Automated sorting biomedical sample access system

Abstract

An automatic sorting biomedical sample access system comprises a sample bottle automatic sorting device, a sealed channel mechanism, a sample bottle storage unit, a gas sealing mechanism, a gas conveying mechanism and a transition transfer mechanism, which are sequentially arranged from top to bottom; the sample bottle automatic sorting device comprises a support, an automatic sorting mechanism and a driving mechanism, the automatic sorting mechanism comprises a collection body, a sorting section, a channel switching valve, a sample bottle warehouse outlet channel, a sample bottle warehouse return channel and a sample bottle conveying channel; the driving mechanism drives the sample bottle warehouse outlet channel to be connected with the transition transfer mechanism, or drives the sample bottle warehouse return channel or the sample bottle conveying channel to be connected with the sealed channel mechanism. Each part constitutes a closed sample bottle storage and access system in a required environment, and the system realizes closed and efficient storage and batch rapid taking out of samples in an ultralow-temperature environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for sample storage in the biomedical field, belonging to the field of sample storage technology. Background Technology

[0002] The quality of samples is primarily affected by storage temperature, humidity, and time. This is especially true for items with stringent storage requirements, where even minor changes in the storage environment can impact their quality. Some samples are hard-won, and their loss or spoilage can cause irreparable damage. The safe storage and management of samples is a critical issue that urgently needs to be addressed, particularly the scientific management of samples in laboratories, which is crucial for the rapid development and orderly operation of the entire laboratory. Currently, there is a lack of unified management standards for sample information, resulting in a fragmented approach that is incompatible with high-throughput drug screening and severely hinders drug development efficiency.

[0003] Drug screening involves preserving and managing thousands of valuable compounds or biological samples. Therefore, sample safety, sample tracking, data traceability, and ensuring access to accurate samples when needed are critical concerns for laboratory managers today. Drug screening is typically conducted independently by researchers, each of whom maintains a large inventory of compounds and needs to exchange compounds or information with other researchers.

[0004] The proper collection, analysis, and preservation of biopharmaceutical samples are crucial for sustainable research in biopharmaceuticals. Typically, experiments are not conducted immediately after sample collection. Some samples require repeated testing and comparison of results, while others are intended for future trials as new technologies emerge. Samples generally need to be stored in frozen or refrigerated environments, and are also taken out of these environments. In either case, the refrigerated compartment door (such as a refrigerator or freezer) needs to be opened frequently. This causes air convection, leading to fluctuations in the refrigerated environment (temperature, humidity, etc.) and affecting the stability of the storage environment.

[0005] The quality of stored samples is mainly affected by storage temperature, humidity, and time, especially for items with stringent storage requirements, where even minor changes in the storage environment can affect their quality. Currently, storage methods still rely on traditional refrigerators or freezers. These methods involve repeated freezing and humidity fluctuations, which can easily degrade samples. Furthermore, the need for extensive searching during storage increases the risk of samples being missed. Additionally, there is a lack of standardized procedures for sample characterization and usage records.

[0006] CN102358485A discloses a pneumatic rotary sample library, comprising a central shaft, sample storage discs, a disc drive mechanism, a lifting device, and an adsorption conveying device. The sample storage discs are mounted parallel to each other on the central shaft, with sealing gaskets between adjacent discs. Sample nests and sample transfer channels are distributed on the discs, and each disc is connected to a disc drive mechanism. The lifting device is located below the bottom sample storage disc and includes a lifting jet pipe and a jet control valve. The adsorption conveying device is located above the top sample storage disc and includes a combined suction seat, suction pipe, suction control valve, conveying pipe, conveying control valve, and vacuum chamber. This sample library stores samples in a sealed environment and achieves automatic sample storage and retrieval through pneumatic technology, solving the problem of storing as many samples as possible in a limited space. However, it suffers from problems such as "high manufacturing cost of the sample storage discs and inability of the central shaft and sample storage discs to adapt to ultra-low temperature environments," preventing operation in such conditions.

[0007] CN102303763A discloses a "Honeycomb Composite Rotary Sample Storage Device," which includes a vertical shaft, sample storage disks, and a disk drive mechanism. The sample storage disks are mounted parallel to each other on the same vertical shaft. Sample cells and sample transfer channels are distributed on the sample storage disks. Each sample storage disk is connected to a disk drive mechanism, and each disk drive mechanism is mounted on a bracket fixed to the bottom of the vertical shaft. The sample cells are arranged in a ring shape, with at least two rings, all concentric, and each ring has at least one sample transfer channel. While this device solves the shortcomings of current sample storage methods by allowing it to be placed in a sealed storage environment and utilizing refrigeration, pneumatic, sensing, barcode recognition, database management, and network communication technologies to achieve automatic sample storage and intelligent data management, it suffers from the problem that "the vertical shaft and sample storage disks cannot adapt to ultra-low temperature environments, and the disk drive mechanism, especially the electrical system, has limited temperature adaptability," thus preventing it from operating in ultra-low temperature environments. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This invention addresses the shortcomings of existing sample storage technologies by providing a large-capacity, automated sorting system for biomedical sample storage and retrieval that enables rapid batch storage and retrieval of samples in ultra-low temperature environments.

[0009] The automated sorting and retrieval system for biomedical samples of the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] The system includes an automatic sample bottle sorting device, a sealing channel mechanism, a sample bottle storage unit, a gas sealing mechanism, a gas conveying mechanism, and a transition transfer mechanism, which are arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0011] The automatic sample bottle sorting device includes a support, an automatic sorting mechanism, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is mounted on the support. The automatic sorting mechanism includes a collection body, a sorting section, a channel conversion valve, a sample bottle outgoing channel, a sample bottle returning channel, and a sample bottle conveying channel. One end of the sorting section is equipped with a collection body, which is connected to at least one sample bottle conveying channel. The other end of the sorting section is equipped with two branch ports, which are respectively connected to the sample bottle outgoing channel and the sample bottle returning channel. A channel conversion valve is installed at the intersection of the two branch ports. The sorting section is connected to the support by a spring and is in an inclined state. At least one drive mechanism is provided, which drives the sample bottle conveying channel or the sample bottle outgoing channel to connect with the transition transfer mechanism (specifically, the sample bottle transfer tube), or drives the sample bottle returning channel to connect with the sealing channel mechanism (specifically, the upper port of the sample bottle channel).

[0012] Furthermore:

[0013] The sorting section is equipped with an identification device.

[0014] The channel switching valve includes a motor and a valve body. The valve body is connected to the motor shaft. A transition chamber is provided inside the valve body. Two channel ports communicating with the transition chamber are provided on the side wall of the valve body. When the motor drives the valve body to rotate, one channel port is always connected to the channel body of the sorting section, and the other channel port is connected to the sample bottle outbound channel or the sample bottle return channel.

[0015] The drive mechanism includes a main drive mechanism and a secondary drive mechanism, with the secondary drive mechanism connected to the power output end of the main drive mechanism. The main drive mechanism employs a lead screw and nut pair moving mechanism. The secondary drive mechanism employs an electric telescopic gripper, including an electric telescopic frame and a gripper. The electric telescopic frame is connected to the power output end of the main drive mechanism, and the gripper is connected to the end of the electric telescopic frame.

[0016] The sealing channel mechanism includes a heat insulation frame, a sealing channel plate, and a channel sealing ball. The sealing channel plate has a sample bottle channel and a ball transition cavity. The sample bottle channel has a cavity to accommodate the channel sealing ball, which is positioned within this cavity (the diameter of the channel sealing ball is larger than the inner diameter of the sample bottle channel, and the channel sealing ball cannot detach from the upper or lower ports of the sample bottle channel). This cavity communicates with the ball transition cavity (the channel sealing ball can move between the cavity and the ball transition cavity). The ball transition cavity serves as a clearance space for the channel sealing ball, allowing the sample bottle to pass through the sample bottle channel when the channel sealing ball enters the ball transition cavity. The sealing channel mechanism is flexibly connected to the automatic sample bottle sorting device and the sample bottle storage unit.

[0017] The sample bottle storage unit adopts a bundled tube structure, including a sealed box. A refrigerant exchange port is provided on the side wall of the sealed box. Storage tubes are vertically distributed inside the sealed box. The storage tubes are fixed by tube plates at the upper and lower ends of the sealed box. Both the upper and lower ends of the storage tubes are open.

[0018] The gas sealing mechanism includes a heat insulation frame and an upper partition, a middle partition, and a lower partition connected from top to bottom within the heat insulation frame. The upper partition has upper through holes with vent grooves engraved on their inner walls. The middle partition has circular through holes, each containing a sealing ball; the diameter of the circular through hole is larger than the diameter of the sealing ball. The lower partition has lower through holes. The diameter of the sealing ball is smaller than the inner diameter of the circular through hole but larger than the inner diameters of the upper and lower through holes. The distribution of the upper, circular, and lower through holes is consistent with the distribution of the storage tubes in the sample bottle storage unit. An arc-shaped spherical surface can be provided at the upper end of the lower through hole, with the diameter of the arc-shaped spherical surface not exceeding the diameter of the sealing ball.

[0019] The gas delivery mechanism includes a frame, a gas delivery nozzle, a gas storage chamber, a gas delivery channel, and a transmission device. The transmission device is mounted on the frame, the gas storage chamber is connected to the transmission device, the gas delivery nozzle is connected to the gas storage chamber via a control valve, and the gas delivery channel is connected to the gas storage chamber. Gas is delivered into the gas storage chamber through the gas delivery channel. The transmission device drives the gas storage chamber to move, causing the gas delivery nozzle to align with the sealing mechanism (specifically, the lower through hole on the lower partition).

[0020] The transition transfer mechanism includes a sample bottle transfer tube, a sample bottle inlet / outlet, a transition transfer chamber, and a gas delivery pipe. The sample bottle transfer tube is connected above the transition transfer chamber. The transition transfer chamber contains a three-dimensional moving platform, a transition chamber, a sample bottle tray, and a transfer bracket. The transfer bracket is installed at the power output end of the three-dimensional moving platform. The transition chamber includes a frame and a tray. The tray is fixed in the frame, and the sample bottle tray is placed on the tray. The gas delivery pipe is located on the side wall of the transition chamber, with one end inside the chamber opposite the port of the sample bottle transfer tube, and the other end connected to a gas delivery mechanism (specifically, a gas delivery nozzle within the gas delivery mechanism). The sample bottle tray has a sample bottle placement hole on its body, and a transport slot at the bottom. The sample bottle placement hole is a stepped through-hole with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. The sample bottle is placed at the top of the sample bottle placement hole, and the bottom of the hole is used for gas entry to blow the sample bottle out. The transfer tray is equipped with a transport claw, which has an air guide hole (when the sample bottle tray is placed on the transfer tray, the air guide hole corresponds to the sample bottle placement hole above it). When the sample bottle tray is transferred, the transport claw is inserted into the transport slot, and the gas enters the sample bottle placement hole through the through hole on the transport claw, blowing the sample bottle out.

[0021] The above system is placed in a temperature and humidity control chamber, or in other environments required for sample bottle storage. The temperature and humidity control chamber forms a sealed sample bottle storage and retrieval system. Sample bottles containing samples are stored in sample bottle storage units. The storage, retrieval, and preservation process of the sample bottles is completed through the combined action of an automatic sample bottle sorting device, a sealing channel mechanism, a gas sealing mechanism, a gas conveying mechanism, and a transition transfer mechanism.

[0022] This invention has the following characteristics:

[0023] 1. A collection body is set in the automatic sorting mechanism, which can realize multi-port inlet and single-port outlet, optimize the process flow and improve the efficiency of sample bottle retrieval.

[0024] 2. A channel switching valve is installed in the automatic sorting mechanism, which can conveniently and quickly recombine the channels and improve the sorting efficiency of sample bottles.

[0025] 3. The automatic sorting mechanism is fixed to the support by short springs and long springs, forming a natural slope. The inlet end of the automatic sorting mechanism is high and the outlet end is low. When the sample bottles are transported, the short springs and long springs vibrate under the action of the transport gas, which helps the sample bottles move from the high end to the low end. Under the combined action of the transport gas, vibration and downward force, the sample bottles move forward autonomously.

[0026] 4. The sealing channel mechanism provides clearance for the channel sealing ball by setting a transition cavity, thus clearing the way for the sample bottle to pass through.

[0027] 5. The lower sealing channel plate has an arc-shaped spherical surface. When there is no gas supply, the channel sealing ball falls back into the arc-shaped spherical surface to completely seal the sample bottle channel port.

[0028] 6. The sealing channel mechanism is flexibly connected to the automatic sample bottle sorting device, the transition transfer mechanism, and the sample bottle storage unit, which allows the sealing channel mechanism to generate slight vibrations, allowing the channel sealing ball to leave the transition cavity and return to the arc spherical surface area to seal the sample bottle pipeline.

[0029] 7. Multiple drive mechanisms are set up, and a secondary drive mechanism is installed on the main drive mechanism, which can execute multiple target tasks at the same time, improve system efficiency, and enhance the system's flexibility.

[0030] 8. Placing the storage tube in a sealed box allows the sample vials to enjoy a unique temperature and humidity storage environment, meeting the environmental requirements for sample storage. At the same time, it can also create a lower storage temperature environment to meet the specific sample storage requirements.

[0031] 9. Placing the storage tube in a sealed box prevents heat leakage, facilitating the creation of a storage environment below -25°C. This allows the use of conventional materials, devices, components, and mechanisms, reducing equipment costs and improving safety and reliability. It meets the requirements for conventional actuators operating in environments above -25°C (>-25°C).

[0032] 10. The gas sealing mechanism achieves self-efficient sealing by relying on the mass of the sealing ball and the principle of universal gravitation, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the system.

[0033] 11. The gas storage chamber in the gas transmission mechanism can be equipped with multiple gas transmission mechanisms, which reduces the number of gas transmission pipes, achieves balanced distribution of gas source, reduces airflow fluctuations, and improves the stability of gas transmission.

[0034] 12. The transition and transfer mechanism is equipped with multiple trays and a three-dimensional moving platform, which allows the sample bottle tray to move in the X, Y and Z axes. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the automatic sorting biomedical sample storage system of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic sample bottle sorting device in this invention.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic sorting mechanism in the sample bottle automatic sorting device.

[0038] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the collection body in the automatic sorting mechanism.

[0039] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the sorting section in an automatic sorting mechanism.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the channel switching valve in the automatic sorting mechanism.

[0041] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the outbound channel in an automatic sorting mechanism.

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the return channel in an automatic sorting mechanism.

[0043] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle conveying channel in an automatic sorting mechanism.

[0044] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the drive mechanism layout in the automatic sample bottle sorting device.

[0045] Figure 11 This is a structural diagram of the secondary drive mechanism in the drive mechanism.

[0046] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing channel mechanism in this invention.

[0047] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the upper sealing channel plate in the sealing channel mechanism.

[0048] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of the lower sealing channel plate in the sealing channel mechanism.

[0049] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle storage unit in this invention.

[0050] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of the storage tube in the sample bottle storage unit.

[0051] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of the gas sealing mechanism in this invention.

[0052] Figure 18 This is a schematic diagram of the upper partition structure in a gas sealing mechanism.

[0053] Figure 19 This is a schematic diagram of the middle partition structure in a gas sealing mechanism.

[0054] Figure 20 This is a schematic diagram of the lower partition structure in a gas sealing mechanism.

[0055] Figure 21 This is a schematic diagram of the gas delivery mechanism in this invention.

[0056] Figure 22 This is a schematic diagram of the gas storage tank in the gas transmission system.

[0057] Figure 23 This is a schematic diagram of the transition mechanism in this invention.

[0058] Figure 24 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle transfer tube in the transition transfer mechanism.

[0059] Figure 25 This is a structural diagram of the transition transfer chamber in the transition transfer mechanism.

[0060] Figure 26 This is a schematic diagram of the transition chamber in the transition transfer mechanism.

[0061] Figure 27 This is a schematic diagram of the sample bottle tray in the transition transfer chamber.

[0062] Figure 28This is a schematic diagram of the transfer tray in the transition transfer compartment.

[0063] Figure 29 This is a schematic diagram of the gas pipeline structure in the transition and transfer chamber.

[0064] The components include: 1. Automatic sample bottle sorting device, 2. Sealing channel mechanism, 3. Temperature and humidity control box, 4. Sample bottle storage unit, 5. Gas sealing mechanism, 6. Gas delivery mechanism, 7. Transition and transfer mechanism, and 8. Refrigeration control unit.

[0065] 11. Support frame; 12. Automatic sorting mechanism; 13. Drive mechanism; 14. Short spring; 15. Long spring;

[0066] 121. Collection body; 122. Sorting section; 123. Identification device; 124. Channel conversion valve; 125. Sample bottle outbound channel; 126. Sample bottle return channel; 127. Sample bottle conveying channel;

[0067] 1211. Port body; 1212. Sample bottle outlet end; 1213. Sample bottle inlet port;

[0068] 1221. Sorting section entrance; 1222. Channel body; 1223. Identification device installation port; 1224. Channel conversion valve installation port; 1225. Sample bottle outbound channel port; 1226. Sample bottle return channel port.

[0069] 1241. Motor; 1242. Valve body; 1243. Channel port; 1244. Channel port; 1245. Transition chamber;

[0070] 1251. Entrance end; 1252. Channel body; 1253. Exit end;

[0071] 1261. Entrance end; 1262. Channel body; 1263. Exit end;

[0072] 1271. Entrance end; 1272. Channel body; 1273. Exit end;

[0073] 131. Drive mechanism; 132. Drive mechanism; 133. Drive mechanism; 134. Drive mechanism; 1311. Main drive mechanism; 1312. Secondary drive mechanism; 1313. Hinge; 1314. Gripper;

[0074] 21. Insulation frame; 22. Upper sealing channel plate; 23. Channel sealing ball; 24. Lower sealing channel plate; 221. Upper sealing channel body; 222. Upper sample bottle channel; 223. Upper transition cavity; 241. Lower sealing channel body; 242. Lower sample bottle channel; 243. Lower transition cavity; 244. Arc spherical surface;

[0075] 41. Sealed box; 42. Storage tube; 43. Sample bottle; 411. Refrigeration medium exchange port;

[0076] 51. Insulation frame; 52. Upper partition; 53. Gas sealing ball; 54. Middle partition; 55. Lower partition; 521. Upper partition through hole; 522. Ventilation groove; 541. Middle partition channel; 551. Lower partition channel hole; 552. Arc-shaped spherical surface.

[0077] 61. Frame; 62. Gas delivery nozzle; 63. Control valve; 64. Gas storage tank; 65. Gas delivery channel; 66. Transmission device;

[0078] 641. Gas storage chamber; 642. Valve interface; 643. Gas supply interface;

[0079] 71. Sample bottle transfer tube; 72. Transition transfer chamber; 73. Rear cover; 74. Front cover; 75. Sample bottle inlet / outlet;

[0080] 711. Interface; 712. Transfer tube body; 713. Sample bottle inlet / outlet;

[0081] 721. Three-dimensional moving platform; 722. Transition chamber; 723. Sample bottle tray; 724. Transfer bracket; 725. Gas delivery pipe;

[0082] 7221. Shelf; 7222. Mounting hole; 7223. Pallet;

[0083] 7231. Sample bottle tray body; 7232. Sample bottle placement hole; 7233. Transfer slot;

[0084] 7241. Handling claw; 7242. Mounting surface; 7243. Air vent; 7244. Positioning platform;

[0085] 7251. Gas inlet, 7252. Gas pipe body, 7253. Gas inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0086] The present invention provides an automated sorting and retrieval system for biomedical samples, such as... Figure 1As shown, the system includes an automatic sample bottle sorting device 1, a sealing channel mechanism 2, a sample bottle storage unit 4, a gas sealing mechanism 5, a gas conveying mechanism 6, and a transition transfer mechanism 7. These components are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The transition transfer mechanism 7 is located on one side of the sample bottle storage unit 4 and interfaces with the automatic sample bottle sorting device 1 and the gas conveying mechanism 6. The entire system is housed within a temperature and humidity control chamber 3, which contains a refrigeration control unit 8 (existing technology). It can also be placed in other environments required for sample bottle storage. All components within the temperature and humidity control chamber 3 form a sealed sample bottle storage and retrieval system. Sample bottles 43 containing samples are stored in the sample bottle storage unit 4. The automatic sample bottle sorting device 1, sealing channel mechanism 2, gas sealing mechanism 5, gas conveying mechanism 6, and transition transfer mechanism 7 work together to complete the storage, retrieval, and handling of the sample bottles.

[0087] The following is a detailed explanation of the specific structure of each part.

[0088] 1. Automatic sample bottle sorting device

[0089] like Figure 2 As shown, the automatic sample bottle sorting device 1 includes a support 11, an automatic sorting mechanism 12, and a drive mechanism 13. The drive mechanism 13 is mounted on the support 11. The automatic sorting mechanism 12 (specifically, the sorting section 122) is connected to the support 11 by a spring, which includes a short spring 14 and a long spring 15, so that the automatic sorting mechanism 12 forms a natural slope on the support 11. The inlet end of the automatic sorting mechanism 12 is high, and the outlet end is low (the inlet 1221 of the sorting section is higher than the sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 and the sample bottle return channel port 1226). Under the action of the conveying gas, the spring vibrates, which facilitates the movement of the sample bottle 43 from the high end to the low end. Under the combined action of the conveying gas, vibration, and downward force, the sample bottle 43 moves forward autonomously.

[0090] like Figure 3As shown, the automatic sorting mechanism 12 includes a collection body 121, a sorting section 122, an identification device 123, a channel switching valve 124, a sample bottle outbound channel 125, a sample bottle return channel 126, and multiple sample bottle conveying channels 127. The sorting section 122 is connected to the bracket 11 by short springs 14 and long springs 15. The identification device 123 is installed on the sorting section 122. The identification device 123 can be an existing QR code reader, RFID reader, etc., which can accurately identify the QR codes or RFID tags on the sample bottles 43. The collection body 121 is located at one end of the sorting section 122, and multiple sample bottle conveying channels 127 are connected to the collection body 121; the other end of the sorting section 122 has two ports, which are connected to the sample bottle outbound channel 125 and the sample bottle return channel 126, respectively. The sorting section 122 is equipped with a channel switching valve 124, which determines whether the sample bottle enters the sample bottle outbound channel 125 or the sample bottle return channel 126.

[0091] like Figure 4 As shown, the collection body 121 has a sample bottle outgoing port 1212 and multiple sample bottle incoming ports 1213 on the port body 1211. The sample bottle outgoing port 1212 is connected to the sorting section inlet 1221 in the sorting section 122, and the sample bottle incoming ports 1213 are connected to the inlet end 1271 in the sample bottle conveying channel 127.

[0092] like Figure 5 As shown, the sorting section 122 has a sorting section inlet 1221 at one end of the channel body 1222, and a sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 and a sample bottle return channel port 1226 at the other end. An identification device mounting port 1223 and a channel switching valve mounting port 1224 are located on the outer side of the channel body 1222. The sorting section inlet 1221 connects to the receiving body 121. The sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 and the sample bottle return channel port 1226 connect to the sample bottle outbound channel 125 and the sample bottle return channel 126, respectively. The identification device mounting port 1223 is used to install the identification device 123, and the channel switching valve mounting port 1224 is used to install the channel switching valve 124.

[0093] like Figure 6As shown, the channel switching valve 124 includes a motor 1241 and a valve body 1242. The motor 1241 is mounted on the channel body 1222 of the sorting section 122. The valve body 1242 is placed in the channel switching valve mounting port 1224 on the channel body 1222 and connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 1241. A transition chamber 1245 is provided inside the valve body 1242. Two channel ports, namely channel port 1243 and channel port 1244, are provided on the side wall of the valve body 1242 and communicate with the transition chamber 1245. One channel port is always connected to the sorting section inlet 1221 in the sorting section 122. The other channel port is switched between the sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 and the sample bottle return channel port 1226 of the sorting section 122 by the rotation of the valve body 1242. To achieve the above objectives, firstly, the diameter of the channel opening connecting to the sorting section inlet 1221 in the sorting section 122 must be larger than the diameter of the other channel opening. This ensures that the other channel opening remains connected to the sorting section inlet 1221 regardless of whether it is switched to the sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 or the sample bottle return channel port 1226. Secondly, if the diameters of the two channel openings are the same, the included angle between the sample bottle outbound channel port 1225 and the sample bottle return channel port 1226 can be 60 degrees (the two channel ports are symmetrically set on the sorting section 122), and the included angle between the two channel openings can be 150 degrees. In this way, with one channel opening connected to the sorting section inlet 1221 and the other channel opening connected to the sample bottle outbound channel port 1225, the motor 1241 drives the valve body 1242 to rotate 150 degrees, and the two channel openings can be switched to connect to the sorting section inlet 1221 and the sample bottle return channel port 1226 respectively.

[0094] like Figure 7 As shown, the sample bottle outgoing channel 125 is a channel body 1252 with an inlet end 1251 and an outlet end 1253. The inlet end 1251 is used to connect to the sample bottle outgoing channel port 1225 on the sorting section 122, and the outlet end 1253 is used to connect to the interface 711 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 of the transition transfer mechanism 7.

[0095] like Figure 8 As shown, the sample bottle return channel 126 is a channel body 1262 with an inlet end 1261 and an outlet end 1263. The inlet end 1261 is used to connect to the sample bottle outgoing channel port 1226 on the sorting section 122, and the outgoing end 1263 is used to connect to the upper port of the storage tube 42.

[0096] like Figure 9 As shown, the sample bottle conveying channel 127 is a channel body 1272 with an inlet end 1271 and an outlet end 1273. The inlet end 1271 is connected to the sample bottle storage port 1213, and the outlet end 1273 is connected to the upper port of the storage tube 42.

[0097] like Figure 10 As shown, there are four sets of drive mechanisms 13: outbound drive mechanism 131, return drive mechanism 132, conveying drive mechanism 133, and a fourth drive mechanism 134. Based on the optimal path principle, the four sets of drive mechanisms drive the sample bottle outbound channel 125, sample bottle return channel 126, and sample bottle conveying channel 127 to predetermined positions (the drive mechanisms and channels are not in a one-to-one correspondence), cooperating to complete outbound, inbound, and return tasks. Each drive mechanism 131 has the same structure. Taking the outbound drive mechanism 131 as an example, its structure is explained as follows... Figure 11 As shown, the system includes a main drive mechanism 1311, a secondary drive mechanism 1312, and a gripper 1314. The secondary drive mechanism 1312 is connected to the power output end of the main drive mechanism 1311, and the gripper 1314 is connected to the power output end of the secondary drive mechanism 1312. The main drive mechanism 1311 employs a screw-nut pair moving mechanism. The screw is mounted on the bracket 11 and connected to the drive motor, and the nut is connected to the screw. The secondary drive mechanism 1312 employs an electric telescopic gripper, which is existing technology. It includes a drive motor and a telescopic frame 1313. The telescopic frame 1313 is connected to the screw of the main drive mechanism 1311 via a nut, and the gripper 1314 is connected to the end of the telescopic frame 1313. Through the cooperation of the main drive mechanism 1311 and the secondary drive mechanism 1312, the sample bottle outbound channel 125, the sample bottle return channel 126, and the sample bottle conveying channel 127 are respectively driven to dock with the relevant components. The outbound drive mechanism 131 drives the outlet end 1253 of the sample bottle outbound channel 125 to connect with the interface 711 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71. The return drive mechanism 132 drives the outlet end 1263 of the sample bottle return channel 126 or the conveying drive mechanism 133 drives the outlet end 1273 of the sample bottle conveying channel 127 to connect with the upper sample bottle channel 222 in the sealing channel mechanism 2 (sample bottle channels 222 at different positions).

[0098] 2. Sealing channel mechanism

[0099] like Figure 12 As shown, the sealing channel mechanism 2 includes a heat insulation frame 21 and a sealing channel plate disposed within the heat insulation frame 21. The sealing channel plate includes an upper sealing channel plate 22 and a lower sealing channel plate 24 that are fastened together. Sample bottle channels and sphere transition chambers are provided in the upper sealing channel plate 22 and the lower sealing channel plate 24, and a channel sealing ball 23 is disposed between the sample bottle channels of the two plates, which can enter the sphere transition chamber.

[0100] like Figure 13 As shown, the upper sealing channel plate 22 has an upper sample bottle channel 222 and an upper transition cavity 223 provided on the upper sealing channel body 221. The upper transition cavity 223 is located in the middle of the four adjacent upper sample bottle channels 222. Figure 14As shown, the lower sealing channel plate 24 has a lower sample bottle channel 242 and a lower transition cavity 243 provided on the lower sealing channel body 241. The lower transition cavity 243 is located in the middle of the four adjacent lower sample bottle channels 242, and the end of the lower sample bottle channel 242 is set as an arc-shaped spherical surface 244. The lower sealing channel plate 24 has an additional arc-shaped spherical surface 244 at the port of the sample bottle channel compared to the upper sealing channel plate 22. The upper sealing channel plate 22 and the lower sealing channel plate 24 are fastened together, and the upper transition cavity 223 and the lower transition cavity 243 form a spherical transition cavity. This spherical transition cavity can accommodate the channel sealing ball 23, which can enter the spherical transition cavity through the arc-shaped spherical surface 244. The upper sample bottle channel 222 and the lower sample bottle channel 242 are aligned one to one, and the channel sealing ball 23 is placed between them. The diameter of the channel sealing ball 23 is larger than the diameters of the upper sample bottle channel 222 and the lower sample bottle channel 242. The channel sealing ball 23 cannot pass through the upper sample bottle channel 222, nor can it fall into the sample bottle channel 242. When there is no gas delivery in the sample bottle channel, the channel sealing ball 23 falls into the arc-shaped spherical surface 244 at the upper end of the lower sample bottle channel 242, sealing the lower sample bottle channel 242, but not blocking the lower end of the upper sample bottle channel 222. By setting the spherical transition cavity as a clearance space for the channel sealing ball 23, the channel is cleared for the sample bottle 43 to pass through.

[0101] When sample bottle 43 needs to be taken out of the warehouse, under the action of high pressure gas, the channel sealing ball 23 is blown into the spherical transition cavity formed by the upper transition cavity 223 and the lower transition cavity 243, opening the port of sample bottle channel 242, and sample bottle 43 enters and passes through the upper sample bottle channel 222.

[0102] The sealing channel mechanism 2 is flexibly connected to the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1 and the sample bottle storage unit 4, which can cause the sealing channel mechanism 2 to vibrate slightly, allowing the channel sealing ball 23 to leave the ball transition cavity and roll back to the arc spherical surface 244 area.

[0103] 3. Sample bottle storage unit

[0104] like Figure 15 As shown, the sample bottle storage unit 4 adopts a bundled tube structure, including a sealed box 41. A refrigerant exchange port 411 is provided on the side wall of the sealed box 41. Storage tubes 42 are vertically distributed inside the sealed box 41. The storage tubes 42 are fixed by tube plates at both ends of the sealed box 41, and both ends of the storage tubes 42 are open. The storage tubes 42 are used to store sample bottles 43, such as... Figure 16 As shown. The functions of the sealed box 41 are: firstly, to provide the sample storage unit with an independent and stable temperature and humidity environment, the temperature of which can be below -25℃; secondly, to isolate the sample storage unit 4 from other institutions or units, so that it has its own exclusive temperature and humidity environment.

[0105] 4. Gas sealing mechanism

[0106] like Figure 17 As shown, the gas sealing mechanism 5 includes a heat insulation frame 51 and an upper partition 52, a middle partition 54, a gas sealing ball 53, and a lower partition 55 connected together from top to bottom within the heat insulation frame 51.

[0107] like Figure 18 As shown, the upper partition 52 has through holes 521 distributed on it, and multiple ventilation grooves 522 are engraved on the inner wall of the through holes. The diameter of the through holes 521 is smaller than the diameter of the gas sealing ball 53, thus restricting the gas sealing ball 53. The outer diameter of the ventilation groove 522 is approximately the same as the diameter of the through hole 541, serving as the channel for high-pressure gas to enter the storage pipe 42.

[0108] like Figure 19 As shown, the partition plate 54 has through holes 541 distributed on it, and a gas sealing ball 53 is installed inside the through hole 541. The diameter of the through hole 541 is larger than the diameter of the gas sealing ball 53, which is the suspension area of ​​the sealing ball and also the channel through which high-pressure gas flows.

[0109] like Figure 20 As shown, the lower partition 55 has through holes 551 distributed on it, and the holes are rounded and chamfered to form an arc-shaped spherical surface 552. The diameter of the arc-shaped spherical surface 552 is no larger than the diameter of the gas sealing ball 53. When the gas sealing ball 53 loses the external pressure, it falls into the spherical arc surface 552 by its own weight, sealing the through holes 551 of the lower partition.

[0110] The diameter of the gas sealing ball 53 is smaller than the inner diameter of the circular through hole 541, and larger than the inner diameter of the upper partition through hole 521 and the lower partition through hole 551. The distribution pattern of the upper partition through hole 521, the circular through hole 541 and the lower partition through hole 551 is consistent with the distribution pattern of the storage tube in the sample bottle storage unit (coaxial and corresponding one-to-one).

[0111] 5. Gas transmission mechanism

[0112] like Figure 21 The gas delivery mechanism 6 includes a frame 61, gas delivery nozzles 62, a control valve 63, a gas storage chamber 64, a gas delivery channel 65, and a transmission device 66. The transmission device 66 is mounted on the frame 61 and employs a screw-nut pair moving mechanism. The screw is mounted on the frame 61, and the nut is connected to the screw. The gas storage chamber 64 is connected to the nut. Multiple gas delivery nozzles 62 are installed on the gas storage chamber 64, and the gas delivery nozzles 62 are connected to the gas storage chamber 64 via the control valve 63. The gas storage chamber 64 is connected to the gas delivery channel 65, which delivers high-pressure gas into the gas storage chamber 64. The transmission device 66 drives the gas delivery nozzles 62 to move.

[0113] like Figure 22As shown, the gas storage chamber 64 includes a gas storage chamber body 641 and a valve interface 642 and a gas delivery interface 643 disposed on the gas storage chamber body 641.

[0114] The operation process of the gas delivery mechanism 6 and the gas sealing mechanism 5 is as follows:

[0115] Under the control of the transmission mechanism 66, the gas delivery nozzle 62 aligns with a row of lower partition through holes 551 on the corresponding lower partition 55. High-pressure gas enters one or more corresponding lower partition through holes 551 on the lower partition 55 through the gas delivery nozzle 62. Under the action of the high-pressure gas, the gas sealing ball 53 is suspended in the corresponding middle channel 541 of the middle partition 54, and the sealing effect fails. The high-pressure gas enters one or more storage tubes 42 through the corresponding venting groove 522 on the upper partition 52, pushing the sample bottle 43 in the storage tube 42 upward. When the gas pressure is released, the gas sealing ball 53 falls into the arc-shaped spherical surface 552 of the lower partition 55 by its own gravity, achieving a self-sealing effect. The gas sealing ball 53 must have a sufficiently high density so that it cannot suspend without the action of high-pressure gas flow.

[0116] 6. Transitional / Relocation Agency

[0117] like Figure 23 As shown, the transition transfer mechanism 7 includes a sample bottle transfer tube 71 and a transition transfer chamber 72. The sample bottle transfer tube 71 is connected to the top of the transition transfer chamber 72. A rear cover plate 73 is provided at the rear of the transition transfer chamber 72, and an openable front cover plate 74 is provided at the front. A sample bottle storage port 75 is provided on the front cover plate 74.

[0118] like Figure 24 As shown, the sample bottle transfer tube 71 has interfaces 711 and sample bottle inlets / outlets 713 at both ends of the transfer tube body 712. The transfer tube body 712 enters the transition chamber 722 through the mounting hole 7222. The interface 711 is connected to the outlet end 1273 of the sample bottle conveying channel 127 or the outlet end 1253 of the sample bottle outgoing channel 125 in the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1. The sample bottles 43 enter and exit the transition transfer chamber 72 through the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713. The sample bottles 43 are transferred between the transition transfer mechanism 7 and the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1 through the sample bottle transfer tube 71.

[0119] like Figure 25As shown, the transition transfer chamber 72 is internally equipped with a three-dimensional moving platform 721, a transition chamber 722, a sample bottle tray 723, a transfer bracket 724, and a gas supply pipe 725. The three-dimensional moving platform 721 is existing technology and is installed inside the transition chamber 722. The transfer bracket 724 is installed at the power output end of the three-dimensional moving platform 721 and is driven by the three-dimensional moving platform 721 to perform three-dimensional movement (up / down, left / right, and forward / backward) to reach the desired position. The sample bottle tray 723 is placed on the pallet 7223 within the transition chamber 722. Figure 26 As shown, the transition chamber 722 includes a frame 7221 and a tray 7223. The upper end of the frame 7221 has mounting holes 7222 for the sample bottle transfer tube 71, which connect to the sample bottle transfer tube 71. The tray 7223 is horizontally arranged and fixed in the frame 7221 for temporarily storing the sample bottle tray 723. A gas delivery pipe 725 is located on the side wall of the transition chamber 722 (specifically on the rear cover plate 73). One end of the gas delivery pipe 725 is positioned directly below the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 within the transition chamber 722. The distance between the gas delivery pipe 725 and the sample bottle transfer tube 71 is equal to the height of the sample bottle tray 723. The other end of the gas delivery pipe 725 is connected to a gas delivery nozzle 62 in the gas delivery mechanism 6.

[0120] like Figure 27 As shown, the sample bottle tray 723 has a sample bottle placement hole 7232 on the sample bottle tray body 7231, and a transport groove 7233 is provided at the bottom of the sample bottle tray body 7231. The sample bottle placement hole 7232 is a stepped through hole with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. The sample bottle 43 is placed at the top, and the bottom is used to support the sample bottle 43 and allow gas to enter, blowing the sample bottle 43 out.

[0121] like Figure 28 As shown, the transfer bracket 724 includes a transport claw 7241, a mounting surface 7242, and a positioning stage 7244. One side of the transport claw 7241 is the positioning stage 7244, used to limit the placement position of the sample bottle tray 7231. The lower bottom surface of the positioning stage 7244 is the mounting surface 7242, used to connect with the three-dimensional moving platform 721. The transport claw 7241 is provided with a vent 7243, which corresponds to the sample bottle placement hole 7232 on the sample bottle tray 7231, ensuring that gas passage is not obstructed even when the sample bottle placement hole 7232 is directly below the transport claw 7241. When the sample bottle tray 723 is placed on the transfer bracket 7244, the transport claw 7241 will block the sample bottle placement hole 7232 on the sample bottle tray 7231 above it. The purpose of providing the vent 7243 is to allow gas to enter the sample bottle placement hole 7232 through the vent 7243. The transport claw 7241 is inserted into the transport slot 7233 at the bottom of the sample bottle tray 723, lifting the sample bottle tray 7231 and moving it in three dimensions within the transition chamber 722 along with the three-dimensional moving platform 721.

[0122] like Figure 29 As shown, the gas supply pipe 725 has gas inlets 7251 and gas inlets 7253 at both ends of the gas supply pipe body 7252. The gas supply pipe body 7252 is mounted on the rear cover plate 73, and the gas inlets 7251 are located directly below the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713. The distance between the gas inlet 7251 and the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713 is the same as the height of the sample bottle tray 723 (the height of the transport claw 7241 is the same as the height of the transport slot 7233). The gas inlet 7253 is connected to a gas nozzle 62 in the gas supply mechanism 6.

[0123] The operation process of the aforementioned transition mechanism 7 is as follows.

[0124] Sample bottles 43 are placed in sample bottle placement holes 7232 on sample bottle tray 723. Sample bottle tray 723 enters and exits the transition mechanism 7 through sample bottle storage port 75, and the three-dimensional moving platform 721 realizes the transportation of sample bottle tray 723 between sample bottle pick-up and drop port 75 and shelf 7221.

[0125] When sample bottles 43 enter the outbound process, they pass through the sample bottle outbound channel 125 of the automatic sample bottle sorting device 1 into the sample bottle transfer tube 71. Sample bottles 43 continuously exit from the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713. The sample bottle tray 723, driven by the three-dimensional moving platform 721, continuously moves, allowing empty sample bottle placement holes 7232 to receive the sample bottles 43 exiting from the inlet / outlet 713, placing each sample bottle 43 into its designated hole. When the sample bottle tray 723 is full of sample bottles 43, or when the number of sample bottles 43 retrieved meets the requirement (but the tray is not yet full), the three-dimensional moving platform 721 temporarily places the sample bottle tray 723 onto the pallet 7223, or moves it out through the sample bottle storage port 75 via the transition mechanism 7, completing the outbound task.

[0126] When sample bottles 43 need to be stored in sample bottle storage unit 4 (during storage), sample bottles 43 are first placed in sample bottle placement holes 7232. Sample bottle trays 723 are placed into transition transfer chambers 72 through sample bottle storage openings 75 and placed on pallets 7223. The three-dimensional moving platform 721 drives the transport claws 7241 into the transport slots 7233 at the bottom of the sample bottle trays 723. To improve the speed at which sample bottle trays 723 enter the transition transfer mechanism 7, if too many sample bottle trays 723 are stored at once, they can be placed on pallets 7223 first. After all the sample bottle trays 723 to be stored have entered the transition transfer mechanism 7, the three-dimensional moving platform 721 drives the sample bottle trays 723 to move to a predetermined position (sample bottle inlet / outlet 713). The second access drive mechanism 132 drives the outlet end 1273 of the sample bottle conveying channel 127 in the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1 to connect with the interface 711 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 in the transition transfer mechanism 7. The four access drive mechanisms may not correspond one-to-one with the channels. According to the optimal path principle, they drive the sample bottle outbound channel 125, the sample bottle return channel 126, and the sample bottle conveying channel 127 to the predetermined position. At this time, the air inlet 7251 of the gas supply pipe 725, the sample bottle placement hole 7232 on the sample bottle tray 723 where the corresponding sample bottle 43 is placed, and the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 are aligned. The control valve 63 that controls the gas supply nozzle 62 connected to the gas supply pipe 725 is opened, and high-pressure gas is blown through the gas supply interface 7253 of the gas supply pipe 725 to the sample bottle placement hole 7232, blowing the sample bottle 43 in the sample bottle placement hole 7232 into the sample bottle transfer tube 71. If the sample bottle placement hole 7232 is directly below the transport claw 7241, the gas blown out from the gas inlet 7253 of the gas supply pipe 725 directly or through the gas guide hole 7243 enters the sample bottle placement hole 7232, blowing the sample bottle out of the sample bottle placement hole 7232 and into the sample bottle transfer pipe 71. In this way, the sample bottles 43 are pneumatically transported one by one through the sample bottle transfer pipe 71 to the sample bottle outgoing channel 125, then enter the sorting section 122, and finally enter the warehousing process according to the warehousing process described in the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1.

[0127] The operation process of the entire system described above is as follows.

[0128] First, a closed channel for sample bottle transport is constructed. Using the relevant drive mechanism 13, the corresponding pipes, interfaces, and nozzles are quickly connected to form a closed channel. For example, the drive mechanism 13 connects the sample bottle transport channel 127 to the upper port of the sample bottle channel in the sealing channel mechanism 2, and the gas delivery nozzle 62 connects to the corresponding lower port of the storage pipe 42. Then, based on the relevant identification device, the sample bottle 43 is accurately captured, achieving precise outbound, return, and inbound transport of the sample bottle 43.

[0129] When a specific sample bottle 43 needs to be retrieved, the gas delivery nozzle 62, under the control of the transmission device 66, connects with the gas sealing mechanism 5 corresponding to the lower port of the storage tube 42 where the sample bottle 43 is located, and enters the lower partition through hole 551 of the sample bottle, and opens one or more control valves 63 according to the instruction.

[0130] Under the action of high-pressure airflow, the gas sealing ball 53 is suspended. The airflow passes through the gas sealing mechanism 5 and enters the corresponding storage tube 42. It then enters the lower sample bottle channel 242 of the sealing channel mechanism 2 through the storage tube 42, blowing the channel sealing ball 23 into the ball transition cavity. At the same time, the sample bottle 43 in the storage tube 42 enters the upper sample bottle channel 222 and then enters the sample bottle conveying channel 127 in the automatic sorting mechanism 12 to achieve sorting.

[0131] Sample bottle 43 enters the collection body 121 through sample bottle conveying channel 127, and then enters the sorting section 12. When sample bottle 43 enters the identification area of ​​identification device 123, the sample bottle information is captured, and it is determined whether the sample bottle 43 is the sample bottle to be taken or the sample bottle 43 that does not need to be taken. The channel is switched through channel switching valve 124. If it is the sample bottle to be taken, the channel switching valve 124 switches to the sample bottle outbound channel 125, and then enters the transition transfer mechanism 7 for the outbound process; if it is not the sample bottle to be taken, the channel switching valve 124 switches to the return channel 126 and enters the return process.

[0132] When storing sample bottles 43 (inbound), the gas supply mechanism 6 and the gas sealing mechanism 5 first blow the channel sealing ball 23 into the ball transition cavity. Simultaneously, one of the four drive mechanisms (which operate according to the optimal working path principle) drives the outlet end 1273 of the sample bottle transport channel 127 to connect with the interface 711 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 in the transition transfer mechanism 7. At this time, the gas inlet 7251 of the gas supply pipe 725, the sample bottle placement hole 7232 on the sample bottle tray 723 where the corresponding sample bottle 43 is placed, and the sample bottle inlet / outlet 713 of the sample bottle transfer tube 71 are aligned. The control valve 63 controlling the gas supply nozzle 62 connected to the gas supply pipe 725 is opened, and high-pressure gas is blown through the gas supply interface 7253 of the gas supply pipe 725 towards the sample bottle placement hole 7232, blowing the sample bottle 43 in the sample bottle placement hole 7232 into the sample bottle transfer tube 71. Gas blown from the gas inlet 7253 of the gas supply pipe 725 directly or through the gas guide hole 7243 enters the sample bottle placement hole 7232, blowing the sample bottle out of the sample bottle placement hole 7232 and into the sample bottle transfer pipe 71. In this way, the sample bottles 43 are pneumatically transported through the sample bottle transfer pipe 71 one by one into the sample bottle transport channel 127, then into the sorting section 122, and finally into the warehousing process as described in the sample bottle automatic sorting device 1.

[0133] Specific embodiments are given below.

[0134] I. Automatic Sample Bottle Sorting Device

[0135] 1. To construct the inductive body 121, set R=50mm, the included angle is 120 degrees, the thickness is 30mm, and process 3 holes with Φ=20mm on the axis with the radius as the hole, with an included angle of 30 degrees between them.

[0136] 2. Fabrication of sorting section 122: The channel body 1222 is designed to be 200mm long, 40mm wide, and 30mm high. A 200mm long through hole with a diameter of Φ=20mm is machined, and a 40mm*20mm slot is cut on it to install the identification device. At the other end, it branches into a "Y" shape with an included angle of 60 degrees, a cross-section of 40*30mm, and a branch length of 60mm. A Φ=20mm hole is machined there. The three holes converge at the "Y"-shaped fork, and a Φ=30mm hole is cut at the confluence of the three holes. A channel conversion valve is then installed there, completing the fabrication of the sorting section.

[0137] 3. Fabrication of the channel switching valve 124: A cylinder with a Φ=30mm diameter and a height of 30mm is fabricated. One face is chamfered at R=1. A cavity with a Φ=26mm diameter and a height of 20mm is carved in the center. Two holes with a Φ=22mm diameter are drilled in the center and perpendicular to the cylinder's axis, forming a 150-degree angle, to create a sample bottle transport channel. The other side of the valve body is connected to a motor. The rotation of the motor drives the valve body to rotate, thus switching the sample bottle channel.

[0138] II. Sealing Channel Mechanism 2

[0139] The insulation frame 21 is designed to be 1000mm long, 800mm wide, and 40mm high, with an insulation layer thickness of 50mm.

[0140] The diameter of the channel sealing ball 23 is Φ=22mm.

[0141] The design measures 900mm in length, 700mm in width, and 40mm in height, with 825 evenly spaced Φ=20mm holes spaced 30mm apart. Φ=22 holes are machined laterally (the axes of Φ=20 and Φ=22 are perpendicular) to form a transition cavity. The plate is then cut laterally to produce two identical sealing plates. On one of these plates, the holes are chamfered with an radius of radius (R=2) to form a 244mm arc spherical surface. This completes the fabrication of the upper and lower sealing channel plates.

[0142] The lower sealing channel plate is then embedded in the heat insulation frame 21, 825 channel sealing balls are placed, and the upper sealing channel plate is then closed and connected together with fasteners. The sealing channel mechanism is now complete.

[0143] III. Sample Bottle Storage Unit 4

[0144] The temperature and humidity control box 1 is designed to be 1200mm long, 1200mm wide, and 1800mm high, with a 50mm thick insulation layer, and is equipped with a temperature and humidity control system.

[0145] The sample bottle storage unit 4 is designed to be 1000mm long, 800mm wide, and 1000mm high. The storage tubes are made of acrylic round tubes with an inner diameter of Φ20mm, an outer diameter of Φ24mm, and a length of 900mm. The upper and lower tube plates are 1000mm long, 800mm wide, and 10mm thick, made of acrylic. Each tube has 33 stepped holes evenly distributed along its long side and 25 stepped holes evenly distributed along its short side, for a total of 825 stepped holes. The hole spacing is 30mm. The large hole of the stepped hole is Φ24mm, and the small hole is Φ20mm. First, the storage tubes are inserted one by one into the Φ24mm holes of the lower tube plate, then the storage tubes are inserted one by one into the Φ24mm holes of the upper tube plate and secured. The storage tube bundle is now complete. An insulation layer with a thickness of 50mm is installed around the longitudinal perimeter of the storage tube bundle. Four Φ100 cooling medium exchange holes are left on two symmetrical sides, with a spacing of 400mm between the holes on the same side, for installing cooling medium exchange ports. The sample bottle storage unit is now complete.

[0146] IV. Gas sealing mechanism 5

[0147] 1) Make an insulation frame with dimensions of 1000*800*35mm and an insulation layer thickness of 50mm.

[0148] 2) The upper partition is 1000mm long, 800mm wide and 10mm thick, made of engineering plastic, with 825 ventilation slots and through holes evenly distributed, corresponding one-to-one with the 825 holes of the storage unit tube bundle. The center distance of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line, the inner diameter of the through hole is Φ10mm, the ventilation slot size is 15*2mm, and there are 6 evenly distributed ventilation slots.

[0149] 3) The pneumatic channel is 1000mm long, 800mm wide, and 15mm thick. It is made of engineering plastic and has 825 ventilation slots and holes that correspond one-to-one with the 825 holes on the upper partition. The center of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line and the diameter of the hole is Φ15mm.

[0150] 4) The lower partition is 1000mm long, 800mm wide, and 10mm thick. It is made of stainless steel and has 825 ventilation slots and holes that correspond one-to-one with the 825 holes in the upper and middle partitions. The center of the outer hole is 140mm from the edge line, the diameter of the hole is Φ10mm, and the rounded chamfer is R2.

[0151] 5) The diameter of the gas sealing ball is Φ12mm.

[0152] 6. Install the lower partition, sealing ball, middle partition, and upper partition into the heat insulation frame in sequence, and connect them together with fasteners. The gas sealing mechanism is now assembled.

[0153] The refrigeration control unit, gas delivery mechanism, gas sealing mechanism, sample bottle storage unit, transition transfer mechanism, and sample bottle retrieval mechanism are assembled into one unit through auxiliary connectors and placed in the temperature control mechanism. Then, the relevant actuators are installed separately, and a multi-channel friction-type sample bottle retrieval system is assembled.

[0154] V. Transitional Transfer Agency 7

[0155] 1) Front cover, designed to be 1000*1200*10mm, with a 300*100mm opening in the center.

[0156] 2) Transition compartment, designed to be 1000*1200*300mm, with a Φ22mm hole centered at the top.

[0157] 3) The rear cover plate is designed to be 1000*1200*10mm, with a Φ12mm hole centered 30mm from the bottom.

[0158] 4) Pallet, designed to be 200*140*10mm.

[0159] 5) Tray, designed to be 240*140*40mm, with 45 sample bottle placement holes evenly distributed. The placement holes are stepped through holes, with the upper part having a dimension of Φ=20mm and a depth of 30mm, and the lower part having a dimension of Φ10mm and a depth of 10mm. On the other side, there are two symmetrical 30*5mm slots with a spacing of 140mm.

[0160] 6) The transfer bracket is designed in a 200*150mm "U" shape. At the bottom of the "U" shape, a 200*10*20mm boss is created to restrict the tray's position. The claws are 140mm long, 30mm wide, and 5mm thick, with a 140mm distance between the two claws (corresponding to the tray's groove). Five Φ10mm holes are drilled on each claw, their positions corresponding to the tray's horizontal holes. A 30*50*20mm boss is created on the bottom edge of the "U" shape for connection to the 3D moving platform.

[0161] 7) Install the pallet and the three-dimensional moving platform onto the transition chamber in sequence, connect the transfer bracket to the three-dimensional moving platform, and connect the front cover plate and the rear cover plate to the transition chamber. The transition transfer mechanism is now complete.

Claims

1. An automated sorting and retrieval system for biomedical samples, characterized in that, It includes an automatic sample bottle sorting device, a sealing channel mechanism, a sample bottle storage unit, a gas sealing mechanism, a gas conveying mechanism, and a transition transfer mechanism, which are arranged sequentially from top to bottom; The automatic sample bottle sorting device includes a support, an automatic sorting mechanism, and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is mounted on the support. The automatic sorting mechanism includes a collection body, a sorting section, a channel conversion valve, a sample bottle outgoing channel, a sample bottle returning channel, and a sample bottle conveying channel. One end of the sorting section has a collection body connected to at least one sample bottle conveying channel. The other end of the sorting section has two branch ports, which are respectively connected to the sample bottle outgoing channel and the sample bottle returning channel. A channel conversion valve is installed at the intersection of the two branch ports. The sorting section is connected to the support by a spring and is in an inclined state. At least one drive mechanism is provided to drive the sample bottle conveying channel or the sample bottle outgoing channel to dock with the transition transfer mechanism, or to drive the sample bottle returning channel to dock with the sealing channel mechanism. The sealing channel mechanism includes a heat insulation frame, a sealing channel plate, and a channel sealing ball. The sealing channel plate is provided with a sample bottle channel and a ball transition cavity. The sample bottle channel is provided with a cavity to accommodate the channel sealing ball. The channel sealing ball is located in the cavity and the cavity is connected to the ball transition cavity.

2. The automated sorting and retrieval system for biomedical samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas sealing mechanism includes a heat insulation frame and an upper partition, a middle partition, and a lower partition connected together from top to bottom within the heat insulation frame. The upper partition has upper through holes, and the inner wall of each through hole is engraved with a venting groove. The middle partition has circular through holes, each containing a sealing ball, the diameter of which is larger than the diameter of the sealing ball. The lower partition has lower through holes. The diameter of the sealing ball is smaller than the inner diameter of the circular through holes but larger than the inner diameters of the upper and lower through holes. The distribution of the upper, circular, and lower through holes is consistent with the distribution of the storage tubes in the sample bottle storage unit.

3. The automated sorting and retrieval system for biomedical samples according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transition transfer mechanism includes a sample bottle transfer tube, a sample bottle inlet / outlet, a transition transfer chamber, and a gas delivery tube. The sample bottle transfer tube is connected above the transition transfer chamber. The transition transfer chamber contains a three-dimensional moving platform, a transition chamber, a sample bottle tray, and a transfer bracket. The transfer bracket is installed at the power output end of the three-dimensional moving platform. The transition chamber includes a frame and a tray. The tray is fixed in the frame, and the sample bottle tray is placed on the tray. The gas delivery tube is located on the side wall of the transition chamber. One end of the gas delivery tube inside the transition chamber is opposite to the port of the sample bottle transfer tube, and the other end of the gas delivery tube is connected to the gas delivery mechanism. The sample bottle tray has sample bottle placement holes on its body and a transport groove at the bottom. The sample bottle placement holes are stepped through holes with a larger diameter at the top and a smaller diameter at the bottom. The transfer bracket is equipped with transport claws, and the transport claws have air guide holes.

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