Multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for fully automatic cup dispensing processing system

Abstract

The present invention provides a multi-channel variable-spacing pipetting device for a fully automatic cup-dividing processing system. Among them, two adjacent pipette bases on the left and right are connected by a flexible belt. By driving components, the pipette bases located on the far left and the far right are driven to move in the left-right direction in opposite directions. When the flexible belt between two adjacent pipette bases on the left and right is straightened, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipetting heads is the largest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and liquid addition operations for, for example, screw-cap sample tubes. By driving components, the pipette bases located on the far left and the far right are driven to move relatively in the left-right direction. When the pipette bases are in mutual contact, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipetting heads is the smallest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and liquid addition operations for, for example, 96-well plates. Thus, multi-channel variable-spacing pipetting operations are realized. The present invention can achieve multi-channel variable-spacing liquid suction and liquid addition operations, with a clever design, a simple structure, easy manufacturing, low cost, and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of sample detection systems, particularly to the technical field of sample detection systems using sample tubes for detection, and specifically refers to a multi-channel variable-spacing pipetting device for a full-automatic cuvette processing system. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, screw-cap sample tubes have been increasingly widely used in the fields of medical treatment, disease control and prevention, customs, third-party testing institutions, criminal investigation, etc. During the manual liquid separation process using screw-cap sample tubes, the operator needs to manually unscrew the sample tube cap, draw liquid from the screw-cap sample tube, manually tighten the sample tube cap after the liquid drawing is completed, and then transfer the obtained liquid to the sample wells of a 96-well plate. The operator can perform the liquid separation work independently or in cooperation with another person. When the number of sampling tubes is large, manual operation will increase the physical consumption of the operator, enhance the discomfort of the hands, result in low work efficiency during long-term operation, and there is also a risk of cross-contamination.

[0003] To address this situation, the inventor hopes to develop a full-automatic cuvette processing system product with functions of automatic opening and closing of the cap and automatic sample addition, which is used to solve the problems of low work efficiency caused by physical consumption and hand discomfort during long-term operation, and is prone to cross-contamination. The full-automatic cuvette processing system is used as an auxiliary tool in the sampling / detection link. The operator only needs to place the sampling tube rack in the instrument, and the instrument can automatically clamp and rotate to complete the cap opening operation, automatically place the sample and add the sample, and automatically complete the liquid separation operation. The whole operation process saves physical strength, saves time, improves work efficiency, avoids cross-contamination between samples, and ensures the safety of samples and operators.

[0004] To further improve the efficiency of automatically processing screw-cap sample tubes, the best way is to increase the one-time processing throughput of screw-cap sample tubes. According to the current general consumable form of biological sample addition operations, the optimal number of single-time processing throughput is 8 channels, that is, the device can complete the cap opening of 8 sample tubes and the simultaneous liquid suction and addition of 8 channels in one sequential operation. The simultaneous liquid suction and addition of 8 channels involves sucking liquid from 8 screw-cap sample tubes and injecting the sucked liquid into 8 sample wells of a 96-well plate. To achieve the simultaneous liquid suction and addition of 8 channels, in addition to having 8 pipetting modules, the spacing of the 8 pipetting modules must also adapt to the sizes of the biological consumables corresponding to liquid suction and addition. For example, the object of the liquid suction operation is usually a screw-cap sample tube, and the spacing between screw-cap sample tubes of different volumes on the screw-cap sample tube rack varies between 18 mm and 30 mm. The object of the liquid addition operation is generally a 96-well plate or a PCR plate, and the spacing between adjacent liquid addition channels should be 9 mm. This requires that the 8 pipetting modules must have the function of variable channel spacing to adapt to different consumables.

[0005] Currently, different types of variable pitch technologies are also used in automated pipetting equipment, but there are many defects. For example, the number of channels with variable pitch is mostly 4 channels, and the variable pitch range of 8-channel variable pitch is relatively small (mostly 9 mm to 18 mm). The method of using an independent drive motor to change the channel pitch results in a large volume of the variable pitch structure and an overly expensive cost, etc.

[0006] Therefore, first of all, a multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing system is needed, which can realize multi-channel variable pitch liquid suction and liquid addition operations. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing system, which can realize multi-channel variable pitch liquid suction and liquid addition operations and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing system, which is ingeniously designed, has a simple structure, is easy to manufacture, has a low cost, and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing system, which is characterized in that it includes a variable pitch module and a pipetting module, wherein:

[0010] The variable pitch module includes a fixed seat, an upper guide rail, a lower guide rail, a pipette base, a driving component and a flexible belt. The upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are both arranged in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other up and down. The upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are both located in the fixed seat. The left end and the right end of the upper guide rail and the left end and the right end of the lower guide rail are both fixed to the fixed seat. The pipette base is arranged vertically and is movably sleeved on the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail respectively along the left-right direction;

[0011] The pipetting module includes a pipette body, a pipette tip, a connecting pipe and a liquid suction and discharge component. The pipette body is located under the pipette base and is connected to the pipette base. The pipette tip is arranged vertically and is vertically hollow. The lower end of the pipette tip is used for vertically inserting a pipette tip. The upper end of the pipette tip is located under the pipette body and is connected to the pipette body. The pipette tip is connected to the connecting pipe through the pipette body pipeline. The liquid suction and discharge component is arranged on the fixed seat;

[0012] The number of the pipette bases is multiple, and the multiple pipette bases are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. A flexible belt is connected between every two adjacent pipette bases on the left and right. The driving component is arranged in the fixed seat and is respectively connected to the pipette base at the leftmost side and the pipette base at the rightmost side to drive the pipette base at the leftmost side and the pipette base at the rightmost side to move relatively and reversely in the left-right direction. The number of the pipette bodies, the number of the pipette tips, and the number of the connecting tubes are the same as the number of the pipette bases. The pipette bodies, the pipette tips, and the connecting tubes are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the pipette bases. The liquid suction and discharge component is respectively connected to the connecting tubes through pipelines.

[0013] Preferably, the number of the pipette bases is 8.

[0014] Preferably, two ends of the flexible belt are respectively connected to the middle positions of the upper parts of the front sides of the two adjacent pipette bases on the left and right.

[0015] More preferably, the length of the flexible belt is 18 mm to 30 mm.

[0016] Preferably, the flexible belt is a nylon belt.

[0017] Preferably, the dimension of the pipette base in the left-right direction is 9 mm.

[0018] Preferably, the driving component includes a first driving motor, a first synchronous belt, a left synchronous belt pulley, and a right synchronous belt pulley. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both vertically arranged and are both arranged in the left-right direction and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both located in the fixed seat and are both located behind the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail and are both rotatably connected to the fixed seat around the front-back direction. The first synchronous belt is vertically arranged and is arranged in the left-right direction and is sleeved on the left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley. The upper belt and the lower belt of the first synchronous belt are respectively connected to the pipette base at the leftmost side and the pipette base at the rightmost side. The first driving motor is arranged in the fixed seat and is connected to the left synchronous belt pulley to drive the left synchronous belt pulley to rotate around the front-back direction.

[0019] Preferably, the liquid suction and drainage component includes a liquid injection pump and a motor. The liquid injection pump includes a pump body, a piston, and a piston rod. The pump body and the piston rod are both arranged along the left-right direction. The left end of the pump body is connected to the connecting pipe through a pipeline. The piston is arranged vertically, along the front-back direction, and is movably arranged in the pump body along the left-right direction. The left end of the piston rod movably penetrates through the right end of the pump body along the left-right direction and is connected to the piston. The right end of the piston rod is exposed on the right side of the right end of the pump body. The motor is arranged on the fixed seat and is connected to the right end of the piston rod for driving the piston rod to move left and right.

[0020] Preferably, the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cup splitting processing system further includes a frame, a sliding seat, and a sliding seat driving component. The sliding seat is movably arranged up and down on the frame. The sliding seat driving component is arranged on the frame and is connected to the sliding seat for driving the sliding seat to move up and down. The fixed seat is connected to the sliding seat.

[0021] Preferably, the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cup splitting processing system further includes a pipette tip detection mechanism. The pipette tip detection mechanism includes a vertical sleeve, a touch plate, a guide shaft, an elastic member, and a touch switch. The vertical sleeve is movably sleeved on the pipetting head vertically. The touch plate is arranged horizontally and sleeved outside the upper end of the vertical sleeve. The guide shaft is arranged vertically. The upper end of the guide shaft is located below the pipette body and is connected to the pipette body. The lower end of the guide shaft has a horizontal flange. The touch plate is movably sleeved on the guide shaft vertically and abuts against the horizontal flange. The elastic member is arranged vertically and is located between the pipette body and the touch plate and abuts against the pipette body and the touch plate respectively. The touch switch is located above the touch plate and is arranged on the pipette body. The number of the pipette tip detection mechanisms is the same as the number of the pipetting heads and the number of the pipette bodies. The pipette tip detection mechanisms, the pipetting heads, and the pipette bodies are arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

[0022] The beneficial effects of the present invention mainly lie in:

[0023] 1. The left and right adjacent pipette bases of the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cup splitting processing system of the present invention are connected by a flexible belt. The driving component drives the leftmost pipette base and the rightmost pipette base to move in the left-right direction in opposite directions. When the flexible belt between the left and right adjacent pipette bases is straightened, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipetting heads is the largest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and liquid addition operations of, for example, screw-mouth sample tubes. By driving the leftmost pipette base and the rightmost pipette base to move relatively in the left-right direction by the driving component, when the pipette bases are in contact with each other, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipetting heads is the smallest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and liquid addition operations of, for example, 96-well plates. Thus, multi-channel variable pitch pipetting operations are realized. Therefore, it can realize multi-channel variable pitch liquid suction and liquid addition operations and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application.

[0024] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are fully embodied by the following detailed description and drawings, and can be achieved by the means, devices, and their combinations specifically pointed out in the description of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a specific embodiment of the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cup splitting processing system of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the components of the pipette base, pipette body, pipetting head, air nozzle, and tip detection mechanism of the specific embodiment shown.

[0027] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the components of the frame, slide seat, and slide seat driving component of the specific embodiment shown.

[0028] 1 Variable pitch module; 2 Pipetting module; 3 Fixed seat; 4 Upper guide rail; 5 Lower guide rail; 6 Pipette base; 7 Flexible belt; 8 Pipette body; 9 Pipetting head; 10 Connecting pipe; 11 Liquid suction and drainage component; 12 Air nozzle; 13 Air distribution nozzle; 14 Liquid injection pump; 15 Motor; 16 Pump body; 17 Piston rod; 18 Frame; 19 Slide seat; 20 Slide seat driving component; 21 Vertical guide rail; 22 Second driving motor; 23 Second synchronous belt; 24 Upper synchronous pulley; 25 Lower synchronous pulley; 26 Tip detection mechanism; 27 Vertical sleeve; 28 Touching plate; 29 Guide shaft; 30 Elastic member; 31 Touching switch; 32 Horizontal flange; 33 First through hole; 34 Second through hole; 35 Pipette tip. Detailed Description of the Embodiment

[0029] In order to be able to more clearly understand the technical content of the present invention, the following embodiments are specifically described in detail.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation to the present invention.

[0031] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup-dividing processing system of the present invention includes a variable pitch module 1 and a pipetting module 2, wherein:

[0032] The variable pitch module 1 includes a fixed seat 3, an upper guide rail 4, a lower guide rail 5, a pipettor base 6, a driving component (not shown in the figure), and a flexible belt 7. The upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5 are both arranged in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other vertically. The upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5 are both located in the fixed seat 3. The left end and the right end of the upper guide rail 4 and the left end and the right end of the lower guide rail 5 are both fixed to the fixed seat 3. The pipettor base 6 is arranged vertically and is movably sleeved on the upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5 respectively along the left-right direction;

[0033] The pipetting module 2 includes a pipettor main body 8, a pipetting head 9, a connecting pipe 10, and a liquid suction and discharge component 11. The pipettor main body 8 is located under the pipettor base 6 and is connected to the pipettor base 6. The pipetting head 9 is arranged vertically and is vertically hollow. The lower end of the pipetting head 9 is used for vertically inserting a pipette tip 35. The upper end of the pipetting head 9 is located under the pipettor main body 8 and is connected to the pipettor main body 8. The pipetting head 9 is connected to the connecting pipe 10 through the pipettor main body 8 by pipeline. The liquid suction and discharge component 11 is arranged on the fixed seat 3;

[0034] The number of the pipettor bases 6 is multiple. The multiple pipettor bases 6 are spaced apart from each other along the left-right direction. The flexible belt 7 is connected between two adjacent pipettor bases 6 on the left and right. The driving component is arranged in the fixed seat 3 and is respectively connected to the pipettor base 6 at the leftmost side and the pipettor base 6 at the rightmost side for driving the pipettor base 6 at the leftmost side and the pipettor base 6 at the rightmost side to move relatively and move in the reverse direction along the left-right direction. The number of the pipettor main bodies 8, the number of the pipetting heads 9, and the number of the connecting pipes 10 are the same as the number of the pipettor bases 6. The pipettor main bodies 8, the pipetting heads 9, and the connecting pipes 10 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the pipettor bases 6. The liquid suction and discharge component 11 is respectively connected to the connecting pipes 10 by pipeline.

[0035] The pipette base 6 is movably sleeved on the upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5 respectively along the left-right direction, and any suitable structure can be adopted. Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the pipette base 6 is provided with a first through hole 33 and a second through hole 34 respectively along the left-right direction. The first through hole 33 and the second through hole 34 are arranged at intervals up and down and are respectively sleeved on the upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5.

[0036] The number of the pipette bases 6 can be determined according to needs. Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the number of the pipette bases 6 is 8. Correspondingly, the number of the pipette bodies 8 and the number of the pipette tips 9 are both 8, and the number of the connecting pipes 10 is 8. Since the flexible belts 7 are connected between every two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right, the number of the flexible belts 7 is 7, which is one less than the number of the pipette bases 6.

[0037] The flexible belts 7 are connected between every two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right, and any suitable structure can be adopted. Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the two ends of the flexible belt 7 are respectively connected to the middle positions of the upper parts of the front sides of the two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right.

[0038] The length of the flexible belt 7 can be determined according to needs. The flexible belt 7 is used to limit the maximum distance between every two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right, and further limit the maximum distance between the pipette tips 35 inserted by the pipette tips 9. When the maximum distance between the pipette tips 35 inserted by the pipette tips 9 is determined, the length of the flexible belt 7 will also be determined. When the two ends of the flexible belt 7 are respectively connected to the middle positions of the upper parts of the front sides of the two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right, the length of the flexible belt 7 is the maximum distance between the pipette tips 35 inserted by the pipette tips 9. When the object of the liquid suction operation is a screw-cap sample tube, since the distance between the screw-cap sample tubes of different volumes on the screw-cap sample tube rack varies between 18 mm and 30 mm, the length of the flexible belt 7 is 18 mm to 30 mm. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the length of the flexible belt 7 is 24 mm.

[0039] The flexible belt 7 can be a flexible belt made of any suitable material. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the flexible belt 7 is a nylon belt.

[0040] The size of the pipette base 6 in the left-right direction can be determined as required. When the pipette bases 6 are abutted against each other, the distance between the pipette tips 35 into which the pipette heads 9 are inserted is the smallest, and this distance is also the size of the pipette base 6 in the left-right direction. When the object of the liquid addition operation is the sample well of a 96-well plate, it is required that the distance between the pipette tips 35 into which the pipette heads 9 are inserted is 9 mm. Since the distance between two adjacent sample wells of a 96-well plate is 9 mm, therefore, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the size of the pipette base 6 in the left-right direction is 9 mm.

[0041] The driving component can have any suitable structure. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the driving component includes a first driving motor, a first synchronous belt, a left synchronous belt pulley, and a right synchronous belt pulley. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both vertically arranged and both arranged in the left-right direction and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both located in the fixed seat 3 and both behind the upper guide rail 4 and the lower guide rail 5 and are both rotatably connected to the fixed seat 3 about the front-back direction. The first synchronous belt is vertically arranged and arranged in the left-right direction and sleeved on the left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley. The upper belt and the lower belt of the first synchronous belt are respectively connected to the pipette base 6 at the leftmost side and the pipette base 6 at the rightmost side. The first driving motor is arranged in the fixed seat 3 and connected to the left synchronous belt pulley for driving the left synchronous belt pulley to rotate about the front-back direction.

[0042] With the above settings, the left synchronous pulley is driven by the first driving motor to rotate counterclockwise around the front-back direction (viewed from the front to the back), so that the upper belt of the first synchronous belt moves to the left and the lower belt of the first synchronous belt moves to the right, thereby causing the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side to move to the left and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side to move to the right. Therefore, the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side move in the opposite direction along the left-right direction, and the distance between the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side becomes larger. Then, the other pipette bases 6 are pulled by the flexible belt 7 until the flexible belt 7 is straightened; by driving the left synchronous pulley to rotate clockwise around the front-back direction (viewed from the front to the back) by the first driving motor, the upper belt of the first synchronous belt moves to the right and the lower belt of the first synchronous belt moves to the left, thereby causing the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side to move to the right and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side to move to the left. Therefore, the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side move relatively along the left-right direction, and the distance between the pipette base 6 located on the leftmost side and the pipette base 6 located on the rightmost side becomes smaller. Then, the other pipette bases 6 are pushed closer to each other until the pipette bases 6 abut against each other.

[0043] Obviously, the first driving motor can also be connected to the right synchronous pulley to drive the right synchronous pulley to rotate around the front-back direction, and the purpose of the present invention can also be achieved.

[0044] The pipeline of the pipette main body 8 is communicated with the connecting pipe 10, and any suitable structure can be adopted. Please refer to Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the pipetting module 2 further includes an air nozzle 12. The air nozzle 12 is arranged on the pipette main body 8 and connected to the connecting pipe 10, and the pipeline of the pipette main body 8 is communicated with the connecting pipe 10 through the air nozzle 12.

[0045] The liquid suction and discharge component 11 is respectively communicated with the connecting pipe 10 through pipelines, and any suitable structure can be adopted. Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the pipetting module 2 further includes a gas distribution nozzle 13. The liquid suction and discharge component 11 is respectively communicated with the connecting pipe 10 through the gas distribution nozzle 13 through pipelines.

[0046] The liquid suction and discharge component 11 is used to suck and eject liquid through the connecting pipe 10, the pipette main body 8 and the pipette tip 9 by using the pipette tip 35 inserted on the pipette tip 9, and can have any suitable composition. Please refer to Figure 1As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the liquid suction and drainage component 11 includes a liquid injection pump 14 and a motor 15. The liquid injection pump 14 includes a pump body 16, a piston (not shown in the figure), and a piston rod 17. The pump body 16 and the piston rod 17 are both arranged along the left-right direction. The left end of the pump body 16 is respectively connected to the connecting pipe 10 through pipelines. The piston is vertically arranged and arranged along the front-back direction and is movably arranged in the pump body 16 along the left-right direction. The left end of the piston rod 17 movably penetrates through the right end of the pump body 16 along the left-right direction and is connected to the piston. The right end of the piston rod 17 is exposed on the right side of the right end of the pump body 16. The motor 15 is arranged on the fixed seat 3 and is connected to the right end of the piston rod 17 to drive the piston rod 17 to move left and right. When the liquid transfer module 2 further includes a gas distribution nozzle 13, the left end of the pump body 16 is respectively connected to the connecting pipe 10 through pipelines by means of the gas distribution nozzle 13.

[0047] The multi-channel variable pitch liquid transfer device for the full-automatic cupping processing system may further include any other suitable components. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the multi-channel variable pitch liquid transfer device for the full-automatic cupping processing system further includes a frame 18, a sliding seat 19, and a sliding seat driving component 20. The sliding seat 19 is vertically movably arranged on the frame 18. The sliding seat driving component 20 is arranged on the frame 18 and is connected to the sliding seat 19 to drive the sliding seat 19 to move up and down. The fixed seat 3 is connected to the sliding seat 19.

[0048] The sliding seat 19 is vertically movably arranged on the frame 18, and any suitable structure can be adopted. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the multi-channel variable pitch liquid transfer device for the full-automatic cupping processing system further includes a vertical guide rail 21. The vertical guide rail 21 is arranged on the frame 18. The sliding seat 19 is vertically movably arranged on the vertical guide rail 21. Preferably, there are two vertical guide rails 21, which are arranged at intervals left and right.

[0049] The sliding seat 19 can have any suitable shape. Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the sliding seat 19 is a sliding plate. The sliding plate is vertically arranged and arranged along the left-right direction. The sliding plate is located in front of the frame and is vertically movably arranged on the frame 18. The fixed seat 3 is located in front of the sliding plate and is connected to the sliding plate.

[0050] The sliding seat driving component 20 can have any suitable structure. Please refer to Figure 1and Figure 3 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the carriage driving member 20 includes a second driving motor 22, a second synchronous belt 23, an upper synchronous belt pulley 24 and a lower synchronous belt pulley 25. The upper synchronous belt pulley 24 and the lower synchronous belt pulley 25 are both vertically arranged and arranged along the front-rear direction and vertically spaced from each other. The upper synchronous belt pulley 24 and the lower synchronous belt pulley 25 are both rotatably connected to the frame 18 around the left-right direction. The second synchronous belt 23 is vertically arranged and arranged along the front-rear direction and sleeved on the upper synchronous belt pulley 24 and the lower synchronous belt pulley 25. The front belt of the second synchronous belt 23 is connected to the carriage 19. The second driving motor 22 is arranged on the frame 18 and connected to the upper synchronous belt pulley 24 for driving the upper synchronous belt pulley 24 to rotate around the left-right direction.

[0051] With the above arrangement, by driving the upper synchronous belt pulley 24 to rotate clockwise around the front-rear direction (viewed from right to left) by the second driving motor 22, the front belt of the second synchronous belt 23 is lifted, so that the carriage 19 is lifted; by driving the upper synchronous belt pulley 24 to rotate counterclockwise around the front-rear direction (viewed from right to left) by the second driving motor 22, the front belt of the second synchronous belt 23 is lowered, so that the carriage 19 is lowered.

[0052] Obviously, the second driving motor 22 can also be connected to the lower synchronous belt pulley 25 for driving the lower synchronous belt pulley 25 to rotate around the left-right direction, and the purpose of the present invention can also be achieved. The carriage 19 can also be connected to the rear belt of the second synchronous belt 23.

[0053] The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cup splitting processing system may further include any other suitable components. Please refer to Figure 2As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a full-automatic cup-dividing processing system further includes a pipette tip detection mechanism 26. The pipette tip detection mechanism 26 includes a vertical sleeve 27, a touch plate 28, a guide shaft 29, an elastic member 30, and a touch switch 31. The vertical sleeve 27 is vertically movably sleeved on the pipetting head 9. The touch plate 28 is horizontally arranged and sleeved outside the upper end of the vertical sleeve 27. The guide shaft 29 is vertically arranged. The upper end of the guide shaft 29 is located below the pipettor body 8 and is connected to the pipettor body 8. The lower end of the guide shaft 29 has a horizontal flange 32. The touch plate 28 is vertically movably sleeved on the guide shaft 29 and abuts against the horizontal flange 32. The elastic member 30 is vertically arranged and is located between the pipettor body 8 and the touch plate 28 and abuts against the pipettor body 8 and the touch plate 28 respectively. The touch switch 31 is located above the touch plate 28 and is arranged on the pipettor body 8. The number of the pipette tip detection mechanisms 26 is the same as the number of the pipetting heads 9 and the number of the pipettor bodies 8. The pipette tip detection mechanisms 26, the pipetting heads 9, and the pipettor bodies 8 are arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

[0054] With the above arrangement, when the pipette tip 35 is vertically inserted into the lower end of the pipetting head 9, the pipette tip 35 will push the vertical sleeve 27 upward. The upward movement of the vertical sleeve 27 drives the touch plate 28 to move upward, overcoming the elastic force of the elastic member 30. When the pipette tip 35 is inserted in place, the touch plate 28 will touch the touch switch 31. The touch switch 31 can be connected to, for example, an indicator light. When the touch switch 31 is touched, it can be indicated by the lighting of the indicator light that the pipette tip 35 is inserted in place.

[0055] The elastic member 30 can be any suitable elastic member. Please refer to Figure 2 As shown, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the elastic member 30 is a spring, and the spring is sleeved on the guide shaft 29.

[0056] The operation process of realizing multi-channel variable pitch pipetting operation by the present invention is briefly described as follows:

[0057] (1) Since the distance between two adjacent pipette tips 35 of the tip box with the pipette tips 35 inserted is also 9 mm, therefore, by driving the driving component to drive the leftmost pipette base 6 and the rightmost pipette base 6 to move relative to each other in the left-right direction until the pipette bases 6 abut against each other;

[0058] (2) Place the tip box with the pipette tip 35 inserted below the pipette head 9, and drive the slide 19 downward by the slide drive component 20, so that the pipette head 9 is vertically connected to the pipette tip 35, and then drive the slide 19 upward by the slide drive component 20, so that the pipette head 9 moves upward, moving the pipette tip 35 upward, disengaging the tip box, and removing the tip box;

[0059] (3) driving the pipette base 6 on the far left and the pipette base 6 on the far right to move in opposite directions in the left and right directions by a driving component, so that the flexible belt 7 between the two adjacent pipette bases 6 on the left and right is straightened;

[0060] (4) The screw-capped sample tube rack with the screw-capped sample tube inserted is placed under the pipette tip 35, the screw-capped sample tube is filled with sample liquid, the slide 19 is driven downward by the slide drive component 20, so that the pipette tip 35 is inserted into the sample liquid in the screw-capped sample tube, the piston rod 17 is driven right by the motor 15, and the piston is driven right, so that the sample liquid is sucked by the pipette tip 35 plugged into the pipette tip 9 through the connecting tube 10, the pipette body 8 and the pipette tip 9, and then the slide 19 is driven upward by the slide drive component 20, so that the pipette tip 9 moves upward, and the pipette tip 35 moves upward, detaching from the screw-capped sample tube, and the screw-capped sample tube rack is removed;

[0061] (5) The driving component drives the pipette base 6 located on the far left and the pipette base 6 located on the far right to move relative to each other in the left-right direction until the pipette bases 6 abut against each other;

[0062] (6) Place the 96-well plate under the pipette tip 35, and drive the slide 19 downward through the slide drive component 20 so that the pipette tip 35 is inserted into the sample well in the 96-well plate. Drive the piston rod 17 to the left through the motor 15, thereby driving the piston to the left. The sample liquid is then ejected into the sample well through the connecting tube 10, the pipette body 8, and the pipette head 9 using the pipette tip 35 plugged into the pipette head 9. Drive the slide 19 upward through the slide drive component 20 so that the pipette head 9 moves upward, and the pipette tip 35 moves upward and detaches from the 96-well plate. At this point, the multi-channel variable-distance pipetting operation is completed.

[0063] Therefore, by adopting the present invention, the pipette bases located at the leftmost and rightmost sides are driven by the driving component to move in the left-right direction in opposite directions. When the flexible belt between two adjacent pipette bases on the left and right is straightened, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipette heads is the largest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and addition operations for, for example, screw-cap sample tubes. By driving the pipette bases located at the leftmost and rightmost sides by the driving component to move relatively in the left-right direction, when the pipette bases are in contact with each other, the distance between the pipette tips inserted by the pipette heads is the smallest, which is suitable for multi-channel liquid suction and addition operations for, for example, 96-well plates. Thus, multi-channel variable-distance pipetting operations, such as 8-channel variable-distance pipetting operations, are realized. The structure of the present invention is simple and compact, and the variable-distance range is relatively large, which can meet the multi-channel variable-distance pipetting operations between screw-cap sample tubes and 96-well plates, reduce the labor intensity, and improve the work efficiency.

[0064] In summary, the multi-channel variable-distance pipetting device for the full-automatic cup-dividing processing system of the present invention can realize multi-channel variable-spacing liquid suction and addition operations, with ingenious design, simple structure, easy manufacturing, low cost, and is suitable for large-scale popularization and application.

[0065] Thus, it can be seen that the object of the present invention has been fully and effectively achieved. The functions and structural principles of the present invention have been demonstrated and explained in the embodiments. Without departing from the above principles, the embodiments can be modified arbitrarily. Therefore, the present invention includes all modified embodiments based on the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a full-automatic cup-splitting processing system, characterized in that It includes a variable pitch module and a pipetting module, wherein: The variable pitch module includes a fixed seat, an upper guide rail, a lower guide rail, a pipettor base, a driving component and a flexible belt. The upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are both arranged in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other vertically. The upper guide rail and the lower guide rail are both located in the fixed seat. The left end and the right end of the upper guide rail and the left end and the right end of the lower guide rail are fixed to the fixed seat. The pipettor base is arranged vertically and is movably sleeved on the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail respectively along the left-right direction; The pipetting module includes a pipettor body, a pipetting head, a connecting pipe and a liquid suction and discharge component. The pipettor body is located under the pipettor base and is connected to the pipettor base. The pipetting head is arranged vertically and is hollow vertically. The lower end of the pipetting head is used for vertically inserting a pipette tip. The upper end of the pipetting head is located under the pipettor body and is connected to the pipettor body. The pipetting head is connected to the connecting pipe through the pipettor body by a pipeline. The liquid suction and discharge component is arranged on the fixed seat; The number of the pipettor bases is multiple. The multiple pipettor bases are spaced apart from each other along the left-right direction. The flexible belt is connected between two adjacent pipettor bases on the left and right. The driving component is arranged in the fixed seat and is respectively connected to the pipettor base at the leftmost side and the pipettor base at the rightmost side for driving the pipettor base at the leftmost side and the pipettor base at the rightmost side to move relatively and reversely along the left-right direction. The number of the pipettor bodies, the number of the pipetting heads and the number of the connecting pipes are the same as the number of the pipettor bases. The pipettor bodies, the pipetting heads and the connecting pipes are arranged in one-to-one correspondence with the pipettor bases. The liquid suction and discharge component is respectively connected to the connecting pipes through pipelines; The length of the flexible belt is 18 mm to 30 mm; The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a full-automatic cuvette processing system further includes a tip detection mechanism. The tip detection mechanism includes a vertical sleeve, a touch plate, a guide shaft, an elastic member and a touch switch. The vertical sleeve is movably sleeved on the pipetting head vertically. The touch plate is arranged horizontally and is sleeved outside the upper end of the vertical sleeve. The guide shaft is arranged vertically. The upper end of the guide shaft is located under the pipettor body and is connected to the pipettor body. The touch plate is movably sleeved on the guide shaft vertically. The elastic member is arranged vertically and is located between the pipettor body and the touch plate and respectively abuts against the pipettor body and the touch plate. The touch switch is located above the touch plate and is arranged on the pipettor body.

2. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The number of the pipettor bases is 8.

3. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cupping processing system according to claim 1, wherein, Two ends of the flexible belt are respectively connected to the middle positions of the upper parts of the front sides of the two adjacent pipettor bases on the left and right.

4. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a full-automatic cup dispensing processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible belt is a nylon belt.

5. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cuvette handling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dimension of the pipettor base along the left-right direction is 9 mm.

6. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a full-automatic cuvette handling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component includes a first driving motor, a first synchronous belt, a left synchronous belt pulley and a right synchronous belt pulley. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both vertically arranged, both arranged along the left-right direction and spaced apart from each other along the left-right direction. The left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley are both located in the fixed seat, both located behind the upper guide rail and the lower guide rail, and are both rotatably connected to the fixed seat about the front-back direction. The first synchronous belt is vertically arranged and arranged along the left-right direction and is sleeved on the left synchronous belt pulley and the right synchronous belt pulley. The upper belt and the lower belt of the first synchronous belt are respectively connected to the pipette base located on the leftmost side and the pipette base located on the rightmost side. The first driving motor is arranged in the fixed seat and is connected to the left synchronous belt pulley for driving the left synchronous belt pulley to rotate about the front-back direction.

7. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cupping processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid suction and drainage component includes a liquid injection pump and a motor. The liquid injection pump includes a pump body, a piston and a piston rod. The pump body and the piston rod are both arranged along the left-right direction. The left end of the pump body is respectively connected to the connecting pipe through a pipeline. The piston is vertically arranged and arranged along the front-back direction and is movably arranged in the pump body along the left-right direction. The left end of the piston rod movably penetrates through the right end of the pump body along the left-right direction and is connected to the piston. The right end of the piston rod is exposed on the right side of the right end of the pump body. The motor is arranged on the fixed seat and is connected to the right end of the piston rod for driving the piston rod to move left and right.

8. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup-dividing processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for the full-automatic cuvette processing system further includes a frame, a sliding seat and a sliding seat driving component. The sliding seat is movably arranged up and down on the frame. The sliding seat driving component is arranged on the frame and is connected to the sliding seat for driving the sliding seat to move up and down. The fixed seat is connected to the sliding seat.

9. The multi-channel variable pitch pipetting device for a fully automatic cup dispensing processing system according to claim 1, wherein, The lower end of the guide shaft has a horizontal flange. The touch plate abuts against the horizontal flange. The number of the tip detection mechanisms is the same as the number of the pipette tips and the number of the pipette bodies. The tip detection mechanisms, the pipette tips and the pipette bodies are arranged in one-to-one correspondence.

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