Clamping device for automatic gripping of sample cups

Abstract

The present invention discloses a clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup, comprising: a transfer plate, which is provided with a placement hole; a positioning plate, which is located below the transfer plate and is used to support the sample cup; a clamping claw, which is slidably connected to the transfer plate and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the placement hole; a return spring, whose two ends are respectively connected to the transfer plate and the clamping claw; a driving component, which comprises a lifting arm and a swing arm, and each swing arm is an L-shaped structure composed of a vertical section and an inner curved section; when the lifting arm moves down along the inner curved section of the swing arm, the clamping claw overcomes the pulling force of the return spring and moves toward each other and clamps the sample cup; when the lifting arm moves up from the inner curved section to the vertical section, the clamping claw moves back to leave the sample cup under the action of the return spring. The present invention has an ingenious structure and is easy to use. It can firmly lock and clamp the sample cup, making it convenient for it to automatically open and close the cover. It can also be integrated with an in vitro diagnostic instrument as a whole, simplifying the operation process and improving the efficiency of sample detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of sample cup grabbing equipment, and in particular to a clamping device for automatically grabbing a sample cup. Background Art

[0002] In vitro diagnostic testing equipment is an instrument that can perform qualitative or quantitative analysis on a patient's body fluid samples (sputum, blood, urine). The sample pretreatment module it contains is mainly used for filling digestive fluid, weighing, and mixing. In this process, the sample cup needs to be clamped and fixed before filling the digestive fluid to facilitate opening the cup lid; and after the digestive fluid is filled and weighed, the sample cup needs to be clamped and closed to prevent the sample from splashing during the mixing process. Since the same sample cup needs to be clamped and opened and closed twice or more in a sample processing process, when the current manual opening and closing operation is used, it is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but there is also the possibility of confusion between different sample cup lids, resulting in cross-contamination of samples, thereby affecting the accuracy of the test results. Summary of the invention

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup which is simple in structure, safe and reliable, and can specifically adopt the following technical solutions:

[0004] The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to the present invention comprises

[0005] A transfer plate, on which a placement hole for placing the sample cup is opened;

[0006] A positioning plate is fixedly arranged below the transfer plate and corresponds to the placement hole, and is used to support the sample cup;

[0007] A clamping claw is slidably connected to the transfer plate and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the placement hole, and is used to clamp the sample cup;

[0008] A return spring, one end of which is connected to the transfer plate, and the other end of which is connected to the clamping claw;

[0009] Drive components, including

[0010] Lifting arms; and

[0011] Swing arms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lifting arm, and each of the swing arms is an L-shaped structure consisting of a vertical section and an inner curved section;

[0012] When the lifting arm moves downward along the inner curved section of the swing arm, the clamp overcomes the pulling force of the return spring and moves toward each other to clamp the sample cup; when the lifting arm moves upward from the inner curved section to the vertical section, the clamp moves backward and leaves the sample cup under the action of the return spring.

[0013] The lifting arm is a horizontal arm arranged below the positioning plate, and the end of the lifting arm is equidistant from the central axis of the placement hole.

[0014] The positioning plate is an I-shaped structure, a supporting block is arranged on the lifting arm, and a top opening groove which is plugged and adapted to the connecting rod in the middle of the positioning plate is opened on the supporting block.

[0015] The clamping jaw has a clamping end adapted to the sample cup and a triggering end arranged opposite to the clamping end. Each clamping jaw is slidably connected to the transfer plate through a guide rail, and an anti-slip protrusion is arranged on the clamping surface of the clamping end of the clamping jaw. The triggering end of the clamping jaw is connected to a return spring.

[0016] The rotating shaft of the swing arm is located in the vertical section, the top end of the vertical section is correspondingly arranged on the outside of the trigger end of the clamping claw, and the inner side surfaces of the vertical section and the inner curved section are always in contact with the end of the lifting arm.

[0017] The transfer plate is provided with a bracket for mounting a swing arm shaft.

[0018] The inner bending section of the swing arm has a locking surface which is vertically connected to the lifting arm, and the locking surface is located at the end of the swing arm.

[0019] Rollers are arranged at both ends of the lifting arm and the top end of the swing arm.

[0020] A vertical guide rod sleeved and connected to the lifting arm is arranged on the transfer plate, and the bottom of the lifting arm is connected to the lead screw motor.

[0021] The clamping device also includes a sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the drive motor. The signal output end of the sensor is connected to the signal input end of the single-chip microcomputer, and the control output end of the single-chip microcomputer is connected to the control input end of the drive motor.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0023] 1. The swing arm is opened and closed by moving the lifting arm up and down, and the up and down movement is converted into horizontal movement, so that the clamping jaws on both sides can move synchronously, thereby achieving centering clamping of the sample cup and ensuring the position accuracy of the sample cup when clamping;

[0024] 2. When the lifting arm moves to the end of the swing arm, the contact surfaces of the two are perpendicular to each other, achieving position locking, thereby solving the problem of clamping failure and sample cup tipping caused by power failure, air failure, etc. after the traditional clamping jaws clamp the sample cup;

[0025] 3. The clamping surface of the clamping jaw is provided with a raised structure that matches the body of the sample cup, which can increase the friction during clamping and prevent the cup body from slipping when it contacts the clamping jaw due to the external force when the upper cover opening and closing mechanism performs an action on the sample cup, thereby effectively improving the success rate of opening and closing the cover.

[0026] In summary, the clamping device for automatic grasping of the sample cup provided by the present invention has an ingenious structure and is easy to use. It can firmly lock and clamp the sample cup, facilitate automatic opening and closing of the lid, and prevent the sample from splashing and causing harm to medical staff. The present invention can also be integrated with an in vitro diagnostic instrument to simplify the operating process and improve sample detection efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the internal structure.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle lifting arm and positioning plate.

[0030] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle swing arm part.

[0031] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the clamping jaws.

[0032] Figure 6-8 It is a schematic diagram of the working state of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following is a detailed description of an embodiment of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. This embodiment is implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and a detailed implementation method and a specific working process are given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0034] like Figure 1-8As shown, the clamping device for automatic grasping of sample cups described in the present invention comprises a transfer plate 1 for placing sample cups M, on which a placement hole matching the size of sample cups M is provided; a positioning plate 2 for supporting sample cups M is installed below the transfer plate 1, which is an I-shaped structure, fixedly spaced from the transfer plate 1, and corresponding to the placement hole; clamping jaws 3 for clamping sample cups M are symmetrically installed on both sides of the placement hole, and both clamping jaws 3 are slidably connected to the transfer plate 1 through guide rails 4, and each clamping jaw 3 has a clamping end (close to one end of sample cups M) matching sample cups M and a triggering end (far away from one end of sample cups M) arranged opposite to the clamping end. An anti-slip protrusion is arranged on the clamping surface of the clamping end of the clamping jaw 3, which can prevent the sample cups M from slipping in the clamping jaw 3 when the cover is opened; the triggering end of the clamping jaw 3 is connected to the transfer plate 1 through a return spring 5, and the combined drive assembly acts on the clamping jaw 3 to achieve automatic clamping of the sample cups M.

[0035] The above-mentioned driving assembly includes a lifting arm 6 located below the positioning plate 2, which is a horizontal arm with rollers installed at both ends. The lifting arm 6 is symmetrically arranged along the central axis of the placement hole, and is slidably sleeved on the vertical guide rod 7 connected to the positioning plate 2. The lifting arm 6 is connected to the screw motor 8 below it, and is driven by the screw motor 8 to perform lifting and lowering movements. A supporting block 9 is also installed on the lifting arm 6, and a top opening groove is provided on the supporting block 9 to be plugged and adapted to the middle connecting rod of the positioning plate 2. When the lifting arm 6 and the supporting block 9 rise under the action of the screw motor 8, the top of the supporting block 9 can continue to rise over the positioning plate 2 until it reaches a position flush with the transfer plate 1, which is convenient for the gripper to place the sample cup M and prevents the sample cup M from falling under the action of gravity and colliding with the positioning plate 2 to cause damage.

[0036] The above-mentioned driving assembly also includes swing arms 10 symmetrically installed on both sides of the lifting arm 6. The two swing arms 10 are connected to the transfer plate 1 through a bracket 11. Each swing arm 10 is an L-shaped structure consisting of a vertical section and an inner curved section. The rotating shaft 12 of the swing arm 10 is located in the vertical section. A roller is installed at the top of the vertical section, which is correspondingly arranged on the outside of the trigger end of the clamp 3. The inner side surfaces of the vertical section and the inner curved section are always in contact with the end rollers of the lifting arm 6. When the lifting arm 6 moves down along the inner curved section of the swing arm 10, the lower part of the swing arm 10 is pressed to swing outward, and the upper part thereof pushes the clamping jaws 3 inward, and the two clamping jaws 3 move toward each other while overcoming the pulling force of the return spring 5, and finally realize the centering clamping of the sample cup M; on the contrary, the lifting arm 6 moves upward from the inner curved section to the vertical section, and when the rollers at both ends of the lifting arm 6 are in contact with the inner wall of the vertical section, the swing arm 10 returns to the initial hanging state, and at this time, the clamping jaws 3 move backward and leave the sample cup M under the action of the return spring 5. In order to realize clamping locking, a locking surface is provided at the end of the inner curved section of the swing arm 10, and when the locking surface is in contact with the lifting arm 6, the two are perpendicular to each other.

[0037] In addition, the present invention is also equipped with a sensor 13 for detecting the rotation angle of the lead screw motor 8, the signal output end of the sensor 12 is connected to the signal input end of the single chip microcomputer, and the control output end of the single chip microcomputer is connected to the control input end of the lead screw motor 8. When the lifting arm 6 moves into position, the sensor 12 sends a signal to stop the lead screw motor 8 from rotating, thereby preventing the clamping jaws 3 from over-clamping.

[0038] When grabbing the sample cup M, Figure 6 As shown, first, the top of the supporting block 9 is aligned with the transfer plate 1. At this time, the swing arm 10 is in a naturally suspended state, the lifting arm 6 is in contact with the vertical section of the swing arm 10, and the clamping claw 3 is in a state to be grasped; then, the sample cup M is placed on the placement hole of the transfer plate 1 through the external gripper, and the screw motor 8 is started to move the lifting arm 6 downward along the vertical guide rod 7. The supporting block 9 connected to the lifting arm 6 drives the sample cup M to move downward until the sample cup M contacts the positioning plate 2. Thereafter, the sample cup M stays on the positioning plate 2, and the bottom portion with anti-slip grooves thereof is opposite to the clamping claws 3 on both sides, while the supporting block 9 continues to move downward with the lifting arm 6 (see Figure 7 ); When the lifting arm 6 enters the inner curved section from the vertical section of the swing arm 10, the swing arm 10 at both sides is turned outward around its rotation axis 12 under the action of the roller at the end of the lifting arm 6, so that the top pulley of the swing arm 10 pushes the inner clamping claw 3 to move toward the sample cup M. When the lifting arm 6 reaches the locking surface at the end of the inner curved section of the swing arm 10, the contact surfaces of the two are perpendicular to each other (see Figure 8 ), the clamping jaw 3 reaches the end point of movement and firmly clamps the sample cup M.

[0039] It should be noted that, in the description of the present invention, terms indicating orientation or positional relationships, such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

Claims

1. A clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup, characterized in that: The clamping device comprises A transfer plate, on which a placement hole for placing the sample cup is opened; A positioning plate is fixedly arranged below the transfer plate and corresponds to the placement hole, and is used to support the sample cup; A clamping claw is slidably connected to the transfer plate and symmetrically arranged on both sides of the placement hole, and is used to clamp the sample cup; A return spring, one end of which is connected to the transfer plate, and the other end of which is connected to the clamping claw; Drive components, including Lifting arms; and Swing arms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the lifting arm, and each of the swing arms is an L-shaped structure consisting of a vertical section and an inner curved section; When the lifting arm moves downward along the inner curved section of the swing arm, the clamping claw overcomes the pulling force of the return spring and moves toward each other to clamp the sample cup; when the lifting arm moves upward from the inner curved section to the vertical section, the clamping claw moves backward and leaves the sample cup under the action of the return spring; The lifting arm is a horizontal arm arranged below the positioning plate, and the end of the lifting arm is equidistant from the central axis of the placement hole; The positioning plate is an I-shaped structure, a supporting block is arranged on the lifting arm, and a top opening groove which is plugged and adapted to the connecting rod in the middle of the positioning plate is opened on the supporting block.

2. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping jaw has a clamping end adapted to the sample cup and a triggering end arranged opposite to the clamping end. Each clamping jaw is slidably connected to the transfer plate through a guide rail, and an anti-slip protrusion is arranged on the clamping surface of the clamping end of the clamping jaw. The triggering end of the clamping jaw is connected to a return spring.

3. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating shaft of the swing arm is located in the vertical section, the top end of the vertical section is correspondingly arranged on the outside of the trigger end of the clamping claw, and the inner side surfaces of the vertical section and the inner curved section are always in contact with the end of the lifting arm.

4. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 3, characterized in that: The transfer plate is provided with a bracket for mounting a swing arm shaft.

5. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner bending section of the swing arm has a locking surface which is vertically connected to the lifting arm, and the locking surface is located at the end of the swing arm.

6. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: Rollers are arranged at both ends of the lifting arm and the top end of the swing arm.

7. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: A vertical guide rod sleeved and connected to the lifting arm is arranged on the transfer plate, and the bottom of the lifting arm is connected to the lead screw motor.

8. The clamping device for automatic grasping of a sample cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping device also includes a sensor for detecting the rotation angle of the drive motor. The signal output end of the sensor is connected to the signal input end of the single-chip microcomputer, and the control output end of the single-chip microcomputer is connected to the control input end of the drive motor.

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