Tip connection device for pipette tips and method of connection

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of connecting device and connecting method of straw tip of liquid suction device, and connecting device of straw tip of liquid suction device includes: base;First positioning mechanism is arranged on base;First positioning mechanism has: first sliding base;First actuator;Second positioning mechanism is linked with first sliding base, and second positioning mechanism has: second sliding base;Second actuator;Connecting seat is arranged on second sliding base;A liquid suction device fixing base, and liquid suction device fixing base can be pivoted relative to connecting seat;Liquid suction device fixing base has: liquid suction device connecting part, when liquid suction device fixing base is pivoted relative to connecting seat, liquid suction device connecting part simultaneously moves relative to base in first direction and second direction;Inclined actuator controls the angle that liquid suction device fixing base is pivoted relative to connecting seat.Therefore, liquid suction device is inserted into straw tip under the state of inclination, can greatly reduce the accuracy requirement that current artificial visual positioning and hand feeling feedback can reach, and then make the operation of connecting straw tip can be automated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated equipment technology for biochemical laboratories, and more particularly to a pipette tip connection device for a liquid aspirator. Background Technology

[0002] A pipette is a laboratory instrument used to accurately measure a measured volume of liquid and inject it into other containers. It is used in conjunction with a pipette tip. The bottom of the pipette has a cylindrical connecting part, and the tip of the pipette is cylindrical with an installation opening. The pipette tip fits snugly onto the connecting part of the pipette through the installation opening. Liquid is drawn and injected using the pipette tip. Pipettes are disposable and should be replaced frequently to avoid cross-contamination from residual liquid. When replacing a pipette tip, the pipette mechanism forces the tip away from the connecting part. The connecting part is then aligned with the installation opening of the new pipette tip, and the connecting part is inserted through the opening to attach the new tip.

[0003] To ensure a tight fit between the aspirator and the pipette tip, the outer diameter of the connector is very close to the inner diameter of the pipette tip's mounting opening. Therefore, the axis of the connector must be precisely aligned with the axis of the pipette tip for insertion. Manually, this alignment can be achieved through visual and tactile feedback. However, for automated equipment that moves along a fixed path, even a slight deviation from the original position of either the pipette tip or the aspirator will cause the connector's axis to deviate from the pipette tip's axis, resulting in replacement failure. In reality, the original positions of the aspirator and the pipette tip are prone to deviation. Therefore, currently, the aspirator can only be connected to the new pipette tip manually, leading to slow operation and high manpower requirements.

[0004] Therefore, the existing suction tip connection device and connection method of the liquid aspirator do need to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the technical problem that existing technologies require manual replacement of the straw tip of a liquid aspirator, resulting in slow operation and high manpower requirements, this invention provides a straw tip connection device and method for liquid aspirator, enabling the replacement of the straw tip of a liquid aspirator to be performed through automated equipment.

[0006] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the present invention employs a design of a suction tip connection device for a liquid aspirator, comprising:

[0007] A base;

[0008] A first positioning mechanism is disposed on the base and extends along a first direction; the first positioning mechanism has:

[0009] A first slide block, which can slide along the first direction;

[0010] A first actuator controls the position of the first slide in the first direction;

[0011] A second positioning mechanism, which moves synchronously with the first slide, extends along a second direction, and the second positioning mechanism has:

[0012] A second slide block, which can slide along the second direction;

[0013] A second actuator controls the position of the second slide in the second direction;

[0014] A connecting seat is provided on the second slide;

[0015] A suction device holder is disposed on the connecting seat, and the suction device holder is pivotable relative to the connecting seat with its pivot axis as an axis; the suction device holder has:

[0016] A suction device connection part, when the suction device fixing seat pivots relative to the connection seat, the suction device connection part moves simultaneously relative to the base in the first direction and the second direction;

[0017] A tilting actuator is disposed on the connecting seat and controls the angle of pivoting of the suction device fixing seat relative to the connecting seat; the tilting actuator is electrically connected to the first actuator and the second actuator.

[0018] Furthermore, the suction tip connection device of the aspirator, wherein the tilting actuator has: a body disposed on the connecting seat; and a drive rod that is linearly movable through the body, the drive rod controlling the angle of pivoting of the aspirator fixing seat relative to the connecting seat.

[0019] Furthermore, the suction tip connecting device of the suction device further includes a linkage mechanism that connects the tilting actuator and the suction device mounting base; the linkage mechanism includes: a connecting block fixed to the drive rod of the tilting actuator; and a connecting rod with a first end and a second end at opposite ends, the first end being pivotally connected to the connecting block and the second end being pivotally connected to the suction device mounting base.

[0020] Furthermore, the suction tip connecting device of the aspirator, wherein the linkage mechanism further includes a guide slide fixedly mounted on the body of the tilt actuator; a guide slider movably mounted on the guide slide parallel to the drive rod, the guide slider being spaced apart from the drive rod of the tilt actuator; the guide slider being fixedly mounted on the connecting block.

[0021] Furthermore, the suction tip connecting device of the suction device includes a suction device drive end located above the pivot axis; the second end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the suction device drive end of the suction device holder; the angle between the connecting rod and the drive rod is 40 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0022] Furthermore, the suction tip connecting device of the aspirator also includes a third positioning mechanism, which is disposed on the first slide of the first positioning mechanism and extends in a third direction. The third positioning mechanism includes: a third slide that can slide in the third direction; a second positioning mechanism disposed on the third slide; and a third actuator that controls the position of the third slide in the third direction.

[0023] To achieve the above-mentioned objective, the present invention also provides a method for connecting the straw tip of a liquid aspirator, comprising the following steps:

[0024] Preparation for pipette replacement: Fix the aspirator to the aspirator mounting base, the bottom of the aspirator having at least one cylindrical connecting portion protruding; control the position of the aspirator mounting base in the first direction using the first actuator; control the up-and-down movement of the aspirator mounting base using the second actuator; control the angle of the aspirator mounting base using the tilting actuator; prepare at least one pipette tip; at least one pipette tip extends up and down; the top of at least one pipette tip has an installation opening;

[0025] Tilt insertion: The axis of at least one of the connecting parts of the aspirator is tilted to the axis of at least one of the straw tips by means of the tilt actuator; the outer end of at least one of the connecting parts of the aspirator is aligned with the mounting opening of at least one of the straw tips by means of the first actuator; the aspirator is lowered by means of the second actuator, so that at least one of the connecting parts enters the straw tip from the mounting opening of at least one of the straw tips;

[0026] Returning to center and pressing down: The suction device is rotated around at least one of the connecting parts by means of the tilting actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator, so that the axis of at least one of the connecting parts of the suction device coincides with the axis of at least one of the straw tips, and the outer end face of at least one of the connecting parts is completely inserted into at least one of the straw tips. The suction device is pressed down by the second actuator so that the outer wall surface of at least one of the connecting parts of the suction device is in close contact with the inner wall surface of at least one of the straw tips.

[0027] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0028] The straw tip connecting device of the present invention has a tilt actuator that controls the tilt angle of the suction device holder relative to the base, allowing the suction device to insert the tip of the connecting part into the mounting opening of the straw tip in a tilted posture. Therefore, as long as the tip of the connecting part is above the mounting opening, the connecting part can be inserted into the mounting opening. In other words, when viewed from the side, as long as the tip of the connecting part is within the width range of the mounting opening, the connecting part can be inserted into the mounting opening, without needing to precisely align the tip of the connecting part with the center point of the mounting opening. This significantly reduces the accuracy requirements for positioning, thereby automating the operation of connecting a new straw tip to the suction device, increasing operation speed and reducing manpower requirements. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the suction tip connection device of the suction device of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the suction tip connection device of the suction device of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a partially exploded view of the suction tip connection device of the suction device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a top view of the suction tip connection device of the suction device of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a side view of the suction tip connection device of the suction device of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a first side view of the action diagram of the straw tip connecting device of the suction device of the present invention, showing that the axis of the connecting part of the suction device is inclined to the axis of the straw tip.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a second side view of the action diagram of the straw tip connecting device of the suction device of the present invention, showing the suction device moving downward and the connecting part entering the straw tip from the installation opening of the straw tip.

[0036] Figure 8This is a third side view of the action diagram of the straw tip connecting device of the suction device of the present invention, showing that the suction device rotates around the connecting part as the center to reduce the angle between the axis of the connecting part and the axis of the straw tip, while the outer end face of the connecting part completely enters the straw tip.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a fourth side view of the action diagram of the straw tip connecting device of the suction device of the present invention, showing that the axis of the connecting part coincides with the axis of the straw tip, and the connecting part is pressed into the straw tip.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a fifth side view of the action diagram of the straw tip connecting device of the suction device of the present invention, showing the suction device moving upward and the straw tip connecting to the connecting part of the suction device.

[0039] Figure 11 This is a flowchart of the method for connecting the straw tip of the suction device of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 5 As shown, the pipette tip connecting device of the present invention is used to connect the pipette tip B to the connecting portion A1 at the bottom of the pipette A. Preferably, the bottom of the pipette A has multiple cylindrical connecting portions A1 protruding, but this is not a limitation; the bottom of the pipette A may also have only one connecting portion A1. Multiple pipette tips B to be connected are neatly arranged in a housing, with the axis of the pipette tip B extending vertically, and an installation opening formed at the top of the pipette tip B.

[0041] Please refer to the following: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the suction tip connecting device of the suction device includes a base 10, a first positioning mechanism 20, a second positioning mechanism 30, a connecting seat 40, a suction device fixing seat 50, and a tilting actuator 60; and in this embodiment, it further includes a linkage mechanism 70 and a third positioning mechanism 80.

[0042] The aforementioned first positioning mechanism 20 is mounted on the base 10 and extends along a first direction D1, which is preferably horizontal. The first positioning mechanism 20 has a first slide 21 and a first actuator 22. The first slide 21 is slidable along the first direction D1, and the first actuator 22 controls the position of the first slide 21 in the first direction D1. Specifically, the first positioning mechanism 20 is a horizontally arranged linear module, and the first actuator 22 is a motor that controls the position of the first slide 21 via a ball screw.

[0043] The aforementioned second positioning mechanism 30 moves synchronously with the first slide 21, therefore the position of the second positioning mechanism 30 can be controlled by the first positioning mechanism 20 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the aforementioned third positioning mechanism 80 is located between the first slide 21 of the first positioning mechanism 20 and the second positioning mechanism 30, that is, the second positioning mechanism 30 moves synchronously with the first slide 21 via the third positioning mechanism 80. The third positioning mechanism 80 moves along a third direction D3 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 The second positioning mechanism 30 extends from the first slide 21 (as shown) and includes a third slide 81 and a third actuator 82. The third slide 81 is slidable along a third direction D3, and the third actuator 82 controls the position of the third slide 81 in the third direction D3, thus allowing the second positioning mechanism 30 to move along the third direction D3 to align with other experimental equipment. In other preferred embodiments, the third positioning mechanism 80 may be omitted, and the second positioning mechanism 30 may be directly disposed on the first slide 21.

[0044] Please refer to the following: Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the second positioning mechanism 30 extends along a second direction D2, which is preferably vertical, but is not limited to being perfectly vertical and can also be slightly inclined to the vertical direction. The second positioning mechanism 30 has a second slide 31 and a second actuator 32. The second slide 31 can slide along the second direction D2, and the second actuator 32 controls the position of the second slide 31 in the second direction D2. Specifically, the second positioning mechanism 30 is a linear module.

[0045] Please refer to the following: Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the connecting seat 40 is mounted on the second slide 31, so the positions of the connecting seat 40 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can be controlled by the first positioning mechanism 20 and the second positioning mechanism 30, respectively.

[0046] A suction device holder 50 is mounted on a connecting base 40, and the suction device holder 50 can pivot relative to the connecting base 40 around a pivot axis L1. The suction device holder 50 has a suction device connecting portion 52 and a suction device driving end 51. The suction device connecting portion 52 is used to fix the suction device A. When the suction device holder 50 pivots relative to the connecting base 40, the suction device connecting portion 52 moves simultaneously relative to the base 10 in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2; in other words, when the suction device holder 50 pivots, the suction device connecting portion 52 moves along an arc path about the pivot axis L1, thus simultaneously generating movement components in both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 relative to the base 10. The pivot axis L1 is not parallel to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, and specifically, the pivot axis L1 is perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The suction device driving end 51 is located above the pivot axis L1.

[0047] The aforementioned tilt actuator 60 is mounted on the connecting seat 40 and controls the pivot angle of the suction device fixing seat 50 relative to the connecting seat 40. In this embodiment, the tilt actuator 60 is a linear actuator, having a body 61 and a drive rod 62. The body 61 is mounted on the connecting seat 40. The drive rod 62 is linearly movable through the body 61, and the pivot angle of the suction device fixing seat 50 relative to the connecting seat 40 is controlled by the movement of the drive rod 62. The tilt actuator 60 is electrically connected to the first actuator 22 and the second actuator 32. Therefore, when the tilt actuator 60 causes the suction device fixing seat 50 to pivot, the first actuator 22 and the second actuator 32 can cooperate with the tilt actuator 60 to dynamically adjust the position of the connecting seat 40 in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, respectively, so that the position of the connecting part A1 of the suction device A remains approximately fixed during the pivoting process.

[0048] The aforementioned linkage mechanism 70 connects the tilting actuator 60 and the suction device holder 50 to convert the linear movement of the drive rod 62 into the rotation of the suction device holder 50. The linkage mechanism 70 has a connecting block 71, a connecting rod 72, a guide slide 73, and a guide slider 74.

[0049] The connecting block 71 is fixed to the drive rod 62 of the tilting actuator 60. The two opposite ends of the connecting rod 72 are a first end and a second end, respectively. The first end is pivotally connected to the connecting block 71, and the second end is pivotally connected to the suction drive end 51 of the suction device holder 50. The angle between the connecting rod 72 and the drive rod 62 is preferably 40 to 60 degrees, so that the linear movement of the drive rod 62 can be stably and accurately converted into the rotation of the suction device holder 50.

[0050] The guide slide 73 is fixedly mounted on the body 61 of the tilt actuator 60; the guide slider 74 is movably mounted on the guide slide 73 parallel to the drive rod 62, and the guide slider 74 is spaced apart from the drive rod 62 of the tilt actuator 60. The guide slider 74 is fixedly mounted on the connecting block 71. Therefore, when the connecting block 71 is subjected to a force parallel to the drive rod 62, the guide slider 74 and the guide slide 73 can share the force, reducing the displacement of the connecting block 71 caused by the bending of the drive rod 62. The tilt actuator 60 is not limited to being connected to the suction device fixing seat 50 via the linkage mechanism 70. For example, in other embodiments, the tilt actuator 60 may have an output end that can control the rotation angle, which is directly connected to the fixing seat 50 to control the angle of the fixing seat 50.

[0051] Please refer to the following: Figure 11 As shown, the pipette tip connection method of the present invention includes the following steps: pipette preparation S1, tilting insertion S2, and returning to center and pressing down S3. The pipette tip connection method of this embodiment is performed using the aforementioned pipette tip connection device of the pipette, but is not limited thereto.

[0052] Tube Replacement Preparation S1: Please refer to the following: Figure 5 As shown, the suction device A is fixed to the suction device holder 50. The bottom of the suction device A has multiple cylindrical connecting portions A1 protruding as described above. The position of the suction device holder 50 in the first direction D1 is controlled by the first actuator 22, and the vertical movement of the suction device holder 50 (i.e., the movement of the suction device holder 50 in the second direction D2) is controlled by the second actuator 32. The angle of the suction device holder 50 is controlled by the tilt actuator 60. Multiple straw tips B are prepared, extending vertically as described above, and each straw tip B has an installation opening at its top as described above.

[0053] Tilt insertion S2: Please refer to the following: Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the axis L2 of the connecting part A1 of the suction device A is tilted by the tilting actuator 60 (as shown). Figure 6 As shown) tilted along the axis L3 of the straw tip B (as shown) Figure 6 (As shown). The first actuator 22 aligns the outer end of the connecting part A1 of the aspirator A with the mounting opening of the straw tip B. Specifically, the right-angle point A12 formed by the connection between the outer end face A11 of the connecting part A1 and the outer wall surface of the connecting part A1 is positioned above the mounting opening. Then, the second actuator 32 moves the aspirator A down, so that the point A12 of the connecting part A1 enters the straw tip B from the mounting opening of the straw tip B.

[0054] Return to center and press down S3: Please refer to the following: Figures 7 to 9 As shown, the suction device A is rotated around the connecting part A1 by the tilting actuator 60, the first actuator 22 and the second actuator 32, so that the axis L2 of the connecting part A1 of the suction device A coincides with the axis L3 of the straw tip B, and the outer end face A11 of the connecting part A1 is completely inserted into the straw tip B. Then, the second actuator 32 presses down the suction device A so that the outer wall surface of the connecting part A1 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the straw tip B, so that the connecting part A1 is firmly connected to the straw tip B.

[0055] Please refer to the following: Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, after the connecting part A1 is connected to the straw tip B, the second actuator 32 moves the liquid aspirator A upward, and then the liquid aspirator A can be moved to other places to perform liquid aspiration and injection operations.

[0056] In summary, by providing a tilting actuator 60, the present invention enables the aspirator A to insert the tip A12 of the connecting part A1 into the mounting opening of the pipette tip B in a tilted state. Therefore, as long as the tip A12 is above the mounting opening, the connecting part A1 can be inserted into the mounting opening. In other words, when viewed from the opening direction of the mounting opening, as long as the tip A12 is within the range of the mounting opening, the connecting part A1 can be inserted into the mounting opening. It is not necessary to precisely align the tip A12 with the axis center of the mounting opening, thus greatly reducing the accuracy requirements for positioning. As a result, the replacement operation of the pipette tip B of the aspirator A can be carried out by automated equipment, which can improve the operation speed and reduce the manpower requirements.

[0057] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-disclosed technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical concept of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pipette tip connecting device for a liquid suction device, characterized in that, Comprising: a base; a first positioning mechanism disposed on the base, the first positioning mechanism extending along a first direction; the first positioning mechanism having: a first sliding base slidable along the first direction; a first actuator controlling a position of the first sliding base in the first direction; a second positioning mechanism moving synchronously with the first sliding base, the second positioning mechanism extending along a second direction, the second positioning mechanism having: a second sliding base slidable along the second direction; a second actuator controlling a position of the second sliding base in the second direction; a connecting base disposed on the second sliding base; a liquid suction device fixing base disposed on the connecting base, the liquid suction device fixing base being pivotable about a pivot axis relative to the connecting base; the liquid suction device fixing base having: a liquid suction device connecting portion, when the liquid suction device fixing base pivots relative to the connecting base, the liquid suction device connecting portion simultaneously moves relative to the base towards the first direction and the second direction; a tilting actuator disposed on the connecting base, the tilting actuator controlling an angle at which the liquid suction device fixing base pivots relative to the connecting base; the tilting actuator being electrically connected to the first actuator and the second actuator, the tilting actuator having: a body disposed on the connecting base; a driving rod linearly movably penetrating the body, the driving rod controlling the angle at which the liquid suction device fixing base pivots relative to the connecting base; a linkage mechanism connecting the tilting actuator and the liquid suction device fixing base; the linkage mechanism having: a connecting block fixedly disposed on the driving rod of the tilting actuator; a connecting rod having opposite first and second ends, the first end being pivotally connected to the connecting block, and the second end being pivotally connected to the liquid suction device fixing base.

2. The liquid suction device straw tip connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the linkage mechanism further has: a guide sliding base fixedly disposed on the body of the tilting actuator; a guide sliding block movably disposed on the guide sliding base in parallel to the driving rod, the guide sliding block being spaced apart from the driving rod of the tilting actuator; the guide sliding block being fixedly disposed on the connecting block.

3. The liquid suction device straw tip connecting device according to claim 1, wherein: the liquid suction device fixing base has a liquid suction device driving end, the liquid suction device driving end being located above the pivot axis; the second end of the connecting rod is pivotally connected to the liquid suction device driving end of the liquid suction device fixing base; an included angle between the connecting rod and the driving rod is 40 to 60 degrees.

4. The liquid suction device straw tip connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the liquid suction device straw tip connecting device further has a third positioning mechanism disposed on the first sliding base of the first positioning mechanism, the third positioning mechanism extending along a third direction; the third positioning mechanism having: a third sliding base slidable along the third direction; the second positioning mechanism being disposed on the third sliding base. a third actuator controlling the position of the third slide in the third direction.

5. A method of connecting a pipette tip to a pipette, the method comprising: The pipette tip connection method is implemented by the pipette tip connection device according to any one of claims 1-4, and comprises the following steps: Preparation for tube replacement: fixing the pipette on the pipette fixing seat, the bottom of the pipette protruding at least one cylindrical connecting part; controlling the position of the pipette fixing seat in the first direction by the first actuator; controlling the up and down movement of the pipette fixing seat by the second actuator; controlling the angle of the pipette fixing seat by the tilting actuator; preparing at least one pipette tip; at least one pipette tip extending upward and downward; the top of at least one pipette tip forming a mounting opening; Tilting insertion: tilting the axis of at least one connecting part of the pipette to the axis of at least one pipette tip by the tilting actuator; aligning the outer end of at least one connecting part of the pipette with the mounting opening of at least one pipette tip by the first actuator; moving the pipette downward by the second actuator, so that at least one connecting part enters the pipette tip from the mounting opening of at least one pipette tip; Back to normal and press down: rotating the pipette around at least one connecting part by the tilting actuator, the first actuator and the second actuator, and making the axis of at least one connecting part of the pipette coincide with the axis of at least one pipette tip, and making the outer end of at least one connecting part completely enter at least one pipette tip; pressing down the pipette by the second actuator, so that the outer wall surface of at least one connecting part of the pipette tightly abuts the inner wall surface of at least one pipette tip.

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