An in / out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip

Abstract

The present invention discloses a loading and unloading mechanism for a microfluidic chip, which comprises a base, a support frame, a sealing pressing plate, a driving assembly, a lifting structure and a limiting block; wherein, the driving assembly includes a first slide rail arranged on the base, a first slider adapted to the first slide rail, a mounting block arranged on the first slider, a first spring connected between the mounting block and the loading platform, and a driving device for driving the mounting block; the lifting structure includes a roller arranged on the top of the mounting block, an inclined plane arranged at one end of the bottom of the sealing pressing plate close to the limiting block, and a termination plane connected to the top of the inclined plane; a connector adapted to the microfluidic chip is arranged on the sealing pressing plate. By the method of the combined use of the driving assembly and the lifting assembly, the number of structures is reduced, the reliability is increased, the instrument space is saved, the control is convenient, and the cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of single-cell droplet generation devices, and in particular to a loading and unloading mechanism for a microfluidic chip. Background Art

[0002] The loading and unloading components of existing single-cell droplet generators include a motor, a stage, and a guide rail. The stage moves the microfluidic chip into the instrument, and it is necessary to seal and dock the connector with the microfluidic chip, and drive the liquid inside the microfluidic chip through an air pump to generate micro-droplets; in the actual use process, the downward docking of the connector and the movement of the microfluidic chip into the interior require two motors to drive, which is not conducive to the miniaturization of the model and increases the cost.

[0003] For example, a "transmission device and a single-cell sequencer including the same" disclosed in a Chinese patent document, with the publication number CN216808825U. In this patent, a transmission device and a single-cell sequencer including the same are disclosed. The transmission device includes a power source having a rotating output shaft, and the transmission device further includes a connection component, a sealing component, and a guiding component. The connection component includes a connecting rod, and the input end of the connection component is connected to the output shaft of the power source; the sealing component is formed at the output end of the connection component, and a sealing surface is formed on the side of the sealing component facing away from the output end of the connection component; the guiding component includes a moving member and a positioning member. The moving member is provided at the output end of the connection component, the positioning member is fixed relative to the position of the power source, the positioning member includes a receiving cavity for the moving member to pass through, the receiving cavity extends in a direction perpendicular to the sealing surface, and the moving member cooperates with the receiving cavity. In this patent, after the microfluidic chip is installed on the carrier, it is necessary to transfer the microfluidic chip to the lower part of the sealing component, which requires an additional power source, is not conducive to the compactness of the structure and the light weight of the instrument, and increases the use cost. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a method of cooperating a driving component and a lifting component; which reduces the number of structures, increases reliability, saves the instrument space, is convenient to control, and reduces costs.

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention is realized by the following technical solutions:

[0006] An in-out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip, comprising a base, on which a stage is provided through a displacement assembly; a support frame, which is erected on the base; a sealing pressing plate, which is suspended above the base through a telescopic assembly; a driving assembly, which is used for the horizontal reciprocating motion of the stage; a lifting structure, which is used for the vertical reciprocating motion of the sealing pressing plate; a limiting block, which is arranged on the base and is used for limiting the stage; wherein, the driving assembly includes a first slide rail arranged on the base, a first slider adapted to the first slide rail, a mounting block arranged on the first slider, a first spring connected between the mounting block and the stage, and a driving device for driving the mounting block; the lifting structure includes a roller arranged on the top of the mounting block, an inclined plane arranged at one end of the bottom of the sealing pressing plate close to the limiting block, and a termination plane connected to the top of the inclined plane; a connector adapted to the microfluidic chip is arranged on the sealing pressing plate. The above-mentioned stage is arranged on the above-mentioned base through the above-mentioned displacement assembly. The setting of the displacement assembly ensures the stable operation of the stage, reduces the shaking inside the microfluidic chip, and ensures the generation of single-cell droplets; the connector on the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate is used to provide air pressure to form single-cell droplets. The above-mentioned sealing pressing plate can perform reciprocating up and down motion on the above-mentioned support frame under the action of the above-mentioned telescopic assembly through the above-mentioned lifting structure, so as to realize the sealing and separation of the microfluidic chip; through the setting of the above-mentioned driving assembly, the above-mentioned stage performs reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction; through the setting of the above-mentioned first slider and the first slide rail, the above-mentioned mounting block slides on the above-mentioned first slide rail under the action of the above-mentioned driving device, and drives the movement of the above-mentioned stage through the action of the above-mentioned first spring, thereby ensuring the in-out bin operation of the microfluidic chip, with simple structure and reliable use; the above-mentioned lifting structure is arranged on the top of the above-mentioned mounting block. During the movement of the above-mentioned mounting block, the above-mentioned roller and the above-mentioned inclined plane cooperate to drive the lifting and pressing of the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate.

[0007] Further, the telescopic assembly includes linear bearings uniformly arranged on the support frame, guide shafts adapted to the linear bearings, and second springs sleeved on the guide shafts. The uniform arrangement can ensure the stability of the sealing pressing plate arranged at the bottom of the above-mentioned guide shaft during the rising or pressing process, ensure the sealing effect, improve the quality of single-cell droplet generation, and the use of linear bearings and guide shafts has a simple structure and reliable use. The above-mentioned second spring ensures the downward pressure and the sealing reliability.

[0008] Further, the support frame includes vertical plates symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base and a cross plate arranged on the top of the vertical plates. The structure is simple, the whole is stable, the position arrangement is reasonable, which is beneficial to the light weight and miniaturization of the equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, the driving device includes a driving motor disposed on the base, a lead screw adapted to the driving motor, and a nut disposed on the mounting block and adapted to the lead screw. It has stable operation and simple structure.

[0010] Furthermore, the driving device includes a cylinder disposed on the base and a telescopic push rod disposed between the cylinder and the mounting block. It has simple structure and convenient use.

[0011] Furthermore, the displacement assembly includes second sliders symmetrically disposed on the base and a second slide rail adapted to the second sliders and disposed at the bottom of the loading platform. The symmetrical arrangement ensures stable movement, simple structure and reliable use.

[0012] Furthermore, the limiting block is provided with a strip-shaped mounting hole. The position of the limiting block can be adjusted, and then the position reached by the loading platform can be adjusted to ensure the sealing effect.

[0013] Furthermore, the loading platform is provided with a receiving hole for installing the microfluidic chip; an installation pad is disposed in the receiving hole. It ensures the stability of the microfluidic chip, ensures the sealing effect and improves the quality of single-cell droplet generation.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the number of structures is reduced, the reliability is increased, the instrument space is saved, the control is convenient, and the cost is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 2 It is Figure 1 an enlarged view of part A in

[0017] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of a state of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 It is Figure 3 an enlarged view of part B in

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of another state of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 6 It is Figure 5 an enlarged view of part C in

[0021] Figure 7 It is a top view of a part of the structure of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 8 It is Figure 7 an enlarged view of part D in

[0023] Figure 9 For Figure 7 The enlarged view at position E in

[0024] In the figure:

[0025] 1. Base; 2. Displacement component; 3. Carrying platform; 4. Support frame; 5. Sealing pressure plate; 6. Telescopic component; 7. Driving component; 8. Lifting structure; 9. Limit block; 10. First slide rail; 11. First slider; 12. Mounting block; 13. First spring; 14. Driving device; 15. Roller; 16. Inclined plane; 17. Termination plane; 18. Joint; 19. Linear bearing; 20. Guide shaft; 21. Second spring; 22. Vertical plate; 23. Horizontal plate; 24. Driving motor; 25. Lead screw; 26. Nut; 27. Second slider; 28. Second slide rail; 29. Mounting hole; 30. Accommodating hole; 31. Mounting pad; 32. Microfluidic chip; 33. Connecting block. Specific embodiments

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. The examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

[0028] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of these features. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", "coupled", "fixed", etc. shall be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communicable with each other; it may be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] See Figures 1-9This is an embodiment of the loading and unloading mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the above mechanism includes a base 1. On this base 1, a displacement assembly 2 is provided with a carrier 3. The carrier 3 performs horizontal reciprocating motion through a driving assembly 7. The carrier 3 is provided with a receiving hole 30 for installing the microfluidic chip 32. By setting an installation pad 31 in the receiving hole 30, the stability of the microfluidic chip 32 is ensured, and the quality of single-cell droplet generation is improved. In this embodiment, the above displacement assembly 2 is a second slider 27 provided on the above base 1 and a second slide rail 28 provided at the bottom of the above carrier 3 and adapted to the second slider 27. This symmetric setting ensures the stability of the movement, has a simple structure, is reliable in use, and the above second slide rail 28 has a supporting effect on the above carrier 3, so that the carrier 3 is stable during the loading and unloading operation. A support frame 4 is provided on the above base 1. A sealing pressing plate 5 is suspended on the support frame 4 through a telescopic assembly 6. The sealing pressing plate 5 performs vertical reciprocating motion under the action of a lifting structure 8. A limiting block 9 is also provided on the above base 1. The limiting block 9 is used for limiting the above carrier 3. The above driving assembly 7 includes a first slide rail 10 provided on the above base 1, a first slider 11 adapted to the first slide rail 10, a mounting block 12 provided on the first slider 11, a first spring 13 connected between the mounting block 12 and the above carrier 3, and a driving device 14 for driving the mounting block 12. The above first spring 13 is connected through a connecting block 33 provided on the above carrier 3. The driving device 14 in this embodiment includes a driving motor 24 provided on the above base 1, a lead screw 25 adapted to the driving motor 24, and a nut 26 provided on the mounting block 12 and adapted to the lead screw 25. It has stable operation and a simple structure. In other embodiments, the above driving device 14 can also be set in other forms. For example, the above driving device 14 includes a cylinder provided on the above base 1 and a telescopic push rod provided between the cylinder and the above mounting block 12, not limited to this, and will not be elaborated here. The above lifting structure 8 includes a roller 15 provided at the top of the above mounting block 12, an inclined surface 16 provided at one end of the bottom of the above sealing pressing plate 5 close to the limiting block 9, and a termination plane 17 connected to the top of the inclined surface 16. The above sealing pressing plate 5 is provided with a connector 18 adapted to the above microfluidic chip 32.The upper joint 18 of the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 is used to provide air pressure to form single-cell droplets. The above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 can reciprocate up and down on the above-mentioned support frame 4 under the action of the above-mentioned telescopic assembly 6 through the above-mentioned lifting structure 8, so as to realize the sealing and separation of the microfluidic chip 32; through the setting of the above-mentioned driving assembly 7, the above-mentioned stage 3 performs reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction; through the setting of the above-mentioned first slider 11 and the first slide rail 10, the above-mentioned mounting block 12 slides on the above-mentioned first slide rail 10 under the action of the above-mentioned driving device 14, and drives the movement of the above-mentioned stage 3 through the action of the above-mentioned first spring 13, thereby ensuring the operation of loading and unloading the microfluidic chip 32, with a simple structure and reliable use; the above-mentioned lifting structure 8 is arranged on the top of the above-mentioned mounting block 12. During the movement of the above-mentioned mounting block 12, the above-mentioned roller 15 cooperates with the above-mentioned inclined surface 16 to drive the lifting and pressing down of the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5. When in use, the microfluidic chip 32 is placed in the above-mentioned accommodating hole 30, and the above-mentioned driving motor 24 is started. Under the action of this driving motor 24, the lead screw 25 rotates, thereby driving the movement of the mounting block 12. During the movement of the above-mentioned mounting block 12, the above-mentioned stage 3 is pulled through the above-mentioned first spring 13 to perform the operation of loading into the chamber. During the process of loading into the chamber, the roller 15 arranged on the top of the above-mentioned mounting block 12 rolls along the bottom of the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5. At this time, there is a gap between the sealing pressing plate 5 and the microfluidic chip 32. When the stage 3 moves to the above-mentioned limit block 9 under the action of the first spring 13, the above-mentioned stage 3 stops moving, the driving motor 24 continues to work, the above-mentioned first spring 13 stretches, the above-mentioned mounting block 12 continues to move towards the side away from the chamber door, and the above-mentioned roller 15 continues to roll. When the above-mentioned roller 15 rolls to the above-mentioned inclined surface 16, the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 moves downward under the action of the above-mentioned telescopic assembly 6 until the sealing pressing plate 5 presses against the above-mentioned microfluidic chip 32, and the above-mentioned roller 15 reaches the end plane 17 to end the operation of loading into the chamber. Through the above-mentioned limit block 9, it is ensured that after the stage 3 is in place, the joint 18 on the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 and the microfluidic chip 32 can cooperate; when performing the operation of unloading from the chamber, the above-mentioned driving motor 24 runs, the mounting block 12 runs in the reverse direction, the roller 15 passes through the above-mentioned inclined surface 16, and the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 is lifted. Since the above-mentioned first spring 13 is in a compressed state, during the process of the above-mentioned sealing pressing plate 5 being lifted away from the above-mentioned microfluidic chip 32, the above-mentioned stage 3 will not move, ensuring the stable operation of the mechanism. The above-mentioned roller 15 continues to move until the sealing pressing plate 5 is completely lifted, and the above-mentioned first spring 13 changes from the stretched state to the compressed state, pushing the above-mentioned stage 3 out of the chamber door. After the above-mentioned driving motor 24 stops acting, under the action of the above-mentioned first spring 13, the stage 3 is ejected, which is convenient for taking out the microfluidic chip 32 and is convenient to use.

[0031] See Figures 1-9This is an embodiment of the in-and-out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the basic part is the same as that in the above embodiment, and will not be described in detail here. In this embodiment, the telescopic assembly 6 includes linear bearings 19 uniformly arranged on the support frame 4, guide shafts 20 adapted to the linear bearings 19, and second springs 21 sleeved on the guide shafts 20. The uniform arrangement can ensure the stability of the sealing pressing plate 5 arranged at the bottom of the guide shaft 20 during the ascending or descending process, ensure the sealing effect, improve the quality of single-cell droplet generation, and the use of the linear bearings 19 and the guide shafts 20 has a simple structure and reliable use. The second spring 21 ensures the downward pressure and the sealing reliability. At the same time, in this embodiment, the support frame 4 includes vertical plates 22 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base 1 and a cross plate 23 arranged at the top of the vertical plates 22. It has a simple structure, overall stability, reasonable position arrangement, and is conducive to the light weight and miniaturization of the device. And a strip-shaped mounting hole 29 is provided on the limit block 9, which can adjust the position of the limit block 9, and further adjust the position reached by the stage 3 to ensure the sealing effect. The use process is the same as that in the above embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0032] The above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any changes or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention are covered by the patent scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An in-out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip, characterized in that: including a base, on which a stage is provided through a displacement assembly; a support frame, which is erected on the base; a sealing pressing plate, which is suspended above the base through a telescopic assembly; a driving assembly, which is used for the horizontal reciprocating movement of the stage; a lifting structure, which is used for the vertical reciprocating movement of the sealing pressing plate; a limiting block, which is arranged on the base and is used for limiting the stage; wherein, the driving assembly includes a first slide rail arranged on the base, a first slider adapted to the first slide rail, a mounting block arranged on the first slider, a first spring connected between the mounting block and the stage, and a driving device for driving the mounting block; the lifting structure includes a roller arranged at the top of the mounting block, an inclined plane arranged at one end of the bottom of the sealing pressing plate close to the limiting block, and a termination plane connected to the top of the inclined plane; a connector adapted to the microfluidic chip is arranged on the sealing pressing plate.

2. The inlet / outlet mechanism for the microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The telescopic assembly includes linear bearings uniformly arranged on the support frame, guide shafts adapted to the linear bearings, and second springs sleeved on the guide shafts.

3. The in-out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The support frame includes vertical plates symmetrically arranged on both sides of the base and a cross plate arranged on the tops of the vertical plates.

4. The inlet / outlet mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The driving device includes a driving motor arranged on the base, a lead screw adapted to the driving motor, and a nut arranged on the mounting block and adapted to the lead screw.

5. The in / out bin mechanism for the microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving device includes a driving motor arranged on the base, a lead screw adapted to the driving motor, and a nut arranged on the mounting block and adapted to the lead screw.

6. The in-out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The driving device includes a cylinder arranged on the base and a telescopic push rod arranged between the cylinder and the mounting block.

7. The in / out bin mechanism for the microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The displacement assembly includes second sliders symmetrically arranged on the base and a second slide rail adapted to the second sliders and arranged at the bottom of the stage.

8. The inlet / outlet mechanism for the microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The limiting block is provided with a strip-shaped mounting hole.

9. The inlet / outlet mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The stage is provided with a receiving hole for mounting the microfluidic chip; a mounting pad is arranged in the receiving hole.

10. The in / out bin mechanism for a microfluidic chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The stage is provided with a receiving hole for mounting the microfluidic chip; a mounting pad is arranged in the receiving hole.

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