Cup dividing system

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of cup processing systems, longitudinal support frame is equipped with Y-axis guide rail, the first bearing plate and the second bearing plate are slidably equipped on the Y-axis guide rail, switch cover device is provided on the first bearing plate, for automatically opening and closing sample tube cover, pipette device is provided on the second bearing plate, for transferring sample in sample tube to reaction plate, equipment matrix front end is equipped with tray assembly by lifting mechanism, tray assembly is equipped with multiple layers of tray distributed along vertical direction, each layer of the tray is used for temporary storage sample holder, horizontal workbench is equipped with horizontal moving mechanism, for transferring sample holder on tray to the sample holder placement area, or sample holder on sample holder placement area is transferred to tray.The beneficial effects of the application are: it can significantly improve the cup processing efficiency of existing cup processing system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of biological detection technology, and specifically relates to a cup-dividing processing system. Background Technology

[0002] When conducting viral nucleic acid testing, the samples to be tested are generally temporarily stored in sample tubes. Before performing biological detection analysis, the samples need to be transferred one by one from the sample tubes to the various wells of the reaction plate. This process is extremely cumbersome, involving steps such as scanning, information verification, capping, liquid transfer, and sealing. In early testing processes, all of these steps were performed manually, which resulted in problems such as being time-consuming, labor-intensive, inefficient, and having a high error rate.

[0003] To overcome the aforementioned problems associated with manual operation, a fully automated sample dispensing system has emerged. This system primarily integrates a barcode scanning mechanism, a cap opening / closing mechanism, and a pipetting mechanism. After the sample holder is installed in the system, it can perform tasks such as information acquisition, cap opening / closing, and sample liquid transfer with the assistance of the moving modules. However, existing sample dispensing systems typically suffer from complex module movement trajectories, long pipetting times, low cap opening / closing efficiency, and the need for manual intervention in loading and unloading the sample holder. These issues result in relatively low operating efficiency, and further improvements in automation are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a cup-dividing system, which aims to improve the cup-dividing efficiency of the system.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A sample collection system includes a device base, characterized in that: the device base has a horizontal worktable and a longitudinal support frame located at the rear end of the horizontal worktable, a Y-axis guide rail is installed on the longitudinal support frame, and a first support plate and a second support plate are slidably mounted on the Y-axis guide rail, wherein the first support plate is provided with a cover opening and closing device for automatically opening and closing the sample tube cover, and the second support plate is provided with a pipetting device for transferring the sample in the sample tube to the reaction plate;

[0007] The horizontal workbench is provided with a sample rack placement area, a reaction plate placement area, a TIP head box placement area, and a TIP head recycling area. The front end of the equipment base is equipped with a tray assembly via a lifting mechanism. The tray assembly has multiple layers of trays distributed vertically. Each layer of the trays is used to temporarily store sample racks. The horizontal workbench is provided with a horizontal moving mechanism for transferring sample racks from the trays to the sample rack placement area, or transferring sample racks from the sample rack placement area to the trays.

[0008] Preferably, the cover opening and closing device includes a base, on which a cover gripping mechanism is slidably mounted vertically via a first Z-axis module. The cover gripping mechanism is used to clamp the cover and drive the cover to rotate. A tube body gripping assembly is integrated at the lower part of the base for clamping the sample tube body. A horizontal moving module is provided between the tube body gripping assembly and the base. The horizontal moving module is used to drive the tube body gripping assembly to move horizontally and to stop the tube body gripping assembly below the cover gripping mechanism.

[0009] The base is slidably mounted on the first bearing plate via the first X-axis module, and the longitudinal support frame is provided with a first Y-axis module for driving the first bearing plate to slide on the Y-axis guide rail.

[0010] Preferably, there are two sets of pipe cap gripping mechanisms and two sets of pipe body clamping components, and the two sets of pipe cap gripping mechanisms and the two sets of pipe body clamping components correspond one-to-one in the vertical direction.

[0011] Preferably, the pipetting device includes two sets of pipettes, and the distance between the two sets of pipettes is adjustable.

[0012] Preferably, a second X-axis guide rail is fixedly provided on the second support plate, and the pipetting device has a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate. The first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are slidably mounted on the second X-axis guide rail. A driving mechanism is provided between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to drive the second mounting plate to slide in a direction away from or close to the first mounting plate. The two sets of pipettes are each lifted and mounted on the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate through a set of second Z-axis modules.

[0013] The second carrier plate is provided with a second X-axis module for driving the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate to slide synchronously. The longitudinal support frame is provided with a second Y-axis module for driving the second carrier plate to slide on the Y-axis guide rail.

[0014] Preferably, a bracket assembly is fixedly provided on the upper rear side of the first mounting plate, and the driving mechanism includes a first pulley assembly and a first motor that drives the first pulley assembly to rotate. Both the first motor and the first pulley assembly are mounted on the bracket assembly. An adapter block is fixedly provided on the upper end of the second mounting plate, and the adapter block is fixedly connected to the belt of the first pulley assembly.

[0015] Preferably, width limiting plates are installed at both ends of the tray, and the upper end and front end of the width limiting plates are provided with outwardly inclined guide sections. The tray is provided with positioning grooves in the area between the corresponding two sets of width limiting plates.

[0016] Preferably, the horizontal moving mechanism includes a translation component, a lifting component, and a gripper component connected in sequence, wherein the gripper component is used to lift the sample rack, the translation component is used to drive the gripper component to move horizontally between the sample rack placement area and the tray, and the lifting component is used to drive the gripper component to move up and down.

[0017] Preferably, the gripper assembly includes a support plate and gripping arms vertically connected to both ends of the support plate; the gripping arms are constructed as rectangular plate structures with positioning protrusions at their upper ends.

[0018] Preferably, the tube clamping assembly includes a sleeve plate, a support plate, and two sets of clamping blocks arranged opposite each other. The two sets of clamping blocks are used to clamp the tube. The support plate is located below the two sets of clamping blocks and is used to support the bottom of the tube. The sleeve plate is located above the two sets of clamping blocks and has a through hole adapted to the diameter of the tube.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0020] 1. The sample rack placement area, reaction plate placement area, TIP head box placement area, and TIP head recovery area are arranged sequentially along the Y-axis of the horizontal worktable. The cap opening and closing device and the pipetting device share a set of Y-axis guide rails, and the cup dispensing system has high collaborative working efficiency.

[0021] 2. With the coordinated action of the lifting mechanism, tray assembly and horizontal moving mechanism at the front end of the system, the cup sorting system can automatically replace the sample rack, which can improve the processing efficiency of the cup sorting system and extend the unattended operation time of the system.

[0022] 3. Both the cap opening and closing device and the pipetting device are set in two sets, which can double the cup-dividing capacity.

[0023] 4. The tube clamping assembly and the cap gripping mechanism of the cap opening and closing device are integrated into one module. Both can move synchronously within the cup-separating system. After the sample tube is gripped by the cap gripping mechanism, the tube clamping assembly moves outward a small distance to hold the tube in place. Then, the cap gripping mechanism rotates to open the cap. This design simplifies the movement of the tube clamping assembly and improves cap opening and closing efficiency.

[0024] 5. The spacing between the two sets of pipettes in the pipetting device can be adjusted to accommodate the difference in hole spacing between the two sample tubes and the two sets of reaction wells, so that the two sets of pipettes can perform the dispensing operation synchronously, which helps to improve the dispensing efficiency of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the cup dispensing system (the horizontal moving mechanism 9 and the front tray assembly 2 are hidden);

[0026] Figure 2 This is another structural diagram of the cup-dispensing system;

[0027] Figure 3 A partial structural diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the lifting mechanism 8, the horizontal moving mechanism 9, and the tray assembly 2 in the cup-dispensing system;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of tray assembly 2;

[0029] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view showing the connection between pallet assembly 2 and lifting mechanism 8;

[0030] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the horizontal moving mechanism 9;

[0031] Figure 7 The reference diagram shows the usage state of the gripper assembly 9c gripping the sample holder e;

[0032] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the opening and closing cover device 5 (front view).

[0033] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the opening and closing cover device 5 (rear view).

[0034] Figures 10 to 12 These are side views of the opening and closing cover device 5 in three different states. Figure 10 The 5c cap gripping mechanism is used to grip the sample tube. Figure 11 The tube clamping assembly holds the sample tube in position 5d. Figure 12 The tube clamping assembly is moved horizontally to its foremost position by 5d.

[0035] Figure 13 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting device 6 (front view);

[0036] Figure 14 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the pipetting device 6 (rear view);

[0037] Figure 15 for Figure 14 A magnified view of a section at point I;

[0038] Figure 16 This is a reference diagram (outer view) showing the usage status of the pipetting device 6 in the dispensing system;

[0039] Figure 17 This is a reference diagram (inner view) showing the usage status of pipetting device 6 in the dispensing system. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, a sample collection system includes a device base 1, which has a horizontal worktable 1a and a longitudinal support frame 1b located at the rear end of the horizontal worktable 1a. A Y-axis guide rail 7 is mounted on the longitudinal support frame 1b, and a first support plate 3 and a second support plate 4 are slidably mounted on the Y-axis guide rail 7. A cover opening and closing device 5 is provided on the first support plate 3 for automatically opening and closing the cap g of the sample tube k. A pipetting device 6 is provided on the second support plate 4 for transferring the sample in the sample tube to the reaction plate m. The horizontal worktable 1a has a sample rack placement area a, a reaction plate placement area b, a TIP head box placement area c, and a TIP head recovery area d arranged sequentially along its length. Figure 2 It can be seen that sample rack e is placed in sample rack placement area a, reaction plate m is placed in reaction plate placement area b, TIP head box n is placed in TIP head box placement area c, and recycling box p is placed in TIP head recycling area d.

[0042] For example Figure 3 As shown, a tray assembly 2 is mounted on the front end of the equipment base 1 via a lifting mechanism 8, combined with the attached... Figure 4 As can be seen, the tray assembly 2 has several layers of trays 2a, which are arranged in an array along the vertical direction. The trays 2a are used to temporarily store sample racks e. In this embodiment, the number of layers of trays 2a is 3. A horizontal moving mechanism 9 is provided on the horizontal worktable 1a, which is used to transfer the sample racks e on the trays 2a to the sample rack placement area a, or to transfer the sample racks on the sample rack placement area a to the trays 2a. (See attached diagram.) Figure 6 As can be seen, the horizontal moving mechanism 9 includes a translation component 9a, a lifting component 9b, and a gripper component 9c connected in sequence. The gripper component 9c is used to lift the sample rack e, the translation component 9a is used to drive the gripper component 9c to move horizontally between the sample rack placement area a and the tray 2a, and the lifting component 9b is used to drive the gripper component 9c to move up and down.

[0043] Three sample racks e are pre-installed on the tray assembly 2. The lifting mechanism 8 drives the tray assembly 2 to move up and down, so that one layer of tray 2a is level with the sample rack placement area a. Then, the translation component 9a moves the gripper component 9c to below the two end ears e1 of the sample rack e. The lifting component 9b moves the gripper component 9c upward to lift the sample rack e. Then, the translation component 9a moves the gripper component 9c to the sample rack placement area a. Finally, the lifting component 9b moves the gripper component 9c downward to place the sample rack e in the sample rack placement area a. By reversing the above process, the sample rack e can be transferred from the sample rack placement area a to the tray 2a. Therefore, with the coordinated action of the lifting mechanism 8, the tray assembly 2, and the horizontal movement mechanism 9, the cup sorting system can automatically change sample racks, making the cup sorting system more efficient.

[0044] For further details, please refer to Figure 6 The aforementioned translation component 9a includes a base 9a1 fixedly mounted on a horizontal worktable 1a. The base 9a1 is a long, strip-shaped plate structure, with a supporting cantilever 9a2 slidably connected to its inner side. A belt drive assembly 9a3 is provided between the supporting cantilever 9a2 and the base 9a1. The belt drive assembly 9a3 consists of a motor, a pulley, and a belt connected in sequence. The supporting cantilever 9a2 is fixedly connected to one side of the belt. Based on this, the motor can drive the supporting cantilever 9a2 to slide along the length of the base 9a1. Furthermore, to ensure the stability of the supporting cantilever 9a2, two sets of guide rails 9a4 are provided between the supporting cantilever 9a2 and the base 9a1. The two sets of guide rails 9a4 are symmetrically arranged in the width direction of the base 9a1. The belt is arranged between the two sets of guide rails 9a4.

[0045] The aforementioned lifting assembly 9b includes a retaining seat 9b5 fixedly mounted on the distal end of the supporting cantilever 9a2. A connecting plate 9b3 is provided on the gripper assembly 9c. The connecting plate 9b3 is slidably mounted within the retaining seat 9b5 via two guide posts 9b6. A nut sleeve 9b4 is embedded in the middle of the connecting plate 9b3. A lifting motor 9b1 is fixedly mounted on the lower end of the retaining seat 9b5. A screw 9b2 is connected to the output shaft of the lifting motor 9b1, and the screw 9b2 is threadedly connected to the nut sleeve 9b4. Therefore, the operation of the lifting motor 9b1 drives the gripper assembly 9c to move up and down.

[0046] For example Figure 5As shown, in this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 8 specifically includes a fixed frame 8a. A tray support 8b is slidably mounted on one side of the fixed frame 8a. The tray support 8b can slide relative to the fixed frame 8a in the height direction. A lifting motor 8c is mounted on the lower part of the fixed frame 8a through a horizontal extension plate 8d. The lifting motor 8c is used to drive the tray support 8b to slide up and down. The tray assembly 2 is fixedly mounted on the tray support 8b. Based on this, the operation of the lifting motor 8c can drive the tray assembly 2 to move up and down. The working principle of the lifting motor 8c driving the tray support 8b to move up and down is the screw and nut lifting principle. Its transmission structure is a mature existing technology and will not be further described here. In the specific installation and implementation of the lifting mechanism 8, the fixed frame 8a is directly or indirectly fixedly connected to the horizontal worktable 1a.

[0047] For example Figure 6 As shown, the gripper assembly 9c includes a support plate 9c1 and gripping arms 9c2 vertically connected to both ends of the support plate 9c1. The gripping arms 9c2 are constructed as rectangular plate-shaped structures, combined with... Figure 3 and 7 As can be seen, the sample holder e has outwardly extending lugs e1 at both ends. When gripping the sample holder e, the upper end of the gripping arm 9c2 is supported on the lower side of the lugs e1. At this time, the gripper assembly 9c moves upward to lift the sample holder e. Furthermore, the upper end of the gripping arm 9c2 has a positioning protrusion 9c3, which cooperates with the positioning hole e2 on the lugs e1. On the one hand, it can prevent the sample holder from shaking during the transfer, thus improving stability. On the other hand, it can ensure that the sample holder e placed in the system has high positional accuracy each time, providing a better reference guarantee for subsequent operations of the cup-separation processing system.

[0048] Please refer to Figure 4 As shown, both ends of the tray 2a are equipped with width limiting pieces 2b. The upper and front ends of the width limiting pieces 2b are provided with outwardly inclined guide sections 2b1, and the rear end of the width limiting pieces 2b is provided with an inwardly extending bent portion 2b2. The tray 2a has a positioning groove 2a1 in the area between the corresponding two sets of width limiting pieces 2b. This design ensures that when the sample holder e is pre-installed, it can be well guided to be placed in the positioning groove 2a1. For the entire system, this provides an accurate relative position, ensuring that the positioning protrusion 9c3 on the clamping arm 9c2 precisely aligns with the positioning hole e2 of the sample holder e. Further details are provided in the attached diagram. Figure 7 The upper end of the positioning protrusion 9c3 has a tapered structure. This tapered structure guides the positioning protrusion 9c3 into the positioning hole e2, ensuring that there is almost no gap between the main body of the positioning protrusion 9c3 and the positioning hole e2, further improving the stability and docking accuracy of the sample holder transfer. Similarly, to further ensure the accuracy of the sample holder e in the sample holder placement area a, the sample holder placement area a is also equipped with a positioning groove and a width positioning plate.

[0049] For example Figure 1 As shown, after the horizontal moving mechanism 9 places the sample holder e in the sample holder placement area a, the opening and closing action of the cover opening device 5 is performed, and the liquid transfer device 6 performs the liquid taking work to realize the cup-dividing process, that is, to transfer the sample in the sample tube k to the hole in the reaction plate m.

[0050] In this embodiment, the specific implementation structure of the cover opening and closing device 5 is as follows:

[0051] Please refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The cover opening and closing device 5 includes a base 5a, on which a cover gripping mechanism 5c and a tube body clamping assembly 5d are mounted. The cover gripping mechanism 5c is slidably mounted on one side of the base 5a via a first Z-axis module 5b. The cover gripping mechanism 5c is used to clamp the cover g and can drive the cover g to rotate. The tube body clamping assembly 5d is used to clamp the tube body f of the sample tube. A horizontal moving module 5e is provided between the tube body clamping assembly 5d and the base 5a. The horizontal moving module 5e is used to drive the tube body clamping assembly 5d to move in the horizontal direction and can make the tube body clamping assembly 5d stop below the cover gripping mechanism 5c.

[0052] Based on the above structure, after the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c grips the sample tube, the horizontal moving module 5e drives the tube body clamping component 5d to move outward from below the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c. Then, the first Z-axis module 5b drives the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c to move downward, so that the sample tube enters the clamping range of the tube body clamping component 5d. The tube body clamping component 5d clamps the tube body f. Finally, the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c rotates the tube cap g to open the cap.

[0053] By integrating the tube clamping component 5d and the cap gripping mechanism 5c into a single module, the tube clamping component 5d only needs to move outward a small distance to hold the tube after the cap gripping mechanism 5c grips it. For the cup dispensing system, this setup undoubtedly offers higher cap opening and closing efficiency. Currently, the cap gripping structure and the tube clamping structure are not integrated. Specifically, the tube clamping structure is fixedly installed at a certain position in the cup dispensing system and does not move with the cap gripping structure. Therefore, after the cap gripping structure grips the sample tube, it needs to move to the position of the tube clamping structure, which involves a relatively long distance and reduces cap opening and closing efficiency. Therefore, by integrating the tube clamping component 5d and the cap gripping mechanism 5c into a single module, both can move simultaneously as a whole, resulting in higher cap opening and closing efficiency.

[0054] For further details, please refer to Figure 1The base 5a is slidably mounted on the first support plate 3 via the first X-axis module 3a, and the longitudinal support frame 1b is provided with a first Y-axis module 7a, which is used to drive the first support plate 3 to slide on the Y-axis guide rail 7. Based on this, the operation of the first X-axis module 3a and the first Y-axis module 7a can drive the opening and closing cover device 5 to move in the X and Y directions.

[0055] In this embodiment, please refer to Figure 8 The tube clamping assembly 5d includes two sets of clamping blocks 5d3 facing each other. The opening and closing movement of the two sets of clamping blocks 5d3 can clamp and release the tube f. The opening and closing movement of the two sets of clamping blocks 5d3 can be controlled by a motor, pneumatic, hydraulic or other means. A support plate 5d2 is set below the two sets of clamping blocks 5d3, and a sleeve plate 5d1 is set above them. The sleeve plate 5d1 has a through hole i that is adapted to the diameter of the tube f. During the process of clamping the sample tube by the tube clamping assembly 5d, the bottom of the tube f is supported on the support plate 5d2, and the middle part of the tube f is fitted into the through hole i. When the clamping force of the tube clamping assembly 5d is loosened due to an accidental power failure, the sample tube can still maintain a vertical posture and will not tilt, shift or fall downward.

[0056] Furthermore, to more stably support the bottom of the tube body f, a circular groove h is provided on the upper part of the support plate 5d2. This circular groove h is adapted to the bottom structure of the tube body f, and the center line of the circular groove h is collinear with the center line of the through hole i. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the tube clamping assembly 5d also has a supporting base plate 5d4. In this embodiment, the support plate 5d2 is fixed to the lower front end of the supporting base plate 5d4. A circular hole is provided at the front end of the supporting base plate 5d4, which is the circular groove h on the upper part of the support plate 5d2. In addition, the supporting base plate 5d4 also helps to realize the sliding connection between the tube clamping assembly 5d and the base 5a.

[0057] Please refer to Figure 9 As shown, the base 5a includes a vertical support plate 5a1 and a support frame 5a2 located at the lower end of the vertical support plate 5a1. The pipe cap gripping mechanism 5c is located on one side of the vertical support plate 5a1. The support frame 5a2 has an internal accommodating space, and the pipe clamping assembly 5d is slidably disposed within this accommodating space. The above structural design is reasonable, satisfying the movement requirements of each component while ensuring the compactness of the overall structure.

[0058] Please refer to Figure 9 In this embodiment, the horizontal movement module 5e specifically includes a slide rail assembly 5e1, a second pulley assembly 5e2, and a belt motor 5e3. For ease of assembly, a fixing plate 5a3 is provided on the upper part of the support frame 5a2. The second pulley assembly 5e2 and the belt motor 5e3 are both mounted on the fixing plate 5a3. The support base plate 5d4 is fixedly connected to the belt k of the second pulley assembly 5e2 through a locking block j. (Further details omitted) Figure 4 As can be seen, the slide rail assembly 5e1 is installed between the bottom of the support base plate 5d4 and the support frame 5a2. Based on this, the belt motor 5e3 can drive the support base plate 5d4 to slide back and forth within the support frame 5a2, thereby realizing the horizontal movement of the tube clamping assembly 5d.

[0059] For example Figure 10 As shown, the cap gripping mechanism 5c includes a claw 5c1 and a claw drive motor 5c2. The claw 5c1 can open or close to grip the cap g from the outside. The claw drive motor 5c2 drives the claw 5c1 to open or close. The claw 5c1 includes at least two finger-like members arranged parallel to each other in a vertical direction. The finger-like members can move closer or further apart from each other to grip or release the cap. The cap gripping mechanism 5c also has a rotary motor inside. After the claw 5c1 grips the cap, the rotary motor drives the claw 5c1 and the cap g to rotate as a whole, thereby realizing the cap tightening operation. The specific structure of the cap gripping mechanism 5c for gripping and tightening the cap is existing mature technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0060] For example Figure 8 As shown, to improve efficiency, there are two sets of both the cap gripping mechanism 5c and the tube clamping assembly 5d, with each set corresponding vertically. For ease of installation, the two sets of tube clamping assemblies 5d share a common support base plate 5d4. To stably clamp the sample tube, the clamping block 5d3 is made of metal, with an arc-shaped inner side covered by an anti-slip layer.

[0061] In this embodiment, the specific implementation structure of the pipetting device 6 is as follows:

[0062] Please refer to Figure 13 As shown, the pipetting device 6 includes a first mounting plate 6a and a second mounting plate 6b arranged side by side. A pipette 61 is provided on the front side of both the first mounting plate 6a and the second mounting plate 6b. Figure 14 and 15 It can be seen that the first mounting plate 6a has a first slider 62 on its rear side, and the second mounting plate 6b has a second slider 63 on its rear side. Combined with the attached... Figure 16 and 17As can be seen, a second X-axis guide rail 4a is fixed on the second support plate 4. The first mounting plate 6a is mounted on the second X-axis guide rail 4a via a first slider 62, and the second mounting plate 6b is mounted on the second X-axis guide rail 4a via a second slider 63. A second X-axis module 4b is provided on the second support plate 4 for driving the first mounting plate 6a and the second mounting plate 6b to slide synchronously. A second Y-axis module 7b is provided on the longitudinal support frame 1b of the device base 1 for driving the second support plate 4 to slide on the Y-axis guide rail 7. Based on this, the operation of the second X-axis module 4b and the second Y-axis module 7b can drive the pipetting device 6 to move in the X and Y directions of the system.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 13 The pipettes 61 are mounted on the front side of the first mounting plate 6a and the second mounting plate 6b via a second Z-axis module 6d. The second Z-axis module 6d can drive the pipettes 61 to move up and down along the corresponding mounting plates, thereby facilitating liquid collection from the sample tube and dispensing onto the reaction plate m. The second Z-axis module 6d adopts a conventional linear motion module. In this embodiment, the pipettes 61 are used for liquid collection and dispensing, and their lower end has a needle 61a. During system operation, the needle 61a can perform liquid collection and dispensing operations by attaching a TIP tip 61b to it. The use of a TIP tip for liquid collection by the pipette 61 is a mature existing technology, and its working principle will not be described in detail here.

[0064] For example Figure 13 As shown, a driving mechanism 6c is provided between the first mounting plate 6a and the second mounting plate 6b. The driving mechanism 6c is used to drive the first mounting plate 6a and the second mounting plate 6b to move towards or away from each other, thereby changing the distance between the two sets of pipettes 61. In the dispensing system, the distance between two adjacent sample tubes on the sample holder e is greater than the distance between two adjacent reaction wells on the reaction plate m. After the two sets of pipettes simultaneously draw sample solution from the two sample tubes, one set of pipettes must be controlled to dispense liquid into the reaction well first, and then the other set of pipettes must be controlled to dispense liquid into the reaction well. That is, the two sets of pipettes need to perform the dispensing operation independently, resulting in low dispensing efficiency. Therefore, under the driving action of the driving mechanism 6c, the distance between the two sets of pipettes 61 can be adjusted to adapt to the difference in hole spacing between the two sample tubes and the two sets of reaction wells, so that the two sets of pipettes of the pipetting device 6 can perform the dispensing operation synchronously, which helps to improve the dispensing efficiency of the system.

[0065] For example Figure 13As shown, to facilitate the installation of the drive mechanism 6c, a bracket assembly 6a1 is fixedly mounted on the upper rear side of the first mounting plate 6a. The drive mechanism 6c includes a first motor 6c2 and a first pulley assembly 6c1, both mounted on the bracket assembly 6a1. A transition block 6b1 is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the second mounting plate 6b, and this transition block 6b1 is fixedly connected to the belt of the first pulley assembly 6c1. Based on this, the first motor 6c2 drives the first pulley assembly 6c1 to rotate, and the belt of the first pulley assembly 6c1 can drive the second mounting plate 6b to slide on the second X-axis guide rail 4a, thereby realizing the adjustment of the distance between the two sets of pipettes 61.

[0066] Please refer to Figure 15 The bracket assembly 6a1 consists of a motor base u and a support plate v extending outward from one end of the motor base u. A first motor 6c2 is mounted on the motor base u. One pulley of the first pulley assembly 6c1 is fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the first motor 6c2, while the other pulley is rotatably mounted on the end of the support plate v away from the motor base u. This design offers the advantage of a reasonable layout and facilitates the connection between the adapter block 6b1 and the belt. In this embodiment, the left end of the support plate v has a waist-shaped hole v1, through which it connects to the motor base u. This design allows for convenient adjustment of the belt tension of the first pulley assembly 6c1.

[0067] Furthermore, a photoelectric sensor mounting plate w extending outward is fixedly mounted on the right end of the motor base u. The photoelectric sensor mounting plate w is positioned directly opposite the adapter block 6b1. Two sets of photoelectric sensors 64 are mounted on the photoelectric sensor mounting plate w. The adapter block 6b1 is provided with light-blocking sheets 65 adapted to the photoelectric sensors 64. The two sets of photoelectric sensors 64 are distributed along the sliding direction of the second mounting plate 6b. The positions of the light-blocking sheets 65 reaching the two sets of photoelectric sensors 64 correspond to the maximum and minimum spacing of the two sets of pipettes 61, respectively. By designing the photoelectric sensor mounting plate w and the support plate v separately, it is possible to ensure that the photoelectric sensor mounting plate w has a relatively stable positional relationship that will not change with the adjustment of the support plate v, thereby ensuring the accuracy of the position judgment of the photoelectric sensor 64.

[0068] The working steps of the cup-dividing system provided by this invention are as follows:

[0069] 1. Please refer to Figure 3 With the coordinated action of the lifting mechanism 8, the tray assembly 2, and the horizontal moving mechanism 9, a set of sample racks e is automatically placed in the sample rack placement area a.

[0070] 2. Please refer to Figure 10 The cover opening and closing device 5 starts working. The horizontal moving module 5e first drives the tube clamping assembly 5d to retract to the retracted position. Then, under the coordinated action of the first X-axis module 3a, the first Y-axis module 7a and the first Z-axis module 5b, the cover gripping mechanism 5c grips the sample tube.

[0071] 3. Please refer to Figure 11 The horizontal moving module 5e drives the tube clamping assembly 5d to move below the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c. Then, the first Z-axis module 5b drives the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c to move downward, so that the sample tube passes through the sleeve plate 5d1 and enters between the two sets of clamping blocks 5d3. Then, the two sets of clamping blocks 5d3 clamp the tube body f.

[0072] 4. The rotary motor inside the pipe cap gripping mechanism 5c drives the pipe cap g to rotate, thereby completing the opening operation.

[0073] 5. Please refer to Figure 12 The horizontal moving module 5e continues to drive the tube clamping assembly 5d to move forward, and then the pipetting device 6 aspirates the sample in the tube f. The pipetting device 6 moves to the position of the reaction plate m and drips the aspirated sample into the hole of the reaction plate m.

[0074] 6. The horizontal moving module 5e drives the tube clamping assembly 5d back to below the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c. The first Z-axis module 5b drives the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c to move downward. The rotary motor inside the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c drives the tube cap g to rotate, completing the cap closing operation.

[0075] 7. The tube clamping assembly 5d releases the clamping force, and under the coordinated action of the first X-axis module 3a, the first Y-axis module 7a and the first Z-axis module 5b, the tube cap gripping mechanism 5c puts the sample tube back into the sample holder 10.

[0076] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art, under the guidance of the present invention, can make various similar representations without departing from the spirit and claims of the present invention, and such modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cup-dispensing system, comprising a device base (1), characterized in that: The equipment base (1) has a horizontal worktable (1a) and a longitudinal support frame (1b) located at the rear end of the horizontal worktable (1a). A Y-axis guide rail (7) is installed on the longitudinal support frame (1b). A first bearing plate (3) and a second bearing plate (4) are slidably mounted on the Y-axis guide rail (7). A first Y-axis module (7a) is provided on the longitudinal support frame (1b) for driving the first bearing plate (3) to slide on the Y-axis guide rail (7). A second Y-axis module (7b) is provided on the longitudinal support frame (1b) for driving the second bearing plate (4) to slide on the Y-axis guide rail (7). A switch cover device (5) is provided on the first bearing plate (3) for automatically opening and closing the sample tube cover. A pipetting device (6) is provided on the second bearing plate (4) for transferring the sample in the sample tube to the reaction plate. The horizontal workbench (1a) is provided with a sample rack placement area (a), a reaction plate placement area (b), a TIP head box placement area (c), and a TIP head recycling area (d). The front end of the equipment base (1) is equipped with a tray assembly (2) via a lifting mechanism (8). The tray assembly (2) is provided with multiple layers of trays (2a) distributed vertically. Each layer of the trays (2a) is used to temporarily store sample racks. Width limiting pieces (2b) are installed at both ends of the trays (2a). The upper end and front end of the width limiting pieces (2b) are provided with outwardly inclined guide sections (2b1). The rear end of the width limiting pieces (2b) is provided with an inwardly extending bent part (2b2). The trays (2a) are provided with positioning grooves (2a1) in the area between the corresponding two sets of width limiting pieces (2b). The horizontal workbench (1a) is provided with a horizontal moving mechanism (9) for transferring the sample rack on the tray (2a) to the sample rack placement area (a), or transferring the sample rack on the sample rack placement area (a) to the tray (2a); the horizontal moving mechanism (9) includes a translation component (9a), a lifting component (9b) and a gripper component (9c) connected in sequence, wherein the gripper component (9c) is used to lift the sample rack, the translation component (9a) is used to drive the gripper component (9c) to move horizontally between the sample rack placement area (a) and the tray (2a), and the lifting component (9b) is used to drive the gripper component (9c) to move up and down; The gripper assembly (9c) includes a support plate (9c1) and gripping arms (9c2) vertically connected to both ends of the support plate (9c1); the gripping arms (9c2) are constructed as rectangular plate structures with positioning protrusions (9c3) at their upper ends.

2. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening and closing device (5) includes a base (5a). The base (5a) is slidably mounted with a tube cap gripping mechanism (5c) via a first Z-axis module (5b). The tube cap gripping mechanism (5c) is used to clamp the tube cap and drive the tube cap to rotate. The lower part of the base (5a) is integrated with a tube body clamping assembly (5d), which is used to clamp the sample tube body. A horizontal moving module (5e) is provided between the tube body clamping assembly (5d) and the base (5a). The horizontal moving module (5e) is used to drive the tube body clamping assembly (5d) to move in the horizontal direction and can make the tube body clamping assembly (5d) stop below the tube cap gripping mechanism (5c). The base (5a) is slidably mounted on the first bearing plate (3) via the first X-axis module (3a).

3. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the pipe cap gripping mechanism (5c) and the pipe body clamping assembly (5d) are both two sets, and the two sets of the pipe cap gripping mechanism (5c) and the two sets of the pipe body clamping assembly (5d) correspond one-to-one in the vertical direction.

4. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pipetting device (6) includes two sets of pipettes (61), and the distance between the two sets of pipettes (61) is adjustable.

5. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The second support plate (4) is fixedly provided with a second X-axis guide rail (4a). The pipetting device (6) has a first mounting plate (6a) and a second mounting plate (6b). The first mounting plate (6a) and the second mounting plate (6b) are slidably mounted on the second X-axis guide rail (4a). A driving mechanism (6c) is provided between the first mounting plate (6a) and the second mounting plate (6b) for driving the second mounting plate (6b) to slide away from or towards the first mounting plate (6a). The two sets of pipettes (61) are each lifted and lowered on the first mounting plate (6a) and the second mounting plate (6b) through a set of second Z-axis modules (6d). The second support plate (4) is provided with a second X-axis module (4b) for driving the first mounting plate (6a) and the second mounting plate (6b) to slide synchronously.

6. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: A bracket assembly (6a1) is fixedly mounted on the upper rear side of the first mounting plate (6a). The driving mechanism (6c) includes a first pulley assembly (6c1) and a first motor (6c2) that drives the first pulley assembly (6c1) to rotate. The first motor (6c2) and the first pulley assembly (6c1) are both mounted on the bracket assembly (6a1). A transition block (6b1) is fixedly mounted on the upper end of the second mounting plate (6b). The transition block (6b1) is fixedly connected to the belt of the first pulley assembly (6c1).

7. The cup-dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The tube clamping assembly (5d) includes a sleeve plate (5d1), a support plate (5d2), and two sets of clamping blocks (5d3) arranged opposite each other. The two sets of clamping blocks (5d3) are used to clamp the tube. The support plate (5d2) is located below the two sets of clamping blocks (5d3) and is used to support the bottom of the tube. The sleeve plate (5d1) is located above the two sets of clamping blocks (5d3) and has a through hole (i) adapted to the diameter of the tube.

Images