Material Transfer and Caching Device and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a material transfer and caching device and a material transfer and caching method. The above-mentioned material transfer and caching device includes a feeding channel, a caching chamber, a caching input and output turntable, a caching transfer mechanism, and a conveying mechanism. The caching chamber is connected through the caching input and output turntable, and the caching transfer mechanism can bidirectionally convey materials between the caching chamber and the caching input and output turntable, and the conveying mechanism can convey materials in the caching chamber. The above-mentioned device and method can enable materials that cannot be received by the downstream to be temporarily stored in the caching chamber, and when the downstream can receive them, the materials can return to the feeding channel from the caching chamber again and be conveyed out. It can also enable recyclable materials that cannot be received by the upstream to be temporarily stored in the caching chamber, and when the upstream can receive them, the recyclable materials are conveyed out from the caching chamber again. The whole setting integrates the functions of transfer and caching, and the overall equipment has a small volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of material transmission, and in particular to a material transmission buffer device and a material transmission buffer method. Background Art

[0002] Material transmission devices are used in various fields of automated production and testing equipment to provide raw materials or samples for production, testing and other activities. For example, in the field of biological sample testing, the transmission device can provide samples to be tested to the sample inlet of the testing instrument. Due to the limited capacity and space inside the testing instrument, when the testing instrument is busy or in standby mode, the transmission device needs to stop transmitting and cache the test samples outside the testing instrument. The existing transmission device and the cache mechanism are set independently, resulting in a large volume occupied by the overall equipment. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a material transmission and caching device to solve the problem that the material transmission device and the caching mechanism have a large volume. The present invention also provides a method for material transmission and caching using the above device.

[0004] A material transmission buffer device, comprising:

[0005] A feed channel, wherein the feed channel is provided with a feed inlet and a discharge outlet;

[0006] A cache chamber, wherein the cache chamber is provided with a cache entrance and a cache exit;

[0007] A cache input turntable is arranged to rotate relative to the feed channel and is used to connect the discharge port or the cache entrance when rotated to different positions;

[0008] A cache output turntable is arranged to rotate relative to the feed channel and is used to connect the feed port or the cache outlet when rotated to different positions;

[0009] a cache transfer mechanism, used to transfer the materials in the cache input turntable to the cache entrance of the cache chamber, and to transfer the materials at the cache exit to the cache output turntable; and

[0010] The conveying mechanism is used to transfer the material in the cache chamber from the cache entrance to the cache exit.

[0011] In one embodiment, it also includes a return material channel and an auxiliary input turntable and an auxiliary output turntable that are arranged to rotate relative to the return material channel. The return material channel is provided with a return material inlet and a return material outlet. The auxiliary input turntable is arranged between the cache input turntable and the cache inlet for selectively connecting the return material inlet or the cache inlet. The auxiliary output turntable is arranged between the cache output turntable and the cache outlet for selectively connecting the return material outlet or the cache outlet.

[0012] In one embodiment, the cache input turntable, the cache output turntable, the auxiliary input turntable, and the auxiliary output turntable have the same diameter. The feeding channel and the material return channel are arranged in parallel, and the distance between them is greater than the radius of the cache input turntable and less than the sum of the radii of the cache input turntable and the auxiliary input turntable. The conveying directions of the feeding channel, the material return channel, and the conveying mechanism are parallel to each other.

[0013] In one embodiment, the line connecting the center of the auxiliary input turntable and the cache inlet is perpendicular to the material return channel; the line connecting the center of the auxiliary output turntable and the cache outlet is perpendicular to the material return channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, it further includes one of the following:

[0015] The cache input turntable is arranged outside the feeding channel;

[0016] The cache output turntable is arranged outside the feeding channel;

[0017] The auxiliary input turntable is arranged outside the material return channel;

[0018] The auxiliary output turntable is arranged outside the material return channel;

[0019] The auxiliary input turntable is arranged in the material return channel;

[0020] The auxiliary output turntable is arranged in the material return channel;

[0021] The auxiliary input turntable and the auxiliary output turntable are symmetrically arranged with respect to the midpoint of the material return channel;

[0022] The cache input turntable and the cache output turntable are symmetrically arranged with respect to the midpoint of the feeding channel.

[0023] In one embodiment, a counter and / or a sensor is arranged at the cache inlet and / or the cache outlet.

[0024] In one embodiment, the cache transfer mechanism includes an input mechanism arranged at the cache inlet and an output mechanism arranged at the cache outlet. Both the input mechanism and the output mechanism include a power member, a substrate, a claw, and a rail-changing dial. The claw is elastically and movably arranged on the substrate. The power member is used to drive the substrate to move relative to the cache chamber, and the rail-changing dial is used to block the claw to make the claw move relative to the substrate.

[0025] In one embodiment, there are two rail-changing dials, which are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the movement track of the substrate.

[0026] In one embodiment, it further includes a return material channel which coincides with the feed channel and has a conveying direction opposite to that of the feed channel.

[0027] A method for material transmission and caching uses the above-mentioned material transmission and caching device to transmit and cache materials, and includes the following steps:

[0028] Receive an operation instruction, where the operation instruction includes a conveying instruction and a caching instruction;

[0029] If a caching instruction is received, cache the material on the feed channel to the cache chamber by means of the cache input turntable, and transfer the material from the cache inlet of the cache chamber to the cache outlet;

[0030] If a conveying instruction is received, convey the material along the direction from the feed inlet to the discharge outlet of the feed channel.

[0031] In one embodiment, when a conveying instruction is received, if there is material in the feed channel, convey the material towards the discharge outlet; if there is no material in the feed channel, transfer the material in the cache chamber from the cache outlet to the feed channel and then convey it towards the discharge outlet of the feed channel; if there is no material in the cache chamber, wait for the feed channel to receive new material before conveying.

[0032] In one embodiment, the material is carried by a material rack, and it further includes receiving a return instruction and returning the empty material rack through the return channel.

[0033] In one embodiment, an auxiliary input turntable is provided on the return channel. When caching the material on the feed channel to the cache chamber by means of the cache input turntable, first transfer the material on the cache input turntable to the auxiliary input turntable, and then transfer it from the auxiliary input turntable to the cache chamber.

[0034] In one embodiment, an auxiliary output turntable is provided on the return channel. When transferring the material in the cache chamber from the cache outlet to the feed channel, first transfer the material in the cache chamber to the auxiliary output turntable, and then transfer it from the auxiliary output turntable to the feed channel.

[0035] In one embodiment, when caching the material on the feed channel to the cache chamber by means of the cache input turntable, the material rack is also detected and counted. When the material rack is empty, the empty material rack is removed from the cache outlet of the cache chamber and then returned.

[0036] In one embodiment, the returned empty material rack is directly returned through the return channel or the auxiliary output turntable communicated with the return channel, or is transferred from the auxiliary output turntable communicated with the return channel to the cache output turntable communicated with the feed channel and then returned.

[0037] In one embodiment, the feedback instruction includes a direct feedback instruction and a feedback buffer instruction. If the direct feedback instruction is received, the empty material rack is directly fed back through the feedback channel. If the feedback buffer instruction is received, the empty material rack is transferred to the buffer chamber by means of the auxiliary input turntable.

[0038] In one embodiment, when there are both empty and full material racks in the buffer chamber, one of them is selected to be reversely conveyed from the buffer outlet to the buffer inlet through the feedback channel and then returned to the buffer chamber again, while the other is conveyed from the buffer outlet along the direction of the feed inlet of the feed channel towards the discharge outlet or in the opposite direction.

[0039] The above-mentioned material transmission and buffering device and method, by setting the feed channel and the buffer chamber communicated with the feed channel, and with the help of the transfer of the buffer input and output turntables, the buffer transfer mechanism and the conveying mechanism, can make the materials that cannot be received downstream be temporarily stored in the buffer chamber. When the downstream can receive, the materials can return to the feed channel from the buffer chamber again and be conveyed out. It can also make the recyclable materials that cannot be received upstream be temporarily stored in the buffer chamber. When the upstream can receive, the recyclable materials are conveyed out from the buffer chamber again. The whole setting integrates the functions of transmission and buffering, and the overall equipment has a small volume. Description of the Drawings

[0040] Figure 1 Schematic perspective view of the material transmission and buffering device provided for the first embodiment;

[0041] Figure 2 For Figure 1 Schematic internal structure view of the material transmission and buffering device shown;

[0042] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Schematic top view of the material transmission and buffering device shown;

[0043] Figure 4 For Figure 2 Enlarged schematic view of the circled part;

[0044] Figure 5 Schematic top view of the material transmission and buffering device provided for the second embodiment;

[0045] Figure 6 Schematic top view of the material transmission and buffering device provided for the third embodiment;

[0046] Figures 7 to 10 For Figure 3 Schematic view of the transmission process state of the material transmission and buffering device shown;

[0047] Figure 11 Schematic perspective view of the material transmission and buffering device provided for the fourth embodiment;

[0048] Figure 12 For Figure 11 the top view schematic diagram of the internal structure of the material transfer and buffer device shown;

[0049] Figure 13 It is the top view schematic diagram of the internal structure of the material transfer and buffer device provided by the fifth embodiment.

[0050] Icon:

[0051] Base frame 10; Loading end 101; Unloading end 102;

[0052] Feeding channel 20; Feeding port 201; Discharging port 202;

[0053] Buffer chamber 30; Buffer inlet 301; Buffer outlet 302; Starting end 303; Ending end 304;

[0054] Buffer input turntable 40; Buffer output turntable 45; Transfer turntable 49;

[0055] Buffer transfer mechanism 50; Input mechanism 51; Output mechanism 52; Substrate 511; Claw 512; Track-changing paddle 513; Elastic member 514;

[0056] Conveying mechanism 55;

[0057] Return material channel 60; Return material inlet 601; Return material outlet 602;

[0058] Counter 70;

[0059] Auxiliary input turntable 80; Auxiliary output turntable 85;

[0060] Test tube rack 90; Front end 901; Rear end 902. Detailed implementation manners

[0061] In order to make the above objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and understandable, the following will describe in detail the specific implementation manners of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to fully understand the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the connotation of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0062] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0063] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "a plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically and clearly defined.

[0064] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the terms "mounted", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be construed in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0065] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "on" or "under" the second feature may be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a higher horizontal height than the second feature. The first feature being "under", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature may be that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the first feature has a lower horizontal height than the second feature.

[0066] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation.

[0067] In the present invention, the so-called input, output, or inlet, outlet, feed inlet, discharge outlet all refer to the corresponding device itself or the components within the corresponding device. For example, the feed inlet refers to the gateway where the material enters the material transfer buffer device, and the discharge outlet refers to the gateway where the material reaches outside the transfer buffer device; for another example, the buffer inlet refers to the gateway where the material enters the buffer chamber, and the buffer outlet refers to the gateway where the material reaches outside the buffer chamber. In some embodiments, the provided devices are all symmetrically designed. When the upstream and downstream devices connected externally are swapped in position, the input, output, or inlet, outlet, feed inlet, discharge outlet, etc. can also be swapped functionally. For example, the input becomes the output, the inlet becomes the outlet, and the feed inlet becomes the discharge outlet.

[0068] Refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the material transfer buffer device provided in the first embodiment of the present invention is used to be connected to the material transfer pipeline, for example, between the supply station and the detection station. After the material is transferred from the supply station to the material transfer buffer device, it can be directly transferred to the detection station by means of the material transfer buffer device to detect the material, or when the detection station is in a busy state or standby state and is not suitable for receiving new materials, the transferred material can be temporarily stored in the material transfer buffer device. When the detection station can receive materials again, the material transfer buffer device will transfer the material to the detection station.

[0069] During the process of transferring the material, the material can be carried by the material rack. In this embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, taking the material as a test tube as an example, and the test tube is loaded in the test tube rack 90. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the material can be other raw materials for production or samples for detection, etc., and can be transferred between any two stations on the transfer pipeline.

[0070] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, all the component elements of the material transfer buffer device are carried and installed on a base frame 10. One end of the base frame 10 is the loading end 101, and the other end is the unloading end 102. The loading end 101 is used to connect to the supply station, and the unloading end 102 is used to connect to the detection station.

[0071] At the same time, refer toFigure 3 and Figure 4 The material transfer and buffering device further includes a feeding channel 20, a buffering chamber 30, a buffering input turntable 40, a buffering output turntable 45, a buffering transfer mechanism 50, a conveying mechanism 55, a material return channel 60, an auxiliary input turntable 80, and an auxiliary output turntable 85. The test tube rack 90 can be directly conveyed from the supply station to the detection station by the feeding channel 20 and the buffering input turntable 40 and the buffering output turntable 45 connected to the feeding channel 20. When the detection station is unable to receive, the test tube rack 90 can also be conveyed from the feeding channel 20 to the buffering chamber 30 by means of the buffering input turntable 40, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the buffering transfer mechanism 50. When the detection station can receive the test tube rack 90, the test tube rack 90 in the buffering chamber 30 can return from the buffering chamber 30 to the feeding channel 20 again by means of the conveying mechanism 55, the buffering transfer mechanism 50, the auxiliary output turntable 85, and the buffering output turntable 45 and finally be conveyed to the detection station. The empty test tube rack 90 returned from the detection station can also be returned to the supply station by means of the material return channel 60 and the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 connected to the material return channel 60 (in some embodiments, the buffering output turntable 45 is also required) so that the test tube rack 90 can be reloaded with test tubes. Similarly, when the supply station is unable to receive the returned empty test tube rack 90, the empty test tube rack 90 can also be conveyed to the buffering chamber 30 by means of the material return channel 60 and the auxiliary input turntable 80 connected to the material return channel 60. When the supply station can receive the empty test tube rack 90, the empty test tube rack 90 in the buffering chamber 30 can be returned to the supply station again by means of the material return channel 60 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 connected to the material return channel 60 (in some embodiments, the buffering output turntable 45 is also required).

[0072] Conveying members such as belts and rollers can be provided in the feeding channel 20, the buffering input turntable 40, the buffering output turntable 45, the material return channel 60, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 to convey the test tube rack 90 in a predetermined direction. The conveying members can be driven by a power source such as a motor. By controlling the movement direction of the conveying members, the conveying direction can also be adjusted in two opposite directions. At the same time, the buffering input turntable 40 and the buffering output turntable 45 are respectively rotatable relative to the feeding channel 20, so that the test tube rack 90 in the buffering input turntable 40 and the buffering output turntable 45 can be connected to other conveying lines. Correspondingly, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 can also rotate relative to the material return channel 60, so that the test tube rack 90 in the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 can be connected to other conveying lines. The buffering input turntable 40, the buffering output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 can have the same structure and shape, for example, the size can be the same. Of course, in some embodiments, they can also be configured in different sizes.

[0073] Such as Figure 3As shown in the figure, the feeding channel 20 is respectively connected to the loading end 101 and the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10. The feeding channel 20 has a feeding port 201 and a discharging port 202. Among them, the feeding port 201 is directly connected to the buffer output turntable 45, and then is connected to the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 through the buffer output turntable 45. The test tube rack 90 entering from the loading end 101 can be conveyed by the buffer output turntable 45 and the feeding channel 20. The discharging port 202 is directly connected to the buffer input turntable 40, and then is connected to the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10 through the buffer input turntable 40. The test tube rack 90 on the feeding channel 20 can be conveyed by the buffer input turntable 40 into the detection station connected to the unloading end 102. In this case, the buffer input turntable 40 and the buffer output turntable 45 are arranged at two opposite ends of the feeding channel 20, that is, outside the feeding channel 20. It can be understood that in other embodiments, for example Figure 5 As shown in the figure, the buffer input turntable 40 and the buffer output turntable 45 can also be arranged in the middle part of the feeding channel 20. In this case, the feeding port 201 of the feeding channel 20 is directly connected to the loading end 101 of the base frame 10, and the discharging port 202 of the feeding channel 20 is directly connected to the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10.

[0074] The return channel 60 is arranged in parallel with the feeding channel 20. The return channel 60 has a return inlet 601 and a return outlet 602. As Figure 3 shown, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 are respectively arranged at the middle positions of the return channel 60. In this embodiment, the return inlet 601 of the return channel 60 is directly connected to the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10 for receiving the empty test tube rack 90 returned from the detection station. The return outlet 602 of the return channel 60 is directly connected to the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 for returning the empty test tube rack 90 to the supply station. It can be understood that in some embodiments, the positions of the return channel 60 and the feeding channel 20 can be interchanged. Or in other words, in Figure 3 the embodiment shown, the return channel 60 can be used as the feeding channel, and the feeding channel 20 can be used as the return channel, only by setting the conveying directions of the relevant conveying parts arranged therein in the opposite direction.

[0075] In other embodiments, as Figure 6 shown in the figure, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 can also be arranged outside the return channel 60 and connected to the two opposite ends of the return channel 60. In this case, the auxiliary input turntable 80 is directly connected to the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 is directly connected to the loading end 101 of the base frame 10.

[0076] In one embodiment, the inlet and outlet of the detection station are respectively set as two independent openings, and thus are respectively connected by the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60. In some embodiments, the inlet and outlet of the supply station are at the same position, that is, at the position corresponding to the feeding channel 20. Then, the empty test tube rack 90 can also be first connected to the buffer transfer turntable 45 by means of the auxiliary output turntable 85, and then be returned to the supply station by the buffer transfer turntable 45.

[0077] Regardless of the positions of the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 in the material return channel 60, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 can be symmetrically arranged relative to the midpoint of the material return channel 60. Similarly, the buffer input turntable 40 and the buffer output turntable 45 can also be symmetrically arranged relative to the midpoint of the feeding channel 20.

[0078] This symmetrical arrangement can make the connection relationship between the material transfer buffer device and the upstream and downstream more flexible. For example, when the inlet and outlet of the downstream detection station are two independent openings, while the inlet and outlet of the upstream supply station are the same opening, the material transfer buffer device can still be used normally even when the connection directions are opposite. For example, by swapping the feeding end 101 and the discharging end 102 of its base frame 10 for use, making the feeding end 101 become the discharging end 102 and the discharging end 102 become the feeding end 101, as long as the transmission directions of the material return channel 60 and the feeding channel 20 are set in the opposite direction.

[0079] In Figure 3 and Figure 5 In the shown embodiment, the distance between the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 is greater than the maximum radii of the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85. When the radii of the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 are the same, the distance between the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 is greater than the radii of the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85. The distance between the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 is less than the sum of the radii of the buffer input turntable 40 and the auxiliary input turntable 80, or less than the sum of the radii of the buffer output turntable 45 and the auxiliary output turntable 85. Compared with Figure 6 In the shown embodiment, where the distance between the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 is equal to the sum of the radii of the buffer input turntable 40 and the auxiliary input turntable 80, this kind of setting can obtain a smaller size in the direction perpendicular to the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60. The distance between the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 refers to the distance between the midpoints in the width direction of the two.

[0080] In Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 are respectively arranged at the head and tail ends of the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60, and a smaller size can be obtained in the direction parallel to the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60. Of course, Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the parts of the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 that are exposed outside the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 at the head and tail ends can, in principle, also be omitted, so that the entire device can obtain a smaller size in the direction parallel to the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60. Omitting the exposed head and tail ends of the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 is essentially to arrange the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary input turntable 80, and the auxiliary output turntable 85 at the head and tail ends of the feeding channel 20 and the material return channel 60 respectively.

[0081] The buffer chamber 30 is used to buffer the test tube racks 90. The buffer chamber 30 has a buffer inlet 301 and a buffer outlet 302. The buffer inlet 301 and the buffer outlet 302 have a predetermined distance so as to have sufficient space to store a predetermined number of test tube racks 90. With the aid of the conveying mechanism 55, the test tube racks 90 in the buffer chamber 30 can move along the direction from the buffer inlet 301 towards the buffer outlet 302. It can be understood that in some embodiments, when the upstream and downstream positions of the device are swapped, the movement direction of the test tube racks 90 in the buffer chamber 30 is also swapped. That is, the buffer inlet 301 becomes the outlet, and the buffer outlet 302 becomes the inlet. At least two of the conveying direction of the feeding channel 20, the conveying direction of the material return channel 60, and the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism 55 are parallel to each other. In this embodiment, the above three are all parallel to each other.

[0082] As Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown in, the connection line between the center of the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the buffer inlet 301 is perpendicular to the material return channel 60. The connection line between the center of the auxiliary output turntable 85 and the buffer outlet 302 is perpendicular to the material return channel 60. The above settings help to use the buffer transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the test tube racks 90 from the auxiliary input turntable 80 to the buffer inlet 301, and also help to use the buffer transfer mechanism 50 to transfer the test tube racks 90 from the buffer outlet 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85.

[0083] Referring to Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4, the cache transfer mechanism 50 is used to transfer the test tube rack 90 from the auxiliary input turntable 80 to the cache entrance 301, or transfer the test tube rack 90 from the cache exit 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85. The cache transfer mechanism 50 includes an input mechanism 51 provided at the cache entrance 301 and an output mechanism 52 provided at the cache exit 302. The structures and working principles of the input mechanism 51 and the output mechanism 52 are the same. The following will take the input mechanism 51 as an example for specific introduction.

[0084] As Figure 4 shown in the figure, the input mechanism 51 includes a power member (not shown in the figure), a substrate 511, a claw 512 and a track-changing paddle 513. The power member is used to drive the substrate 511 to move relative to the cache chamber 30. The substrate 511 can be in cooperation with the base frame 10 through transmission methods such as gear transmission, belt transmission, and screw rod transmission, and in ways such as chute and slide rail. The claw 512 is elastically movably arranged on the substrate 511.

[0085] When the power member drives the substrate 511 to move, the claw 512 moves together with the substrate 511. The track-changing paddle 513 is arranged on the base frame 10 and is used to block the claw 512 and make the claw 512 move relative to the substrate 511 to change the movement track on the base frame 10. The claw 512 can be rotatably arranged relative to the substrate 511 or can be translationally arranged relative to the substrate 511. In a specific embodiment, the claw 512 is translationally arranged relative to the substrate 511 through a slide rail and chute cooperation method. At the same time, an elastic member 514 is also arranged between the claw 512 and the substrate 511 to provide an elastic force for the claw 512 to move relative to the substrate 511. This elastic member 514 enables the claw 512 to remain on the movement track of the test tube rack 90 along the direction of the auxiliary input turntable 80 towards the cache entrance 301. Therefore, when the claw 512 moves relative to the cache chamber 30, the claw 512 can push the test tube rack 90 towards the inside of the cache entrance 301. The track-changing paddle 513 is arranged at the starting end 303 of the cache entrance 301, which can make the claw 512 change the movement track and then wind around to the rear end 902 of the test tube rack 90. Then, under the elastic force of the elastic member 514, it remains at the rear end 902 of the test tube rack 90. In this way, during the movement of the claw 512 relative to the cache chamber 30, the test tube rack 90 is pushed into the cache entrance 301.

[0086] In one embodiment, another switching flap 513 is further provided at the end terminal 304 of the buffer inlet 301. This switching flap 513 does not function during the process of pushing the test tube rack 90 into the buffer inlet 301, but is used to enable the hook 512 to rotate around to the front end 901 of the test tube rack 90 when the test tube rack 90 is pushed out of the buffer chamber 30 through the buffer outlet 302, so as to apply a thrust to the test tube rack 90 at the front end 901 of the test tube rack 90 and push the test tube rack 90 out of the buffer chamber 30. By providing two switching flaps 513, the buffer inlet 301 and the buffer outlet 302 can be used interchangeably, that is, the loading end 101 and the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10 are used interchangeably and are respectively connected to the supply station and the detection station, so as to improve the use adaptability of the device.

[0087] The conveying mechanism 55 is arranged at the bottom of the buffer chamber 30, and a part of the structure is exposed from the bottom of the buffer chamber 30 for translating the test tube rack 90 in the buffer chamber 30. In one embodiment, the conveying mechanism 55 can push against the side of the test tube rack 90 to transfer the test tube rack 90 from the buffer inlet 301 of the buffer chamber 30 to the buffer outlet 302. It can be understood that in some embodiments, two conveying mechanisms 55 can also be provided, and the other one can transfer the test tube rack 90 from the buffer outlet 302 of the buffer chamber 30 to the buffer inlet 301, so that the buffer inlet 301 and the buffer outlet 302 can be used interchangeably, improving the use adaptability of the device. This function can also be realized by setting the same conveying mechanism 55 and making the movement direction of the conveying mechanism 55 opposite.

[0088] As Figure 4 shown, in one embodiment, a counter 70 is further provided at the buffer inlet 301. This counter can also be a sensor, or have both counting and sensing functions. The same setting can also be made at the buffer outlet 302. The counter 70 can count the test tube racks 90 entering the buffer chamber 30 to record the corresponding positions of the test tube racks 90. In addition, when the counter 70 integrates the sensing function, it can also identify whether there are test tubes on the test tube rack 90, that is, it can judge whether the test tube rack 90 is empty.

[0089] The following will combine Figure 3 、 Figures 7 to 10 to exemplify the method of transferring and buffering the test tube rack 90 by using the above device.

[0090] First, the device receives instructions for operation, and the types of these instructions include a conveying instruction and a buffering instruction. Among them, the conveying instruction means that the device conveys the test tube rack 90 from the supply station to the detection station. The buffering instruction means that the device conveys the test tube rack 90 from the supply station to the buffer chamber 30. This instruction is determined by the status of the downstream detection station. When the detection station can receive the test tube rack 90, a conveying instruction is sent to the device. When the detection station cannot receive the test tube rack 90, a buffering instruction is sent to the device. The sending and receiving of the instruction, as well as the response to the instruction, can be achieved by the controller electrically connecting the feeding channel 20, the buffer input turntable 40, the buffer output turntable 45, the buffer transfer mechanism 50, the conveying mechanism 55, the return channel 60, the auxiliary input turntable 80, the auxiliary output turntable 85, etc. in the device.

[0091] When the device receives the buffering instruction, it buffers the test tube rack 90 into the buffer chamber 30 by means of the buffer input turntable 40. For the specific buffering process, as Figure 7 shown, when the test tube rack 90 enters the buffer input turntable 40, both the buffer input turntable 40 and the auxiliary input turntable 80 rotate, and their conveying lines are connected, so that the test tube rack 90 in the buffer input turntable 40 can be transferred to the auxiliary input turntable 80.

[0092] Next, as Figure 8 shown, the auxiliary input turntable 80 rotates again to connect its conveying line with the buffer inlet 301. At the same time, the claw 512 of the buffer transfer mechanism 50 is driven by the substrate 511 to move towards the starting end 303 of the buffer inlet 301, and the claw 512 is bypassed around the front end 901 of the test tube rack 90 and around to the rear end 902 of the test tube rack 90 by means of the track-changing flap 513. After that, the substrate 511 moves in the reverse direction towards the end 304 of the buffer inlet 301, and the claw 512 returns to the position where it abuts against the rear end 902 of the test tube rack 90 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 514, and then pushes the test tube rack 90 towards the end 304 of the buffer inlet 301 until the test tube rack 90 completely enters the buffer chamber 30.

[0093] After the test tube rack 90 enters the buffer chamber 30, the buffer input turntable 40 and the auxiliary input turntable 80 can rotate and are respectively connected to the conveying lines of the feeding channel 20 and the return channel 60, waiting for the next operation instruction.

[0094] When the device receives the conveying instruction, it can, as Figure 3 shown, convey the test tube rack 90 along the feeding port 201 to the direction of the discharging port 202 through the feeding channel 20, passing through the buffer output turntable 45 and the buffer input turntable 40 on the way, and finally convey it to the detection station.

[0095] If there is no test tube rack 90 being transported in the feeding channel 20 at the current moment when the transportation instruction is received, the test tube rack 90 in the buffer chamber 30 is transferred to the discharge port 202 by means of the buffer output turntable 45. The specific process is as follows:

[0096] The test tube rack 90 entering the buffer inlet 301 is transported by the transport mechanism 55 from the buffer inlet 301 of the buffer chamber 30 to the buffer outlet 302 of the buffer chamber 30. In an embodiment, after the transport mechanism 55 transports a test tube rack 90 to the position of the buffer outlet 302, it returns to the initial position to wait for the next test tube rack 90 to enter the buffer inlet 301. As Figure 4 shown, the transport mechanism 55 is in the initial position, that is, at the buffer inlet 301 of the buffer chamber 30.

[0097] The test tube rack 90 located at the buffer outlet 302 can be transferred to the auxiliary output turntable 85 by means of the output mechanism 52. Specifically, as Figure 9 shown, the auxiliary output turntable 85 rotates so that its transport line is connected to the transport line of the buffer outlet 302, waiting to receive the test tube rack 90 transferred from the buffer outlet 302. The specific operation of this process is similar to transferring the test tube rack 90 from the auxiliary input turntable 80 to the buffer inlet 301 by means of the input mechanism 51, except that the direction is opposite, so the details are not described again.

[0098] As Figure 10 shown, after the test tube rack 90 enters the auxiliary output turntable 85, both the auxiliary output turntable 85 and the buffer output turntable 45 rotate so that their transport lines are connected, so that the test tube rack 90 in the auxiliary output turntable 85 can be transferred to the buffer output turntable 45.

[0099] Returning to Figure 3 again, after the test tube rack 90 is transferred to the buffer output turntable 45, the buffer output turntable 45 rotates again to connect with the transport line of the feeding channel 20. Therefore, the test tube rack 90 can be transferred to the feeding channel 20, transported along the feeding channel 20 to the discharge port 202, and then reach the discharging end 102 of the base frame 10 through the buffer input turntable 40, and finally be received by the detection station.

[0100] After the test tube rack 90 is transferred from the auxiliary output turntable 85 to the buffer output turntable 45, the auxiliary output turntable 85 can rotate again as Figure 3 shown to connect with the transport line of the return channel 60, waiting for the next operation instruction.

[0101] In some cases, if there is also no test tube rack 90 in the buffer chamber 30 at the current moment when the transportation instruction is received, it directly waits for the feeding port 201 of the feeding channel 20 to receive the test tube rack 90 from the loading end 101 of the base frame 10, and then proceeds with the transfer.

[0102] The above embodiments take the feeding process as an example to illustrate the caching process. In fact, if the supply station is also in a busy state, the above-described transfer and caching methods are also applicable to the process of returning materials. It's just that the running direction of the materials is different.

[0103] In addition, the feeding process and the returning process can run simultaneously in this device. For example, correspondingly, this device can also use the return channel 60 to transfer the empty test tube racks 90 returned from the detection station to the supply station for reuse. After the empty test tube racks 90 are reloaded with test tubes, they can be transferred again from the supply station to the detection station by this device. Specifically, as Figure 3 shown in [figure], the inlet and outlet of the detection station are two independent ports. The outlet of the empty test tube rack 90 at the detection station is connected to the return inlet 601 of the return channel 60. When this device receives the return instruction, the empty test tube rack 90 enters the return channel 60 through the return inlet 601, and then passes through the auxiliary input turntable 80 and the auxiliary output turntable 85 midway, and finally is transferred out of the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 through the return outlet 602 of the return channel 60. It can be understood that when the inlet and outlet of the supply station are the same port, the test tube rack 90 transferred by the auxiliary output turntable 85 is transferred to the cache output turntable 45, and then is transferred out of the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 by the cache output turntable 45. If the cache output turntable 45 is set in the middle of the feeding channel 20, it is transferred to the feeding channel 20 by the cache output turntable 45, and finally is transferred out of the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 through the feeding port 201 of the feeding channel 20.

[0104] The above return instruction is actually a direct return instruction, that is, the empty test tube rack 90 is directly returned and transferred out of the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 through the return channel 60, and then reaches the supply station. In some embodiments, the return instruction may also include a return cache instruction. For example, when the supply station is busy, the empty test tube rack 90 can enter the cache chamber 30 through the auxiliary input turntable 80 for preliminary buffer storage. When the supply station can receive the empty test tube rack 90 again, a direct return instruction is sent to this device, and the empty test tube rack 90 in the cache chamber 30 can be returned to the supply station through the above path again.

[0105] When there is no test tube on the test tube rack 90 transferred to the cache chamber 30, it can be recognized and recorded in position by the counter 70 at the cache inlet 301. Thereafter, this test tube rack 90 will be returned to the loading end 101 until it reaches the supply station for reuse. The specific return path of the empty test tube rack 90 in the cache chamber 30 varies depending on the setting method of the inlet and outlet of the supply station, the position of the auxiliary output turntable 85 on the return channel 60, and the position of the cache output turntable 45 on the feeding channel 20. For details, reference can be made to the description in the above text about returning the empty test tube rack 90 from the detection station using the return channel 60, which will not be elaborated here.

[0106] During the simultaneous operation of the feeding process and the material return process in this device, there will inevitably be a situation where in the buffer chamber 30, there are both empty test tube racks 90 to be returned to the supply station and test tube racks 90 filled with test tubes to be transported to the detection station. To facilitate the efficient transportation of one of them, the other can be transferred from the buffer outlet 302 of the buffer chamber 30 to the auxiliary output turntable 85, then enter the material return channel 60, through the reverse transportation of the material return channel 60, enter the auxiliary input turntable 80 and be transferred to the buffer inlet 301, and then return to the buffer chamber 30, while the other is either transported to the detection station in the direction of the discharge port 202 along the established path or returned to the supply station in the opposite direction of the discharge port 202 along the established path.

[0107] For example, when choosing to give priority to returning the empty test tube rack 90 to the supply station, the empty test tube rack 90 is transferred from the buffer outlet 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85, and then to the buffer output turntable 45, and is returned to the feeding end 101 with the help of the buffer output turntable 45 until it reaches the supply station. While the full test tube rack 90 is transferred from the buffer outlet 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85, then enters the material return channel 60, through the reverse transportation of the material return channel 60, enters the auxiliary input turntable 80 and is transferred to the buffer inlet 301, and then returns to the buffer chamber 30.

[0108] Similarly, when choosing to give priority to transporting the full test tube rack 90 to the detection station, the full test tube rack 90 is transferred from the buffer outlet 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85, then to the buffer output turntable 45, and is transported to the discharging end 102 through the feeding channel 20 and the buffer input turntable 40 until it reaches the detection station. While the empty test tube rack 90 is transferred from the buffer outlet 302 to the auxiliary output turntable 85, then enters the material return channel 60, through the reverse transportation of the material return channel 60, enters the auxiliary input turntable 80 and is transferred to the buffer inlet 301, and then returns to the buffer chamber 30.

[0109] Reference Figure 11 and Figure 12, Another material transfer and buffering device provided by an embodiment is similar to the device provided in the above embodiment, and also includes a feeding channel 20, a buffering chamber 30, a buffering input turntable 40, a buffering output turntable 45, a buffering transfer mechanism 50, and a conveying mechanism 55. The difference is that in this embodiment, there is no independent material return channel 60, nor are there a secondary input turntable 80 and a secondary output turntable 85 provided on the material return channel 60. When recycling the empty test tube racks 90, the function of the material return channel 60 can be achieved by reversing mechanisms such as the feeding channel 20. The differences in the transfer and buffering method of this embodiment are as follows: On the one hand, recycling the test tube racks 90 to the loading end 101 of the base frame 10 and conveying the test tube racks 90 to the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10 can only be carried out sequentially according to the time sequence and cannot be carried out simultaneously; on the other hand, the buffering input turntable 40 and the buffering output turntable 45 are directly connected to the buffering chamber 30 without passing through the secondary input turntable 80 and the secondary output turntable 85; furthermore, due to the provision of a single channel, the feeding channel 20, the single opening is also docked with the supply station and the detection station. If the inlets and outlets of any one of the detection station and the supply station are independently provided as two, an intermediate transfer and conversion part needs to be provided to dock with the detection station and the supply station. Other operation processes can be the same as those in the Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 embodiment shown, and will not be elaborated here.

[0110] Referring to Figure 13 the embodiment shown, two transfer turntables 49 are further provided on the basis of the embodiment shown in Figure 12 for connecting with the buffering input turntable 40 and the buffering output turntable 45 respectively, and the transfer turntables 49 are connected to the loading end 101 and the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10, so that there are two gateways at both the loading end 101 and the unloading end 102 of the base frame 10. When the inlets and outlets of any one of the docking detection station and supply station are independently provided as two, the equipped transfer turntables 49 can facilitate the corresponding connection channels with the inlets and outlets of the detection station and the supply station.

[0111] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0112] The above-described embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the invention patent should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A material transfer and caching device, characterized in that, Comprising: A feed channel provided with a feed inlet and a discharge outlet; A buffer chamber provided with a buffer inlet and a buffer outlet; A buffer input turntable rotatably arranged opposite to the feed channel, and used for communicating with the discharge outlet or the buffer inlet when rotating to different positions; A buffer output turntable rotatably arranged opposite to the feed channel, and used for communicating with the feed inlet or the buffer outlet when rotating to different positions; A buffer transfer mechanism for transferring the materials in the buffer input turntable to the buffer inlet of the buffer chamber, and transferring the materials at the buffer outlet to the buffer output turntable; And A conveying mechanism for conveying the materials in the buffer chamber from the buffer inlet to the buffer outlet; It further comprises a return channel, a secondary input turntable and a secondary output turntable rotatably arranged opposite to the return channel. The return channel is provided with a return inlet and a return outlet. The secondary input turntable is arranged between the buffer input turntable and the buffer inlet for selectively communicating with the return inlet or the buffer inlet. The secondary output turntable is arranged between the buffer output turntable and the buffer outlet for selectively communicating with the return outlet or the buffer outlet; The buffer transfer mechanism comprises an input mechanism arranged at the buffer inlet and an output mechanism arranged at the buffer outlet. Both the input mechanism and the output mechanism comprise a power member, a substrate, a claw and a track-changing dial. The claw is elastically movably arranged on the substrate. The power member is used for driving the substrate to move relative to the buffer chamber. The track-changing dial is used for blocking the claw to make the claw move relative to the substrate. There are two track-changing dials, which are respectively arranged at opposite ends of the movement track of the substrate.

2. The material transfer and caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that The buffer input turntable, the buffer output turntable, the secondary input turntable and the secondary output turntable have the same diameter. The feed channel and the return channel are arranged in parallel, and the distance between them is greater than the radius of the buffer input turntable and less than the sum of the radii of the buffer input turntable and the secondary input turntable. The conveying directions of the feed channel, the return channel and the conveying mechanism are parallel to each other.

3. The material transfer and caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that It further comprises one of the following: The connection line between the center of the secondary input turntable and the buffer inlet is perpendicular to the return channel; The connection line between the center of the secondary output turntable and the buffer outlet is perpendicular to the return channel; The buffer input turntable is arranged outside the feed channel; The buffer output turntable is arranged outside the feed channel; The secondary input turntable is arranged outside the return channel; The secondary output turntable is arranged outside the return channel; The secondary input turntable is arranged in the return channel; The secondary output turntable is arranged in the return channel; The secondary input turntable and the secondary output turntable are symmetrically arranged with respect to the midpoint of the return channel; The buffer input turntable and the buffer output turntable are symmetrically arranged with respect to the midpoint of the feed channel.

4. The material transfer and caching device according to claim 1, characterized in that A counter and / or a sensor is / are arranged at the buffer inlet and / or the buffer outlet.

5. A method for caching material transfer, which uses the material transfer and caching device described in any one of claims 1-4 to transfer and cache materials, characterized in that Comprising the following steps: Receiving an operation instruction, where the operation instruction includes a conveying instruction and a buffering instruction; If a buffer instruction is received, the material on the feeding channel is buffered into the buffer chamber by means of the buffer input turntable, and the material is transferred from the buffer inlet of the buffer chamber to the buffer outlet; If a conveying instruction is received, the material is conveyed along the direction from the feeding port to the discharging port of the feeding channel.

6. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 5, wherein When a conveying instruction is received, if there is material in the feeding channel, the material is conveyed towards the discharging port; if there is no material in the feeding channel, the material in the buffer chamber is transferred from the buffer outlet to the feeding channel and then conveyed towards the discharging port of the feeding channel; if there is no material in the buffer chamber, wait for the feeding channel to receive new material before conveying.

7. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 6, wherein The material is carried by a material rack, and it also includes receiving a return instruction and returning the empty material rack by means of a return channel.

8. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 7, wherein It also includes at least one of the following: A secondary input turntable is provided on the return channel. When buffering the material on the feeding channel into the buffer chamber by means of the buffer input turntable, first transfer the material on the buffer input turntable to the secondary input turntable, and then transfer it from the secondary input turntable to the buffer chamber; A secondary output turntable is provided on the return channel. When transferring the material in the buffer chamber from the buffer outlet to the feeding channel, first transfer the material in the buffer chamber to the secondary output turntable, and then transfer it from the secondary output turntable to the feeding channel; Or When buffering the material on the feeding channel into the buffer chamber by means of the buffer input turntable, also detect and count the material racks. When the material rack is empty, the empty material rack is removed from the buffer outlet of the buffer chamber and then returned.

9. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 7, wherein The returned empty material rack is directly returned by the return channel or the secondary output turntable connected to the return channel, or is transferred from the secondary output turntable connected to the return channel to the buffer output turntable connected to the feeding channel and then returned.

10. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 7, wherein The return instruction includes a direct return instruction and a return buffer instruction. If a direct return instruction is received, the empty material rack is directly returned by means of the return channel. If a return buffer instruction is received, the empty material rack is transferred to the buffer chamber by means of the secondary input turntable.

11. The material transfer and caching method according to claim 10, wherein When there are both an empty material rack and a full material rack in the buffer chamber at the same time, select one of them to be reversely conveyed from the buffer outlet to the buffer inlet through the return channel and then return to the buffer chamber again, while the other is conveyed from the buffer outlet along the direction from the feeding port to the discharging port or the reverse direction of the feeding channel.

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