Flow rate control mechanism, flow rate control method, and automatic loading and sorting device

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flow rate control mechanism, a flow rate control method, and an automatic loading and sorting device. The flow rate control mechanism and the flow rate control method divide the space in the silo into a buffer zone and an isolation zone, and provide a channel between the buffer zone and the isolation zone for items to enter the buffer zone from the isolation zone. The reciprocating movable part changes the boundary position of the isolation zone through periodic reciprocating motion, repeatedly shrinking or expanding the volume of the isolation zone, and pushing and disturbing the items in the isolation zone when the volume of the isolation zone is reduced. The present invention can reduce the number of items in the buffer zone, which is conducive to the smooth operation of the ejecting part and prevents the items from being squeezed and damaged. The reciprocating motion of the reciprocating movable part changes the boundary position of the isolation zone and pushes and disturbs the items in the isolation zone, which can avoid the phenomenon of stuck or hollowing in the reaction cup silo. The reaction cup can enter the buffer zone at a periodically changing flow rate, which is equivalent to the reaction cup flowing to the bottom of the silo at a constant speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to medical devices, and in particular to a flow rate control mechanism, a flow rate control method and an automatic loading and sorting device. Background Art

[0002] In order to improve convenience, many items (such as reaction vessels) are often first piled up in a silo in a disordered state, and then sent one by one to other devices for sorting.

[0003] In a silo, the bottom of the silo usually has an inclined guide plate, which allows the items to flow to the target position at the bottom of the silo under the action of their own weight. During the flow process, if the items at the bottom of the silo slide to the target position too quickly, the items above will accumulate and get stuck, resulting in occasional voids in the bottom of the silo, especially for special-shaped items (for example, Figure 10 In addition, in some devices, the items at the bottom of the silo are ejected to the next workstation in a bottom-up manner. If there are too many items at the bottom of the silo, the lifting parts used to lift the items will face great resistance during the upward process, which may squeeze the items or cause them to get stuck during the upward process. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a flow rate control mechanism, a flow rate control method and an automatic loading and sorting device to avoid the occurrence of voids in the silo, prevent the items from being squeezed during the lifting process, and prevent the lifting parts from getting stuck, so that the items can flow to the target location at a more balanced and orderly speed.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned and other related purposes, the technical solutions of the present invention are as follows:

[0006] A flow rate control mechanism for controlling the flow of articles in a silo, wherein the silo is arranged on a frame and has a lifting member in the silo for lifting articles from bottom to top, characterized in that it includes an isolation structure for dividing the space in the silo into a buffer zone and an isolation zone, the lifting member is used to lift articles in the buffer zone, and a channel is provided between the buffer zone and the isolation zone for articles to enter the buffer zone from the isolation zone, and at least one reciprocating movable member for enclosing the isolation zone is provided in the silo, wherein the reciprocating movable member repeatedly reduces or expands the volume of the isolation zone through periodic reciprocating motion, and pushes and disturbs the articles in the isolation zone by reducing the volume of the isolation zone.

[0007] Optionally, the reciprocating movable part is an isolation rotary plate, and the isolation structure includes a fixed isolation plate and the isolation rotary plate, the isolation rotary plate is hinged on the fixed isolation plate, and the isolation rotary plate pushes the items in the isolation area by rotating. The channel is formed between the bottom edge of the isolation rotary plate and the bottom surface of the silo, and the isolation rotary plate expands or reduces the volume of the isolation area by reciprocating rotation and pushes the items in the isolation area.

[0008] Optionally, the flow rate control mechanism also includes a lifting disturbance plate for correcting the posture of objects in the buffer zone. The bottom of the silo is provided with an entrance for the lifting disturbance plate to be inserted into the buffer zone. A correction space is formed between the lifting disturbance plate and the top material piece, and the distance between the lifting disturbance plate and the top material piece is less than the length of the object.

[0009] Optionally, a linkage mechanism is provided between the isolation rotating plate and the lifting disturbance plate for converting the lifting power of the lifting disturbance plate into the rotational power of the isolation rotating plate.

[0010] Optionally, the silo has an inclined bottom surface, the channel is adjacent to the inclined bottom surface of the silo, and the linkage mechanism includes:

[0011] An in-bin sliding disturbance member, which is slidable up and down on the inclined bottom surface of the silo, and is used to push the isolation rotating plate to rotate toward the isolation area and disturb the items in the silo;

[0012] An external slider, which is slidable up and down on the inclined bottom surface outside the silo, and is integrally connected to the internal sliding disturbance member; and

[0013] A connecting rod is hinged to the lifting disturbance plate and is hinged to the slider outside the warehouse.

[0014] Optionally, the sliding disturbance member in the bin includes a lower disturbance portion installed on the inclined bottom surface of the silo and an upper disturbance portion for the isolation rotary plate to rest on, and the upper disturbance portion extends from the lower disturbance portion to the side of the isolation rotary plate facing away from the isolation area.

[0015] Optionally, the frame is provided with a driving mechanism for driving the lifting member to rise and fall, the bottom of the silo is provided with an opening for inserting the lifting member into the buffer zone, the lifting member is provided with a pushing member for pushing the lifting disturbance plate upward, and the outer wall of the lifting disturbance plate is provided with a limiting portion for limiting the lifting limit position of the lifting disturbance plate. When the lifting disturbance plate is at the lowest limit position, it falls onto the frame under the action of its own weight and the squeezing of the articles in the silo.

[0016] Optionally, a pull rod is further provided at the bottom of the lifting disturbance plate, the pull rod is used to pull down the stuck lifting disturbance plate, and a downward pushing portion is provided on the pull rod for the pushing member to push the pull rod downward, and the downward pushing portion is directly below the pushing member;

[0017] A buffer is provided on the pushing member or a buffer is provided at the bottom of the lifting disturbance plate. When the pushing member pushes the lifting disturbance plate, the buffer is located between the pushing member and the lifting disturbance plate.

[0018] Optionally, the silo has an inclined bottom surface, and an opening is provided at the bottom of the silo for the lifting and inserting of the top material piece, and a pushing slider is provided at the bottom of the silo for pushing the isolation turn plate to rotate. The sliding direction of the pushing slider is upward or downward along the inclined bottom surface, and the pushing slider is provided with a pushing slope for the top material piece to push.

[0019] Optionally, the reciprocating movable part is a movable turn plate, which has a hinged end and a free end, the hinged end is hinged to the bottom of the silo, and the rotation limit positions of the movable turn plate include a first limit position abutting the inclined bottom surface of the silo and a second limit position away from the inclined bottom surface. When the movable turn plate rotates from the first limit position to the second limit position, the movable turn plate pushes the items in the isolation area.

[0020] Accordingly, the present invention also provides a flow rate control method, comprising:

[0021] The silo is divided into a buffer zone and an isolation zone. By changing the boundary position of the buffer zone and the isolation zone, the volume of the isolation zone is repeatedly reduced or expanded, and the items in the isolation zone are pushed and disturbed by reducing the volume of the isolation zone.

[0022] Optionally, the flow rate control method further includes: correcting the posture of the object in the buffer zone.

[0023] Optionally, the flow rate control method further includes: when the volume of the isolation zone is reduced, the channel between the isolation zone and the buffer zone is increased.

[0024] Correspondingly, the present invention also provides an automatic loading and sorting device, comprising a frame, a silo arranged on the frame, a sorting mechanism for automatically sorting items, and any one of the flow rate control mechanisms described above, the sorting mechanism having a sorting space for sorting items, and the lifting member being used to lift items from the silo into the sorting space.

[0025] In the present invention, by partitioning the silo, the number of items in the buffer zone is reduced, which is conducive to the smooth operation of the ejecting member and the items are not easily squeezed and damaged; and by the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating movable member, the boundary position of the isolation zone is changed and the items in the isolation zone are pushed and disturbed, which can avoid the phenomenon of jamming or hollowing in the reaction cup silo. The reaction cup can enter the buffer zone at a periodically changing flow rate, which is equivalent to the reaction cup flowing to the bottom of the silo at a constant speed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 Shown is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the automatic loading and sorting device of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Display as Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an exemplary structure after partial cutaway;

[0028] Figure 3 Display as Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of some parts of the flow rate control mechanism;

[0029] Figure 4 Display as Figure 1 Another exemplary structural schematic diagram after partial cutaway;

[0030] Figure 5 Shown is another exemplary structural schematic diagram of the automatic loading and sorting device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 Shown is another exemplary principle schematic diagram of the flow rate control mechanism of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 Display as Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the medium flow rate control mechanism when the volume of the isolation zone becomes smaller;

[0033] Figure 8 There is also an exemplary principle schematic diagram showing the flow rate control mechanism of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 9 Display as Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the flow rate control mechanism when the volume of the isolation zone becomes smaller;

[0035] Figure 10 Shown is a schematic diagram of the structure of a cuvette.

[0036] The description of the reference numerals in the embodiments includes:

[0037] Silo 100, buffer zone 101, isolation zone 102, passage 103, inclined bottom surface 104, guide slot 107, window glass 108;

[0038] Fixed isolation plate 211, isolation rotating plate 212, first isolation rotating plate 212a, second isolation rotating plate 212b, lifting disturbance plate 213, limiting portion 223a, in-bin sliding disturbance member 214, upper disturbance portion 214a, lower disturbance portion 214b, out-bin slider 215, connecting rod 216, pull rod 217, downward push portion 217a;

[0039] Push the slider 220 and push the inclined surface 221;

[0040] Movable rotating plate 231, lifting and pushing member 232;

[0041] Ejecting member 600, pushing member 610, buffer member 620;

[0042] Driving mechanism 300;

[0043] Sorting mechanism 400, sorting space 401;

[0044] Rack 500. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well known in the art are not described to avoid confusion with the present invention.

[0046] It should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. In the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals represent like components throughout.

[0047] The items in the silo in the following embodiments are all reaction cups. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The silo 100 is set on the frame 500, and has an inclined bottom surface 104 in the silo 100, and has a lifting member 600 in the silo 100 for lifting items from bottom to top. The flow rate control mechanism of the present invention is used to control the flow rate of items in the silo.

[0048] See also Figure 2 、 Figures 4 to 9The flow rate control mechanism of the present invention utilizes an isolation structure to divide the space within the hopper into a buffer zone 101 and an isolation zone 102. A channel 103 is provided between the buffer zone 101 and the isolation zone 102 for allowing reaction cups to enter the buffer zone 101 from the isolation zone 102. The channel 103 is adjacent to the inclined bottom surface 104 of the hopper 100. A lifting member is used to lift the reaction cups in the buffer zone 101. The hopper 100 is provided with at least one reciprocating member for enclosing the isolation zone 102. The reciprocating member repeatedly reduces or expands the volume of the isolation zone 102 through periodic reciprocating motion, and pushes and disturbs the reaction cups in the isolation zone 102 by reducing the volume of the isolation zone 102. Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 The reciprocating parts in the apparatus include an isolation plate 212, Figure 6 The reciprocating movable parts include a first isolation rotating plate 212a and a second isolation rotating plate 212b. Figure 8 The reciprocating movable member is the movable rotating plate 231.

[0049] Since the hopper 100 has an inclined bottom surface 104, the reaction cup can slide from the isolation area 102 into the buffer area 101 through the channel 103 under the action of its own weight. If there is no jamming, the channel 103 is provided so that the number of reaction cups entering the buffer area 101 can always be controlled within an appropriate range. During operation, the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating movable member will cause the volume of the isolation area 102 to change. When the volume of the isolation area 102 becomes smaller, it is equivalent to the reciprocating movable member pushing the reaction cups in the isolation area 102. The pushing force is transmitted to each reaction cup in the isolation area 102, achieving a disturbance effect. When the isolation area 102 is full, the reaction cups in the isolation area 102 are pushed. When the volume becomes smaller, the reaction cups in the isolation area fall down under the action of their own weight; this can prevent the reaction cup hopper 100 from getting stuck at the top and having a hollow travel at the bottom. The reciprocating motion of the reciprocating movable part enables the reaction cups to enter the buffer zone 101 at a periodically changing flow rate. This periodically changing flow rate is equivalent to a constant speed. The number of reaction cups in the buffer zone 101 can always be controlled within an appropriate range. The lifting member 600 has less resistance when lifting the reaction cups in the buffer zone 101, and is not easy to squeeze the reaction cups in the buffer zone 101, which is conducive to preventing the reaction cups in the buffer zone 101 from being squeezed and preventing the lifting member 600 from getting stuck.

[0050] In actual implementation, the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating member can be intermittent or continuous. In actual implementation, the bottom of the silo 100 can also be provided with no inclined bottom surface 104 , and other pushing structures can be used to push the objects from the isolation area 102 into the buffer area 101 .

[0051] The following embodiments mainly combine the above concept to explain how to achieve: the reciprocating movable part repeatedly reduces or expands the volume of the isolation area 102 through periodic reciprocating motion, and pushes and disturbs the reaction cups in the isolation area 102 by reducing the volume of the isolation area 102. In the following embodiments, the reaction cups in the silo 100 are all Figure 10 The reaction cup shown is used as an example. In the drawings of the following embodiments, the channel 103 is a slit channel.

[0052] See also Figure 2 、 Figure 4 、 Figure 5 In some embodiments, the reciprocating movable part is an isolation rotary plate 212, and the isolation structure further includes a fixed isolation plate 211 and the isolation rotary plate 212. The isolation rotary plate 212 is hinged at the bottom of the fixed isolation plate 211. The isolation rotary plate 212 pushes the reaction cup in the isolation area 102 by rotating. The channel 103 is formed between the bottom edge of the isolation rotary plate 212 and the inclined bottom surface 104 of the hopper 100. The isolation rotary plate 212 expands or reduces the volume of the isolation area 102 by reciprocating rotation and pushes the reaction cup in the isolation area 102. During operation, the isolation rotating plate 212 changes the isolation position of the buffer zone 101 and the isolation zone 102 through reciprocating motion. When the isolation rotating plate 212 rotates counterclockwise from the direction shown in the figure, the volume of the isolation zone 102 becomes smaller, and the isolation rotating plate 212 pushes and disturbs the reaction cup in the isolation zone 102. Conversely, when the isolation rotating plate 212 rotates clockwise from the direction shown in the figure, the volume of the isolation zone 102 becomes larger, and the reaction cup in the isolation zone 102 falls under the action of its own weight.

[0053] Of course, in the actual implementation process, in order to make the volume of the isolation zone variable and push the isolation zone during the process of shrinking the isolation zone volume, the reciprocating movable member can also be a movable push plate (not shown in the figure), which changes the volume of the isolation zone by moving and pushes the reaction cup in the isolation zone when the volume becomes smaller. However, the use of the isolation rotating plate makes it possible to have an upward pushing component during pushing, so that the pushing force is transmitted from bottom to top in the isolation zone, and the disturbance effect is better; in the actual implementation process, see Figure 6 、 Figure 7 Alternatively, a first isolation rotating plate 212a may be rotatably provided at the bottom of the fixed isolation rotating plate 212, and a second isolation rotating plate 212b may be rotatably provided at the bottom of the first isolation rotating plate 212a, so that the reciprocating movable parts between the buffer zone 101 and the isolation zone 102 include the first isolation rotating plate 212a and the second isolation rotating plate 212b. At this time, the bottom edge trajectory of the second isolation rotating plate 212b is not a regular rotation trajectory, and the volume of the isolation zone 102 can also be changed.

[0054] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4The flow rate control mechanism also includes a lifting disturbance plate 213 for correcting the posture of the objects in the buffer zone. The bottom of the hopper 100 is provided with an entrance for the lifting disturbance plate 213 to be inserted into the buffer zone 101. A correction space is formed between the lifting disturbance plate 213 and the ejecting member 600, and the distance between the lifting disturbance plate 213 and the ejecting member 600 is less than the length of the reaction cup (that is, the overall height).

[0055] In a single reciprocating cycle, when the lifting and disturbing plate 213 moves upward, the lifting and disturbing plate 213 squeezes the reaction cup in the hopper 100 from bottom to top, disturbs the reaction cup in the buffer zone 101, and the isolation rotating plate 212 rotates to reduce the volume of the isolation zone 102 and squeezes the reaction cup in the isolation zone 102. As the lifting and disturbing plate 213 rises, only a small amount of reaction in the buffer zone 101 can pass through the lifting plate 213 and enter the buffer zone 101, which can prevent the reaction cup in the isolation zone 102 from accumulating at the bottom of the buffer zone 101 due to the rapid passage 103 caused by the disturbance. In addition, since the distance between the lifting and disturbing plate 213 and the ejecting member 600 is less than the reaction cup, the reaction cup in the buffer zone 102 can pass through the lifting plate 213 and enter the buffer zone 101. The cuvettes that cross the lifting agitation plate 213 and enter the buffer zone can all enter the bottom of the buffer zone 101 parallel to or nearly parallel to the lifting agitation plate 213. This ensures that the cuvettes ultimately lifted by the ejection member 600 are in a nearly uniform position, further facilitating reliable control of subsequent processes. Conversely, when the lifting agitation plate 213 returns from top to bottom, the isolation rotating plate 212 rotates and returns to its original position, expanding the volume of the isolation zone 102. The cuvettes within the isolation zone 102 slide downward under their own weight and mutual compression, allowing some cuvettes to enter the buffer zone 101 from the isolation zone 102 through the channel 103. In actual implementation, the distance between the lifting agitation plate 213 and the ejection member 600 should not be too large, but should at least be greater than the width of a single cuvette.

[0056] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4 A linkage mechanism is provided between the isolation rotating plate 212 and the lifting and detent plate 213, for converting a portion of the lifting power of the lifting and detent plate 213 into the rotational power of the isolation rotating plate 212. In actual implementation, the isolation rotating plate 212 and the lifting and detent plate 213 may operate independently without a linkage mechanism. However, the isolation rotating plate 212 must rotate in a direction that pushes the cuvettes in the isolation area 102 when the lifting and detent plate 213 moves upward, causing the channel 103 to shrink.

[0057] Specifically, in some embodiments, referring to Figures 2 to 4The linkage mechanism includes an inner-bin sliding disturbance member 214, an outer-bin slider 215 and a connecting rod 216. The inner-bin sliding disturbance member 214 can slide up and down and is set on the inclined bottom surface inside the silo 100. The inner-bin sliding disturbance member 214 is used to push the isolation rotating plate 212 to rotate toward the isolation area 102 and disturb the reaction cup in the silo 100; the outer-bin slider 215 can also slide up and down and is set on the inclined bottom surface outside the silo 100. The inner-bin sliding disturbance member 214 and the outer-bin slider 215 are connected as a whole and slide synchronously. One end of the connecting rod 216 is hinged to the lifting disturbance plate 213, and the other end of the connecting rod 216 is hinged to the outer-bin slider 215.

[0058] When the lifting disturbance plate 213 moves upward, the channel 103 becomes smaller, and the connecting rod 216 transmits power to the outer slider 215, so that the outer slider 215 moves upward along the inclined bottom surface 104 outside the material bin 100. The sliding disturbance member 214 inside the bin also moves upward along the inclined bottom surface 104 inside the bin under the drive of the outer slider 215, and simultaneously pushes the isolation rotating plate 212 to squeeze the reaction cup in the isolation area 102; conversely, when the lifting disturbance plate 213 moves downward, the channel 103 becomes larger, and the connecting rod 216 transmits power to the outer slider 215, so that the outer slider 215 moves downward along the inclined bottom surface outside the material bin 100, and the sliding disturbance member 214 inside the bin returns to its original position and moves downward along the inclined bottom surface inside the bin under the drive of the outer slider 215. Under the pressure of its own weight and the reaction cup, the isolation rotating plate 212 rests on the sliding disturbance member 214 inside the bin and gradually returns to its original position. During the actual implementation process, a slide groove can be opened on the inclined bottom plate at the bottom of the silo 100, and the sliding disturbance member 214 inside the silo and the slider 215 outside the silo are connected by bolts and other connecting parts. The connecting parts pass through the slide groove and are always in the slide groove to play a guiding role, so that the sliding disturbance member 214 inside the silo and the slider 215 outside the silo can slide along the direction of the slide groove.

[0059] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4 The sliding disturbance member 214 in the bin includes a lower disturbance portion 214b installed on the inclined bottom surface 104 of the silo 100 and an upper disturbance portion 214a for the isolation rotating plate 212 to rest on. The upper disturbance portion 214a extends from the lower disturbance portion 214b to the side of the isolation rotating plate 212 facing away from the isolation area 102. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the sliding disturbance member 214 in the chamber is located in the middle of the channel 103. In the actual implementation process, see Figure 4 Alternatively, the sliding disturbance member in the bin may be arranged near the side wall of the bin 100 .

[0060] Specifically, in some embodiments, referring to Figures 2 to 4The in-bin sliding disturbance member 214 is an L-shaped slider. The extension direction of the lower disturbance portion 214b is consistent with the inclination direction of the inclined bottom surface 104, and the lower disturbance portion 214b extends from bottom to top along the inclined bottom surface 104 into the isolation area 102. The upper disturbance portion 214a is perpendicular to the lower disturbance portion 214b. This in-bin sliding disturbance member 214 occupies a small space and will not block the reaction cup from the channel 103 into the buffer zone 101. In actual implementation, the upper disturbance portion 214a does not need to be completely perpendicular to the lower disturbance portion 214b.

[0061] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4 The frame 500 is provided with a lifting member 600 and a driving mechanism 300 for driving the lifting member 600 to rise and fall. The bottom of the hopper 100 is provided with an opening for the lifting member 600 to insert into the buffer zone 101. The lifting member 600 is provided with a pushing member 610 for pushing the lifting disturbance plate 213 upward. The outer wall of the lifting disturbance plate 213 is provided with a limiting portion 213a for limiting the lifting limit position of the lifting disturbance plate 213. When the lifting disturbance plate 213 is at the lowest limit position, it falls onto the frame 500 under the action of its own weight and the pressure of the reaction cup in the hopper.

[0062] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4 The pusher 610 is provided with a buffer member 620. When the pusher 610 pushes the lifting disturbance plate 213, the buffer member 620 is located between the pusher 610 and the lifting disturbance plate 213. In actual implementation, the buffer member 620 can also be provided at the bottom of the lifting disturbance plate 213 to play a buffering role.

[0063] When the lifting member 600 is in the lowest position, there is a height distance between the pushing member 610 on the lifting member 600 and the lifting disturbance plate 213. When the driving mechanism 300 drives the lifting member 600 to rise to a certain height, the pushing member 610 contacts the lifting disturbance plate 213 and pushes the lifting disturbance plate 213. The lifting disturbance plate 213 then pushes the isolation rotating plate 212 to rotate until the lifting member 600 rises to the highest position, the lifting disturbance plate 213 stops rising, and the isolation rotating plate 212 stops rotating. When the lifting member 600 returns to the lowest position from the highest position, the lifting disturbance plate 213 falls back under the action of its own weight until the limit drop falls on the frame 500, and the isolation rotating plate 212 also falls back under the pressure of its own weight and the reaction cup. This method can shorten the travel range of the lifting disturbance plate 213, which is not only beneficial to avoid the lifting disturbance plate 213 from getting stuck due to the squeezing of the reaction cup due to excessive travel, but also beneficial to controlling the rotation angle of the isolation rotating plate 212 within a smaller range without providing excessive pushing force, which is beneficial to the reliable operation of the entire flow rate control mechanism.

[0064] In some embodiments, in conjunction with Figures 2 to 4 A pull rod 217 may also be provided at the bottom of the lifting and detent plate 213. The pull rod 217 is used to pull down a stuck lifting and detent plate 213. A downward pushing portion 217a is provided on the pull rod 217 for the pusher 610 to push the pull rod 217 downward. The downward pushing portion 217a is located directly below the pusher 610. During operation, if the lifting and detent plate 213 becomes stuck and cannot be raised or lowered, the ejecting member 600 will move the pusher 610 downward during its downward movement. After the pusher 610 contacts the downward pushing portion 217a on the pull rod 217, the lifting and detent plate 213 is pulled downward to reset, thereby improving the reliability of the device.

[0065] In some embodiments, a guide slot is recessed at the bottom of the buffer zone 101 for selecting cuvettes to be lifted. The opening is located at the bottom end of the guide slot, and the ejector member can be raised and lowered into the guide slot. When the ejector member 600 descends to its lowest position, the cuvettes in the buffer zone 101 roll into the guide slot and automatically land on the ejection surface of the ejector member 600. The remaining cuvettes remain in the buffer zone 101, allowing the appropriate number of cuvettes to be selected and lifted to the next station. In actual implementation, the width and length of the guide slot can be controlled to ensure that only one cuvette enters the slot.

[0066] In some embodiments, an observation window is provided on the silo for observing the conditions in the isolation area, see Figure 2 、 Figure 4A transparent window glass 108 is installed outside the silo 100, through which it is possible to observe how many cuvettes are left in the silo 100 and whether the cuvettes in the isolation area 102 are effectively disturbed.

[0067] See also Figures 2 to 4 , the working process of the flow rate control mechanism in the figure is:

[0068] When the ejecting member 600 moves upward, it lifts up the reaction cup in the guide slot 107. The pushing member on the ejecting member 600 drives the lifting disturbance plate 213 upward after contacting the lifting disturbance plate 213. The upward movement force of the lifting disturbance plate 213 is converted into the power of the slider 215 outside the warehouse to slide upward along the inclined bottom surface 104 through the connecting rod 216. The sliding stirring block in the warehouse slides with the slider 215 outside the warehouse and pushes the isolation rotating plate 212 to rotate counterclockwise. The position of the isolation rotating plate 212 changes, and the volume of the entire isolation area 102 becomes smaller. At the same time, the isolation rotating plate 212 pushes and disturbs the reaction cup in the isolation area 102. A small number of reaction cups enter the buffer zone 101 from the channel 103 and correct their posture when passing above the isolation rotating plate 212, so that they enter the buffer zone The axis of the reaction cup in area 101 is parallel to the isolation rotating plate 212; when the ejecting member 600 descends, the pushing member of the ejecting member 600 descends under the action of its own weight and the push of the reaction cup until the limit part falls on the bracket, and at the same time, the sliding block 215 outside the bin and the sliding stirring block inside the bin are driven to descend along the inclined bottom surface 104 through the connecting rod 216, and the isolation rotating plate 212 loses its pushing force. The isolation rotating plate 212 rotates clockwise and resets under the action of its own weight and the push of the reaction cup in the isolation area 102, and the volume of the isolation area 102 expands and resets. If the lifting disturbance plate 213 gets stuck when it is reset, the pushing member on the ejecting member 600 pushes the downward pushing part 217a of the pull rod 217 during the downward process, causing the lifting disturbance plate 213 to reset accordingly.

[0069] In other embodiments, see Figure 5 、 Figure 6 、 Figure 7The bottom of the silo 100 is provided with an opening for the lifting member 600 to be inserted and lowered. The bottom of the silo 100 is provided with a push slider 220 for rotating the isolation rotating plate 212. The push slider 220 slides upward or downward along the inclined bottom surface 104. The push slider 220 is provided with a pushing inclined surface 221 for the lifting member 600 to push. In this case, the lifting and lowering disturbance plate 213 of the aforementioned embodiment can be provided, or it can be omitted. During operation, when the ejecting member 600 moves upward, it pushes the pushing inclined surface 221 of the pushing slider 220, causing the pushing slider 220 to slide upward along the inclined bottom surface 104, and the pushing slider synchronously pushes the slider 220 to push the isolation rotating plate 212 to rotate; conversely, during the downward reset process of the ejecting member 600, after the ejecting member 600 contacts the pushing inclined surface 221, the pushing slider 220 slides down along the inclined bottom surface 104 under the action of its own weight, and the isolation rotating plate 212 is reset accordingly.

[0070] In some other embodiments, see Figure 8 、 Figure 9 The reciprocating member is a movable rotating plate 231, which has a hinged end and a free end. The hinged end is hinged to the bottom of the hopper 100. The movable rotating plate 231 has two extreme rotational positions: a first extreme position in contact with the inclined bottom surface 104 of the hopper 100 and a second extreme position away from the inclined bottom surface 104. When the movable rotating plate 231 rotates from the first extreme position to the second extreme position, the movable rotating plate 231 pushes the cuvettes in the isolation zone 102. In actual implementation, a lifting and pushing member 232 can be provided below the hinged end to support the hinged end. The lifting and pushing member 232 repeatedly enters and exits the hopper 100, causing the movable rotating plate 231 to reciprocate. The lifting and pushing member can be driven in a manner similar to that of the lifting and pushing member 213.

[0071] Accordingly, see Figures 2 to 9 The present invention also provides an automatic loading and sorting device, comprising a frame 500, a hopper 100 disposed on the frame 500, a sorting mechanism 400 for automatically sorting reaction cups, and any of the above-mentioned flow rate control mechanisms. The sorting mechanism has a sorting space for sorting reaction cups, and the lifting member 600 is used to lift the reaction cups from the hopper 100 into the sorting space 401.

[0072] Correspondingly, the present invention also provides a flow rate control method, including: dividing a silo 100 into a buffer zone 101 and an isolation zone 102, and providing a channel 103 between the buffer zone 101 and the isolation zone 102 for a reaction cup to enter the buffer zone 101 from the isolation zone 102, and by changing the boundary position of the buffer zone 101 and the isolation zone 102, the volume of the isolation zone 102 is repeatedly reduced or expanded, and by reducing the volume of the isolation zone 102, the reaction cup in the isolation zone 102 is pushed and disturbed.

[0073] In some embodiments, the flow rate control method further includes: correcting the posture of the reaction cup in the buffer zone 101 .

[0074] In some embodiments, the flow rate control method further includes: when the volume of the isolation area 102 is reduced, the channel between the isolation area 102 and the buffer area 101 is increased.

[0075] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly stipulated and limited, a first feature being "on" or "under" a second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or may include the first and second features not being in direct contact but being in contact through another feature between them.

[0076] In the description of the present invention, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the terms "comprising" and / or "including", when used in this specification, identify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, components and / or parts, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts and / or groups.

[0077] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical principles disclosed herein are intended to be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flow rate control mechanism for controlling the flow of articles in a silo, wherein the silo is mounted on a frame and has a lifting member for lifting articles from bottom to top, characterized in that: It includes an isolation structure for separating the space in the silo to form a buffer zone and an isolation zone, the lifting member is used to lift the items in the buffer zone, and there is a channel between the buffer zone and the isolation zone for the items to enter the buffer zone from the isolation zone. The silo is provided with at least one reciprocating movable member for enclosing the isolation zone, wherein the reciprocating movable member repeatedly reduces or expands the volume of the isolation zone through periodic reciprocating motion, and pushes and disturbs the items in the isolation zone by reducing the volume of the isolation zone; the reciprocating movable member is an isolation rotating plate or a movable rotating plate, and the isolation rotating plate or the movable rotating plate pushes the items in the isolation zone by rotating; the frame is provided with a driving mechanism for driving the lifting member to rise and fall.

2. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The isolation structure includes a fixed isolation plate and the isolation rotating plate, the isolation rotating plate is hinged on the fixed isolation plate, the channel is formed between the bottom edge of the isolation rotating plate and the bottom surface of the silo, and the isolation rotating plate expands or reduces the volume of the isolation area and pushes the items in the isolation area by reciprocating rotation.

3. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a lifting disturbance plate for correcting the posture of items in the buffer zone. The bottom of the silo is provided with an entrance for the lifting disturbance plate to be inserted into the buffer zone. A correction space is formed between the lifting disturbance plate and the top material piece, and the distance between the lifting disturbance plate and the top material piece is less than the length of the item.

4. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that: A linkage mechanism is provided between the isolation rotating plate and the lifting disturbance plate, for converting the lifting power of the lifting disturbance plate into the rotational power of the isolation rotating plate.

5. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that: The silo has an inclined bottom surface, and the channel is adjacent to the inclined bottom surface of the silo. The linkage mechanism includes: an in-silo sliding disturbance member, which is slidable up and down on the inclined bottom surface of the silo, and the in-silo sliding disturbance member is used to push the isolation rotating plate to rotate toward the isolation area and disturb the items in the silo; an out-silo slider, which is slidable up and down on the inclined bottom surface outside the silo, and the out-silo slider is integrally connected to the in-silo sliding disturbance member; and a connecting rod, which is hinged to the lifting disturbance plate and hinged to the out-silo slider.

6. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 5, characterized in that: The in-bin sliding disturbance member includes a lower disturbance portion installed on the inclined bottom surface of the silo and an upper disturbance portion for the isolation rotating plate to rest on, and the upper disturbance portion extends from the lower disturbance portion to the side of the isolation rotating plate facing away from the isolation area.

7. The flow rate control mechanism according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that: An opening is provided at the bottom of the silo for inserting a lifting member into the buffer zone, and a pushing member is provided on the lifting member for pushing the lifting disturbance plate upward. When the lifting disturbance plate is at the lowest limit position, it falls onto the frame under the action of its own weight and the squeezing of the articles in the silo.

8. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 7, characterized in that: A pull rod is also provided at the bottom of the lifting disturbance plate, and the pull rod is used to pull down the stuck lifting disturbance plate. A downward pushing portion is provided on the pull rod for the pushing member to push the pull rod downward, and the downward pushing portion is directly below the pushing member; a buffer is provided on the pushing member or a buffer is provided at the bottom of the lifting disturbance plate, and when the pushing member pushes the lifting disturbance plate, the buffer is located between the pushing member and the lifting disturbance plate.

9. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that: The silo has an inclined bottom surface, and an opening is provided at the bottom of the silo for the lifting and insertion of the ejecting piece. A pushing slider is provided at the bottom of the silo for pushing the isolation turn plate to rotate. The sliding direction of the pushing slider is upward or downward along the inclined bottom surface, and the pushing slider is provided with a pushing inclined surface for the ejecting piece to push.

10. The flow rate control mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The movable turn plate has a hinged end and a free end, the hinged end is hinged to the bottom of the silo, the rotation limit positions of the movable turn plate include a first limit position abutting the inclined bottom surface of the silo and a second limit position away from the inclined bottom surface, and when the movable turn plate rotates from the first limit position to the second limit position, the movable turn plate pushes the items in the isolation area.

11. A flow rate control method, characterized in that: The flow rate control method is applied to the flow rate control mechanism described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and the flow rate control method includes: dividing the silo into a buffer zone and an isolation zone, and repeatedly reducing or expanding the volume of the isolation zone by changing the boundary position of the buffer zone and the isolation zone, and pushing and disturbing the items in the isolation zone by reducing the volume of the isolation zone.

12. The flow rate control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: Also includes: In the buffer zone, the posture of the object is corrected.

13. The flow rate control method according to claim 11, characterized in that: Also includes: When the volume of the isolation zone decreases, the passage between the isolation zone and the buffer zone increases.

14. An automatic loading and sorting device, comprising a frame, a silo mounted on the frame, and a sorting mechanism for automatically sorting items, the sorting mechanism having a sorting space for sorting items, characterized in that: It also includes the flow rate control mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the lifting member is used to lift the objects from the silo into the sorting space.

Images