Automatic feeding device and feeding method for nucleic acid extraction tube

Abstract

The present invention discloses an automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes and a feeding method thereof. The automatic feeding device comprises an extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism, a station switching mechanism and a frame. The extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism comprises a front integration component and a detection tube transfer component. The front integration component comprises a vibration plate, a grabbing component and a transverse shifting alternating interchange mechanism component. The transverse shifting alternating interchange mechanism component comprises a transverse shifting base, a cam groove, a synchronous belt, a first roller, a lifting frame, a first storage table, a sliding plate, a linear guide rail, a second storage table and a synchronous wheel. The extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism of the present invention can arrange scattered nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one, and deliver multiple nucleic acid extraction tubes to the extraction tube fixture of the feeding station at one time, thereby improving the feeding speed and avoiding the feeding process affecting the overall operation efficiency of the equipment. In addition, the transverse shifting alternating interchange component only uses the structure of the synchronous belt and the cam groove to realize the position exchange of two storage tables without lateral movement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of reagent filling and sealing, and in particular relates to automatic feeding equipment for nucleic acid extraction tubes and a feeding method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the automatic filling and sealing equipment for nucleic acid extraction tubes can realize the synchronous operation of multiple nucleic acid extraction tubes, and has high production efficiency; however, nucleic acid extraction tubes can only be loaded one by one or using a pre-arranged nucleic acid extraction tube queue for loading in the automatic loading equipment; the efficiency of the one-by-one loading method is low, which will limit the production efficiency of the entire filling production line. Using a pre-arranged nucleic acid extraction tube queue for loading requires manual sorting in advance, which consumes high labor costs.

[0003] In addition, the long six-tube nucleic acid extraction tube is prone to not being accurately positioned during automatic loading; therefore, an auxiliary positioning operation is required after automatic loading, and if the nucleic acid extraction tube is not accurately positioned, the nucleic acid extraction tube in the fixture needs to be cleared. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a nucleic acid extraction tube automatic feeding device and a feeding method thereof.

[0005] An automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes includes an extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism, a station switching mechanism and a frame. The station switching mechanism is installed on the frame. A loading station is provided on the station switching mechanism. The extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism includes a front integration component and a detection tube transfer component. The front integration component includes a vibration plate, a grabbing component and a transverse shift alternating interchange component. The vibration plate is installed on the frame and is used to arrange and output nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one. The grabbing component is used to grab the nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one onto the transverse shift alternating interchange component to form a row of n detection tubes, where n≥2.

[0006] The transverse shifting alternating interchangeable assembly comprises a transverse shifting base, a cam groove, a synchronous belt, a first roller, a lifting frame, a first storage platform, a sliding plate, a linear guide rail, a second storage platform and a synchronous wheel. The transverse shifting base is fixed on the frame. A lifting guide plate is fixed on the transverse shifting base; a cam groove is provided on the lifting guide plate. Four synchronous wheels arranged in a rectangular shape in a vertical plane are rotatably connected to the lifting guide plate. The four synchronous wheels are connected by a synchronous belt transmission. One of the synchronous wheels is driven by a motor. Both upper and lower sets of linear guide rails are fixed on the transverse shifting base.

[0007] The second storage platform is connected to the linear guide rail located above. The sliding plate is slidably connected to the linear guide rail located below. The lifting frame and the sliding plate form a sliding pair that slides in the vertical direction. The bottom of the lifting frame is rotatably connected to the first roller. The first roller is set in the cam groove. The top of the lifting frame is fixed with the first storage platform. Both the first storage platform and the second storage platform are provided with n storage positions.

[0008] The cam groove is in a shape of high ends and low middle. When the first roller is at the end of the cam groove, the first storage platform and the second storage platform are at the same height. When the first roller is at the lowest position in the middle of the cam groove, the top of the first storage platform is lower than the bottom of the second storage platform. The sliding plate, the second storage platform and the two horizontal sections of the synchronous belt are fixed respectively.

[0009] The two positions when the first storage table and the second storage table are at the same height are the one-by-one loading position and the overall transfer position; the one-by-one loading position is used for the grabbing assembly to load materials; the overall transfer position is used for the detection tube transfer assembly to pick up materials. The detection tube transfer assembly is used to grab n nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table or the second storage table at the overall transfer position to the loading station at one time.

[0010] Preferably, the automatic feeding equipment for nucleic acid extraction tubes also includes a flattening and clearing mechanism. A flattening and clearing station is also provided on the station switching mechanism. The flattening and clearing mechanism includes a flattening component and a clearing component. The flattening component includes a flattening cylinder and a pressing plate. The flattening cylinder is fixed to the frame. The end of the push rod of the flattening cylinder is set downward and is fixed with a pressing plate. The pressing plate is located directly above the flattening and clearing station. A cylinder position sensor is installed on the flattening cylinder; the cylinder position sensor is used to detect whether the push rod of the flattening cylinder has reached the lower limit position.

[0011] The material cleaning assembly includes a lifting and cleaning cylinder, a cleaning plug plate, a cleaning horizontal cylinder, a cleaning lifting cylinder, a cleaning hook plate and a waste trough. The waste trough is fixed on the frame and is close to the flattening and cleaning station. The lifting and cleaning cylinder is fixed on the frame and is located directly below the flattening and cleaning station. N cleaning plug plates are fixed on the upward ejection rod of the lifting and cleaning cylinder and are arranged in sequence at intervals. The n cleaning plug plates can be respectively inserted into the hollow positions at the bottom of the n placement positions of the extraction tube fixture in the flattening and cleaning station to push the nucleic acid extraction tube out of the extraction tube fixture.

[0012] The cleaning lifting cylinder is fixed on the flattening cylinder mounting plate; the vertical push rod of the cleaning lifting cylinder is fixed to the cylinder body of the cleaning horizontal cylinder. The push rod of the cleaning horizontal cylinder is fixed to the cleaning hook plate. The bottom surface of the cleaning hook plate is provided with a hooking groove. Driven by the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4, the cleaning hook plate 2-9 can move between directly above the flattening cleaning station and directly above the waste tank body 2-10. When the cleaning hook plate 2-9 moves to directly above the flattening cleaning station, the cleaning hook plate 2-9 can cover all nucleic acid extraction tubes on the extraction tube fixture.

[0013] Preferably, the top surface of the cleaning insert is provided with a V-shaped groove; the piston movement direction of the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 is parallel to the length direction of the V-shaped groove on the top surface of the cleaning insert 2-3.

[0014] Preferably, the extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism comprises two front integration components and one detection tube transfer component. The loading station of the station switching mechanism and the overall transfer positions in the two front integration components are on the same straight line. The individual loading positions in the two front integration components are located on the opposite side of the corresponding overall transfer position.

[0015] Preferably, the detection tube transfer assembly includes a detection tube moving module and a loading clamp group. The loading clamp group is installed on the end mounting block of the detection tube moving module. The loading clamp group includes n mechanical clamps arranged in sequence. The six mechanical clamps can clamp n nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table or the second storage table at one time. The detection tube moving module includes a transverse slide and a lifting slide. The lifting slide is installed on the sliding block of the transverse slide. The moving direction of the sliding block of the transverse slide is parallel to the loading station and the connecting line of the loading positions in the two front integration components.

[0016] Preferably, the station switching mechanism comprises a turntable, an extraction tube fixture and a driving mechanism. The horizontally arranged turntable is rotatably connected to the frame and driven to rotate by the driving mechanism. A plurality of extraction tube fixtures uniformly distributed along the circumference of its own axis are installed on the top surface of the turntable.

[0017] Preferably, the extraction tube fixture is installed on a through slot provided on the turntable. The extraction tube fixture is provided with n placement positions; each placement position can be used to place a nucleic acid extraction tube. The bottom of each placement position of the extraction tube fixture is hollowed out. The relative positions of the n placement positions on the extraction tube fixture correspond to the relative positions of the n storage positions on the first storage platform or the second storage platform.

[0018] Preferably, a film cutting clearance groove is provided between any two adjacent placement positions; the film cutting clearance groove is provided on the top surface of the extraction tube fixture. Both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are connected to the two side edges of the top surface of the extraction tube fixture; both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are provided with an introduction section whose width gradually increases from the inside to the outside.

[0019] Preferably, the driving mechanism adopts a motor with a reducer.

[0020] The automatic loading method of the nucleic acid extraction tube automatic loading device comprises the following steps:

[0021] Step 1: The vibration plate arranges the chaotically stacked nucleic acid extraction tubes in order and outputs them; the grabbing component grabs the nucleic acid extraction tubes output by the vibration plate to the first storage table or the second storage table at the loading position of the transverse alternating interchange component; when the first storage table or the second storage table at the loading position is full and the nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table or the second storage table at the overall transfer position have been taken away, the synchronous belt moves to drive the first storage table to exchange positions with the second storage table; after the positions are exchanged, the grabbing component continues to grab the nucleic acid extraction tubes to the loading positions one by one.

[0022] Step 2: The detection tube transfer component uniformly grabs the nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table or the second storage table at the overall transfer position to the extraction tube fixture at the loading station.

[0023] Step 3: The turntable rotates to transfer the extraction tube fixture at the loading station to the flattening and clearing station. The flattening cylinder pushes down each nucleic acid extraction tube in the extraction tube fixture so that each nucleic acid extraction tube fully enters the extraction tube fixture; if the flattening cylinder cannot reach the lower limit position, it means that there is an incorrectly placed nucleic acid extraction tube, and the clearing component removes each nucleic acid extraction tube from the pushing extraction tube fixture.

[0024] The removal process is as follows: the cleaning lifting cylinder and the cleaning horizontal cylinder drive the cleaning plug plate to move to the top of the flattening cleaning station. The cleaning plug plate pushes the top of each nucleic acid extraction tube to extend into the hook groove of the cleaning hook plate. When each nucleic acid extraction tube is pushed up to detach from the extraction tube fixture, the cleaning horizontal cylinder drives each nucleic acid extraction tube to move horizontally through the cleaning hook plate, and sends each nucleic acid extraction tube into the waste tank.

[0025] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. The extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism of the present invention can arrange the scattered nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one, and send multiple nucleic acid extraction tubes to the extraction tube fixture of the loading station at one time, thereby improving the loading speed and preventing the loading process from affecting the overall operating efficiency of the equipment. In addition, the lateral shifting and interchangeable components in the extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism only use the structure of the synchronous belt and the cam groove to achieve the position exchange of the two storage tables without lateral movement, so that the arrangement and stacking of the detection tubes and the clamping and loading can be carried out simultaneously without affecting each other.

[0027] 2. The present invention is provided with a flattening and clearing mechanism, which determines whether the detection tube is in place by whether the pressure plate can be pressed down into place; when the detection tube is not in place, the insertion plate is used in conjunction with the hollow structure at the bottom of the fixture to push the detection tube out of the fixture, and the hook plate is used to move the detection tube out to the waste material trough, thereby improving the stability of the equipment operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the workstation switching mechanism in the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a stereoscopic diagram of the extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism in the present invention.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the transverse shifting alternating interchangeable components in the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the flattening and clearing mechanism in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1 and 2 As shown, an automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes includes an extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism 1, a flattening and cleaning mechanism 2, a station switching mechanism 3 and a frame 4. The station switching mechanism 3 is fixed on the top of the frame 4. The station switching mechanism 3 has multiple stations, including adjacent loading stations and flattening and cleaning stations. The remaining stations are used to cooperate with existing filling equipment and film sealing equipment to realize automatic filling and film sealing of nucleic acid extraction tubes. The extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism 1 is used to sort the scattered nucleic acid extraction tubes into a group of six extraction tube queues, and transfer a group of extraction tubes to the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the loading station at one time. The flattening and cleaning mechanism 2 is used to apply downward pressure to each nucleic acid extraction tube in the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the flattening and cleaning station to ensure that each nucleic acid extraction tube completely enters the extraction tube fixture 9-1; when the nucleic acid extraction tube is stuck, resulting in the flattening and cleaning mechanism 2 being unable to flatten all nucleic acid extraction tubes, the flattening and cleaning mechanism 2 automatically clears all nucleic acid extraction tubes in the extraction tube fixture 9-1.

[0035] like Figure 2As shown, the station switching mechanism 3 includes a turntable 9-2, an extraction tube fixture 9-1 and a driving mechanism. The horizontally arranged turntable 9-2 is rotatably connected to the frame 4 and driven to rotate by the driving mechanism. The driving mechanism adopts a motor with a reducer. A plurality of extraction tube fixtures 9-1 uniformly distributed along the circumference of its own axis are installed on the top surface of the turntable 9-2; the extraction tube fixture 9-1 is installed on a through groove opened on the turntable 9-2. The extraction tube fixture 9-1 is used to place the filled nucleic acid extraction tube. The rotation of the turntable 9-2 can drive each extraction tube fixture 9-1 to pass through each station in turn. Six placement positions are arranged on the extraction tube fixture 9-1; each placement position can place a nucleic acid extraction tube 5. The nucleic acid extraction tube 5 in this embodiment is specifically a six-connected tube. The bottom of each placement position of the extraction tube fixture 9-1 is hollowed out, and the plug plate of the flattening and cleaning mechanism 2 can be used to extend from the bottom to the placement position to push the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 out of the placement position.

[0036] A film cutting clearance groove is provided between any two adjacent placement positions; the film cutting clearance groove is provided on the top surface of the extraction tube fixture 9-1. Both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are connected to the two side edges of the top surface of the extraction tube fixture 9-1; both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are provided with a guide section whose width gradually increases from the inside to the outside. The film cutting clearance groove is used to position and guide the cutter when cutting the film, so that the sealing shape of the six nucleic acid extraction tubes processed at one time remains consistent.

[0037] like Figure 3 As shown, the extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism 1 includes a front integration component and a detection tube transfer component. There are two front integration components. Both front integration components are used to arrange the stacked nucleic acid extraction tubes 5 into a detection tube queue of six groups; there is only one detection tube transfer component, which is used to send the detection tube queues arranged by the two front integration components to the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the loading station.

[0038] The front integration component includes a vibration plate 1-1, a grabbing component 1-2 and a transverse shifting and interchanging component 1-3. The vibration plate 1-1 is installed on the frame and is used to arrange and output the nucleic acid extraction tubes stacked together one by one. The grabbing component adopts a scara manipulator, which is used to grab the nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one to the storage table of the transverse shifting and interchanging component 1-3, forming a row of six test tube queues, so as to place six nucleic acid extraction tubes at a time on the extraction tube fixture 9-1 at the loading station, so as to avoid the loading step taking too long and affecting the overall operation efficiency of the equipment.

[0039] like Figure 4As shown, the lateral shift alternating interchangeable assembly 1-3 includes a lateral shift base 1-3-1, a cam groove 1-3-2, a synchronous belt 1-3-3, a first roller 1-3-4, a lifting frame 1-3-5, an alternating guide shaft 1-3-6, a first storage platform 1-3-7, a sliding plate 1-3-8, a linear guide rail 1-3-9, a second storage platform 1-3-10 and a synchronous wheel 1-3-11. The lateral shift base 1-3-1 is fixed on the frame. A lifting guide plate is fixed on the lateral shift base 1-3-1; a cam groove 1-3-2 is provided on the lifting guide plate. Four synchronous wheels 1-3-11 arranged in a rectangular shape in a vertical plane are rotatably connected to the lifting guide plate. The four synchronous wheels 1-3-11 are connected by a synchronous belt 1-3-3. One of the synchronous wheels 1-3-11 is driven by a motor. The upper and lower sets of linear guide rails 1-3-9 are both fixed on the lateral shift base 1-3-1. Each set of linear guide rails 1-3-9 includes two linear guide rails 1-3-9 of equal height and spaced apart.

[0040] The second storage table 1-3-10 is slidably connected to the linear guide 1-3-9 located above through a slider. The sliding plate 1-3-8 is slidably connected to the linear guide 1-3-9 located below through a slider. The lifting frame 1-3-5 and the sliding plate 1-3-8 form a sliding pair that slides in the vertical direction through linear bearings and alternating guide shafts 1-3-6. The bottom of the lifting frame 1-3-5 is rotatably connected to the first roller 1-3-4. The first roller 1-3-4 is set in the cam groove 1-3-2. The first storage table 1-3-7 is fixed to the top of the lifting frame 1-3-5. Six storage positions are set on the first storage table 1-3-7 and the second storage table 1-3-10. The relative position of each storage position corresponds to the relative position of each placement position on the extraction pipe fixture.

[0041] The cam groove 1-3-2 is high at both ends and low in the middle. When the first roller 1-3-4 is at the highest position at the end of the cam groove 1-3-2, the first storage platform 1-3-7 is at the same height as the second storage platform 1-3-10. When the first roller 1-3-4 is at the lowest position in the middle of the cam groove 1-3-2, the top of the first storage platform 1-3-7 is lower than the bottom of the second storage platform 1-3-10, and the first storage platform 1-3-7 can pass directly under the second storage platform 1-3-10.

[0042] The sliding plate 1-3-8, the second storage platform 1-3-10 and the two horizontal sections of the synchronous belt are fixed respectively. When the synchronous belt moves, the sliding plate 1-3-8 and the second storage platform 1-3-10 move in opposite directions at the same speed, driving the first storage platform 1-3-7 and the second storage platform 1-3-10 to exchange positions.

[0043] The lateral shifting alternating interchangeable component 1-3 has two working positions, namely, the one-by-one loading position and the overall transfer position; the one-by-one loading position is used for the grabbing component 1-2 to load materials; the overall transfer position is used for the detection tube transfer component to pick up materials. The one-by-one loading position is within the moving range of the grabbing component 1-2; the first storage table 1-3-7 and the second storage table 1-3-10 can interchange positions between the one-by-one loading position and the overall transfer position, thereby improving the loading rhythm.

[0044] The loading station of the station switching mechanism 3 and the overall transfer positions in the two front integrated components are on the same straight line; thus, the detection tube transfer component can pass through the loading station of the station switching mechanism 3 and the loading positions in the two front integrated components by moving with a single degree of freedom. The individual loading positions in the two front integrated components are located on the opposite side of the corresponding overall transfer position, so that the two sets of vibration plates 1-1 and the grabbing component 1-2 have a larger installation space.

[0045] The detection tube transfer assembly includes a detection tube moving module and a loading clamp group 1-5. The loading clamp group 1-5 is installed on the end mounting block of the detection tube moving module. The loading clamp group 1-5 includes six mechanical clamps arranged in sequence. The mechanical clamps all use clamp cylinders and can grab the nucleic acid extraction tube. The relative positions of the six mechanical clamps correspond to the relative positions of the six storage positions on the first storage table 1-3-7 and the second storage table 1-3-10, so that the six nucleic acid extraction tubes can be clamped at one time.

[0046] The detection tube moving module includes a transverse slide 1-4 and a lifting slide 1-6. Both the transverse slide 1-4 and the lifting slide 1-6 are linear electric slides. The lifting slide 1-6 is installed on the sliding block of the transverse slide 1-4. The detection tube moving module can drive the loading clamp group 1-5 to move horizontally and vertically, lift the six nucleic acid extraction tubes, and transfer them to the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the loading station.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, the flattening and cleaning mechanism 2 includes a flattening and cleaning column 2-1, a flattening assembly, a cleaning assembly and a flattening cylinder mounting plate 2-5. The flattening cylinder mounting plate 2-5 is fixed to the frame through the flattening and cleaning column 2-1. The flattening assembly includes a flattening cylinder 2-7 and a pressing plate 2-8. The flattening cylinder 2-7 is fixed on the flattening cylinder mounting plate 2-5. The pressing plate 2-8 is fixed on the downward push-out rod of the flattening cylinder 2-7. The pressing plate 2-8 is located directly above the flattening and cleaning station; the downward movement of the pressing plate 2-8 can squeeze all the nucleic acid extraction tubes on the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the flattening and cleaning station. A cylinder position sensor is installed on the flattening cylinder 2-7; the cylinder position sensor is used to detect whether the push-out rod of the flattening cylinder 2-7 has reached the lower limit position.

[0048] The material cleaning assembly includes a lifting and cleaning cylinder 2-2, a cleaning plug plate 2-3, a cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4, a cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6, a cleaning hook plate 2-9 and a waste trough 2-10. The waste trough 2-10 is fixed on the frame and is close to the flattening and cleaning station. The lifting and cleaning cylinder 2-2 is fixed on the frame and is located directly below the flattening and cleaning station. Six cleaning plug plates 2-3 arranged in sequence are fixed on the upward ejection rod of the lifting and cleaning cylinder 2-2; the relative positions of the six cleaning plug plates 2-3 correspond to the relative positions of the six placement positions of the extraction tube fixture 9-1. The six cleaning plug plates 2-3 can extend upward into the six placement positions of the extraction tube fixture 9-1 in the flattening and cleaning station to eject the six nucleic acid extraction tubes in the extraction tube fixture 9-1. The top surface of the cleaning insert plate 2-3 is provided with a V-shaped groove, the length direction of which is parallel to the length direction of the placement position of the extraction tube fixture 9-1. The V-shaped groove can improve the position stability of the nucleic acid extraction tube when it is ejected.

[0049] The cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6 is fixed on the flattening cylinder mounting plate 2-5; the vertical push rod of the cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6 is fixed to the cylinder body of the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4. The horizontal push rod of the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 is fixed to a side edge of the cleaning hook plate 2-9. The bottom surface of the cleaning hook plate 2-9 is provided with a hook groove. Driven by the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4, the cleaning hook plate 2-9 can move between directly above the flattening cleaning station and directly above the waste tank body 2-10. The moving direction of the piston of the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 is parallel to the length direction of the V-shaped groove on the top surface of the cleaning plug plate 2-3. The V-shaped groove can provide guidance for the nucleic acid extraction tube when the cleaning hook plate 2-9 removes the nucleic acid extraction tube.

[0050] When it is necessary to clear the nucleic acid extraction tubes in the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the flattening and cleaning station, the cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6 and the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 drive the cleaning plug plate to move to the top of the flattening and cleaning station. The cleaning plug plate pushes the top of each nucleic acid extraction tube up to the hook groove of the cleaning hook plate 2-9. When each nucleic acid extraction tube is pushed up to be separated from the extraction tube fixture 9-1, the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 moves horizontally, and the cleaning hook plate 2-9 drives each nucleic acid extraction tube to move horizontally, and each nucleic acid extraction tube is sent to the waste tank 2-10. In this way, automatic cleaning is achieved when the nucleic acid extraction tube is not placed correctly.

[0051] The automatic loading method of the nucleic acid extraction tube automatic loading device is as follows:

[0052] Step 1: Arrangement of extraction tubes The vibration plate 1-1 in the transfer mechanism 1 works to transport the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 to the material position to be taken. The grabbing component 1-2 grabs the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 to the first storage table 1-3-7.

[0053] When all six storage positions in the first storage table 1-3-7 are full, the synchronous wheel 1-3-11 rotates under the power of the motor, and under the guidance of the linear guide rail 1-3-9, the first storage table 1-3-7 moves to the right. Because the synchronous belt connects two workstations at the same time, the second storage table 1-3-10 moves to the left. At the same time, the first roller 1-3-4, under the guidance of the cam groove 1-3-2, pulls the lifting frame 1-3-5 downward first. This process is guided by the alternating guide shaft 1-3-6 sliding in the sliding plate 1-3-8, so that the first storage table 1-3-7 moves downward steadily. When the first storage table 1-3-7 moves to the middle, it is just below the second storage table 1-3-10, so there will be no interference between the two workstations. As the first roller 1-3-4 runs to the right side of the cam groove 1-3-2, the first storage table 1-3-7 begins to rise according to the same principle until it reaches the normal working position.

[0054] The clamping cylinder 1-6 is opened first, so that the feeding clamping claw 1-5 is in the open state. Then, driven by the loading transverse movement robot 1-4, it moves from the loading position to the second storage table 1-3-10. At this time, the clamping cylinder 1-6 is closed, so that the feeding clamping claw 1-5 grabs the nucleic acid extraction tube 5. Then the loading transverse movement robot 1-4 is lifted to make the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 separate from the second storage table 1-3-10. Finally, the loading transverse movement robot 1-4 moves transversely to the loading position and descends to place the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 into the extraction tube fixture 9-1 of the station switching mechanism 3.

[0055] Step 2: The turntable of the station switching mechanism 3 rotates under the power of the motor, so that the extraction tube fixture 9-1 equipped with the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 runs to the flattening and clearing station.

[0056] At this time, the flattening cylinder 2-7 is pressed downward to flatten the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 that has not been put in place, and then rises to its original position. If the flattening cylinder 2-7 reaches the lower limit position during this process (i.e., the limit sensor detects a signal), it means that the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 has been flattened to the specified position, and the turntable 9-2 carries the extraction tube fixture 9-1 to rotate to the magnetic bead filling station. If the lower limit sensor is not lit, it proves that the nucleic acid extraction tube has not been pressed to the specified position. At this time, the cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6 extends downward, and the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 and the cleaning hook plate 2-9 installed thereon are lowered to the working position. The lifting cleaning cylinder 2-2 extends upward to push the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 out of the extraction tube fixture 9-1. At this time, the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 contracts, driving the cleaning hook plate 2-9 on it to hook the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 away. After falling into the specified position, the cleaning horizontal cylinder 2-4 extends again, and the cleaning lifting cylinder 2-6 contracts, so that the cleaning hook plate 2-9 returns to the standby position.

[0057] Step 3: The turntable of the station switching mechanism 3 rotates under the power of the motor, so that the extraction tube fixture 9-1 equipped with the nucleic acid extraction tube 5 moves to the subsequent station to facilitate automatic filling, film sealing and unloading.

Claims

1. A nucleic acid extraction tube automatic feeding device, comprising a station switching mechanism (3) and a frame (4); characterized in that: It also includes an extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism (1); a station switching mechanism (3) is installed on a frame (4); a loading station is provided on the station switching mechanism (3); the extraction tube arrangement and transfer mechanism (1) includes a front integration component and a detection tube transfer component; the front integration component includes a vibration plate (1-1), a grabbing component (1-2) and a transverse shift alternating interchange component (1-3); the vibration plate (1-1) is installed on the frame and is used to arrange and output nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one; the grabbing component is used to grab the nucleic acid extraction tubes one by one onto the transverse shift alternating interchange component (1-3) to form a row of n detection tubes, where n≥2; The transverse shifting alternating interchangeable assembly (1-3) comprises a transverse shifting base (1-3-1), a cam groove (1-3-2), a synchronous belt (1-3-3), a first roller (1-3-4), a lifting frame (1-3-5), a first storage platform (1-3-7), a sliding plate (1-3-8), a linear guide rail (1-3-9), a second storage platform (1-3-10) and a synchronous wheel (1-3-11); the transverse shifting base (1-3-1) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-1) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-2) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-3) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-4) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-5) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-7) is fixed on the frame; the transverse shifting base (1-3-1 ... A lifting guide plate is fixed on the seat (1-3-1); a cam groove (1-3-2) is provided on the lifting guide plate; four synchronous wheels (1-3-11) arranged in a rectangular shape in a vertical plane are rotatably connected to the lifting guide plate; the four synchronous wheels (1-3-11) are connected by a synchronous belt (1-3-3); one of the synchronous wheels (1-3-11) is driven by a motor; and upper and lower sets of linear guide rails (1-3-9) are both fixed on the transverse base (1-3-1); The second storage platform (1-3-10) is connected to the linear guide rail (1-3-9) located above; the sliding plate (1-3-8) is slidably connected to the linear guide rail (1-3-9) located below; the lifting frame (1-3-5) and the sliding plate (1-3-8) form a sliding pair that slides in the vertical direction; the bottom of the lifting frame (1-3-5) is rotatably connected to the first roller (1-3-4); the first roller (1-3-4) is arranged in the cam groove (1-3-2); the top of the lifting frame (1-3-5) is fixed with the first storage platform (1-3-7); both the first storage platform (1-3-7) and the second storage platform (1-3-10) are provided with n storage positions; The cam groove (1-3-2) is in a shape with high ends and low middle; when the first roller (1-3-4) is at the end of the cam groove (1-3-2), the first storage platform (1-3-7) and the second storage platform (1-3-10) are at the same height; when the first roller (1-3-4) is at the lowest position in the middle of the cam groove (1-3-2), the top of the first storage platform (1-3-7) is lower than the bottom of the second storage platform (1-3-10); the sliding plate (1-3-8), the second storage platform (1-3-10) and the two horizontal sections of the synchronous belt are fixed respectively; The two positions when the first storage table (1-3-7) and the second storage table (1-3-10) are at the same height are respectively a loading position for each material and an overall transfer position; the loading position for each material is used for the grabbing component (1-2) to load materials; the overall transfer position is used for the detection tube transfer component to pick up materials; the detection tube transfer component is used to grab n nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table (1-3-7) or the second storage table (1-3-10) at the overall transfer position to the loading station at one time.

2. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a flattening and clearing mechanism (2); a flattening and clearing station is also provided on the station switching mechanism (3); the flattening and clearing mechanism (2) includes a flattening assembly and a clearing assembly; the flattening assembly includes a flattening cylinder (2-7) and a pressing plate (2-8); the flattening cylinder (2-7) is fixed to the frame; the end of the ejection rod of the flattening cylinder (2-7) is arranged downward and is fixed with a pressing plate (2-8); the pressing plate (2-8) is located directly above the flattening and clearing station; a cylinder position sensor is installed on the flattening cylinder (2-7); the cylinder position sensor is used to detect whether the ejection rod of the flattening cylinder (2-7) has reached the lower limit position; The material cleaning component comprises a lifting and cleaning cylinder (2-2), a cleaning plug plate (2-3), a cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4), a cleaning lifting cylinder (2-6), a cleaning hook plate (2-9) and a waste trough body (2-10); the waste trough body (2-10) is fixed on the frame and is close to the flattening and cleaning station; the lifting and cleaning cylinder (2-2) is fixed on the frame and is located directly below the flattening and cleaning station; n pieces of cleaning plug plates (2-3) arranged in sequence and at intervals are fixed on the upward ejection rod of the lifting and cleaning cylinder (2-2); the n pieces of cleaning plug plates (2-3) can be respectively inserted into the hollow positions at the bottom of the n placement positions of the extraction tube fixture (9-1) at the flattening and cleaning station to push the nucleic acid extraction tube out of the extraction tube fixture (9-1); The cleaning lifting cylinder (2-6) is fixed on the flattening cylinder mounting plate (2-5); the vertical ejection rod of the cleaning lifting cylinder (2-6) is fixed to the cylinder body of the cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4); the ejection rod of the cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4) is fixed to the cleaning hook plate (2-9); the bottom surface of the cleaning hook plate (2-9) is provided with a hooking groove; under the drive of the cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4), the cleaning hook plate (2-9) can move between directly above the flattening cleaning station and directly above the waste tank body (2-10); when the cleaning hook plate (2-9) moves to directly above the flattening cleaning station, the cleaning hook plate (2-9) can cover all nucleic acid extraction tubes on the extraction tube fixture (9-1).

3. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 2, characterized in that: The top surface of the material cleaning insert plate (2-3) is provided with a V-shaped groove; the moving direction of the piston of the material cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4) is parallel to the length direction of the V-shaped groove on the top surface of the material cleaning insert plate (2-3).

4. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The extraction tube sorting and transfer mechanism (1) comprises two front integration components and one detection tube transfer component; the loading station of the station switching mechanism (3) and the overall transfer positions of the two front integration components are on the same straight line; The individual loading positions in the two front integration assemblies are located on the opposite side of the corresponding overall transfer position.

5. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The detection tube transfer assembly comprises a detection tube moving module and a feeding clamping jaw group (1-5); the feeding clamping jaw group (1-5) is installed on the end mounting block of the detection tube moving module; The feeding clamping jaw group (1-5) comprises n mechanical clamping jaws arranged in sequence; Six mechanical grippers can clamp n nucleic acid extraction tubes on a first storage table (1-3-7) or a second storage table (1-3-10) at one time; the detection tube moving module comprises a transverse slide (1-4) and a lifting slide (1-6); the lifting slide (1-6) is installed on a sliding block of the transverse slide (1-4); the moving direction of the sliding block of the transverse slide (1-4) is parallel to a loading station and a connection line of loading positions in two front integrated components.

6. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: The workstation switching mechanism (3) comprises a turntable (9-2), an extraction tube fixture (9-1) and a driving mechanism; the horizontally arranged turntable (9-2) is rotatably connected to the frame (4) and driven to rotate by the driving mechanism; a plurality of extraction tube fixtures (9-1) uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction along the axis of the turntable (9-2) are installed on the top surface of the turntable (9-2).

7. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The extraction tube fixture (9-1) is installed on a through slot provided on a turntable (9-2); n placement positions are provided on the extraction tube fixture (9-1); each placement position can be used to place a nucleic acid extraction tube (5); the bottom of each placement position of the extraction tube fixture (9-1) is hollowed out; the relative positions of the n placement positions on the extraction tube fixture (9-1) correspond to the relative positions of the n storage positions on the first storage platform (1-3-7) or the second storage platform (1-3-10).

8. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 7, characterized in that: A film cutting clearance groove is provided between any two adjacent placement positions; the film cutting clearance groove is provided on the top surface of the extraction tube fixture (9-1); both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are connected to the two side edges of the top surface of the extraction tube fixture (9-1); and both ends of the film cutting clearance groove are provided with an introduction section whose width gradually increases from the inside to the outside.

9. The automatic feeding device for nucleic acid extraction tubes according to claim 6, characterized in that: The driving mechanism adopts a motor with a reducer.

10. The automatic loading method of the nucleic acid extraction tube automatic loading equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: The vibration plate (1-1) arranges the chaotically stacked nucleic acid extraction tubes in order and outputs them; The grabbing component (1-2) grabs the nucleic acid extraction tube output by the vibration plate (1-1) to the first storage table (1-3-7) or the second storage table (1-3-10) at the loading position of the transverse shifting and interchanging component (1-3); when the first storage table (1-3-7) or the second storage table (1-3-10) at the loading position is full and the nucleic acid extraction tube on the first storage table (1-3-7) or the second storage table (1-3-10) at the overall transfer position has been taken away, the synchronous belt moves to drive the first storage table (1-3-7) and the second storage table (1-3-10) to exchange positions; after the exchange of positions, the grabbing component (1-2) continues to grab the nucleic acid extraction tube to the loading position; Step 2: The detection tube transfer component uniformly grabs the nucleic acid extraction tubes on the first storage table (1-3-7) or the second storage table (1-3-10) at the overall transfer position to the extraction tube fixture at the loading station; Step 3: The turntable rotates to transfer the extraction tube fixture at the loading station to the flattening and clearing station; the flattening cylinder (2-7) pushes down each nucleic acid extraction tube in the extraction tube fixture so that each nucleic acid extraction tube fully enters the extraction tube fixture; if the flattening cylinder (2-7) cannot reach the lower limit position, it means that there is a nucleic acid extraction tube that is not correctly placed, and the clearing component removes each nucleic acid extraction tube from the pushing extraction tube fixture; The removal process is as follows: the cleaning lifting cylinder (2-6) and the cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4) drive the cleaning plug plate to move to the top of the flattening cleaning station; the cleaning plug plate pushes the top of each nucleic acid extraction tube to extend into the hook groove of the cleaning hook plate (2-9); when each nucleic acid extraction tube is pushed up to be separated from the extraction tube fixture (9-1), the cleaning horizontal cylinder (2-4) drives each nucleic acid extraction tube to move horizontally through the cleaning hook plate (2-9), and sends each nucleic acid extraction tube into the waste tank body (2-10).

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