Sample tube dropping device and its application

Abstract

The present invention provides a sample tube dropping device and its application, wherein the sample tube dropping device comprises a dropping body and a dropping channel, and the sample tube dropping device can form an exposed portion so that at least one sample tube from a transmission pipeline passes through the dropping channel and then leaves the dropping body through the exposed portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sample tube transmission, and in particular to a sample tube dropping device and application thereof. Background Art

[0002] When analyzing samples, it is necessary to first collect the samples, then place them in sample tubes, and then analyze them one by one. Traditional sample tube transmission and analysis are inefficient and are generally all performed manually.

[0003] With the advancement of technology, automatic sample tube transmission equipment has emerged, which can complete the long-distance transmission of sample tubes with little or no human operation. The sample tube containing the collected sample enters from one end of the sample tube transmission equipment, and then is transported to the other end through a transmission pipeline for subsequent operations, such as labeling or testing.

[0004] Specifically, the sample tubes are transported one by one in the transport pipe, that is, a plurality of the sample tubes are transported one by one in the transport pipe, and the diameter of the transport pipe is slightly larger than the diameter of the sample tubes to prevent the sample tubes from being transported side by side. In this way, collisions between the sample tubes in the transport pipe can be avoided, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the sample tubes due to collisions. Outside the transport pipe of the sample tubes, that is, in the subsequent steps after the sample tubes are transported through the transport pipe, for example, if the sample tubes need to be tested one by one, the sample tubes need to be stored side by side, thereby reducing the storage space and storage cost of the sample tubes, such as being placed in a sample tube rack to facilitate subsequent operations.

[0005] In this process, one method that can be adopted is to wait for the sample tubes to automatically fall into a storage basket, and then manually arrange the sample tubes in the sample tube rack. Obviously, such a method is extremely inefficient, and in the process of the sample tubes automatically falling out of the transmission pipeline, the sample tubes entering the storage basket may be damaged due to collisions with each other.

[0006] Furthermore, before the sample tube leaves the transmission pipeline, the sample tube is generally in a vertical motion state. During this process, due to the existence of gravitational acceleration, the sample tube itself may have a relatively large speed. At the moment of leaving the transmission pipeline and falling into the storage basket, the collision between the sample tube and the sample tubes already in the storage basket will be more severe, thereby increasing the possibility of damage to the sample tube, or the sample is subjected to violent vibrations, thereby affecting the accuracy of subsequent detection.

[0007] Therefore, how to automatically make the sample tubes falling under the action of gravity leave the transport pipe during the continuous sample tube transport process and make the state of the sample tubes after leaving the transport pipe conducive to subsequent operations is a problem worthy of attention. Summary of the invention

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein at least one sample tube automatically leaves a transmission pipeline of the sample tube transmission equipment through the sample tube dropping device.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device can enable the sample tube to smoothly leave the transmission pipeline.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device can enable the sample tubes to leave the transmission pipeline in an orderly manner.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device is capable of controlling the speed at which the sample tube leaves the transmission pipeline.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device is capable of buffering the incoming sample tubes.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device is capable of sorting the sample tubes from the transmission pipeline.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the working speed of the sample tube dropping device can be controlled.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sample tube dropping device and application thereof, wherein the sample tube dropping device can change the sample tubes arranged along the transmission pipeline into a side-by-side arrangement.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a sample tube dropping device, which is used to be connected to an outlet of a transmission pipeline to receive at least one sample tube, and to transfer the sample tube to a base, wherein the base has a receiving cavity, wherein the sample tube dropping device comprises:

[0017] A material-dropping body, wherein the material-dropping body has a material-dropping channel, a feed port and a discharge port, wherein the feed port and the discharge port are respectively located at two ends of the material-dropping channel, and the feed port is aligned with the outlet of the transmission pipeline, wherein the material-dropping body has a closed state and an open state, and the sample tube moves toward the discharge port in the material-dropping channel, in the closed state, at least part of the sample tube is enclosed in the material-dropping channel, and in the open state, an exposed portion is formed in the material-dropping body or the exposed portion is formed between the material-dropping body and the base, the exposed portion connects the material-dropping channel and the outside, and the sample tube portion located in the material-dropping channel is exposed to the outside through the exposed portion.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exposed portion is formed between the blanking body and the base, and the blanking body and the base are configured to be relatively movable.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the blanking body is configured to be movable relative to the base, and when the sample tube enters the base, the blanking body moves upward and is in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the blanking body and the base.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the material transfer member comprises a shell and a material transfer component, wherein the shell has a accommodating cavity, wherein the material transfer component is accommodated in the accommodating cavity, wherein the material transfer component has a material transfer channel, wherein the material transfer channel forms at least a portion of the material transfer channel, wherein the material transfer component has a material transfer inlet and a material transfer outlet, wherein the material transfer inlet is connected to the material feed port, and the material transfer outlet is connected to the material discharge port, wherein the material transfer component is movably connected to the shell, and when the sample tube enters the base, the material transfer component moves upward, and the material transfer body is located in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the material transfer component and the base of the material transfer body.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the base is configured to be movable relative to the blanking body, and when the sample tube enters the base, the base moves downward, and the blanking body is in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the blanking body and the base.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the material blanking body includes a shell and a material transfer member, wherein the material transfer member has a material transfer channel, and the material transfer channel forms at least a part of the material blanking channel, wherein the material transfer member has a material transfer inlet and a material transfer outlet, wherein the material transfer inlet is connected to the material feed port, and when the material blanking body is in the open state, the exposed portion is formed on a side of the material transfer member, and the exposed portion is connected to the material transfer outlet.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the material discharging body includes a material discharging blocking member, the exposed portion is a lower side opening, wherein the lower side opening is located at the side of the material transmitting member, wherein the material discharging blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, wherein in the blocking state, at least part of the lower side opening is closed by the material discharging blocking member, and the material discharging body is in the closed state, wherein in the non-blocking state, the material discharging blocking member leaves the lower side opening, the material discharging body is in the open state, and the material discharging blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the material dropping body includes a cache rack, wherein the cache rack has a cache high end, a cache low end, a cache entrance and a cache exit, wherein the cache entrance is located at the cache high end, the cache exit is located at the cache low end, the cache entrance is aligned with the feed port, wherein the material transfer member has an upper opening, wherein the upper opening is located at the side of the material transfer member and is connected to the material transfer entrance, wherein the cache exit is aligned with the upper opening, and the sample tube located on the cache rack automatically falls into the material transfer channel of the material transfer member under the action of gravity.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the orientation of the upper opening is consistent with the orientation of the lower opening.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the orientation of the upper opening is perpendicular to the orientation of the lower opening.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the drop material body further includes a feed blocking member, wherein the feed blocking member is located below the feed port, and the feed blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state. In the blocking state, the sample tube cannot pass through the feed port, and in the non-blocking state, the sample tube passes through the feed port, and the feed blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the material dropping body further includes a material transfer blocking member, wherein the material transfer blocking member is used to block the sample tube located on the buffer rack from falling into the material transfer channel, wherein the material transfer blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, wherein in the blocking state, the sample tube cannot enter the material transfer channel through the buffer rack, and in the non-blocking state, the sample tube automatically falls into the material transfer channel along the buffer rack under the action of gravity, wherein the material transfer blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the blanking body further includes a pressing member, which is used to press the sample tube into the base, wherein the pressing member has a pressing state and a non-pressing state, in which the pressing member is located in the blanking channel and can move downward to press the sample tube toward the base, and in the non-pressing state, the sample tube falls freely in the blanking channel, wherein the pressing member is operably switched between the pressing state and the non-pressing state.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the material discharging blocking member is linkedly connected to the pressing member, and when the pressing member switches from the pressing state to the non-pressing state, the material discharging blocking member switches from the blocking state to the non-blocking state.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a sample tube transmission device for transmitting at least one sample tube, wherein the sample tube transmission device comprises:

[0032] a transmission pipeline;

[0033] a sorting machine, wherein the sample tube is transferred from the sorting machine to the transfer pipe;

[0034] At least one base, wherein the base has a receiving cavity; and

[0035] According to the above-mentioned sample tube dropping device, the sample tube dropping device is connected to an outlet of the transmission pipeline to receive at least one sample tube and transmit the sample tube to the base.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple bases, and a cavity opening of the receiving cavity of the base is aligned with the discharge port one by one to receive the sample tube.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample tube transporting device further comprises a transfer device, wherein when the sample tube is exposed to the exposed portion, the transfer device can transfer the sample tube from the blanking body to the base.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a sample tube blanking method, which comprises the following steps:

[0039] A sample tube from a transmission pipeline enters a blanking body;

[0040] forming an exposed portion; and

[0041] The sample tube located in a blanking channel of the blanking body is exposed through the exposure portion.

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the blanking body is transformed from a closed state to an open state to form the exposed portion.

[0043] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sample tube blanking method further comprises the following steps:

[0044] The sample tube enters a base to be transported through the base.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the exposed portion is formed between the blanking body and the base.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sample tube blanking method further comprises the following steps:

[0047] The base is moved to transport the sample tube outward.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the sample tube blanking method further comprises the following step: transferring the sample tube from the blanking body to the base by a transfer device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a sample tube transmission device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 2A It is a schematic diagram of a sample tube dropping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG. 2B to FIG. 2H It is a schematic diagram of the working process of the sample tube dropping device according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a sample tube dropping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of a sample tube dropping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Figure 5It is a schematic diagram of a sample tube dropping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a sample tube dropping device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The following description is used to disclose the present invention so that those skilled in the art can implement the present invention. The preferred embodiments described below are only examples, and those skilled in the art can think of other obvious variations. The basic principles of the present invention defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, variations, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0057] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of the present invention, the terms "longitudinal", "lateral", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like indicating the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0058] It is to be understood that the term "one" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element may be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element may be multiple, and the term "one" should not be understood as a limitation on the quantity.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 To Attachment Figure 2G As shown, a sample tube dropping device 1 and its working process as well as a sample tube transmission device 1000 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention are explained.

[0060] The sample tube transfer device 1000 is used to automatically transfer a sample tube from one location to another, thereby saving the labor cost of transferring the sample tube.

[0061] It can be understood that the sample tube can be a test tube or a test tube containing a sample.

[0062] Specifically, the sample tube transmission device 1000 includes the sample tube dropping device 1, a transmission pipeline 2, a sorting device 3 and a receiving device 4, wherein the sorting device 3 and the receiving device 4 are respectively located at the two ends of the transmission pipeline 2, and the sorting device 3 can be used to sort the sample tubes, and then the sample tubes are transmitted to the receiving device 4 through the transmission pipeline 2, and the receiving device 4 can perform subsequent operations on the sample tubes. Of course, the sample tubes can also first arrive at the receiving device 4, and then be transferred to the sorting device 3 through the transmission pipeline 2 for sorting. The receiving device 4 and the sorting device 3 can be replaced with devices with other functions, and the examples here do not limit the present invention.

[0063] The sample tube dropping device 1 is aligned with the end of the transmission pipe 2 to receive at least one sample tube from the transmission pipe 2. The transmission pipe 2 has an outlet, wherein the outlet of the transmission pipe 2 is located at the end of the transmission pipe 2. The sample tube dropping device 1 can help the sample tube automatically leave the transmission pipe 2, and the sample tube dropping device 1 can make the sample tube leave the sample tube dropping device 1 in a state that is conducive to subsequent operations.

[0064] The sample tube dropping device 1 is used to be connected to the end of the transmission pipe 2 to receive at least one sample tube, and transmit the sample tube to a base 12 , wherein the base 12 is used to receive the sample tube. The base 12 has a receiving cavity 120 .

[0065] More specifically, the sample tube dropping device 1 includes a dropping unit 10, wherein the dropping unit 10 includes a dropping body 11, wherein the dropping body 11 is used for the sample tube to enter for dropping, and the base 12 is used to receive the sample tube after dropping, and the base 12 is capable of moving outward from the dropping body 11 to move the sample tube located on the base 12 outward.

[0066] It is worth mentioning that the number of the bases 12 can be multiple, and the bases 12 can be transported along a transport belt. The multiple bases 12 are arranged on the transport belt, so that the sample tubes transported through the bases 12 can be transported to the receiving device 4 in an orderly manner, and the sample tubes are delivered to the receiving device 4 in a side-by-side state, so as to facilitate the receiving device 4 to operate on the sample tubes one by one.

[0067] The blanking body 11 has a blanking channel 100 , wherein one end of the blanking channel 100 is aligned with the transmission pipe 2 , and the other end of the blanking channel 100 is aligned with the base 12 .

[0068] More specifically, the blanking body 11 has a feed port 1101 and a discharge port 1102, wherein the feed port 1101 and the discharge port 1102 are respectively located at two ends of the blanking channel 100, the feed port 1101 is aligned with the transmission pipe 2, and the discharge port 1102 is aligned with the base 12, so that the sample tube after being transmitted by the transmission pipe 2 can enter the blanking channel 100, be transferred to the base 12 through the blanking channel 100, and then leave the blanking body 11 driven by the base 12.

[0069] The material drop unit 11 has an open state and a closed state, wherein the material drop unit 11 is operably switched between the open state and the closed state. In the closed state, after the sample tube passes through the material drop channel 100 and reaches the base 12, at least a portion of the sample tube is received in the base 12, and the sample tube is blocked by the material drop body 11 and cannot follow the base 12 to move out of the material drop channel 100. In the open state, the material drop unit 11 forms an exposed portion 20, and the remaining portion of the sample tube located on the base 12 is exposed so that the base 12 can drive the sample tube to move outward and leave the transmission pipe 2.

[0070] Furthermore, the blanking body 11 includes a shell 111, a material transfer member 112, a blocking component 113 and a buffer rack 114, wherein the shell 111 has a accommodating cavity 1110, wherein the material transfer member 112, the blocking component 113 and the buffer rack 114 are respectively accommodated in the accommodating cavity 1110.

[0071] The cache rack 114 can serve as a cache for the sample tubes entering the accommodating chamber 1110 , the material transfer member 112 forms at least a portion of the material drop channel 100 for transferring the sample tubes, and the blocking assembly 113 is used to control the frequency of the sample tubes falling.

[0072] The material transfer member 112 has a material transfer inlet 1121, a material transfer outlet 1122 and a material transfer channel 1120, wherein the material transfer inlet 1121 and the material transfer outlet 1122 are respectively located at two ends of the material transfer channel 1120, wherein the material transfer inlet 1121 is connected to the material transfer outlet 1122, the material transfer inlet 1121 of the material transfer member 112 is aligned with the buffer rack 114, and the material transfer outlet 1122 of the material transfer member 112 is aligned with the base 12.

[0073] The cache rack 114 has a cache channel 1140, wherein the cache channel 1140 is respectively connected to the feed port 1101 and the material transfer member 112. The cache rack 114 has a cache entrance 1141 and a cache exit 1142, and the cache rack 114 has a cache high end and a cache low end, wherein the cache high end is located at a position higher than the cache low end, wherein the cache entrance 1141 is located at the cache high end, and the cache exit 1142 is located at the cache low end, wherein the cache entrance 1141 is aligned with the end of the transmission pipeline 2, and the cache exit 1142 is aligned with the material transfer entrance 1121 of the material transfer member 112.

[0074] The sample tube from the transmission pipeline 2 falls into the cache rack 114, and then automatically moves from the cache high end to the cache low end of the cache rack 114 under the action of gravity. Then the sample tube can fall into the material transfer member 112, and after passing through the material transfer member 112, fall into the base 12 aligned with the material transfer member 112.

[0075] Further, the material transfer member 112 has an upper opening 1123 and a lower opening 1124, wherein the upper opening 1123 is connected to the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 and is aligned with the cache outlet 1142 of the cache rack 114. The lower opening 1124 can be connected to the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 and the outside.

[0076] The lower opening 1124 is exposed, and the exposed portion 20 is formed at the lower opening 1124 so that the sample tube passes through the exposed portion 20 and is transported outward along with the base 12. It can be understood that the housing 111 has an opening corresponding to the lower opening 1124 so that the sample tube leaves the blanking body 11.

[0077] The size of the upper opening 1123 is set to be slightly larger than the sample tube so that the sample tube can pass through, and the size of the lower opening 1124 is set to be slightly larger than the sample tube so that the sample tube can pass through.

[0078] The upper opening 1123 is located at a higher position than the lower opening 1124. When the upper opening 1123 is connected to the material transfer channel 1120, the sample tube located in the buffer rack 114 can automatically fall into the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 through the upper opening 1123 under the action of gravity. When the lower opening 1124 is completely connected to the outside, the sample tube completely falling into the base 12 can be driven by the base 12 to pass through the lower opening 1124 and then leave the drop body 11.

[0079] It is worth noting that the base 12 can move to take away the sample tube when passing through the blanking body 11. For example, if there are multiple bases 12, the base 12 passes through the blanking body 11 one by one at a certain frequency. When the sample tube in the blanking body 11 falls into the storage cavity 120 of the base 12, the sample tube is transported outward following the base 12.

[0080] After the sample tube falls into the base 12 , it can be transported outward following the movement of the base 12 , or it can be transported outward in other ways. Those skilled in the art should know that the examples given here do not limit the present invention.

[0081] For example, when the sample tube is exposed at the exposure portion 20 , it can be transferred to the base 12 by a transfer device, and then the sample tube is transferred along with the base 12 .

[0082] The number of the base 12 may also be one, for example, the base 12 is fixed at a position aligned with the discharge port 1102 of the blanking body 11, and the sample tube blanking device 1000 further includes the transfer device, which may be a mechanical arm, and the mechanical arm may take the sample tube exposed to the exposed portion 20 through the exposed portion 20. The base 12 itself may be designed to be openable and closable, for example, an opening is formed on the side wall of the base 12, and the opening may be opened or closed. When the transfer device needs to place the sample tube at the base 12, the opening of the base 12 may be opened to facilitate the sample tube to enter the base 12. Of course, it is understandable that the sample tube may also leave the base 12 together with the base 12 and be clamped by the transfer device to leave the original position.

[0083] In this example, the upper opening 1123 and the lower opening 1124 are not located in the same orientation, and the orientation of the upper opening 1123 is perpendicular to the orientation of the lower opening 1124 .

[0084] The lower opening 1124 can be closed or opened. When the lower opening 1124 is closed or opened, the blanking body 11 switches between the closed state and the open state.

[0085] Specifically, the blocking assembly 113 includes a discharge blocking member 1131, wherein the discharge blocking member 1131 is movably connected to the housing 111, the discharge blocking member 1131 has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, and the discharge blocking member 1131 is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

[0086] In the blocking state, at least a portion of the lower opening 1124 is closed by the discharge blocking member 1131, and in the non-blocking state, the lower opening 1124 is exposed so that the sample tube can leave the blanking body 11 through the lower opening 1124. In the blocking state, the blanking unit 10 is in the closed state, and in the non-blocking state, the blanking unit 10 is in the open state.

[0087] It is worth noting that the movement of the sample tube in the drop body 11 is generally a vertical downward movement under the action of gravity, so when the sample tube is in the drop body 11, the movement direction of the sample tube does not substantially change. When the sample tube falls into the base 12, when the drop body 11 is in the open state, the movement mode of the sample tube is changed, and the sample tube does not need to rely on gravity for transmission, but is driven by the base 12 to leave the drop body 11.

[0088] Furthermore, the sample tubes can leave the blanking body 11 in a side-by-side arrangement. Specifically, the blanking body 11 enables the sample tubes from the transmission pipe 2 to automatically leave the transmission pipe 2, and the base 12 can change the movement direction of the sample tubes so that the sample tubes arranged along the length direction become arranged side by side.

[0089] Furthermore, the blocking assembly 113 includes a material transfer blocking member 1132 , wherein the material transfer blocking member 1132 is connected to the housing 111 and is disposed near the cache outlet 1142 of the cache rack 114 .

[0090] The material transfer blocking member 1132 has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, and the material transfer blocking member 1132 is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state. In the blocking state, the cache channel 1140 of the cache rack 114 is blocked so that the sample tube located in the cache rack 114 cannot directly fall to the material transfer member 112 under the action of gravity. In the non-blocking state, the cache channel 1140 of the cache rack 114 is unblocked so that the sample tube located in the cache rack 114 can directly fall to the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 under the action of gravity, so that the frequency of the sample tube entering the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 can be controlled by controlling the switching rate and switching frequency between the blocking state and the non-blocking state of the material transfer blocking member 1132.

[0091] It is worth mentioning that the frequency of the sample tube entering the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 can be controlled by the material transfer blocking member 1132, thereby controlling the falling of the sample tube to prevent the drop body 11 from being in the open state when the sample tube has not completely entered the base 12, thereby preventing the sample tube from falling out of the material transfer channel 1120.

[0092] Further, the blocking assembly 113 includes a feed blocking member 1133, which is disposed near the feed port 1101. The feed blocking member 1133 has a blocking state and a non-blocking state. In the blocking state, the sample tube from the transmission pipeline 2 cannot pass through the feed port 1101, and thus cannot reach the cache rack 114. In the non-blocking state, the sample tube from the transmission pipeline 2 can pass through the feed port 1101 and then directly fall into the cache rack 114. The feed blocking member 1133 is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

[0093] Optionally, the feed blocking member 1133 is connected to the housing 111 and the feed blocking member 1133 is connected to the housing 111 rotatably around a pivot. The material transfer blocking member 1132 is connected to the housing 111 and is connected to the housing 111 rotatably around a pivot. The material discharge blocking member 1131 is connected to the housing 111 and can be selectively connected to the housing 111 around a pivot. The movement of the feed blocking member 1133, the material transfer blocking member 1132 and the material discharge blocking member 1131 is controlled separately to achieve segmented control of the movement of the sample tube. It is understandable that in this way, collisions between different sample tubes can be avoided, so that the sample tubes leave the drop body 11 smoothly and orderly.

[0094] For example, at least one detector can be set in the material drop body 11. When the detector detects that a sample tube leaves the material drop body 11, the material transfer blocking member 1132 can be switched from the blocking state to the non-blocking state to allow the sample tube located in the cache rack 114 to fall into the material transfer channel 1120.

[0095] In this example, the blanking body 11 controls the movement of the sample tube through a control component 115. Specifically, the control component 115 includes a driving member 1151, a conductor 1152, a first guide shaft 1153 and a second guide shaft 1154.

[0096] The blanking body 11 further includes a pressing member 116. The housing 111 has a first guide groove 1155, and the material transfer member 112 has a second guide groove 1156, wherein the second guide groove 1156 and the upper opening 1123 are located on the same side. The pressing member 116 has a pressing state and a non-pressing state. In the pressing state, the pressing member 116 is located in the blanking channel 100 and can move downward to press the sample tube to the base 12. The base 12 has a certain elasticity. Under the action of the pressing member 116, the sample tube can slightly open the base 12 so that the sample tube enters the base 12. In this way, the base 12 can receive the sample tube more stably. In the non-pressing state, the sample tube can fall freely in the blanking channel 100. The pressing member 116 is operably switched between the pressing state and the non-pressing state.

[0097] The conductor 1152 is connected to the first guide shaft 1153 and the second guide shaft 1154, respectively, wherein the conductor 1152 is connected to the first guide shaft 1153 movably along the first guide shaft 1153 and the conductor 1152 is connected to the second guide shaft 1154 movably along the second guide shaft 1154. The length direction of the first guide shaft 1153 is consistent with the length direction of the material transmission member 112, and the length direction of the second guide shaft 1154 is perpendicular to the first guide shaft 1153.

[0098] The pressing member 116 is connected to the conductor 1152 and moves with the conductor 1152. Specifically, the control assembly 115 further includes a connecting member 1156, wherein the connecting member 1156 is respectively connected to the conductor 1152 and the pressing member 116, and the connecting member 1156 penetrates into the second guide groove 1156, and the second guide groove 1156 extends in the length direction of the material transfer member 112, so that when the conductor 1152 is driven to move along the length direction of the material transfer member 112, the pressing member 116 can also move back in the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112. The conductor 1152 is located outside the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112. The driving member 1151 , the conductor 1152 , the first guide shaft 1153 , the second guide shaft 1154 , and the first guide groove 1155 are all located in the accommodating cavity 1110 and outside the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 .

[0099] Further, the first guide groove 1155 is divided into a first partial guide groove 11551 and a second partial guide groove 11552, wherein the position of the first partial guide groove 11551 is lower than the position of the second partial guide groove 11552. The extension direction of the first partial guide groove 11551 is consistent with the extension direction of the material transfer channel 1120, so that the first partial guide groove 11551 is parallel to the material transfer channel 1120. When the conductor 1152 moves along the first partial guide groove 11551, the moving path of the pressing member 116 in the material transfer channel 1120 is consistent with the extension direction of the material transfer channel 1120.

[0100] The distance between the second guide groove 11552 and the material transfer member 112 is greater than the distance between the first guide groove 11551 and the material transfer member 112. In the process of the conductor 1152 moving from the first guide groove 11551 to the second guide groove 11552, the distance between the conductor 1152 and the material transfer member 112 increases, so that the position of the pressing member 116 in the material transfer channel 1120 changes, so that the pressing member 116 finally moves out of the material transfer channel 1120, and thus cannot press the sample tube falling in the material transfer channel 1120.

[0101] Specifically, after the sample tube falls into the base 12, the conductor 1152 moves from the second guide groove 11552 toward the first guide groove 11551, that is, moves downward, so that the pressing member 116 connected to the conductor 1152 enters the material transfer channel 1120 through the upper opening 1123 and moves downward to press the sample tube to the base 12. The base 12 includes a plurality of clamping arms, wherein the clamping arms have a certain elasticity, and the opening formed by the clamping arms is slightly smaller than the cross section of the sample tube. After the sample tube falls to the base 12 under the action of gravity, the sample tube enters deeper into the base 12 under the downward pressing action of the pressing member 116, which is conducive to the close combination of the sample tube and the base 12. At this time, the pressing member 116 switches from the non-pressing state to the pressing state. It is worth noting that during this process, the lower opening 1124 is always in a closed state. At this time, the discharge blocking member 1131 is in the blocking state, and the sample tube cannot completely leave the transfer channel 1120 .

[0102] After the conductor 1152 moves to the end of the first guide groove 1155, the conductor 1152 moves back, that is, moves upward, and the pressing member 116 is driven to move upward until the conductor 1152 moves to the top of the first guide groove 1155, and the discharge blocking member 1131 switches from the closed state to the open state, and the pressing member 116 switches back to the non-pressing state, so that the sample tube can leave the blanking body 11.

[0103] More specifically, the conductor 1152 moves from the first guide groove 11551 to the second guide groove 11552, the conductor 1152 moves in a direction away from the material transfer member 112, and the pressing member 116 located in the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 moves in a direction away from the material transfer channel 1120. In this process, the conductor 1152 still moves along the first guide shaft 1153, and the conductor 1152 moves along the second guide shaft 1154 to move away from the material transfer member 112 and approach the first guide shaft 1153.

[0104] As the conductor 1152 continues to move to the top of the second portion guide groove 11552, the conductor 1152 gradually approaches one end of the discharge blocking member 1131 until the discharge blocking member 1131 is pushed by the conductor 1152 to rotate, thereby the blanking body 11 switches from the closed state to the open state, and in this process, the discharge blocking member 1131 switches to the non-blocking state so that the sample tube blocked by the discharge blocking member 1131 and having entered the base 12 is exposed to the outside sample tube, so that the sample tube can be transported outward following the base 12.

[0105] The housing 111 may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion, wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion form the accommodating chamber 1110, wherein the first guide slot 1155 may be formed in the first housing portion and the second housing portion, respectively. The material discharging blocking member 1131 is pivotally connected to the housing 111 and the pivot is aligned with the material transfer channel 1120.

[0106] The discharge blocking member 1131 may be an L-shaped structure. In the closed state, one end of the discharge blocking member 1131 covers the material transfer channel 1120, and the other end of the discharge blocking member 1131 is located outside the material transfer member 112. In the open state, the portion of the discharge blocking member 1131 covering the material transfer channel 1120 leaves the material transfer channel 1120 to expose the lower opening 1124.

[0107] In this way, the sample tube dropping device 1 can realize that the sample tubes are transferred from the material transfer member 112 to the base 12 in an orderly manner. The switching between the closed state and the open state of the dropping body 11 can be switched in time according to the change of the position of the sample tube in the material transfer member 112. In other words, the opening and closing of the lower opening 1124 can be adaptively and automatically adjusted based on the position of the sample tube.

[0108] It is worth mentioning that after the sample tube has been transported out of the sample tube drop body 11 through the base 12, the feed blocking member 1133 switches from the blocking state to the non-blocking state, so that the sample tube located on the cache rack 114 falls into the transfer channel 1120 of the transfer member 112.

[0109] During this process, the next sample tube can enter the material transfer channel 1120, while the conductor 1152 moves back downward, the pressing member 116 follows the conductor 1152 to move downward and toward the material transfer channel 1120, and the pressing member 116 re-enters the material transfer channel 1120. The position of the pressing member 116 is higher than the position of the falling sample tube.

[0110] After the sample tube falls into the base 12, the pressing member 116 continues to move downward to press the sample tube to further enter the base 12. At this time, the lower opening 1124 is covered by the material discharging blocking member 1131, and the sample tube cannot be transported out. After the pressing member 116 moves upward to leave the material transfer channel 1120, the conductor 1152 moves to the top of the first guide groove 1155 to switch the material discharging blocking member 1131 from the blocking state to the non-blocking state, so that the sample tube located in the base 12 can be transported out.

[0111] Then, the above steps are repeated, and the conductor 1152 is driven by the driving member 1151 to move back and forth along the first guide axis 1153 until the sample tubes are pressed into the base 12 one by one by the pressing member 116 .

[0112] Further, see Attachment Figure 2A To Attachment Figure 2B When a sample tube is transferred from the transfer pipe 2 to the feed port 1101, the feed blocking member 1133 switches positions at a certain frequency so that the sample tube enters the cache high end of the cache rack 114 at a certain rate, and then the sample tube moves toward the cache low end of the cache rack 114 under the action of gravity to be blocked by the transfer blocking member 1132. Figure 2C To Attachment Figure 2F When the sample tube moves to the position where the material transfer blocking member 1132 is located, and when the material transfer blocking member 1132 switches to the non-blocking state, the sample tube automatically falls into the material transfer channel 1120 of the material transfer member 112 under the action of gravity and reaches the base 12. In this process, the material discharging blocking member 1131 is in the blocking state, so that the sample tube cannot fall out of the material transfer channel 1120.

[0113] The pressing member 116 then moves downward to the sample tube to press the sample tube into the base 12, and then the pressing member 116 moves upward to leave the sample tube, and the discharge blocking member 1131 switches from the blocking state to the non-blocking state, so that the sample tube pressed into the base 12 can leave the transfer channel 1120.

[0114] Attached Figure 2G It is shown that the exposed portion 20 is formed, and the portion of the sample tube that has entered the base 12 but has not entered the base 12 is exposed to the outside through the exposed portion 20 .

[0115] Reference Figure 2H As shown, therefore, the sample tubes entering the sample tube dropping device 1 can leave the sample tube dropping device 1 one by one in an orderly manner. The sample tube dropping device 1 can control the frequency of the sample tube dropping, and the base 12 can change the movement direction of the sample tube, so that the sample tubes moving along the length direction become the sample tubes that can be arranged side by side.

[0116] Furthermore, the sample tube dropping device 1 can stably change the movement mode of each sample tube one by one, so that the sample tube changes from a disorderly falling state to a controllable movement state, which is convenient for subsequent operations. In other words, the sample tube dropping device 1 can sort the sample tubes so that the state of the sample tubes can adapt to the arrangement of the base.

[0117] Furthermore, the sample tube makes three turns after entering the sample tube dropping device 1. The first turn is that the sample tube changes from the vertical downward movement to the inclined downward movement from the feed port 1101 to the buffer rack 114. The second turn is that the buffer rack 114 changes from the inclined downward movement to the vertical downward movement from the material transfer member 112. The third turn is that the material transfer member 112 changes from the vertical downward movement to the horizontal or horizontally inclined movement from the base 12.

[0118] According to another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a sample tube blanking method, which comprises the following steps:

[0119] The sample tube from the transmission pipe 2 falls into the base through the drop body 11 under the action of gravity;

[0120] forming the exposed portion 20; and

[0121] The sample tube located in the material dropping channel 100 of the material dropping body 11 is exposed through the exposure portion 20 .

[0122] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the exposed portion 20 is formed on one side of the blanking body 11. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the exposed portion 20 is formed between the blanking body 11 and the base 12. According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the above method, the sample tubes are transported outwardly while being arranged side by side.

[0123] According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the above method, after the sample tube falls into the material transfer channel, it is pressed toward the base 12 by the pressing member 116, and then the pressing member 116 is driven to move upward and outward until the pressing member 116 leaves the material transfer channel 1120, and the discharge blocking member 1131 linked to the pressing member 116 switches from the blocking state to the non-blocking state, and at the same time, the exposed portion 20 connected to the discharge port is formed on one side of the material transfer member 112, so that the sample tube can follow the base 12 and leave from the exposed portion 20.

[0124] Reference Figure 3 As shown, the sample tube dropping device 1 according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention is explained. The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment mainly lies in the orientation of the lower opening 1124 .

[0125] In the above embodiment, the upper opening 1123 is oriented perpendicular to the lower opening 1124. In this embodiment, the upper opening 1123 is oriented opposite to the lower opening 1124, so that the sample tube moves in opposite directions before and after entering and exiting the material transfer member 112, but is located in approximately the same plane.

[0126] The material transfer member 112 has four side surfaces, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface and a fourth side surface, wherein the first side surface is connected to the fourth side surface and the second side surface respectively, the second side surface is connected to the first side surface and the third side surface respectively, and the third side surface is connected to the second side surface and the fourth side surface respectively. The first side surface is opposite to the third side surface, and the second side surface is opposite to the fourth side surface.

[0127] The upper opening 1123 and the lower opening 1124 are located on the same side.

[0128] Optionally, the upper opening 1123 and the lower opening 1124 may also be located on adjacent sides or opposite sides.

[0129] Reference Figure 4 FIG. 2 shows another modified embodiment of the sample tube dropping device 1 according to the present invention.

[0130] In this example, the exposed portion 20 is formed between the blank body 11 and the base 12 of the sample tube unit.

[0131] The drop body 11 is located above the base 12 and is movable relative to the base 12. When the sample tube falls into the base 12 or is in the process of falling into the base 12, the drop body 11 moves upward to expose the portion of the sample tube that has not entered the base 12, so that the entire sample tube can move with the base 12 to move out of the drop body 11.

[0132] Reference Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows another modified embodiment of the sample tube dropping device 1 according to the present invention.

[0133] In this example, the material transfer member 112 of the blanking body 11 is movably connected to the housing 111 relative to the base 12 .

[0134] When the sample tube falls into the base 12 or is in the process of falling into the base 12 , the material transfer member 112 moves upward to expose the portion of the sample tube that has not entered the base 12 so that the entire sample tube can move with the base 12 to move out of the drop body 11 .

[0135] Reference Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows another modified embodiment of the sample tube dropping device 1 according to the present invention.

[0136] In this example, the base 12 is configured to be movable relative to the drop body 11. Specifically, when the sample tube enters the base 12 or falls into the base 12, the base 12 moves downward so that the portion of the sample tube that has not entered the base 12 is exposed to the outside, so that the entire sample tube can follow the base 12 to move outward.

[0137] The base 12 can be moved back to its original position so that the sample tube cannot fall out of the drop body 11 during the falling process.

[0138] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments of the present invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are only examples and do not limit the present invention. The purpose of the present invention has been fully and effectively achieved. The functional and structural principles of the present invention have been demonstrated and explained in the embodiments, and the embodiments of the present invention may be deformed or modified in any way without departing from the principles.

Claims

1. A sample tube feeding device, connected to an outlet of a transmission pipeline to receive at least one sample tube, and to transmit the sample tube to a base, wherein the base has a receiving cavity, characterized in that: include: A material-dropping body, wherein the material-dropping body has a material-dropping channel, a material feed port and a material discharge port, wherein the material feed port and the material discharge port are respectively located at two ends of the material-dropping channel, and the material feed port is aligned with the outlet of the transmission pipeline, wherein the material-dropping body has a closed state and an open state, and the sample tube moves toward the material discharge port in the material-dropping channel, in the closed state, at least part of the sample tube is enclosed in the material-dropping channel, and in the open state, an exposed portion is formed in the material-dropping body or the exposed portion is formed between the material-dropping body and the base, and the exposed portion The material drop channel is connected to the outside, and the sample tube portion located in the material drop channel is exposed to the outside through the exposed portion, wherein the material drop body includes a material transfer member and a cache rack, the cache rack has a cache channel and a cache entrance and a cache exit located at both ends of the cache channel, the cache entrance is located higher than the cache exit, and the cache entrance is aligned with the end of the transmission pipeline, the material transfer member has a material transfer channel and an upper opening and a lower opening located at both ends of the material transfer channel, the upper opening is aligned with the cache exit of the cache rack, wherein the material from the material transfer member The sample tube of the conveying pipeline falls into the cache rack and automatically slides from the cache entrance of the cache rack toward the cache exit under the action of gravity. The sample tube located on the cache rack automatically falls into the material transfer channel of the material transfer member through the upper opening of the material transfer member under the action of gravity, and can enter the base through the lower opening of the material transfer member; wherein the material dropping body includes a shell and a material discharge blocking member, and the material transfer channel of the material transfer member forms at least part of the material dropping channel, wherein the material transfer member has a material transfer entrance and a material transfer exit, and the material transfer entrance is connected to the inlet The material outlet is a material outlet, when the material delivery body is in the open state, the exposed portion is the lower opening and is formed on a side surface of the material transfer member, the exposed portion is connected to the material transfer outlet, wherein the material discharge blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, wherein in the blocking state, at least part of the lower opening is closed by the material discharge blocking member, the material delivery body is in the closed state, wherein in the non-blocking state, the material discharge blocking member leaves the lower opening, the material delivery body is in the open state, and the material discharge blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state. 2 . The sample tube dropping device according to claim 1 , wherein the exposed portion is formed between the dropping body and the base, and the dropping body and the base are configured to be relatively movable.

3. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 2, wherein the dropping body is configured to be movable relative to the base, and when the sample tube enters the base, the dropping body moves upward, and the dropping body is in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the dropping body and the base.

4. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 3, wherein the dropping body comprises a shell, wherein the shell has a accommodating cavity, wherein the material transfer member is accommodated in the accommodating cavity, wherein the material transfer channel of the material transfer member forms at least a part of the dropping channel, wherein the material transfer member has a material transfer inlet and a material transfer outlet, wherein the material transfer inlet is connected to the material feed port, and the material transfer outlet is connected to the material discharge port, wherein the material transfer member is movably connected to the shell, and when the sample tube enters the base, the material transfer member moves upward, and the dropping body is located in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the material transfer member and the base of the dropping body.

5. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 2, wherein the base is configured to be movable relative to the dropping body, and when the sample tube enters the base, the base moves downward, and the dropping body is in the open state, wherein the exposed portion is formed between the dropping body and the base.

6. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 1, wherein the cache rack has a cache high end and a cache low end, the cache inlet is located at the cache high end, and the cache outlet is located at the cache low end, wherein the upper opening of the material transfer member is located at the side of the material transfer member and is connected to the material transfer inlet, wherein the cache outlet is aligned with the upper opening, and the sample tube located on the cache rack automatically falls into the material transfer channel of the material transfer member under the action of gravity. 7 . The sample tube dropping device according to claim 6 , wherein the orientation of the upper opening is consistent with the orientation of the lower opening. 8 . The sample tube dropping device according to claim 6 , wherein the orientation of the upper opening is perpendicular to the orientation of the lower opening.

9. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 1, wherein the dropping body further comprises a feed blocking member, wherein the feed blocking member is located below the feed port, the feed blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, in which the sample tube cannot pass through the feed port, and in the non-blocking state, the sample tube passes through the feed port, and the feed blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

10. A sample tube dropping device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the dropping body further comprises a material transfer blocking member, wherein the material transfer blocking member is used to block the sample tube located on the buffer rack from falling into the material transfer channel, wherein the material transfer blocking member has a blocking state and a non-blocking state, wherein in the blocking state, the sample tube cannot enter the material transfer channel through the buffer rack, and in the non-blocking state, the sample tube automatically falls into the material transfer channel along the buffer rack under the action of gravity, wherein the material transfer blocking member is operably switched between the blocking state and the non-blocking state.

11. A sample tube dropping device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the dropping body further comprises a pressing member, the pressing member being used to press the sample tube into the base, wherein the pressing member has a pressing state and a non-pressing state, wherein in the pressing state, the pressing member is located in the dropping channel and is capable of moving downward to press the sample tube toward the base, and in the non-pressing state, the sample tube falls freely in the dropping channel, wherein the pressing member is operably switched between the pressing state and the non-pressing state.

12. The sample tube dropping device according to claim 11, wherein the discharge blocking member is linked to the pressing member, and when the pressing member switches from the pressing state to the non-pressing state, the discharge blocking member switches from the blocking state to the non-blocking state.

13. A sample tube transport device, used for transporting at least one sample tube, characterized in that: include: a transmission pipeline; a sorting machine, wherein the sample tube is transferred from the sorting machine to the transfer pipe; At least one base, wherein the base has a receiving cavity; as well as The sample tube dropping device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the sample tube dropping device is connected to an outlet of the transmission pipeline to receive at least one sample tube and transmit the sample tube to the base. 14 . The sample tube transport device according to claim 13 , wherein the number of the bases is plural, and a cavity opening of the receiving cavity of the base is aligned with the discharge port one by one to receive the sample tube. 15 . The sample tube transporting apparatus according to claim 13 , further comprising a transfer device, wherein when the sample tube is exposed to the exposed portion, the transfer device is capable of transferring the sample tube from the blanking body to the base.

16. A method for blanking a sample tube, characterized in that: The sample tube dropping method is implemented based on the sample tube dropping device according to claim 1, wherein the sample tube dropping method comprises the following steps: A sample tube from a transmission pipeline enters a blanking body; forming an exposed portion; and The sample tube located in a blanking channel of the blanking body is exposed through the exposure portion. 17 . The sample tube blanking method according to claim 16 , wherein the blanking body is transformed from a closed state to an open state to form the exposed portion.

18. The method for blanking a sample tube according to claim 16, further comprising the following steps: The sample tube enters a base to be transported through the base. 19 . The sample tube blanking method according to claim 18 , wherein the exposed portion is formed between the blanking body and the base.

20. The method for blanking a sample tube according to claim 18, further comprising the following steps: The base is moved to transport the sample tube outward.

21. The sample tube blanking method according to claim 18, further comprising the following step: transferring the sample tube from the blanking body to the base by a transfer device.

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