they only need to find the test tubes on the temporary storage rack, which helps to improve the efficiency of re-examination; in addition, the separated design is more helpful to ensure the low-temperature storage environment of the test tubes and improve the storage safety of the samples.

[0022] After reading the specific embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0024] Figure 1 The structure of the sample storage device of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 2 The structure of the sample storage device of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of a test tube capping device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 A top view of a top cover supply assembly in an embodiment of a test tube capping device of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the top cover picking portion in the embodiment of the test tube capping device of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 The structure of the test tube recovery device of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 7 The structure of the test tube recovery device of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of the test tube recovery device shown in another perspective.

[0032] Reference numerals:

[0033] 01-sorting library, 011-first test tube placement area, 012-second test tube placement area, 013-third test tube placement area, 014-temporary storage rack;

[0034] 02-storage warehouse, 021-storage rack;

[0035] 03-test tube conveying line, 031-first test tube fixing part;

[0036] 04-test tube conveying platform, 041-track part, 042-sliding platform, 043-second test tube fixing part;

[0037] 05- Scanning device;

[0038] 06-Pull-out rack;

[0039] 07-Test tube tray;

[0040] 081-first manipulator, 082-second manipulator, 083-third manipulator, 084-fourth manipulator;

[0041] 09-Framework;

[0042] 10-Test tube capping device;

[0043] 101-top cover supply assembly, 1011-top cover supply part, 1012-top cover conveying line, 1013-top cover partition part, 10131-first partition part, 10132-second partition part, 10133-partition plate, 10134-groove part;

[0044] 102-top cover picking assembly, 1021-top cover picking portion, 10211-upper frame, 10212-lower frame, 10213-movable plate, 10214-connecting rod, 10215-driving device, 10216-picking rod, 10217-spring, 1022-first horizontal track portion, 1023-vertical track portion;

[0045] 103 - test tube placement assembly, 1031 - second horizontal track portion, 1032 - platform portion;

[0046] 20-Test tube recovery device;

[0047] 201-turning part, 2011-first side plate, 2012-second side plate, 2013-bottom plate, 2014-recess, 2015-stop plate, 2016-top plate, 2017-slide rail part;

[0048] 202-driving part, 2021-driving gear, 2022-driven gear;

[0049] 203-Recycling bin;

[0050] 204-claw portion, 2041-claw, 2042-slider;

[0051] 30-top cover;

[0052] 40-test tubes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0054] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" and "fourth" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0055] The invention discloses a sample storage library, which is used for storing test tubes containing samples and can be applied to places such as hospitals. Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of the test tube storage device. In order to more clearly express the internal structure, frame 09 is removed to obtain Figure 2 View shown.

[0056] The sample storage library includes a sorting library 01 and a storage library 02. The sorting library 01 is mainly used for the storage, out-of-stock, temporary storage, code scanning, capping, and recovery of test tubes, and the storage library 02 is mainly used for the storage of test tubes. Both the sorting library 01 and the storage library 02 can provide the low temperature environment required for test tube storage.

[0057] The storage bin 01 has a first test tube port, through which test tubes enter or are removed from the storage bin 01. A temporary storage rack 014 is provided inside the storage bin 01 for placing test tubes, on which test tubes are temporarily stored.

[0058] The storage warehouse 02 is provided with a plurality of storage racks 021 for placing test tubes. After the test tubes are temporarily stored on the temporary storage rack 014 for a certain period of time, they will be transported to the storage rack 021 for storage.

[0059] The sorting library 01 and the storage library 02 are connected to realize the transportation of test tubes between the sorting library 01 and the storage library 02. Specifically, the sorting library 01 is provided with a first transfer port, and the storage library 02 is correspondingly provided with a second transfer port, and the first transfer port is connected with the second transfer port.

[0060] A scanning device 05 is provided inside the sorting library 01 for scanning and identifying the test tubes so as to achieve traceable storage of the test tubes.

[0061] A test tube capping device 10 is provided inside the sorting library 01, which is used to cap and seal the scanned test tubes for later storage.

[0062] A test tube recovery device 20 is provided inside the sorting library 01, which is used to recover the test tubes whose storage has expired, so as to avoid the expired samples from polluting the environment.

[0063] The transportation of the test tubes during the entire storage process is achieved by manipulators. Specifically, the sample storage library is provided with three manipulators, namely, the second manipulator 082, the third manipulator 083, and the fourth manipulator 084. The second manipulator 082 is arranged inside the sorting library 01, and is used to transport the test tubes to be stored to the scanning device 05 for scanning, and the scanned test tubes are transported to the temporary storage rack 014 for temporary storage. The third manipulator 083 is arranged inside the sorting library 01, and is used to transport the test tubes between the test tube capping device 10, the temporary storage rack 014, the first transfer port, the first test tube port, and the test tube recovery device 20. The fourth manipulator 084 is arranged inside the storage library 02, and is used to transport the test tubes between the second transfer port and the storage rack 021.

[0064] The sample storage library can realize batch storage of multiple test tubes and storage of single test tubes to meet the different storage needs of customers.

[0065] When multiple test tubes are put into storage, the multiple test tubes enter the interior of the sorting warehouse 01 through the first test tube port; the second manipulator 082 picks up the single test tubes one by one and transports them to the scanning device 05 for code scanning and identification; after all the test tubes are scanned, the third manipulator 083 transports these test tubes to the test tube capping device 10 for capping; then the third manipulator 083 transports the capped test tubes to the temporary storage rack 014 for temporary storage; after the test tubes are placed on the temporary storage rack 014 for a period of time, the third manipulator 083 transports the test tubes to the first transfer port; since the first transfer port is connected to the second transfer port, the fourth manipulator 084 can pick up the test tubes through the second transfer port and transport them to the storage rack 021 for storage. At this point, the storage of multiple test tubes is completed.

[0066] In case of a single test tube entering the warehouse, the sample storage library is further provided with a second test tube port on the sorting warehouse 01, a test tube conveying platform 04 is provided inside the sorting warehouse 01, and a test tube conveying line 03 and a first manipulator 081 are provided outside the sorting warehouse 01. The second test tube port is used as the entrance for a single test tube to enter the warehouse, and the test tube conveying platform 04 is directly opposite to the second test tube port.

[0067] When a single test tube is put into storage, it is transported to the second test tube opening of the sorting warehouse 01 via the test tube conveying line 03. The first manipulator 081 grabs the test tube to be put into storage and places the test tube on the test tube conveying platform 04. The test tube conveying platform 04 drives the test tube into the sorting warehouse 01 through the second test tube opening. The second manipulator 082 grabs the test tube and transports it to the scanning device 05 for code scanning and identification. The third manipulator 083 transports the scanned test tube to the test tube. The capping device 10 performs capping; then the third manipulator 083 transports the capped test tube to the temporary storage rack 014 for temporary storage; after the test tube has been placed on the temporary storage rack 014 for a period of time, the third manipulator 083 clamps the test tube and transports the test tube to the first transfer port; since the first transfer port is connected to the second transfer port, the fourth manipulator 084 can clamp the test tube through the second transfer port and then transport the test tube to the storage rack 021 for storage. At this point, the storage of a single test tube is completed.

[0068] When the test tube is shipped out of the warehouse, the fourth manipulator 084 transports the test tube to be shipped out of the storage rack 021 to the second transfer port; since the first transfer port and the second transfer port are connected, the third manipulator 083 can clamp the test tube at the first transfer port and transport it to the first test tube port; the test tube is shipped out of the warehouse through the first test tube port.

[0069] Comparing the batch storage process of multiple test tubes and the storage process of a single test tube, it can be seen that multiple test tubes can enter the interior of the sorting warehouse 01 through the first test tube port at the same time, and a single test tube enters the interior of the sorting warehouse 01 through the dedicated test tube conveying line 03 and the test tube conveying platform 04. The subsequent storage process of the test tube in the sorting warehouse 01 is roughly the same. Through two different test tube entrances, on the one hand, it is conducive to improving the storage efficiency of test tubes, and on the other hand, it can also better meet the multi-scenario usage needs of hospitals and other places.

[0070] After the test tube is temporarily stored on the temporary storage rack 014, it enters the storage rack 02 for long-term storage. The reason for this design is that, taking the hospital application scenario as an example, the sample after the test may be re-examined within a short period of time (such as half a day or a day). The purpose of temporarily storing the test tube on the temporary storage rack 014 is to facilitate the rapid retrieval and removal of the sample when it is re-examined on the same day, thereby improving the efficiency of re-examination. In this embodiment, after the test tube is placed on the temporary storage rack 014 for a time exceeding the system setting time (4 hours), the test tube is stored in the storage rack 02 for long-term storage under the action of the third manipulator 083 and the fourth manipulator 084. When the test tube on the temporary storage rack 014 needs to be re-examined within the system setting time, the third manipulator 083 clamps the test tube to be re-examined and transports the test tube to the first test tube port for removal.

[0071] The entire storage process of the sample storage library does not require manual intervention, and the test tubes are stored automatically, which greatly improves the storage efficiency of the test tubes. At the same time, the sorting library 01 and the storage library 02 are separated. For the test tubes that need to be re-examined, they only need to find the test tubes on the temporary storage rack 014, which helps to improve the re-examination efficiency; in addition, the separated design is more helpful to ensure the low-temperature storage environment of the test tubes and improve the storage safety of the samples.

[0072] When multiple test tubes are put into storage, they are placed on the test tube tray 07. The second manipulator 082 picks up the single test tubes on the test tube tray 07 one by one and transports them to the scanning device 05 for scanning. The subsequent storage process is stored in the test tube tray 07 as a unit, which helps to improve storage efficiency. When a single test tube is put into storage, after the single test tube is scanned, the subsequent storage process is also operated in the test tube tray 07 as a unit. In other words, no matter whether it is batch storage of multiple test tubes or storage of a single test tube, after the test tube is scanned, the third manipulator 083 and the fourth manipulator 084 will pick up the test tube tray 07 for subsequent storage operations.

[0073] As a preferred embodiment, a pull-out rack 06 is provided at the first test tube opening, and the pull-out rack 06 can be moved to the inside or outside of the sorting warehouse 01 through the first test tube opening. A test tube tray 07 can be placed on the pull-out rack 06. When multiple test tubes are put into storage in batches, the pull-out rack 06 is pulled out to the outside of the sorting warehouse 01, and the operator places the test tube tray 07 containing multiple test tubes on the pull-out rack 06; then the pull-out rack 06 is pushed into the interior of the sorting warehouse 01; and then the test tubes are subsequently stored.

[0074] When there are test tubes on the temporary storage rack 014 that need to be re-inspected, the third manipulator 083 clamps the test tube tray 07 where the test tubes to be re-inspected are located and transports it to the pull-out rack 06. The operator pulls out the pull-out rack 06 to the outside of the sorting warehouse 01, the operator takes out the test tubes to be re-inspected, and then the third manipulator 083 transports the test tube tray 07 to the temporary storage rack 014.

[0075] Furthermore, a third test tube placement area 013 is provided inside the sorting warehouse 01. When multiple test tubes are put into the warehouse, the third manipulator 083 first transports the test tube tray 07 on the pull-out rack 06 to the third test tube placement area 013, and the second manipulator 082 grabs the test tube on the test tube tray 07 in the third test tube placement area 013 for subsequent code scanning operations. The setting of the third placement area 013 facilitates the second manipulator 082 to grab a single test tube from the test tube tray 07.

[0076] Furthermore, in order to reduce the number of times the door of the sorting warehouse 01 is opened and improve the storage temperature stability of the sorting warehouse 01, the pull-out rack 06 can place multiple test tube trays 07 at the same time, so that external operators can take out multiple test tubes on multiple test tube trays 07 on the pull-out rack 06 at the same time, thereby improving efficiency.

[0077] As a preferred embodiment, a first test tube placement area 011 and a second test tube placement area 012 are provided in the sorting warehouse 01. The second manipulator 082 places the test tubes that have been scanned correctly in the first test tube placement area 011 and places the test tubes that have been scanned incorrectly in the second test tube placement area 012. The third manipulator 083 transports the test tubes in the first test tube placement area 011 to the temporary storage rack 014.

[0078] Furthermore, a test tube tray 07 is provided in the first test tube placement area 011 and the second test tube placement area 012, respectively, and multiple test tubes can be placed in the test tube tray 07. The second manipulator 082 grabs a single test tube, and the scanning device scans and identifies the single test tubes one by one. When the number of test tubes (all of which are correctly scanned test tubes) placed on the test tube tray 07 in the first test tube placement area 011 reaches a certain number, the third manipulator 083 grabs the entire test tube tray 07 and transports it to the temporary storage rack 014 for temporary storage.

[0079] As a preferred embodiment, a plurality of first test tube fixing portions 031 are provided at intervals on the test tube conveying line 03 to prevent the test tubes from tipping over during transportation.

[0080] As a preferred embodiment, the test tube transport platform 04 includes a track portion 041 and a sliding platform 042 slidably disposed on the track portion 041, and a second test tube fixing portion 043 is disposed on the sliding platform 042. When a test tube is stored, the storage port is opened, and the sliding platform 042 can move to the outside of the sorting warehouse 01. The first manipulator 081 puts the single test tube to be stored on the second test tube fixing portion 043 on the sliding platform 042, and then the sliding platform 042 moves toward the inside of the sorting warehouse 01, thereby transporting the test tube to the inside of the sorting warehouse 01 for subsequent storage operations. The second test tube fixing portion 043 can prevent the test tube from tipping over during transportation.

[0081] On the basis of any of the above embodiments, there is one sorting library 01 and multiple storage libraries 02, and two adjacent storage libraries 02 are connected. Specifically, a transfer port is set between two adjacent storage libraries 02. In this way, the code scanning and identification operation of the test tube is completed in one sorting library 01, and the storage of the test tube is completed in multiple storage libraries 02, and the storage capacity of the entire test tube storage device is greatly improved.

[0082] In this embodiment, there is one sorting library 01 and two storage libraries 02 .

[0083] After the test tubes have been placed on the storage rack 021 for a system-set time (e.g., seven days), the test tubes that have expired need to be recycled and scrapped. Specifically, the fourth manipulator 084 transports the test tubes that have expired on the storage rack 021 to the second transfer port; the third manipulator 083 transports the test tubes at the first transfer port to the test tube recycling device 20; the test tube recycling device 20 recycles the expired test tubes. The test tube recycling device 20 can realize batch recycling of test tubes with high efficiency.

[0084] The test tube capping device 10 is described in detail below. Figures 3 to 5 .

[0085] The test tube capping device 10 includes a top cover supply component 101, a top cover picking component 102, and a test tube placement component 103. The top cover supply component 101 includes a top cover conveying line 1012 and a top cover separator 1013, and the top cover separator 1013 can separate multiple top covers 30 on the top cover conveying line 1012; the top cover picking component 102 includes a top cover picking component 1021, and the top cover picking component 1021 can simultaneously pick up multiple top covers 30 separated by the top cover separator 1013; multiple test tubes 40 are placed on the test tube placement component 103, and the top cover picking component 1012 can simultaneously buckle multiple top covers 30 onto multiple test tubes 40 one by one.

[0086] When the number of test tubes 40 on the test tube tray 07 on the first test tube placement area 011 reaches a certain number, the third manipulator 083 transports the test tube tray 07 to the test tube placement assembly 103, and the top cover picking assembly 102 picks up a plurality of top covers 30 and buckles the top covers 30 onto the test tubes 40 to be capped. The test tube capping device 10 can simultaneously cap multiple test tubes 40, greatly improving the test tube capping efficiency.

[0087] The schematic diagram of the structure of the top cover supply assembly 101 is shown in FIG. Figure 4 , which includes a top cover supply unit 1011, which is a prior art and will not be described in detail herein, and can provide top covers 30 with uniform spacing to the top cover conveyor line 1012. The top cover partitioning unit 1013 includes a first partitioning unit 10131 and a second partitioning unit 10132 that are arranged opposite to each other, and the first partitioning unit 10131 and the second partitioning unit 10132 extend along the top cover conveyor line 1012, and the first partitioning unit 10131 and the second partitioning unit 10132 can move toward or away from each other, and the first partitioning unit 10131 has a plurality of partitions 10133 that are spaced apart. When the first partitioning unit 10131 and the second partitioning unit 10132 move toward each other, the plurality of partitions 10133 can separate the plurality of top covers 30, so that the top cover picking unit 1021 can pick up the plurality of top covers 30 at the same time.

[0088] The first partition 10131 and the second partition 10132 can move simultaneously to separate multiple top covers 30, or one of them can be stationary and only the other can move. In this embodiment, the side wall of the second partition 10132 is close to the top cover 30, and the first partition 10131 moves in the direction of approaching / moving away from the second partition 10132. When the first partition 10131 moves in the direction of approaching the second partition 10132, the second partition 10132 abuts against the top cover 30, so that the top cover 30 can be prevented from being displaced under the action of the partition 10133.

[0089] Furthermore, a groove portion 10134 is formed between two adjacent partitions 10133, and when the first partition portion 10131 moves toward the second partition portion 10132, the top cover 30 is located in the groove portion 10134. The contour design between the groove portion 10134 and the top cover 30 can achieve a separation effect on the top covers 30, and can also play a good positioning effect on the position of the top cover 30, so that the top cover picking unit 1021 can pick up the top cover 30.

[0090] In this embodiment, the top cover separator 1013 separates eight top covers 30 at the same time, and accordingly, the top cover picking portion 1021 can pick up eight top covers 30 at the same time and buckle the eight top covers 30 onto corresponding test tubes 40 at the same time.

[0091] The schematic diagram of the structure of the top cover pick-up unit 1021 is shown in FIG. Figure 5 , which includes a plate-shaped upper frame 10211 and a lower frame 10212, a connecting rod 10214 is provided between the upper frame 10211 and the lower frame 10212, and two connecting rods 10214 are provided at both ends of the upper frame 10211 and the lower frame 10212, and the distance between the upper frame 10211 and the lower frame 10212 is fixed. A plate-shaped movable plate 10213 is slidably provided on the connecting rod 10214, and the movable plate 10213 moves in a direction close to / away from the lower frame 10212 under the action of a driving device 10215 (such as a driving motor). A plurality of picking rods 10216 are provided on the movable plate 10213, and a through hole (not shown) for the picking rods 10216 to extend is correspondingly provided on the lower frame 10212. A spring 10217 is sleeved on the picking rod 10216 , and the spring 10217 is located between the movable plate 10213 and the lower frame 10212 .

[0092] When the movable plate 10213 moves toward the direction close to the lower frame 10212, the free end of the picking rod 10216 extends out of the through hole, and the spring 10217 is compressed; the top cover picking portion 1021 moves to the top of the top cover conveying line 1012 and then descends, and the free end of the picking rod 10216 picks up multiple top covers 30 at the same time. At this time, the lower surface of the lower frame 10212 preferably abuts against the upper end surface of the top cover 30; then the top cover picking portion 1021 moves to the top of the test tube placement assembly 103, and the picking rod 10216 is pressed against the top end surface of the top cover 30. 0216 is vertically opposite to the test tube 40 to be covered, and the top cover picking portion 1021 moves downward to buckle the top cover 30 onto the corresponding test tube 40; the movable plate 10213 moves in a direction away from the lower frame 10212, and the free end of the picking rod 10216 is separated from the top cover 30, and the spring 10217 is reset. The lower frame 10212 can always abut against the top cover 30 under the action of the spring reset force, thereby preventing the top cover 30 from detaching from the test tube 40 along with the picking rod 10216, thereby ensuring the reliability of the buckling of the top cover 30.

[0093] As a preferred embodiment, in order to realize the movement of the top cover picking-up part 1021, the top cover picking-up assembly 102 further includes a first horizontal rail part 1022 extending along the X-axis and a vertical rail part 1023 extending along the Z-axis, the vertical rail part 1023 can slide along the first horizontal rail part 1022, and the top cover picking-up part 1021 is arranged on the vertical rail part 1023 and can slide up and down along the vertical rail part 1023. The vertical rail part 1023 slides horizontally along the first horizontal rail part 1022, so that the top cover picking-up part 2021 can move along the X-axis. Through the movement of the top cover picking-up assembly 102, it is convenient to realize the top cover picking-up part 1021 to accurately pick up the top cover 30.

[0094] When the top cover picking part 1021 with the top cover 30 is buckled onto the test tube 40, in order to achieve accurate positioning between the top cover 30 and the test tube 40, in this embodiment, the test tube placement assembly 103 includes a second horizontal guide rail part 1031 extending along the Y axis and a platform part 1032 slidably arranged on the second horizontal guide rail part 1031, and a test tube tray 07 is placed on the platform part 1032, and a plurality of test tubes 40 are placed in the test tube tray 07. The test tube tray 07 is moved along the Y axis by the sliding of the platform part 1032 along the second horizontal guide rail part 1031. In this way, under the joint displacement action of the top cover picking part 1021 and the platform part 1032, accurate positioning of the top cover 30 and the test tube 40 can be achieved.

[0095] In the top cover picking assembly 102, the upper frame 10211 is fixed on the vertical guide rail portion 1023, and the driving device 10215 is fixed on the upper frame 10211, and the structure is reliable and compact.

[0096] The top of the top cover 30 has a groove structure (not shown), and the free end of the picking rod 10216 is interference fit with the groove structure to enable the picking rod 10216 to pick up the top cover 30. The structure is simple and reliable.

[0097] The number of test tubes 40 placed in a single row in the test tube tray 07 is the same as the number of top covers 30 picked up at a time by the top cover picking unit 1021. For example, in this embodiment, the top cover picking unit 1021 can pick up eight top covers 30 at a time, and the number of test tubes 40 placed in a single row on the test tube tray 07 is also eight. In this way, the top cover picking component 102 performs the capping operation on the test tube 40, and performs the operation column by column based on the column of the test tube tray 07, which can greatly improve the capping efficiency and facilitate the positioning between the top cover 30 and the test tube 40.

[0098] When all the test tubes 40 on the test tube tray 07 are capped, the third manipulator 083 moves the test tube tray 07 to the temporary storage rack 014 for temporary storage.

[0099] The test tube recovery device 20 is described in detail below. The schematic diagram of the structure of the test tube recovery device 20 is shown in FIG. Figures 6 to 8 .

[0100] Reference Figure 6 The test tube recovery device 20 includes a turning part 201, a driving part 202, and a recovery bucket 203. A plurality of test tubes 40 are placed on the turning part 201. The driving part 202 is used to drive the turning part 201 to turn. The recovery bucket 203 is located below the turning part 201. When the test tubes in the storage 02 expire, the test tubes to be recovered on the storage rack 021 are transported to the sorting library 01 by the fourth manipulator 084 and the third manipulator 083. The third manipulator 083 transports the test tubes to be recovered to the turning part 201. Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the turning part 201 turns to a certain tilt angle under the action of the driving part 202, the test tube 40 is separated from the turning part 201 and falls into the recovery bucket 203. The test tube recovery device 20 can realize the batch recovery operation of the test tubes, greatly improving the test tube recovery efficiency.

[0101] In order to further improve the test tube recovery efficiency, the test tube recovery device 20 is also operated with the test tube tray 07 as a unit. Specifically, the turning part 201 can place the test tube tray 07, and the third manipulator 083 transports the test tube tray 07 with the test tube to be recovered to the turning part 201. Figure 6 The flipping portion 201 is also provided with a clamping claw portion 204. When the flipping portion 201 flips, the clamping claw portion 204 clamps the test tube tray 07. When the test tube tray 07 flips to a certain tilt angle along with the flipping portion 201, the test tube 40 can be detached from the test tube tray 07 and fall into the recovery bucket 203, while the test tube tray 07 will not fall off under the action of the clamping claw portion 204.

[0102] Reference Figure 8 The flip part 201 includes a first side plate 2011, a second side plate 2012, and a bottom plate 2013 disposed between the first side plate 2011 and the second side plate 2012. The first side plate 2011, the second side plate 2012, and the bottom plate 2013 enclose a storage space for placing the test tube tray 07. The test tube tray 07 is placed on the bottom plate 2013 and is located in the storage space. The top and front end of the flip part 201 are open. When the flip part 201 flips to a certain tilt angle, the front end of the flip part 201 is lower than the rear end of the flip part 201. The test tube tray 07 enters / moves out of the interior of the flip part 201 through the front end of the flip part 201. When the flip part 201 flips to a certain tilt angle, the test tube 40 falls from the top of the flip part 201.

[0103] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 7The clamping claw portion 204 is disposed at the rear end of the flipping portion 201 to clamp and fix the test tube tray 07 without affecting the moving in / out of the test tube tray 07 .

[0104] As a preferred embodiment, the clamping jaw portion 204 includes two clamping jaws 2041 arranged opposite to each other, and the two clamping jaws 2041 can move relative to each other in real time under the action of a driving device (such as a driving motor) to clamp the side wall of the test tube tray 07 to fix the test tube tray 07. When the test tube tray 07 needs to be moved out of the flipping portion 201, the two clamping jaws 2041 move in opposite directions to release the test tube tray 07.

[0105] Further, see Figure 7 A slide rail portion 2017 is provided at the rear end of the flip portion 201, and a slider 2042 is correspondingly provided on the clamp 2041. The slider 2042 is slidably connected to the slide rail portion 2017, so that the clamp 2041 is more stable when moving, thereby improving the clamping reliability of the clamp 2041 on the test tube tray 07.

[0106] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 8 The bottom plate 2013 is provided with a recess 2014, and the bottom of the test tube tray 07 is placed on the recess 2014. The recess 2014 makes the test tube tray 07 more reliably placed on the flip part 201 and less likely to slip off. In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2013 is composed of two small flat plates arranged opposite to each other, and a stopper plate 2015 is provided at a position of the bottom plate 2014 near the front end of the flip part 201 to prevent the test tube tray 07 from slipping off the flip part 201 when the flip part 201 is flipped.

[0107] As a preferred embodiment, continue to refer to Figure 8 A top plate 2016 is provided on the top of the first side plate 2011 and the second side plate 2012, respectively. The distance between the two top plates 2016 is smaller than the width of the test tube tray 07. The test tube 40 placed on the test tube tray 07 can be exposed from the gap between the two top plates 2016. In this way, when the flip part 201 flips to a certain tilt angle, the test tube 40 can fall from the gap between the two top plates 2016 into the recovery bucket 203 below. In addition, once the clamping claw 2041 fails to clamp the test tube tray 07, the top plate 2016 plays a certain blocking role on the test tube tray 07.

[0108] The third manipulator 083 moves the test tube tray 07 from the front end of the turning part 201 into / out of the accommodation space of the turning part 201 for easy operation.

[0109] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 6In this embodiment, a simple and reliable gear structure is used to realize the rotation of the flip part 201. Specifically, the driving part 202 includes a driving gear 2021 and a driven gear 2022 meshing with the driving gear 2021. The output shaft end of the driven gear 2022 is fixedly connected to the flip part 201. The driving gear 2022 rotates under the drive of the driving device, driving the driven gear 2022 to rotate, and the driven gear 2022 drives the flip part 201 to rotate together, thereby realizing the tilting action of the flip part 201.

[0110] Furthermore, the diameter of the driving gear 2021 is smaller than the diameter of the driven gear 2022 , so that the rotation angle of the flipping part 201 can be adjusted easily, with high controllability and accuracy.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sample storage repository, characterized in that: include: A sorting library, which is provided with a first test tube port and a first transfer port, wherein a temporary storage rack for placing test tubes is provided in the sorting library, and the test tubes are moved into / out of the sorting library through the first test tube port; A storage warehouse, wherein a plurality of storage racks for storing test tubes are provided, wherein a second transfer port is provided on the storage warehouse, and the first transfer port is communicated with the second transfer port; A scanning device, which is arranged inside the sorting library and scans and identifies the test tubes; A test tube capping device, which is arranged inside the sorting library and caps the test tubes; A test tube recovery device, which is arranged inside the sorting library and recovers the test tubes whose storage has expired; A second manipulator is disposed inside the sorting library, the second manipulator clamps the test tube at the first test tube opening and transports the test tube to the scanning device for scanning, and the scanned test tube is transported to the test tube capping device for capping; A third manipulator is disposed inside the sorting library, and the third manipulator transports the test tube between the test tube capping device, the temporary storage rack, the first test tube port, the first transfer port, and the test tube recovery device; a fourth manipulator, which is disposed inside the storage bin and transports the test tube between the second transfer port and the storage rack; Wherein, the test tube capping device comprises: A top cover supply assembly, comprising a top cover conveying line and a top cover partitioning portion, wherein the top cover partitioning portion partitions a plurality of the top covers on the top cover conveying line, wherein the top cover partitioning portion comprises a first partitioning portion and a second partitioning portion which are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the first partitioning portion and the second partitioning portion extend along the top cover conveying line, wherein the first partitioning portion and the second partitioning portion can move toward or away from each other, wherein the first partitioning portion has a plurality of partitions which are spaced apart from each other, and when the first partitioning portion and the second partitioning portion move toward each other, the plurality of partitions separate the plurality of the top covers; A top cover picking assembly, comprising a top cover picking portion, wherein the top cover picking portion simultaneously picks up a plurality of the top covers separated by the top cover partitioning portion, wherein the top cover picking portion comprises an upper frame and a lower frame, wherein a connecting rod is provided between the upper frame and the lower frame, wherein a movable plate is slidably provided on the connecting rod, wherein a plurality of picking rods are provided on the movable plate, and wherein the lower frame is provided with corresponding through holes for the picking rods to extend out; A test tube placement assembly, on which a plurality of the test tubes are placed, and the top cover picking unit simultaneously buckles the plurality of the top covers onto the plurality of the test tubes one by one; The movable plate moves toward the direction close to the lower frame, the free end of the picking rod extends out of the through hole, and the free end of the picking rod picks up the top cover; After the top cover is buckled onto the test tube, the movable plate moves in a direction away from the lower frame, and the free end of the picking rod is separated from the top cover; The third robot transports the capped test tube to the temporary storage rack.

2. The sample storage repository according to claim 1, characterized in that: The test tube is placed on a test tube tray, and the test tube tray can hold multiple test tubes. The second manipulator clamps a single test tube, and the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator clamp the test tube tray.

3. The sample storage repository according to claim 2, characterized in that: A pull-out rack is provided at the first test tube opening, and the pull-out rack moves to the inside or outside of the sorting library through the first test tube opening, and a plurality of the test tube trays can be placed on the pull-out rack.

4. The sample storage repository according to claim 3, characterized in that: A third test tube placement area is provided in the sorting warehouse, the third manipulator transports the test tube tray on the pull-out rack to the third test tube placement area, and the second manipulator clamps the test tube in the third test tube placement area.

5. The sample storage repository according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the placement time of the test tube on the temporary storage rack exceeds the system set time, the test tube is stored in the storage rack under the action of the third manipulator and the fourth manipulator; When the test tube needs to be re-inspected within the time set by the system, the third manipulator transports the test tube to the first test tube port for shipment.

6. The sample storage repository according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sorting library is provided with a first test tube placement area and a second test tube placement area, and the second manipulator places the test tubes that are scanned correctly in the first test tube placement area, and places the test tubes that are scanned incorrectly in the second test tube placement area; The third robot transports the test tubes in the first test tube placement area to the temporary storage rack.

7. The sample storage repository according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: A second test tube opening is provided on the sorting warehouse, a test tube conveying platform is provided inside the sorting warehouse, and the test tube conveying platform is directly opposite to the second test tube opening. A test tube conveying line and a first manipulator are provided outside the sorting warehouse. The first manipulator conveys the test tube on the test tube conveying line to the test tube conveying platform, and the second manipulator clamps the test tube on the test tube conveying platform and conveys it to the scanning device for scanning.

8. The sample storage repository according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The test tube recovery device comprises: a turning part on which a plurality of the test tubes are placed; A driving part, connected to the flipping part and driving the flipping part to flip; A recovery bucket, located below the turning portion; When the turning part turns over to a certain tilt angle under the action of the driving part, the test tube separates from the turning part and falls into the recovery bucket; The third robot transports the test tube to be recovered to the turning part.

9. A sample storage method using the sample storage library according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The method includes a sample storage method, a sample storage method, and a sample recovery method; The sample storage method comprises: the second manipulator transports the test tube to be stored to the scanning device for scanning, the test tube capping device caps the test tube that has been scanned correctly, the third manipulator transports the capped test tube to the temporary storage rack, when the test tube on the temporary storage rack needs to be re-inspected, the third manipulator transports the test tube to be re-inspected to the first test tube port for out of the warehouse, after the placement time of the test tube on the temporary storage rack reaches the system set time, the third manipulator transports the test tube to the first transfer port, and the fourth manipulator transports the test tube at the second transfer port to the storage rack; The sample out-of-warehouse method comprises: the fourth manipulator transports the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, and the third manipulator transports the test tube at the first transfer port to the first test tube port for out-of-warehouse; The sample recovery method includes: after the placement time of the test tube on the storage rack reaches the system set time, the fourth manipulator transports the test tube on the storage rack to the second transfer port, the third manipulator transports the test tube at the first transfer port to the test tube recovery device, and the test tube recovery device recovers the expired test tube.

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