Sample rack transmission mechanism and sample analyzer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a sample rack conveying mechanism, comprising a push rod, a telescopic drive assembly, a horizontal drive assembly, and a guide mechanism; the telescopic drive assembly is used to drive the push rod to perform telescopic movement; the horizontal drive assembly is used to carry the push rod to perform reciprocating movement on the guide mechanism; the guide mechanism is provided with a telescopic position and a limiting position; in the telescopic position, the push rod is in an extended state and is used to push the sample rack on the track; in the limiting position, the push rod is in an extended state and is used to block the sample rack on the track. The present invention prevents the occurrence of the phenomenon that the conveyor belts of the front and rear tracks are not running synchronously, resulting in the sample racks between adjacent track modules not being able to connect properly during conveyance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical diagnosis, and in particular to a sample rack transmission mechanism and a sample analyzer. Background Art

[0002] Existing sample rack transport lines generally include multiple track modules connected in sequence, and each track module includes multiple belt tracks arranged parallel to each other. When the front and rear track modules are used to transport sample racks, the conveyor belts of the front and rear tracks need to run synchronously. However, due to the limitations of instrument sample loading, it is difficult to ensure that the conveyor belts of the front and rear tracks always run synchronously, which will lead to a decrease in the operating speed of the entire production line and affect the overall sample testing time. At the same time, when the front and rear tracks run out of sync, the sample racks are prone to disconnection when being transported at the junction of the front and rear track modules. In addition, there is no mechanism in the existing technology to solve the above technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention discloses a sample rack conveying mechanism and a sample analyzer, which are used to solve the problem in the prior art that the sample rack conveying cannot be connected due to the asynchronous conveying of the front and rear tracks.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A sample rack conveying mechanism comprises a push rod, a telescopic drive assembly, a horizontal drive assembly and a guide mechanism; the telescopic drive assembly is used to drive the push rod to perform telescopic movement; the horizontal drive assembly is used to carry the push rod to perform reciprocating movement on the guide mechanism; the guide mechanism is provided with a telescopic position and a limiting position; in the telescopic position, the push rod is in an extended state and is used to push the sample rack on the track; in the limiting position, the push rod is in an extended state and is used to block the sample rack on the track.

[0006] Furthermore, the guiding mechanism includes a linear guide rail; the push rod is installed on the linear guide rail through a slider; the telescopic drive assembly includes a retraction block arranged on one side of the telescopic position, a push rod stop pin installed on the slider, and a torsion spring, a torsion spring pin and a torsion spring stop pin for installing the push rod on the slider; one end of the torsion spring is installed on the push rod, and the other end is installed at the torsion spring stop pin; the push rod stop pin limits the push rod; the torsion spring stop pin limits the torsion spring; the torsion spring pin is used to install the push rod and the torsion spring on the slider; the retraction block is arranged close to one side of the track.

[0007] Furthermore, the reciprocating movement includes a propulsion stroke consistent with the track transmission direction and an avoidance stroke opposite to the track transmission direction; in the propulsion stroke, the push rod moves from the telescopic position toward the track transmission direction, and when the end of the push rod is away from the retraction block, it returns to the extended state under the action of the torsion spring for pushing the sample rack on the front end track of the push rod in the horizontal transmission direction; in the avoidance stroke, the push rod moves in the opposite direction to the track transmission direction, and when the push rod moves to the retraction block, the push rod compresses the torsion spring under the extrusion of the retraction block, and the push rod returns to the retracted state for avoiding the sample rack moving normally on the track.

[0008] Furthermore, the distance between the telescopic position and the limiting position is greater than the length of a sample rack and is sufficient to ensure that the push rod is not interfered by the sample rack on the track when performing telescopic movement at the telescopic position.

[0009] Furthermore, there are at least two tracks provided on one side of the push rod, and the closest distance between the telescopic position and the sample rack moving to the rear end of the track changing mechanism on the adjacent track is greater than the length of the push rod.

[0010] Furthermore, the push rod is installed on the slider through the slider mounting plate; the push rod stop pin and the torsion spring stop pin are both set on the slider mounting plate; a torsion spring slot is set on the push rod, and one end of the torsion spring is inserted into the torsion spring slot; the push rod is fixed to the slider mounting plate through the torsion spring pin.

[0011] Furthermore, the telescopic drive assembly includes a linear drive mechanism and a linear guide mechanism; the linear drive mechanism is used to drive the push rod to perform linear telescopic movement on the linear guide mechanism.

[0012] A sample analyzer comprises the sample rack conveying mechanism described above.

[0013] The present invention adopts the above technical solution and has the following advantages:

[0014] 1. The present invention uses the cooperation of the horizontal drive assembly and the telescopic drive assembly to drive the push rod to perform telescopic movement in the telescopic position or the limit position, thereby enabling the push rod to push or block the sample rack on the track; the pushing action prevents the conveyor belts of the front and rear tracks from running out of sync, resulting in the sample racks between adjacent track modules not being able to connect normally when being transported; the blocking action blocks the sample racks that need to change tracks or that are running normally on the front and rear tracks;

[0015] 2. The present invention solves the problem of uncontrollable sample rack position caused by the non-synchronous movement of the front and rear track module conveyor belts during cross-track transmission, while also avoiding the problem of the sample rack occupying the track changing mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the mechanism of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention's mechanism and the track;

[0018] Figure 3 An exploded view of a push rod on a slider mounting plate of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the length of the putter of the present invention.

[0020] Figure markings: 1-push rod; 2-linear guide rail; 3-front rail; 4-rear rail; 5-emergency rail; 6-conventional rail; 7-return rail; 8-track changing mechanism; 9-motor; 10-driving wheel; 11-driven wheel; 12-synchronous belt; 13-slider; 14-limit position; 15-extension position; 16-retraction block; 17-push rod stop pin; 18-torsion spring; 19-torsion spring pin; 20-slider mounting plate; 21-torsion spring stop pin; 22-torsion spring slot; 23-extension position optical coupler; 24-limit position optical coupler; 25-limit block; 26-sample rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] like Figure 1-4 As shown, a sample rack conveying mechanism is capable of pushing or blocking the sample rack at the joint between the tracks in the assembly line to prevent the sample rack from being unable to be normally transmitted at the track joint due to the asynchronous operation of the conveyor belts of the front and rear tracks during sample rack conveyance; at the same time, the mechanism can block the sample rack at the track changing mechanism set between the tracks, so that the sample rack on the track can be changed by the track changing mechanism; it includes a push rod 1 that can perform telescopic movement in the vertical direction of the track, a telescopic driving assembly that can drive the push rod 1 to perform telescopic movement, a horizontal driving assembly that can drive the push rod 1 to perform horizontal movement along the track direction, and a guide mechanism that cooperates with the horizontal driving assembly to carry the push rod 1 to perform horizontal movement. In this embodiment, the guide mechanism is configured as a linear guide rail 2, which is arranged parallel to the track transmission direction, and the height of the push rod 1 is higher than the height of the track changing mechanism.

[0024] For ease of description, the track carrying sample racks is referred to as the front track 3, and the track receiving sample racks from the front track 3 is referred to as the rear track 4. These names are used for distinction only and do not constitute technical limitations. Furthermore, the end of the track from which sample racks enter, along the line's direction of operation, is referred to as the sample inlet, and the end from which sample racks exit, the sample outlet. These names are used for distinction only and do not constitute technical limitations.

[0025] The entire assembly line can be equipped with multiple tracks for docking, with each track section having at least two tracks. In this embodiment, each track section includes an emergency track 5, a regular track 6, a return track 7, and a track change area (not shown). The track change area is located at the sample exit end of each track section and is equipped with a track change mechanism 8. Track change mechanism 8 is used to change the track of a sample rack on the track between the emergency track 5, regular track 6, and return track 7, allowing the sample rack to be transferred from one track to another. Track change mechanism 8 can be a grabbing track change mechanism or other existing mechanism that can change the track of a sample rack between tracks. Since track change mechanisms are relatively common, they will not be described in detail.

[0026] At the same time, for the sake of convenience in description, the sample rack delivery end in the track changing mechanism 8 is referred to as the front end and the sample rack delivery end is referred to as the rear end according to the direction of transporting the sample rack in the assembly line; the sample rack conveying mechanism is arranged on one side of the track changing mechanism 8 at the joint of the front track 3 and the rear track 4, and the specific sample rack conveying mechanism is arranged on one side of the emergency track 5.

[0027] The horizontal drive assembly includes a motor 9, a driving wheel 10 installed on the motor 9, a driven wheel 11 cooperating with the driving wheel 10, and a synchronous belt 12 installed between the driving wheel 10 and the driven wheel 11. The linear guide 2 is installed on one side of the synchronous belt 12. A slider 13 is installed on the linear guide 2. The slider 13 is connected to the synchronous belt 12 through a belt pressing piece. The push rod 1 is installed on the slider 13. The push rod 1 forms a moving pair with the linear guide 2 through the slider 13. The horizontal drive assembly drives the push rod 1 to move back and forth along the direction of the linear guide 2; the linear guide 2 includes a limit position 14 and a telescopic position 15 for controlling the push rod.

[0028] The telescopic drive assembly includes a retraction block 16 arranged on one side of the telescopic position 15 of the linear guide rail 2, a push rod stop pin 17 installed on the slider, and a torsion spring 18 and a torsion spring pin 19 for installing the push rod 1 on the slider; the horizontal drive assembly drives the push rod 1 to move back and forth along the linear guide rail 2, including a propulsion stroke consistent with the track transmission direction and an avoidance stroke opposite to the track transmission direction; in the propulsion stroke, the push rod 1 slowly moves from the telescopic position 15 to the track transmission direction, and as the end of the push rod 1 slowly moves away from the retraction block 16, under the action of the torsion spring 18 and the torsion spring pin 19, the push rod 1 slowly returns to the extended state to the push rod stop pin 17. 7 and stops moving. The push rod 1, which has returned to its extended state, is perpendicular to the direction of track movement. As the push rod 1 continues to move horizontally, it pushes the sample rack on the track in front of the push rod 1, preventing the sample rack from being unable to be normally transferred at the track joint due to the asynchronous operation of the front and rear tracks. During the avoidance stroke, the push rod 1 slowly moves from the limit position 14 in the direction opposite to the track transmission direction. When the push rod 1 moves to the retraction block 16, the push rod 1 compresses the torsion spring 18 under the pressure of the retraction block 16, and the push rod 1 rotates toward the side opposite to the retraction block 16 and gradually approaches the direction of the linear guide 2, entering a retracted state to avoid the sample rack moving normally on the track. When the sample rack runs to the track change mechanism 8 and needs to change track or is blocked, the push rod 1 in the extended state is moved to the limit position 14, and the sample rack at the track change mechanism 8 is blocked by the push rod 1 in the extended state, or after blocking, it is subjected to the track change operation by the track change mechanism 8.

[0029] The limiting position 14 is aligned with the rear end of the track-changing mechanism 8. When the push rod 1 is in the limiting position 14, it can block sample racks being transported on the track to the track-changing mechanism 8, allowing sample racks that require track change to do so at the track-changing mechanism 8, or prevent a sample rack from entering the next track. The telescopic position 15 is positioned away from the front end of the track-changing mechanism 8. When the push rod 1 is in the telescopic position 15, it can avoid sample racks being transported on the track or, when the push rod 1 initiates movement at the telescopic position 15, push a sample rack on the track-changing mechanism 8 to the next track. The distance between the telescopic position 15 and the limiting position 14 is greater than the length of a sample rack and ensures that the push rod 1 is not affected by sample racks on the track during its telescopic movement. Specifically, the closest distance L between the telescopic position 15 and a sample rack 26 on the adjacent track (in this embodiment, the emergency track 5) that has moved to the rear end of the track-changing mechanism 8 is greater than the length of the push rod 1. By restricting the telescopic position 15, the push rod 1 in the telescopic position 15 is prevented from interfering with the transport of sample racks during its telescopic movement. The distal end of the extended push rod 1 is located on the conventional track 6.

[0030] The push rod 1 is mounted on the slider via the slider mounting plate 20. The slider mounting plate 20 is provided with a push rod stop pin 17 and a torsion spring stop pin 21. The push rod 1 is limited by the push rod stop pin 17 to ensure that the push rod 1 is perpendicular to the linear guide rail 2 when in the telescopic state. The push rod 1 is provided with a torsion spring slot 22. One end of the torsion spring 18 is inserted into the torsion spring slot 22, and the other end is limited by the torsion spring stop pin 21. The push rod 1 is then mounted on the slider mounting plate 20 via the torsion spring pin 19. The push rod 1 and the torsion spring 18 are fixed to the slider mounting plate 20 via the torsion spring pin 19. One free end of the torsion spring 18 is placed in the torsion spring slot 22, and the other free end is placed in front of the torsion spring stop pin 21. Its function is to make the push rod 1 close to the push rod stop pin 17 in the free state, keeping the push rod 1 perpendicular to the linear guide rail 2.

[0031] The slider mounting plate 20 is also provided with an optical coupling piece 23 in the telescopic position and an optical coupling piece 24 in the limiting position. The optical coupling piece 23 in the telescopic position and the optical coupling piece 24 in the limiting position cooperate with the optical coupler provided on one side of the linear guide rail 2 to control the stroke of the push rod 1 and realize automatic control.

[0032] A limit stop 25 is also provided on one side of the linear guide rail 2. The limit stop 25 is aligned with the rear end of the track changing mechanism 8. When the push rod 1 abuts against the limit stop 25, the push rod stop pin 17 and the limit stop 25 work together to clamp the push rod 1, fixing its position and playing the role of blocking the sample rack. When the slider 13 moves toward the retraction block 16, the push rod 1 disengages from the limit block 25. At this time, the push rod 1 is in an extended state. When the push rod 1 moves to the retraction block 16, the retraction block 16 forces the torsion spring 18 to be compressed, and the push rod 1 rotates, losing its blocking effect, and releasing the sample rack. At the same time, since the torsion spring 18 can be compressed, when the slider 13 moves toward the retraction block 16, the sample rack on the track can also compress the push rod 1. Therefore, the push rod 1 at this time will not affect the movement of the sample rack on the track; the slider 13 moves away from the retraction block 16, the push rod 1 gradually rotates and returns to a vertical state, and the slider 13 continues to move. Under the action of the push rod stop pin 17, the push rod 1 can push the sample rack forward, thereby advancing the sample rack.

[0033] The slider 13 advances the stroke movement until the end optical coupler (not shown) is triggered. At this time, the push rod 1 contacts the limit block 25 and plays a blocking role. When the blocked sample rack needs to be released, the slider 13 avoids the stroke movement. At this time, the push rod 1 is retracted and restricted by the block 16 and begins to be compressed and rotated until the starting optical coupler (not shown) is triggered and the push rod 1 exits the transmission area; the slider advances the stroke movement, and the push rod 1 begins to resume rotation under the action of the torsion spring 18 until it becomes vertical. The slider 13 continues to move, and under the action of the push rod stop pin 17, it pushes the sample rack forward, completing a blocking and pushing action.

[0034] The sample rack transport mechanism of this embodiment cleverly uses a torsion spring to convert the rotational motion of a motor into two degrees of freedom of movement of the push rod, namely, retraction and extension and left and right movement, thereby saving a motor and reducing space occupation.

[0035] The sample rack conveying mechanism in the embodiment of the present invention can push or block the sample racks at the joints between the tracks in the assembly line to prevent the sample racks from being unable to be normally transmitted at the track joints when the upstream and downstream track modules operate out of sync; at the same time, the mechanism can block the sample racks at the track changing mechanism set between the track modules so that the track changing mechanism can perform normal track changing operations.

[0036] The present invention enables the sample rack being transported across tracks on a conveyor line to be paused or transported across tracks smoothly without relying on a conveyor belt, waiting for the next transmission or recycling.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] The telescopic drive assembly of another embodiment of the sample rack conveying mechanism of the present invention adopts a telescopic drive mechanism with a linear motion mode, which can ensure that the push rod is linearly extended or retracted in the telescopic position. After the linear extension, the push rod can move forward to push the sample rack on the track, and the push rod after the linear retraction is used to avoid the sample rack conveyed on the track; at the same time, the push rod in the restricted position can be in an extended or retracted state under the action of the telescopic drive mechanism, so as to block or release the sample rack on the track change mechanism; it includes a linear drive mechanism and a linear guide mechanism, and the movement of the linear drive mechanism drives the push rod to perform telescopic movement on the linear guide mechanism.

[0039] The above are merely embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are included in the scope of the claims of the present invention to be approved.

Claims

1. A sample rack conveying mechanism, characterized in that: The push rod comprises a push rod, a telescopic drive assembly, a horizontal drive assembly and a guide mechanism; the telescopic drive assembly is used to drive the push rod to perform telescopic movement; the horizontal drive assembly is used to carry the push rod to reciprocate on the guide mechanism; the guide mechanism is provided with a telescopic position and a limit position; in the telescopic position, the push rod is in an extended state to push the sample rack on the track; in the limit position, the push rod is in an extended state to block the sample rack on the track; the guide mechanism comprises a linear guide rail; the push rod is mounted on the linear guide rail through a slider ... The driving assembly includes a retraction block arranged on one side of the telescopic position, a push rod stop pin installed on the slider, and a torsion spring, a torsion spring pin and a torsion spring stop pin for installing the push rod on the slider; one end of the torsion spring is installed on the push rod, and the other end is installed on the torsion spring stop pin; the push rod stop pin limits the push rod; the torsion spring stop pin limits the torsion spring; the torsion spring pin is used to install the push rod and the torsion spring on the slider; the retraction block is arranged close to one side of the track; the reciprocating movement includes a propulsion stroke consistent with the track transmission direction and an avoidance stroke opposite to the track transmission direction; During the pushing stroke, the push rod moves from the telescopic position toward the direction of track transmission. When the end of the push rod is away from the retraction block, it returns to the extended state under the action of the torsion spring, and is used to push the sample rack on the front end track of the push rod in the horizontal transmission direction; during the avoiding stroke, the push rod moves in the opposite direction of the track transmission direction. When the push rod moves to the retraction block, the push rod compresses the torsion spring under the extrusion of the retraction block, and the push rod returns to the retracted state to avoid the sample rack moving normally on the track; the distance between the telescopic position and the limiting position is greater than the length of a sample rack and is sufficient to ensure that the push rod is not interfered with by the sample rack on the track when performing telescopic movement in the telescopic position.

2. A sample rack conveying mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are at least two tracks, which are arranged on one side of the push rod. The closest distance between the telescopic position and the sample rack moving to the rear end of the track changing mechanism on the adjacent track is greater than the length of the push rod.

3. The sample rack conveying mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that: The push rod is installed on the slider through the slider mounting plate; the push rod stop pin and the torsion spring stop pin are both set on the slider mounting plate; a torsion spring slot is set on the push rod, and one end of the torsion spring is inserted into the torsion spring slot; the push rod is fixed to the slider mounting plate with the torsion spring pin.

4. A sample analyzer, characterized in that: The sample rack conveying mechanism comprises the sample rack conveying mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images