An automatic pipette tip loading machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of automated equipment, in particular to an automatic pipette tip loading machine, which includes a tip separation mechanism, a dual-channel conveying track, a material receiving and pushing module, a specification switching module, a tip positioning and blanking module, a pipette tip box stack storage module, and a pipette tip box transfer module. The tips separated in the tip separation mechanism are moved to the front of the material receiving and pushing module through the dual-channel conveying track. The specification switching module switches the output of tips of a specified specification. The material receiving and pushing module arranges the tips at equal intervals and pushes them into the tip positioning and blanking module. After the tip positioning and blanking module catches and positions the tips, they fall into the box loading station to complete box loading. The pipette tip box transfer module transfers the pipette tip boxes filled with tips to the full material position of the pipette tip box stack storage module. The pipette tip box transfer module transfers the empty pipette tip boxes in the empty box position of the pipette tip box stack storage module to the box loading station below the tip positioning and blanking module. The present invention can not only reduce labor and time, but also improve work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of automated equipment, and specifically to an automatic pipette tip box loading machine. Background Art

[0002] Pipette tips belong to medical consumables and need to be kept in a sterile and dust-free environment. After the medical accessories are assembled, they need to be boxed and packed to avoid contamination. Currently, it is basically done manually. In this process, not only a large amount of labor and time are required, resulting in low work efficiency, but also because there are different types of tips, workers are prone to dizziness due to long working hours during the boxing and packing process, and thus different types of tips may be confused and boxed and packed, which will ultimately have an adverse impact. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic pipette tip box loading machine, which can not only reduce labor and time, but also improve work efficiency.

[0004] To achieve the above purpose, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an automatic pipette tip box loading machine, including a frame and a tip separation mechanism, a double-channel conveying track, a material receiving and pushing module, a specification switching module, a tip positioning and blanking module, a tip box stack storage module, and a tip box transfer module arranged on the frame. The tips separated by the tip separation mechanism move to the front of the material receiving and pushing module through the double-channel conveying track. The specification switching module is installed at the entrance of the material receiving and pushing module, and the specification switching module switches and outputs the tips of the specified specification. The material receiving and pushing module arranges the tips at equal intervals and pushes them into the tip positioning and blanking module. The tip positioning and blanking module catches and positions the tips and then drops them into the lower box loading station to complete box loading. The tip box transfer module transfers the tip box filled with tips to the full material position of the tip box stack storage module, and the tip box transfer module transfers the empty tip box at the empty box position of the tip box stack storage module to the box loading station below the tip positioning and blanking module.

[0005] Preferably, the tip separation mechanism includes a vibrating disk, a large tip separation track, and a small tip separation track. The large tip separation track and the small tip separation track are respectively connected to the corresponding specification tracks in the double-channel conveying track. The large tip separation track is connected to the vibrating disk. There is a guiding inclined plane between the large tip separation track and the small tip separation track. The guiding inclined plane is respectively connected to the large tip separation track and the small tip separation track. The large tips enter the large tip separation track from the vibrating disk for separation, and the small tips fall from the large tip separation track and slide down along the guiding inclined plane into the small tip separation track for separation.

[0006] Preferably, the suction head separation mechanism further includes an anti-nesting track. One end of the anti-nesting track communicates with the vibrating disk, and the other end of the anti-nesting track is located above the large suction head separation track. The track width of the anti-nesting track is the same as that of the large suction head separation track, and the height difference between the anti-nesting track and the large suction head separation track is less than or equal to the height difference between the minimum height when two large suction heads are nested together and the height of the large suction head.

[0007] Preferably, the material receiving and pushing module includes a material receiving mechanism, a pushing mechanism, and a material receiving and pushing fixing member; the material receiving mechanism includes a material receiving block, a horizontal guide rail, and a screw motor. The material receiving block is mounted above the material receiving and pushing fixing member. The horizontal guide rail is installed on the material guiding plate, and the material guiding plate is fixed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate. The screw motor is installed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate. The screw nut of the screw motor is fixedly connected to the material receiving and pushing fixing member. The material receiving and pushing fixing member is fixedly connected to the slider of the horizontal guide rail. When the screw motor rotates, the screw nut drives the material receiving and pushing fixing member to move along the horizontal guide rail, driving the material receiving block to move horizontally; the pushing mechanism includes a pushing rack, a pushing plate, a pushing guide rail, and a pushing motor. The pushing motor is fixed on the material receiving and pushing fixing member. A transmission gear is fixed on the output shaft of the pushing motor. The transmission gear meshes with the pushing rack. The pushing rack is fixedly connected to the pushing plate. When the pushing motor rotates, it drives the pushing plate to move parallelly to push the suction head on the material receiving block into the blanking hole of the material guiding plate.

[0008] Preferably, the suction head positioning and blanking module includes a blanking base, two positioning hole plates, and an opening and closing driving mechanism. The opening and closing driving mechanism drives the two positioning hole plates to perform relative opening and closing movements. The two positioning hole plates are relatively provided with semi-circular holes. When the two positioning hole plates are combined, the semi-circular holes are pieced together to form a circular hole. The suction head falls into the circular hole to complete positioning. When the two positioning hole plates are separated, the positioned suction head falls into the lower sorting box.

[0009] Preferably, the opening and closing driving mechanism includes a motor, a rotating dial, a pair of cantilever pins, a main slide rail, and a driven slide rail. There are two main sliders on the main slide rail, and two corresponding driven sliders are provided on the driven slide. The two ends of the two positioning hole plates are respectively fixedly connected to the main slider and the driven slider on the same side. The main slider is provided with a waist-shaped groove. The pin head of each cantilever pin is correspondingly inserted into a waist-shaped groove of a main slider. The pin shaft of the cantilever pin is connected to the rotating dial, and the rotating dial is connected to the output shaft of the motor. When the motor rotates, it drives the rotating dial to rotate. When the rotating dial rotates, it drives the cantilever pin to rotate. The cantilever pin moves up and down in the waist-shaped groove to drive the two main sliders to perform horizontal relative opening and closing movements. The two main sliders drive the positioning hole plates fixedly connected to them to perform horizontal relative opening and closing movements.

[0010] Preferably, the suction head box stack storage module includes a mounting base plate and an electromagnetic lock mechanism. Two holes matching the size of the suction head box are formed in the mounting base plate. The two holes are respectively used for the loading box and the unloading box. The electromagnetic lock mechanisms are respectively installed below the two holes. Multiple suction head boxes are stacked vertically. When the electromagnetic lock is powered off and extends, the bottom suction head box is hung on the electromagnetic lock and locked. When the electromagnetic lock is powered on and retracts, the suction head box is released, and the suction head box can move up and down.

[0011] Preferably, the suction head box transfer module includes a suction head box tray, a horizontal movement module, and a vertical movement module. The horizontal movement module includes a horizontal drive motor, a first synchronous belt, and a horizontal guide rail. The suction head box tray is fixed on the slider of the horizontal guide rail. The horizontal drive motor drives the first synchronous belt to rotate, thereby driving the suction head box tray to move horizontally along the horizontal guide rail. The vertical movement module includes a vertical drive motor, a second synchronous belt, a vertical guide rail, and a lead screw-nut transmission mechanism. The transmission lead screw in the lead screw-nut transmission mechanism is connected to the synchronous pulley of the second synchronous belt. The lead screw nut in the lead screw-nut transmission mechanism is connected to the tray mounting plate. The vertical drive motor drives the second synchronous belt to rotate. The second synchronous belt drives the transmission lead screw to rotate. The lead screw nut drives the suction head box tray to move up and down along the vertical guide rail.

[0012] Preferably, the suction head box includes an upper cover, a hole plate frame, and a bottom box. The upper cover includes a dust-proof cover and a nested cover. The dust-proof cover is detachably installed on the nested cover. The middle of the nested cover is hollowed out. Laminates are provided around the top of the nested cover. When stacking suction head boxes, the dust-proof cover is removed, and the bottom box of the upper suction head box is nested and placed on the laminates of the nested cover of the lower suction head box.

[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention separates and conveys the suction heads to the front of the receiving and pushing module through the suction head separation mechanism. The receiving and pushing module arranges the suction heads at equal intervals and pushes them into the suction head positioning and blanking module. After the suction head positioning and blanking module catches and positions the suction heads, they fall into the lower box loading station to complete box loading, realizing automatic box loading and packing. During automatic box loading, there is no need for workers to watch at all times, which can greatly reduce labor and time and improve work efficiency;

[0014] The suction head box transfer module can automatically transfer the empty box from the feeding station for storing empty boxes to the box loading station for suction heads. After completing the box loading work, it automatically transfers the full suction head box to the full material stacking station, improving the transfer efficiency and reducing the labor cost;

[0015] The tip box stack storage module can realize the automatic box-taking and box-placing actions of the machine from the bottom through program control. When taking or placing a box, the electromagnetic lock is energized and retracted, and after the execution is completed, the electromagnetic lock is de-energized and extended. The advantage of this is that multiple boxes can be stacked, more tip boxes can be placed in a smaller device to improve the working throughput, save the floor area occupied by the tip boxes, extend the unattended working time, and it is convenient and fast to take and use as needed;

[0016] The upper cover of the tip box consists of a separable dust-proof cover and a nested cover. When loading, the dust-proof cover is removed and then stacked one by one on the device. Generally, 12 can be continuously stacked without falling, and only the area of one tip box is occupied at the bottom, with a small floor area. And it can be used in conjunction with the automatic box-taking manipulator to reduce the manual operation of opening the cover and placing the box, save manpower, improve the working throughput, and extend the unattended working time. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of another perspective of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the tip separation mechanism in the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of the large tip separation track and the small tip separation track in the tip separation mechanism;

[0021] Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of the large tip separation track and the anti-nesting track in the tip separation mechanism;

[0022] Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of the material receiving and pushing module in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 is an exploded schematic diagram of the material receiving and pushing module in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of the tip positioning and blanking module in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 is an exploded schematic diagram of the tip positioning and blanking module in the present invention;

[0026] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of the tip box stack storage module in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of the tip box transfer module in the present invention;

[0028] Figure 12This is the exploded view of the pipette tip box transfer module in the present invention;

[0029] Figure 13 This is the structural view of the pipette tip box in the present invention;

[0030] Figure 14 This is the exploded view of the pipette tip box in the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0031] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 1-14 , the present invention provides a technical solution: a pipette tip automatic boxing machine, including a frame and a pipette tip separation mechanism 1, a double-channel conveying track 2, a receiving and pushing module 3, a specification switching module 4, a pipette tip positioning and blanking module 5, a pipette tip box stack storage module 6, and a pipette tip box transfer module 7 arranged on the frame. The pipette tips separated in the pipette tip separation mechanism 1 are moved to the front of the receiving and pushing module 3 through the double-channel conveying track 2. The specification switching module 4 is installed at the entrance of the receiving and pushing module 3, and the specification switching module 4 switches and outputs the pipette tips of the specified specification. The receiving and pushing module 3 arranges the pipette tips at equal intervals and pushes them into the pipette tip positioning and blanking module 5. After the pipette tip positioning and blanking module 5 catches and positions the pipette tips, they fall into the lower boxing station to complete boxing. The pipette tip box transfer module 7 transfers the pipette tip box 8 filled with pipette tips to the full material position of the pipette tip box stack storage module 6, and the pipette tip box transfer module 7 transfers the empty pipette tip box 8 in the empty box position of the pipette tip box stack storage module 6 to the boxing station below the pipette tip positioning and blanking module 5, so as to realize automatic boxing and packing. During the automatic boxing process, there is no need for workers to watch at all times, which can greatly reduce labor and time and improve work efficiency.

[0033] Preferably, as Figures 3-5As shown in the figure, the tip separation mechanism 1 includes a vibrating disk 103, a large tip separation track 101, and a small tip separation track 102. The large tip separation track 101 is used to separate large tips 105, and the small tip separation track 102 is used to separate small tips 106. In this application, the large tip 105 is a 200ul tip, and the small tip 106 is a 10ul tip. In other embodiments, the width of the track can be designed according to actual needs, which will not be elaborated here. Specifically, the large tip separation track 101 is connected to the vibrating disk 103. There is a guiding inclined plane 107 between the large tip separation track 101 and the small tip separation track 102. The guiding inclined plane 107 is respectively connected to the large tip separation track 101 and the small tip separation track 102. The large tip 105 enters the large tip separation track 101 from the vibrating disk 103 for separation. The small tip 106 falls from the large tip separation track 101 and slides down along the guiding inclined plane 107 into the small tip separation track 102 for separation. This application is provided with two separation tracks of different widths. The small tip 106 can fall from the upper large tip separation track 101 and then enter the small tip separation track 102 for further separation. In this way, this application can separate two different specifications of tips. Of course, in other embodiments, equipment that can separate more specifications of tips can be designed according to the principle that the track width decreases sequentially from top to bottom, which will not be elaborated here. This application improves the separation efficiency and reduces the equipment failure rate.

[0034] Preferably, the tip separation mechanism 1 further includes an anti-nesting track 104. One end of the anti-nesting track 104 is connected to the vibrating disk 103, and the other end of the anti-nesting track 104 is located above the large tip separation track 101. The track width of the anti-nesting track 104 is the same as that of the large tip separation track 101. The height difference between the anti-nesting track 104 and the large tip separation track 101 is less than or equal to the height difference between the minimum height when two large tips 105 are nested together and the height of the large tip 105. Through the height difference, the nested tips are made to move in two directions to achieve the separation function. Here, the anti-nesting track 104 is installed above the large tip separation track 101 to separate the large tips 105. One can also be designed at the small tip 106, which will not be elaborated in this application. When the nested large tips 105 pass through the large tip separation track 101 and are output, the lower tip will be output through the large tip separation track 101, and the upper nested tip will get stuck in the anti-nesting track 104 for separation. After separation, the large tip 105 automatically falls into the inner circle of the vibrating disk 103 for re-arrangement.

[0035] Preferably, as Figure 6 and 7As shown in the figure, the material receiving and pushing module 3 includes a material receiving mechanism, a material pushing mechanism, and a material receiving and pushing fixing member 301; the material receiving mechanism includes a material receiving block 304, a horizontal guide rail 302, and a lead screw motor 303. The material receiving block 304 is erected above the material receiving and pushing fixing member 301. The horizontal guide rail 302 is installed on the material guiding plate 3013, and the material guiding plate 3013 is fixed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate. The lead screw motor 303 is installed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate. The lead screw nut of the lead screw motor 303 is fixedly connected to the material receiving and pushing fixing member 301. The material receiving and pushing fixing member 301 is fixedly connected to the slider of the horizontal guide rail 302. When the lead screw motor 303 rotates, the lead screw nut drives the material receiving and pushing fixing member 301 to move along the horizontal guide rail 302, driving the material receiving block 304 to move horizontally; the material pushing mechanism includes a material pushing rack 305, a material pushing plate 306, a material pushing guide rail 307, and a material pushing motor 308. The material pushing motor 308 is fixed on the material receiving and pushing fixing member 301. A transmission gear 309 is fixed on the output shaft of the material pushing motor 308. The transmission gear 309 meshes with the material pushing rack 305. The material pushing rack 305 is fixedly connected to the material pushing plate 306. When the material pushing motor 308 rotates, it drives the material pushing plate 306 to move parallelly to push the suction head on the material receiving block 304 into the blanking hole of the material guiding plate 3013. During operation, the suction heads sorted by the suction head sorting mechanism are sent into the material receiving holes of the material receiving block 304 one by one. Each time a suction head is received, the lead screw motor 303 pushes the material receiving block 304 towards the material guiding plate 3013 by the distance of one suction head, so that the material receiving block 304 can continue to receive materials. When all 308 material receiving holes on the material receiving block 304 in this embodiment are fully filled, the lead screw motor 303 pushes the material receiving block 304 in front of the material guiding plate 3013. The material receiving holes on the material receiving block 304 equipped with suction heads are aligned with the blanking holes on the material guiding plate 3013. Then the material pushing motor 308 is started. The material pushing motor 308 drives the transmission gear 309 to rotate. The material pushing rack 305 meshing with it drives the material pushing plate 306 to move back and forth along the material pushing guide rail 307. The material pushing plate 306 pushes the suction heads on the material receiving block 304 onto the material guiding plate 3013 to complete the material pushing. The entire process of material receiving and pushing is automatically realized, with high efficiency and low cost.

[0036] Preferably, as Figure 8 and 9As shown in the figure, the suction head positioning and blanking module 5 includes a blanking base 501, two positioning hole plates 502 and an opening and closing drive mechanism. The opening and closing drive mechanism drives the two positioning hole plates 502 to perform relative opening and closing movements. The two positioning hole plates 502 are relatively provided with semicircular holes. When the two positioning hole plates 502 are combined together, the semicircular holes are pieced together to form a circular hole. The suction head falls into the circular hole to complete positioning. When the two positioning hole plates 502 are separated, the positioned suction head falls into the lower sorting box. Specifically, the opening and closing drive mechanism includes a motor 503, a rotating dial 504, a pair of cantilever pins 505, a main slide rail and a driven slide rail. There are two main sliders 506 on the main slide rail, and two corresponding driven sliders 507 are provided on the driven slide. The two ends of the two positioning hole plates 502 are respectively fixed to the main slider 506 and the driven slider 507 on the same side. A waist-shaped groove 5061 is provided on the main slider 506. The pin head of each cantilever pin 505 is correspondingly inserted into the waist-shaped groove 5061 of a main slider 506. The pin shaft of the cantilever pin 505 is connected to the rotating dial 504, and the rotating dial 504 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 503. Then the motor 503 rotates to drive the rotating dial 504 to rotate. The rotating dial 504 rotates to drive the cantilever pin 505 to rotate. The cantilever pin 505 moves up and down in the waist-shaped groove 5061 to drive the two main sliders 506 to perform a horizontal relative opening and closing movement. The two main sliders 506 drive the positioning hole plates 502 fixedly connected to them to perform a horizontal relative opening and closing movement. During positioning and sorting, the two positioning hole plates 502 are closed. The suction head falls from above the blanking base 501 and falls into the circular hole formed by the two positioning hole plates 502 through the holes on the blanking base 501 (in this embodiment, there are 8 holes on the blanking base 501) to complete positioning. Then the motor 503 rotates to drive the rotating dial 504 to rotate. The rotating dial 504 drives the cantilever pin 505 to rotate. The cantilever pin 505 moves up and down in the waist-shaped groove 5061 to drive the two main sliders 506 to open. The two main sliders 506 drive the positioning hole plates 502 fixedly connected to them to open. The suction head originally sorted and positioned in the circular hole falls into the lower suction head box 8 to complete sorting. Then the motor 503 drives the positioning hole plates 502 to reset and wait for the next group of suction heads to fall. In this application, the rotational movement of the motor 503 is converted into a horizontal relative opening and closing movement of the two positioning hole plates 502. The suction heads falling into the 8 holes on the blanking installation base from above the blanking installation base can be automatically positioned in an equidistant (in this embodiment, the suction heads are spaced 9 mm apart) and neat arrangement. Then, by horizontally opening and closing the two positioning hole plates 502, the positioned suction heads can accurately fall into the holes of the lower suction head box 8 to complete the box loading work, thus realizing automatic box loading, saving manpower and improving efficiency.

[0037] Preferably, as Figure 10As shown in the figure, the suction head box stacking storage module 6 includes a mounting base plate 601 and an electromagnetic lock mechanism. Two holes matching the size of the suction head box 8 are opened on the mounting base plate 601. The two holes are respectively used for the loading box and the unloading box. An electromagnetic lock mechanism is installed below each of the two holes. A plurality of suction head boxes 8 are stacked up and down. When the electromagnetic lock 602 extends when powered off, the lowermost suction head box 8 is hung on the electromagnetic lock 602 and locked. When the electromagnetic lock 602 retracts when powered on, the suction head box 8 is released. The suction head box 8 can move up and down, that is, the lowermost suction head box 8 can be taken out downward, or the lowermost suction head box 8 can be pushed up to load a new suction head box 8. The advantage of this is that multiple boxes can be stacked. Generally, 12 boxes can be stacked without falling. In a smaller device, more suction head boxes 8 can be placed to improve the working throughput, save the floor area of the laboratory, extend the unattended working time, and it is convenient and fast to take as needed. In addition, since the positions of the loading box and the unloading box are fixed, it can be realized by an automatic manipulator, further realizing the automation of the device and improving the production efficiency.

[0038] Preferably, as Figure 11 and 12As shown in the figure, the pick - up head cassette transfer module 7 includes a pick - up head cassette tray 701, a horizontal movement module, and a vertical movement module. The horizontal movement module includes a horizontal drive motor 702, a first synchronous belt 703, and a horizontal guide rail 704. The pick - up head cassette tray 701 is fixedly connected to the mounting base through a tray mounting plate 7012, and the mounting base is fixed on the slider of the horizontal guide rail 704. Specifically, the first synchronous belt 703 is fixedly connected to the drag chain mounting plate 7014 through a synchronous belt fixing member, the drag chain mounting plate 7014 is fixedly connected to the vertical guide rail mounting plate 7015, and the vertical guide rail 707 is fixed on the vertical guide rail mounting plate 7015. The horizontal drive motor 702 drives the first synchronous belt 703 to rotate, thereby driving the pick - up head cassette tray 701 to move horizontally along the horizontal guide rail 704. The vertical movement module includes a vertical drive motor 705, a second synchronous belt 706, a vertical guide rail 707, and a lead screw - nut transmission mechanism. The transmission lead screw 708 in the lead screw - nut transmission mechanism is connected to the synchronous pulley of the second synchronous belt 706, and the lead screw nut 709 in the lead screw - nut transmission mechanism is connected to the tray mounting plate 7012. Specifically, the lead screw nut 709 is installed on the lead screw nut connection block 7013, the pick - up head cassette tray 701 is fixedly connected to the tray mounting plate 7012, the lead screw nut connection block 7013 is fixedly connected to the tray mounting plate 7012, and the tray mounting plate 7012 is fixedly connected to the slider of the vertical guide rail 707. The vertical drive motor drives the second synchronous belt 706 to rotate, the second synchronous belt 706 drives the transmission lead screw 708 to rotate, and the lead screw nut 709 drives the pick - up head cassette tray 701 to move up and down along the vertical guide rail 707. Specifically, the horizontal drive motor 702 rotates to drive the first synchronous belt 703 to rotate. The first synchronous belt 703 drives the vertical guide rail mounting plate 7015 to move horizontally through the drag chain mounting plate 7014, indirectly driving the pick - up head cassette tray 701 to move horizontally. The vertical drive motor 705 rotates to drive the second synchronous belt 706 to rotate. The second synchronous belt 706 drives the transmission lead screw 708 to rotate. The lead screw nut 709 moves vertically up and down to drive the lead screw nut connection block 7013 to move up and down. The lead screw nut connection block 7013 drives the tray mounting plate 7012 to move up and down, thereby driving the pick - up head cassette tray 701 connected to the tray connection plate to move vertically up and down. This application can realize the automatic transfer of the pick - up head cassette 8, improve work efficiency, and reduce labor costs.

[0039] Preferably, as Figure 13 and 14As shown in the figure, the tip box 8 includes an upper cover 801, a perforated plate holder 802, and a bottom box 803. The upper cover 801 includes a dust-proof cover 8011 and a nested cover 8012. The dust-proof cover 8011 is detachably mounted on the nested cover 8012. The middle of the nested cover 8012 is hollowed out, and there are laminates around the top of the nested cover 8012. When stacking, first manually remove the dust-proof cover 8011 in each upper cover 801, and then stack the tip boxes 8 one by one. Specifically, the bottom box 803 of the upper tip box 8 is nested and placed on the laminate of the nested cover 8012 of the lower tip box 8. In this embodiment, about 8012 tip boxes 8 can be stacked, but its bottom still only occupies the area of one tip box 8, with a small floor area. More tip boxes 8 can be placed in a smaller device to increase the working throughput. Further, the tip box 8 can also be used in conjunction with an automatic manipulator. The manipulator removes the dust-proof cover 8011, takes the tip box 8 to the tip loading station 804 to directly load the tips 804. The boxes filled with tips 804 can be stacked and placed in the finished product area, and then the dust-proof box can be covered, saving manpower and extending the unattended working time.

[0040] Working principle: First, the disordered bagged tips are automatically sorted by the tip separation mechanism 1. The vibrating disk 103 has the functions of preventing tip nesting and a multi-specification automatic separation mechanism, and can output tips of different specifications to the specified tracks respectively. The sorted tips are output to the receiving and pushing module 3 through the double-channel conveying track 2. The specification switching module 4 is installed at the entrance of the receiving and pushing module 3. The specification switching module 4 controls the output of tips of different specifications according to the specifications set by the system. The tip positioning and blanking module 5 connects the tips on the double-channel conveying track 2 into a row of 8 at an equal distance of 9 mm and then transfers them to the blanking hole station and pushes them into the blanking holes. After the tip positioning and blanking module 5 catches and positions the 8 tips dropped from the blanking hole of the receiving and pushing module 3, they fall into the tip box 8 according to the time set by the program to complete the box loading work; there are two working positions on the tip box stacking and storage module 6, one is the empty tip box stacking and storage position, and the other is the full tip storage position. The function of the tip box transfer module 7 is to take down the stacked empty boxes and transfer them to the tip loading station. Every time the tip positioning and blanking module 5 drops a row of positioned tips into the tip box 8, the tip box transfer module 7 moves horizontally by 9 mm. After filling 12 rows, the tip box transfer module 7 transfers the box filled with tips to the full material position under the tip box stacking and storage module. The tip box transfer module 7 raises the box filled with tips and loads it into the tip box stacking and storage module, and then continues to take an empty box to the tip loading station to continue loading the box.

[0041] In the present invention, the suction head separation mechanism separates and conveys the suction head to the front of the material receiving and pushing module. The material receiving and pushing module arranges the suction heads at equal intervals and pushes them into the suction head positioning and blanking module. After the suction head positioning and blanking module catches and positions the suction head, it falls into the lower box loading station to complete box loading, realizing automatic box loading and packing. During automatic box loading, there is no need for workers to watch at all times, thus greatly reducing labor and time and improving work efficiency.

[0042] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic pipette tip loading machine, characterized in that: It includes a frame and a suction head separation mechanism, a double-channel conveying track, a material receiving and pushing module, a specification switching module, a suction head positioning and blanking module, a suction head box stack storage module, and a suction head box transfer module provided on the frame. The suction heads separated by the suction head separation mechanism move to the front of the material receiving and pushing module through the double-channel conveying track. The specification switching module is installed at the entrance of the material receiving and pushing module, and the specification switching module switches the output of suction heads of a specified specification. The material receiving and pushing module arranges the suction heads at equal intervals and pushes them into the suction head positioning and blanking module. The suction head positioning and blanking module catches and positions the suction heads and then drops them into the lower box loading station to complete box loading. The suction head box transfer module transfers the suction head boxes filled with suction heads to the full material position of the suction head box stack storage module, and the suction head box transfer module transfers the empty suction head boxes at the empty box position of the suction head box stack storage module to the box loading station below the suction head positioning and blanking module; The material receiving and pushing module includes a material receiving mechanism, a pushing mechanism, and a material receiving and pushing fixing part; the material receiving mechanism includes a material receiving block, a horizontal guide rail, and a screw motor. The material receiving block is erected above the material receiving and pushing fixing part. The horizontal guide rail is installed on the guide plate, the guide plate is fixed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate, the screw motor is installed on the material receiving and pushing installation bottom plate, the screw nut of the screw motor is fixedly connected to the material receiving and pushing fixing part, the material receiving and pushing fixing part is fixedly connected to the slider of the horizontal guide rail, the screw motor rotates, and the screw nut drives the material receiving and pushing fixing part to move along the horizontal guide rail, driving the material receiving block to move horizontally; the pushing mechanism includes a pushing rack, a pushing plate, a pushing guide rail, and a pushing motor. The pushing motor is fixed on the material receiving and pushing fixing part, a transmission gear is fixed on the output shaft of the pushing motor, the transmission gear meshes with the pushing rack, the pushing rack is fixedly connected to the pushing plate, and the pushing motor rotates to drive the pushing plate to move parallel to push the suction heads on the material receiving block into the blanking holes of the guide plate; The suction head positioning and blanking module includes a blanking base, two positioning hole plates, and an opening and closing driving mechanism. The opening and closing driving mechanism drives the two positioning hole plates to perform relative opening and closing movements. The two positioning hole plates are relatively provided with semicircular holes. When the two positioning hole plates are combined, the semicircular holes are spliced into a circular hole, and the suction heads fall into the circular hole to complete positioning. When the two positioning hole plates are separated, the positioned suction heads fall into the lower sorting box; The opening and closing drive mechanism includes a motor, a rotary dial, a pair of cantilever pins, a driving slide rail and a driven slide rail. Two driving sliders are provided on the driving slide rail, and two driven sliders are correspondingly provided on the driven slide rail. Both ends of the two positioning hole plates are fixedly connected to the driving slider and the driven slider on the same side respectively. A waist-shaped slot is formed in the driving slider, and the pin head of each cantilever pin is correspondingly inserted into the waist-shaped slot of a driving slider. The pin shaft of the cantilever pin is connected to the rotary dial, and the rotary dial is connected to the output shaft of the motor. When the motor rotates, it drives the rotary dial to rotate. When the rotary dial rotates, it drives the cantilever pin to rotate. The cantilever pin moves up and down in the waist-shaped slot to drive the two driving sliders to perform a horizontal relative opening and closing movement, and the two driving sliders drive the positioning hole plates fixedly connected to them to perform a horizontal relative opening and closing movement.

2. The automatic pipette tip loading machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction head separation mechanism includes a vibrating bowl, a large suction head separation track and a small suction head separation track. The large suction head separation track and the small suction head separation track are respectively butted against the corresponding tracks in the double-channel conveying track. The large suction head separation track is communicated with the vibrating bowl. A guiding inclined plane is provided between the large suction head separation track and the small suction head separation track. The guiding inclined plane is respectively communicated with the large suction head separation track and the small suction head separation track. The large suction head enters the large suction head separation track from the vibrating bowl for separation, and the small suction head drops from the large suction head separation track and slides down along the guiding inclined plane into the small suction head separation track for separation.

3. The automatic pipette tip loading machine according to claim 2, wherein: The suction head separation mechanism further includes an anti-nesting track. One end of the anti-nesting track is communicated with the vibrating bowl, and the other end of the anti-nesting track is located above the large suction head separation track. The track width of the anti-nesting track is the same as that of the large suction head separation track. The height difference between the anti-nesting track and the large suction head separation track is less than or equal to the height difference between the minimum height when two large suction heads are nested together and the height of the large suction head.

4. A pipette tip automatic boxing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction head box stack storage module includes a mounting base plate and an electromagnetic lock mechanism. Two holes matching the size of the suction head box are formed in the mounting base plate. The two holes are respectively used for the feeding box and the discharging box. The electromagnetic lock mechanisms are respectively installed below the two holes. A plurality of suction head boxes are stacked up and down. When the electromagnetic lock is powered off and extends, the lowermost suction head box is hung on the electromagnetic lock and locked. When the electromagnetic lock is powered on and retracts, the suction head box is released, and the suction head box can move up and down.

5. The automatic pipette tip loading machine according to claim 1, wherein: The suction head box transfer module includes a suction head box tray, a horizontal movement module and a vertical movement module. The horizontal movement module includes a horizontal drive motor, a first synchronous belt and a horizontal guide rail. The suction head box tray is fixed on the slider of the horizontal guide rail. The horizontal drive motor drives the first synchronous belt to rotate, thereby driving the suction head box tray to move horizontally along the horizontal guide rail. The vertical movement module includes a vertical drive motor, a second synchronous belt, a vertical guide rail and a lead screw-nut transmission mechanism. The transmission lead screw in the lead screw-nut transmission mechanism is connected to the synchronous pulley of the second synchronous belt, and the lead screw nut in the lead screw-nut transmission mechanism is connected to the tray mounting plate. The vertical drive motor drives the second synchronous belt to rotate. The second synchronous belt drives the transmission lead screw to rotate, and the lead screw nut drives the suction head box tray to move up and down along the vertical guide rail.

6. The automatic pipette tip box loading machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction head box includes an upper cover, a hole plate rack and a bottom box. The upper cover includes a dust-proof cover and a nested cover. The dust-proof cover is detachably installed on the nested cover. The middle of the nested cover is hollowed out. There are laminates around the top of the nested cover. When stacking the suction head boxes, remove the dust-proof cover, and the bottom box of the upper suction head box is nested and placed on the laminates of the nested cover of the lower suction head box.

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