A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device

Abstract

The application provides a pipette tip filter core collecting device, which comprises a driving device, a filter core conveying carrier, a collecting assembly, an air supply assembly and the like. The filter core conveying carrier is conveyed to a predetermined position by the driving device. After the position of the filter core conveying carrier is accurate, the filter core filling is completed. After the filter core filling is completed, the positions of the collecting assembly and the air supply assembly are corresponding to the positions of the two sides of the filter core conveying carrier. The air circulation is formed in the filter core conveying carrier, so that the scattered filter cores in the filter core conveying carrier can be collected in a directional manner, and the concentrated and stable collection of the filter cores can be met. The filter cores in the carrier can be quickly and directionally collected, the filter cores are prevented from scattering, and the normal production of the production line is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipette tip manufacturing equipment technology, and more particularly to a pipette tip filter cartridge collection device. Background Technology

[0002] The filter element is placed inside the pipette tip to filter gas and prevent contaminated air from entering the pipette and contaminating the reagents being sampled later. During the pipette manufacturing process, the filter element is squeezed into the finished pipette tip using specialized filling equipment.

[0003] Pipettes are grasped in batches by a robotic arm. During this grasping process, pipette tips that do not meet quality requirements will not be picked up by the robotic arm. This can lead to gaps in the same batch of pipette tips. During the cartridge filling process, the cartridges fall directly from the gaps in the missing pipette tips into the carrier below. To ensure timely discharge of the cartridges from the carrier, traditional pipette tip carriers have an inclined baffle at the bottom to allow the cartridges to roll into a collection box on the outside of the carrier. However, because the cartridges are lightweight and have a high coefficient of surface friction, the different trajectories of the cartridges falling onto the baffle can easily cause cartridge jamming or scattering on the production line surface, affecting normal production. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a pipette tip filter cartridge collection device. This invention enables rapid and directional collection of filter cartridges inside the carrier, preventing filter cartridges from scattering and ensuring normal production line operation.

[0005] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device, comprising:

[0007] A filter cartridge transport carrier for loading pipette tips has a first docking opening and a second docking opening on both sides that are positioned opposite each other.

[0008] Drive unit, used to control the movement of the filter element transport vehicle;

[0009] The air circulation device includes an air supply component corresponding to a first docking opening and a collection component corresponding to a second docking opening. An air supply duct connects the air supply component and the collection component. An air circulation pump is installed inside the air supply duct. The air circulation pump generates circulating air between the air supply component and the collection component to collect the filter element.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes a position control device installed at the lower end of the drive device, used to control the air supply component and the collection component to open and close synchronously to achieve docking with the filter element transport vehicle.

[0011] Preferably, the position control device includes two position control sliders, two sets of position control linkages are installed between the two position control sliders, and a driving element is provided between the two position control sliders to control the movement of the two position control sliders. The position control linkage includes a first control rod and a second control rod. The ends of the first control rod and the second control rod are rotatably connected to form a mounting part. The two mounting parts are connected to the corresponding air supply assembly and collection assembly to control their synchronous opening and closing.

[0012] Preferably, the lower end of the drive device is further provided with a touch valve, which is connected in series inside the air supply duct and is located on the moving path of the first position control slider.

[0013] Preferably, the air supply assembly includes a first sealing plate and a first guide frame. The first sealing plate slides on the upper end of the first guide frame. A first mounting workpiece is slidably connected to the surface of the first guide frame. The first mounting workpiece is fixedly connected to a corresponding mounting part. A first elastic component is provided between the first mounting workpiece and the first sealing plate. An inclined downward air outlet is provided on the inner wall of the first sealing plate.

[0014] Preferably, a side baffle is rotatably provided at the first docking opening of the filter element transport carrier, and a flipping device is provided on the outer wall of the first sealing plate to control the rotation of the side baffle.

[0015] Preferably, the flipping device includes a flipping mounting frame, a flexible pneumatic telescopic rod is fixedly connected to the side wall of the flipping mounting frame, a control block is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the pneumatic telescopic rod, a through control opening is opened on the side wall of the first sealing plate for the control block to pass through, a roller is rotatably connected to the end of the control block, a through conduction opening is opened on the surface of the control block, and the air outlet is in a conducting state when the conduction opening moves to the first sealing plate.

[0016] Preferably, the collection assembly includes a second sealing plate and a second guide frame. The second sealing plate slides on the upper end of the second guide frame. A second mounting workpiece is slidably connected to the surface of the second guide frame. The second mounting workpiece is fixedly connected to a corresponding mounting part. A second elastic component is provided between the second mounting workpiece and the second sealing plate. A collection bag is provided at the lower end of the second sealing plate.

[0017] Preferably, the driving device further includes an electric slider, which is detachably fixedly connected to the filter element transport carrier.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0019] By installing collection components and air supply components on both sides of the filter element transport carrier, during the cleaning process of the filter elements inside the transport carrier, the collection components and air supply components can be controlled to adhere to the surface of the filter element transport carrier. Furthermore, the air circulation pump body realizes airflow circulation within the filter element transport carrier. The circulating airflow can drive the filter elements to move and discharge them in a directional manner, achieving rapid and stable discharge of the filter elements to meet the production line requirements. Compared with traditional filter element collection methods, its filter element collection process is fast and stable, and there will be no phenomenon of filter elements not being discharged in time or scattering on the production line surface. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side view of the structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a bottom-view structural diagram of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the air supply component and the flipping device of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the filter element transport vehicle of the present invention.

[0027] In the diagram: 100, drive unit; 110, electric slider; 200, filter element transport carrier; 210, first docking opening; 220, second docking opening; 230, side baffle; 240, guide base plate; 250, tension rope; 300, collection assembly; 310, second sealing plate; 320, second guide frame; 330, second elastic component; 340, second mounting workpiece; 350, collection bag; 400, air supply assembly; 410, first sealing plate; 420, first guide frame; 430, first elastic component; 440, first mounting workpiece; 450, air outlet; 500, flipping device; 510, control block; 511, through opening; 520, roller; 530, pneumatic telescopic rod; 600, position control device; 610, position control slider; 620, drive element; 630, position control linkage; 700, touch valve. Implementation

[0028] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] See attached document Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 7 A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device includes components such as a drive unit 100, a filter cartridge transport carrier 200, a collection component 300, and an air supply component 400. The drive unit 100 transports the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 to a predetermined position. After the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 is accurately positioned, the filter cartridge is filled. After the filter cartridge is filled, the positions of the collection component 300 and the air supply component 400 are aligned with the positions on both sides of the filter cartridge transport carrier 200, forming an air circulation inside the filter cartridge transport carrier 200. This enables the directional collection of scattered filter cartridges inside the filter cartridge transport carrier 200, meeting the requirements for centralized and stable collection of filter cartridges.

[0030] The filter cartridge transport carrier 200 is used to load pipette tips. It has a first docking opening 210 and a second docking opening 220 on both sides, which are positioned opposite each other. Circulating air enters from the first docking opening 210 and exits from the second docking opening 220. The lightweight filter cartridges are simultaneously discharged from the second docking opening 220 under the action of the circulating airflow, realizing the directional collection of filter cartridges. Furthermore, the opening size of the second docking opening 220 is smaller than that of the first docking opening 210, which allows the filter cartridges to be collected at a smaller window at the end, reducing the size of the downstream collection equipment and the volume occupied by the equipment. The drive device 100 also includes an electric slider 110, which is detachably fixed to the filter cartridge transport carrier 200. The production line can replace different filter cartridge transport carriers 200 according to different pipette tip specifications, realizing the adaptation and replacement of the production line and meeting the production line's production needs.

[0031] The drive unit 100 controls the movement of the filter element transport carrier 200 so that the filter element transport carrier 200 is positioned in the air circulation device, corresponding to the positions of the collection component 300 and the air supply component 400. The air circulation device includes an air supply component 400 corresponding to the first docking opening 210 and a collection component 300 corresponding to the second docking opening 220. An air supply duct connects the air supply component 400 and the collection component 300. An air circulation pump is installed inside the air supply duct. The air circulation pump creates circulating air between the air supply component 400 and the collection component 300 to collect the filter elements during filter element transport. After the carrier 200 is accurately aligned, the collection component 300 and the air supply component 400 are moved toward both sides of the filter element transport carrier 200, that is, the air supply component 400 is aligned with the first docking opening 210 and the collection component 300 is aligned with the second docking opening 220. Under the action of the air circulation pump, a directional airflow is formed in the filter element transport carrier 200, and the gas is controlled to flow from the first docking opening 210 to the second docking opening 220. The filter element has a low mass and can move directionally under the action of the airflow. Finally, it is collected by the collection component 300 outside the second docking opening 220, realizing the directional and stable collection of the filter element.

[0032] Compared to the traditional method of collecting filter cartridges by setting up inclined baffles inside the filter cartridge transport carrier 200, this method controls the trajectory of the filter cartridges through circulating air, applying force to the filter cartridges and controlling their directional and stable movement. This prevents the filter cartridges from scattering on the production line, ensuring normal production. Furthermore, the airflow is used to collect and clean the filter cartridges, which is efficient and fast, meeting the requirements for high-efficiency cleaning. The filter cartridges can be collected at the next station while they are being transported and filled at the previous station, allowing the steps to be performed synchronously and improving the efficiency of the pipetting tip production line.

[0033] The filter cartridge collection device also includes a position control device 600 installed at the lower end of the drive device 100, which is used to control the air supply component 400 and the collection component 300 to open and close synchronously to achieve docking with the filter cartridge transport carrier 200. The position control device 600 can realize the synchronous collection of the collection component 300 and the air supply component 400, and can synchronously clamp the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 from both sides to ensure that the force on both sides of the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 is consistent and to ensure the stability of the filter cartridge in the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 during the collection process.

[0034] Please refer to the appendix for details. Figure 4As a preferred position control method, the position control device 600 includes two position control sliders 610, two sets of position control linkages 630 are installed between the two position control sliders 610, and a driving element 620 is provided between the two position control sliders 610 to control the movement of the two position control sliders 610. The position control linkage 630 includes a first control rod and a second position control rod. The ends of the first control rod and the second position control rod are rotatably connected to form a mounting part. The two mounting parts are connected to the corresponding air supply assembly 400 and the collection assembly 300 to control their synchronous opening and closing. Specifically, the ends of the first control rod and the second position control rod of the position control linkage 630 are rotatably connected to form a mounting part. A relatively fixed mounting top plate is provided at the top of the mounting part. The mounting top plates on both sides are respectively connected to the collection assembly 300 and the air supply assembly 400 to control the synchronous opening and closing of the collection assembly 300 and the air supply assembly 400, thereby realizing the synchronous opening and closing control of the two.

[0035] By setting the aforementioned connecting rod to control the opening and closing of the collection components 300 and the air supply components 400 on both sides, the collection components 300 and the air supply components 400 on both sides have a larger displacement stroke, allowing them to fit against the two side surfaces of the filter element transport carrier 200 located in the middle position, and meeting the needs of different production lines; in addition, the main body of the position control device 600 is set along the length direction of the drive device 100, and the bottom occupies a small volume, without occupying production line space.

[0036] A touch valve 700 is also provided at the lower end of the drive device 100. The touch valve 700 is connected in series inside the air supply duct and is located on the moving path of the first position control slider 610. The touch valve 700 is provided with a flexible touch end and a touch valve core inside. It is connected in series inside the air supply duct and can control the opening and closing of the circulating airflow. After the first position control slider 610 moves to the predetermined position on both sides, the collection components 300 and the air supply components 400 on both sides are pressed against the surface of the filter element transport carrier 200, and the valve core of the touch valve 700 changes position and is in the open state, which can automatically supply the circulating airflow to achieve airflow circulation and realize the automatic control of airflow opening and closing, simplifying the airflow control procedure and ensuring the stability of airflow control.

[0037] Please refer to the appendix for details. Figure 6The air supply assembly 400 includes a first sealing plate 410 and a first guide frame 420. The first sealing plate 410 slides on the upper end of the first guide frame 420. A first mounting workpiece 440 is slidably connected to the surface of the first guide frame. The first mounting workpiece 440 is fixedly connected to a corresponding mounting part. A first elastic component 430 is provided between the first mounting workpiece 440 and the first sealing plate 410. An inclined downward air outlet 450 is provided on the inner wall of the first sealing plate 410. The air outlet 450 is inclined downward and blows airflow toward the bottom of the filter element transport carrier 200 towards the filter element, allowing it to be discharged from the outer side of the filter element transport carrier 200. The first guide frame 420 includes parallel guide rods. The first sealing plate 410 can slide on the upper end. By setting the first elastic component 430, the first sealing plate 410 can fit more tightly with the side wall of the filter element transport carrier 200, ensuring its stable fit; ensuring the sealing effect at the connection, enhancing air tightness, preventing airflow leakage, and ensuring the airflow cleaning effect.

[0038] To reduce the impact of airflow on the upper pipette tip and enhance the concentrated discharge of airflow to prevent airflow leakage and reduced airflow intensity, a side baffle 230 is rotatably installed at the first docking opening 210 of the filter cartridge transport carrier 200. A flipping device 500 is installed on the outer wall of the first sealing plate 410 to control the rotation of the side baffle 230. Under normal conditions, the side baffle 230 is in a vertical state, which allows the first docking opening 210 to be closed, ensuring the normal drop of the filter cartridge and separating the drive device 100 from the production line. During the filter cartridge collection process, the side baffle 230 is controlled to rotate by the flipping device 500, allowing the side baffle 230 to close the open opening at the top. During this process, the airflow is ensured to be discharged unidirectionally from the second docking opening 220, reducing the impact on the upper pipette tip and enhancing the force of the airflow on the filter cartridge, ensuring rapid discharge of the filter cartridge and shortening the filter cartridge collection time.

[0039] Please refer to the appendix for details. Figure 6As a preferred flipping method, the flipping device 500 includes a flipping mounting frame, a flexible pneumatic telescopic rod 530 fixedly connected to the side wall of the flipping mounting frame, a control block 510 fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the pneumatic telescopic rod 530, a through control opening on the side wall of the first sealing plate 410 for the control block 510 to pass through, a roller 520 rotatably connected to the end of the control block 510, and a through conduction opening 511 on the surface of the control block 510. When the conduction opening 511 moves to the first sealing plate 410, the air outlet 450 is in a conducting state. The first guide frame 420 is connected to the touch valve 700 and is connected in series inside the air supply duct. During the docking process, the position control device 600 first controls the collecting component 300 to... The air supply assembly 400 and the filter element transport carrier 200 are aligned. After accurate alignment, the touch valve 700 is in the open state. The gas generated by the pumping equipment can flow through the touch valve 700 into the first guide frame 420, pushing the control block 510 at the end to move. Finally, the roller 520 pushes the side baffle 230 to rotate, realizing the control process. After pushing the side baffle 230 to rotate to the predetermined position, the through opening 511 on the surface of the control block 510 can correspond to the channel in the first sealing plate 410. At this time, the gas at the exhaust outlet of the first guide frame 420 can pass through the through opening 511 and finally be discharged from the air outlet 450, realizing the blowing and collection of the filter element inside the filter element transport carrier 200.

[0040] The entire process is continuous and automatic. After the collection component 300 and the air supply component 400 are accurately connected by the position control device 600, the gas can enter the first guide frame 420 in sequence to drive the side baffle 230 to rotate and blow out from the air outlet 450 to clean the filter element. The whole process is automatic and continuous, which reduces the control process and difficulty. No extra sensing elements are required, which greatly shortens the filter element cleaning and collection time and meets the needs of the production line.

[0041] After the airflow is shut off, the first guide frame 420 can pull the control block 510 back to its initial position under its own elasticity, restoring the whole to its initial state and preparing for subsequent filter element collection. It should be noted that the control block 510 and the control opening of the first sealing plate 410 are relatively sealed and slidingly connected, which can also prevent airflow leakage. A sealing sleeve that matches the outer diameter of the control block 510 can be set on the outside to extend the sealing distance and meet the sealing requirements.

[0042] A guide plate 240 is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the filter element transport carrier 200. It is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the filter element transport carrier 200 and is equipped with a torsion spring. The rotating end of the second docking opening 220 is connected to the end of the side baffle 230 by an elastic tension rope 250. Normally, it is in a horizontal position at the bottom to receive the filter element. After the side baffle 230 is flipped to a horizontal position, the tension rope 250 pulls the second docking opening 220 to rotate, making it tilted. This tilts the filter element, further accelerating the discharge of the filter element, shortening the filter element collection time, and improving the efficiency of filter element collection.

[0043] The collection component 300 includes a second sealing plate 310 and a second guide frame 320. The second sealing plate 310 slides on the upper end of the second guide frame 320. A second mounting workpiece 340 is slidably connected to the surface of the second guide frame. The second mounting workpiece 340 is fixedly connected to the corresponding mounting part. A second elastic component 330 is provided between the second mounting workpiece 340 and the second sealing plate 310. A collection bag 350 is provided at the lower end of the second sealing plate 310. The filter element is discharged from the second docking opening 220 and finally falls into the collection bag 350 for collection. Similarly, by setting the second elastic component 330, the second sealing plate 310 at the end can be tightly fitted to the surface of the filter element transport carrier 200 to ensure concentrated airflow. The above-mentioned elastic component can be selected as a spring, which is sleeved on the outside of the guide rod and can play a reset role.

[0044] The working principle of this invention is as follows: the filter cartridge transport carrier 200, which is loaded with pipette tips and filled with filter cartridges, is moved between the collection assembly 300 and the air supply assembly 400 by the driving device 100. After the position is accurately aligned, the collection assembly 300 and the air supply assembly 400 are controlled by the position control device 600 to move synchronously inward, so as to complete the contact with the surface of the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 and realize the air circulation preparation work.

[0045] After the preparatory work is completed, the airflow is controlled to blow from the first docking opening 210 side to the second docking opening 220 side. During the flow, the airflow can drive the filter element to move in a direction and be discharged from the filter element transport carrier 200 and moved into the collection assembly 300 to achieve rapid and stable collection of the filter element.

[0046] After the filter cartridges are collected, the collection components 300 and the air supply components 400 on both sides are opened synchronously by the position control device 600, so that they are separated from the surfaces on both sides of the filter cartridge transport carrier 200. At this time, the filter cartridge transport carrier 200 is moved as a whole by the drive device 100 to complete the subsequent production process of the pipette tip.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device, characterized in that, include: A filter cartridge transport carrier (200) is used to load pipette tips, and has a first docking opening (210) and a second docking opening (220) on both sides. Drive unit (100) for controlling the movement of filter element transport carrier (200); The air circulation device includes an air supply component (400) corresponding to the first docking opening (210) and a collection component (300) corresponding to the second docking opening (220). An air supply duct is connected between the air supply component (400) and the collection component (300). An air circulation pump body is installed inside the air supply duct. The air circulation pump body forms circulating air between the air supply component (400) and the collection component (300) to collect the filter element. It also includes a position control device (600) installed at the lower end of the drive unit (100) for controlling the air supply assembly (400) and the collection assembly (300) to open and close synchronously with the filter transport carrier (200); The position control device (600) includes two position control sliders (610), and two sets of position control linkages (630) are installed between the two position control sliders (610). A driving element (620) is provided between the two position control sliders (610) to control the movement of the two position control sliders (610). The position control linkage (630) includes a first control rod and a second control rod. The ends of the first control rod and the second control rod are rotatably connected to form a mounting part. The two mounting parts are connected to the corresponding air supply assembly (400) and collection assembly (300) to control their synchronous opening and closing.

2. The pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the drive device (100) is also provided with a touch valve (700), which is connected in series inside the air supply duct and is located on the moving path of the first position control slider (610).

3. The pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air supply assembly (400) includes a first sealing plate (410) and a first guide frame (420). The first sealing plate (410) slides on the upper end of the first guide frame (420). A first mounting workpiece (440) is slidably connected to the surface of the first guide frame (420). The first mounting workpiece (440) is fixedly connected to a corresponding mounting part. A first elastic component (430) is provided between the first mounting workpiece (440) and the first sealing plate (410). An inclined downward air outlet (450) is provided on the inner wall of the first sealing plate (410).

4. The pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A side baffle (230) is rotatably provided at the first docking opening (210) of the filter element transport carrier (200), and a flipping device (500) is provided on the outer wall of the first sealing plate (410) to control the rotation of the side baffle (230).

5. A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The flipping device (500) includes a flipping mounting frame, on which a flexible pneumatic telescopic rod (530) is fixedly connected to the side wall. A control block (510) is fixedly connected to the telescopic end of the pneumatic telescopic rod (530). A through control opening is opened on the side wall of the first sealing plate (410) for the control block (510) to pass through. A roller (520) is rotatably connected to the end of the control block (510). A through conduction opening (511) is opened on the surface of the control block (510). When the conduction opening (511) moves to the first sealing plate (410), the air outlet (450) is in a conducting state.

6. The pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection assembly (300) includes a second sealing plate (310) and a second guide frame (320). The second sealing plate (310) slides on the upper end of the second guide frame (320). A second mounting workpiece (340) is slidably connected to the surface of the second guide frame (320). The second mounting workpiece (340) is fixedly connected to the corresponding mounting part. A second elastic component (330) is provided between the second mounting workpiece (340) and the second sealing plate (310). A collection bag (350) is provided at the lower end of the second sealing plate (310).

7. A pipette tip filter cartridge collection device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The drive unit (100) also includes an electric slider (110) which is detachably fixedly connected to the filter element transport carrier (200).

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