An automated unlocking and separating sample rack advancing mechanism

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatically unlocked and separated sample rack propulsion mechanism, which relates to the technical field of sample rack conveying and moving control of automated analytical instruments. It comprises a sample rack support platform, a stepper motor, a sliding propulsion unit, and an in-place unlocking block; the sample rack support platform is mainly used for storing and sliding the sample rack; the stepper motor is a driving component for completing the movement of the sample rack; the sliding propulsion unit is a mechanism sliding unit that maintains the moving direction of the sample rack; the in-place unlocking block is the main component for unlocking and separating the sample rack pushing device. A sliding propulsion unit is provided at one end of the sample rack platform, and an in-place unlocking block is provided at one end of the sliding propulsion unit, and the stepper motor is driven and connected to the sliding propulsion unit. The present invention has a compact structure, a small number of parts, simple and efficient control, low cost, and long service life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of sample rack transport and movement control technology for automated analytical instruments, specifically to a sample rack propulsion mechanism that automatically unlocks and separates. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid advancements in automated analytical equipment, test samples need to move more intelligently to different workstations to complete more ideal testing processes. Achieving complex motion processes using simple mechanical structures is a common goal of all automated products; using a single power source to complete two or more different actions not only reduces manufacturing costs but also brings advantages such as simplified drive control and lower failure rates. This invention employs a single motor drive to sequentially complete the precise positioning and automatic separation processes upon reaching the designated positions. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide an automatic unlocking and separation sample holder propulsion mechanism that is compact in structure, has few parts, is simple and efficient to control, low in cost, and has a long service life.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an automatically unlocking and separating sample holder propulsion mechanism, comprising a sample holder support, a stepper motor, a sliding propulsion unit, and a positioning unlocking block. The sample holder support is primarily used for storing and sliding the sample holder. The stepper motor is the driving component for moving the sample holder. The sliding propulsion unit is a sliding mechanism that maintains the sliding direction of the sample holder's movement. The positioning unlocking block is the component that unlocks and separates the sample holder propulsion device from the sample holder. The sliding propulsion unit is located at one end of the sample holder support, and the positioning unlocking block is located at the other end of the sliding propulsion unit. The stepper motor is driven by the sliding propulsion unit.

[0005] Preferably, the sample rack is provided on the sample rack support, and multiple sample tubes are inserted into the sample rack.

[0006] Preferably, the sliding propulsion unit includes a propulsion mechanism support plate, a propulsion linear guide rail, a propulsion timing belt, a propulsion pin, guide rollers, and a propulsion base. The propulsion mechanism support plate is located on the front side of the sample holder platform. A propulsion linear guide rail is located on the outer side of the propulsion mechanism support plate. A propulsion base is slidably mounted on the propulsion linear guide rail. Guide rollers and a propulsion pin are sequentially mounted above the propulsion base. A positioning unlocking block is located above the end of the propulsion linear guide rail. The bottom of the propulsion base is fixed to the propulsion timing belt, which is connected to a stepper motor via a transmission wheel.

[0007] Preferably, a reset optocoupler is provided on the inner side of the transmission wheel.

[0008] Preferably, the sample holder platform is provided with a gap that cooperates with the push pin.

[0009] Preferably, the positioning unlocking block is a wedge-shaped structure, and the inclined surface of the wedge-shaped structure cooperates with the guide roller.

[0010] Preferably, the guide roller and the push pin are both mounted on the push block, and the push block is rotatably mounted on the push base.

[0011] Preferably, the propulsion timing belt is positioned below the propulsion linear guide rail and is parallel to the propulsion linear guide rail.

[0012] Preferably, the linear guide rail is provided with an elongated hole above it, which is fitted with the propulsion pin.

[0013] Preferably, the stepper motor is fixed between the sample holder platform and the propulsion mechanism support plate.

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention consists of four parts: sample rack support, stepper motor, sliding propulsion unit, and positioning unlocking block; it has a compact structure, few parts, simple and efficient control, low cost, long service life, and is driven by a single motor; it sequentially completes the functions of precise positioning and automatic separation upon positioning. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments;

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the front-stage propulsion of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the position locking mechanism of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the sample holder advancement according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the unlocking mechanism of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning unlocking block of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0023] Reference Figure 1-6This specific embodiment adopts the following technical solution: an automatically unlocking and separating sample rack propulsion mechanism, including a sample rack support 1, a stepper motor 6, a sliding propulsion unit, and a positioning unlocking block 4; the sample rack support 1 is used for storing and sliding the sample rack; the stepper motor 6 is the driving component for moving the sample rack; the sliding propulsion unit is a sliding mechanism that maintains the sliding direction of the sample rack; the positioning unlocking block 4 is the component for unlocking and separating the sample rack propulsion device from the sample rack. The sample rack support 1 has a sliding propulsion unit at one end and a positioning unlocking block 4 at the other end; the stepper motor 6 is driven by the sliding propulsion unit. A sample rack 2 is mounted on the sample rack support 1, and multiple sample tubes 8 are inserted into the sample rack 2.

[0024] The sliding propulsion unit includes a propulsion mechanism support plate 3, a propulsion linear guide rail 5, a propulsion timing belt 7, a propulsion pin 9, a guide roller 10, and a propulsion base 11. The propulsion mechanism support plate 3 is located on the front side of the sample holder platform 1. The propulsion linear guide rail 5 is located on the outer side of the propulsion mechanism support plate 3. The propulsion base 11 is slidably mounted on the propulsion linear guide rail 5. The guide roller 10 and the propulsion pin 9 are sequentially mounted above the propulsion base 11. A positioning unlocking block 4 is located above the end of the propulsion linear guide rail 5. The bottom of the propulsion base 11 is fixed to the propulsion timing belt 7, which is connected to the stepper motor 6 via a transmission wheel 13. A reset optocoupler 12 is located on the inner side of the transmission wheel 13. A gap 14 is provided on the sample holder platform 1 to cooperate with the propulsion pin 9. The positioning unlocking block 4 has a wedge-shaped structure, and the inclined surface 41 of the wedge-shaped structure cooperates with the guide roller 10. The guide roller 10 and the propulsion pin 9 are both mounted on a push block 15, which is rotatably mounted on the propulsion base 11. The synchronous belt 7 is positioned below and parallel to the linear guide rail 5. An elongated hole 16 is provided above the linear guide rail 5, through which the push pin 9 passes. The stepper motor 6 is fixed between the sample holder platform 1 and the push mechanism support plate 3.

[0025] The specific implementation process of this in-place advancement, such as Figure 2-5 As shown, when the sample holder reaches the frontmost support plate 3 of the propulsion mechanism, the propulsion pin 9 will naturally insert into the unique gap of the sample holder, thus forming a motion control passively controlled by the propulsion pin 9. As the propulsion base 11 is pulled by the propulsion timing belt 7, the propulsion mechanism and the sample holder will move together to the relevant position. When the guide roller 10 travels to the unique inclined surface of the unlocking block 4, it will be pushed up and separated from the sample holder, achieving the unlocking purpose. At this time, the sample holder will be dragged away by the next-level conveying unit mechanism.

[0026] This specific implementation uses position locking to constrain the directional movement of the sample holder, and uses the slope of the guide block to unlock the constraint on the sample holder; its structural design is reasonable, with few parts, simple and efficient control, low cost, and long life, i.e., it uses a single motor drive; it sequentially completes the function process of precise movement and automatic separation upon reaching the position.

[0027] This specific implementation method is mainly applied to the sample rack transport and movement control function of automated analytical instruments; and to meet the instrument's need for the movement of test samples at different nodes.

[0028] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made to the invention without departing from its spirit and scope, and all such changes and modifications fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatically unlocking and separating sample holder propulsion mechanism, characterized in that, The system includes a sample rack support (1), a stepper motor (6), a sliding propulsion unit, and a positioning unlocking block (4). The sample rack support (1) serves as a storage and sliding carrier for the sample rack. The stepper motor (6) is the driving component for the sample rack to move. The sliding propulsion unit is a sliding mechanism that maintains the sliding direction of the sample rack. The positioning unlocking block (4) is a component that unlocks and separates the sample rack from the sample rack. The sample rack support (1) has a sliding propulsion unit at one end and a positioning unlocking block (4) at the other end. The stepper motor (6) is driven by the sliding propulsion unit. The sliding propulsion unit includes a propulsion mechanism support plate (3), a propulsion linear guide rail (5), a propulsion synchronous belt (7), a propulsion pin (9), a guide roller (10), and a propulsion base (11). The propulsion mechanism support plate (3) is set on the front side of the sample holder platform (1). A propulsion linear guide rail (5) is set on the outside of the propulsion mechanism support plate (3). A propulsion base (11) is slidably set on the propulsion linear guide rail (5). A guide roller (10) and a propulsion pin (9) are set on the upper part of the propulsion base (11). A positioning unlocking block (4) is set on the upper part of the end of the propulsion linear guide rail (5). The bottom of the propulsion base (11) is fixed on the propulsion synchronous belt (7). The propulsion synchronous belt (7) is connected to the stepper motor (6) through the transmission wheel (13). The positioning unlocking block (4) is a wedge-shaped structure. The inclined surface (41) of the wedge-shaped structure cooperates with the guide roller (10). The guide roller (10) and the propulsion pin (9) are both set on the push block (15). The push block (15) is rotatably set on the propulsion base (11).

2. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample rack platform (1) is provided with a sample rack (2), and multiple sample tubes (8) are inserted into the sample rack (2).

3. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, A reset optocoupler (12) is provided on the inner side of the transmission wheel (13).

4. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sample holder platform (1) is provided with a gap (14) that cooperates with the push pin (9).

5. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The propulsion timing belt (7) is located below the propulsion linear guide rail (5) and is parallel to the propulsion linear guide rail (5).

6. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The propulsion linear guide (5) is provided with an elongated hole (16) above it, and the elongated hole (16) is fitted with the propulsion pin (9).

7. The sample holder pushing mechanism for automatic unlocking and separation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The stepper motor (6) is fixed between the sample holder platform (1) and the propulsion mechanism support plate (3).

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