A hopper rotating mechanism, a hopper assembly and a sample analyzer

Abstract

The application discloses a hopper rotating mechanism, a hopper assembly and a sample analyzer. The hopper rotating mechanism comprises a support, a linear motion assembly, a guide seat and a shaft assembly. The linear motion assembly is connected with the support and is used for pushing the hopper to move linearly. The guide seat is provided with a guide rail, and the shaft assembly is matched with the guide rail and is used for being movably connected with the hopper, so that the orientation of the hopper can be changed in the linear motion process, thereby the movement reversing problem of the hopper in a narrow space can be solved, and smooth movement of the hopper can be ensured without increasing the volume of the sample analyzer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of sample analysis technology, and in particular to a hopper rotation mechanism, a hopper assembly, and a sample analyzer. Background Technology

[0002] Existing sample analyzers require reagent cards to perform certain tests when testing samples. Therefore, a hopper is used to store and place the reagent cards. However, since the hopper can only move in a straight line, the size of the sample analyzer must be increased in order to facilitate the replacement of reagent cards in the hopper.

[0003] Increasing the volume of a sample analyzer leads to an increase in its cost and footprint, which is contrary to the research direction of reducing the volume of the sample analyzer. Therefore, a method is needed where the hopper can facilitate the replacement of reagent cards without increasing the volume of the sample analyzer. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a hopper rotation mechanism to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. The hopper rotation mechanism includes:

[0005] support;

[0006] A linear motion assembly is connected to the support; the linear motion assembly includes a pusher for being movably connected to the hopper, and the linear motion assembly is configured to output a force along a first direction through the pusher to act on the hopper;

[0007] A guide seat is mounted on the bracket and is provided with a guide rail;

[0008] A shaft assembly, which mates with the guide rail and is used for movable connection with the hopper;

[0009] The guide rail is configured such that as the pusher pushes the hopper to move in the first direction, the shaft assembly moves along the guide rail and causes the hopper to rotate about the shaft assembly.

[0010] The guide track includes a first track that gradually moves away from the first direction; the guide track also includes a second track that is parallel to the first direction and is connected to the first track.

[0011] The guide seat includes a support surface parallel to the first direction, and the shaft assembly engages with the support surface in a rolling friction configuration.

[0012] The shaft assembly includes a shaft, a support portion, and a plurality of balls. The support portion is mounted on the shaft and has a surface facing the support surface. The balls are mounted in the support portion and protrude from the surface. As the shaft assembly moves along the guide rail, the balls roll on the support surface.

[0013] The linear motion assembly further includes a motor, a screw, and a mating component. The motor drives the screw to rotate. The mating component is slidably engaged with the bracket and has a screw hole. The screw engages with the screw hole to drive the mating component to move the pushing component along the first direction.

[0014] The guide rail includes a first end and a second end; when the shaft assembly is located at the first end, the pusher and the shaft assembly are used to limit the hopper to a first state; when the shaft assembly is located at the second end, the pusher and the shaft assembly are used to limit the hopper to a second state, wherein the hopper in the second state is rotated 90 degrees relative to the hopper in the first state.

[0015] To address the aforementioned problems, this application also provides a hopper assembly, comprising:

[0016] silos; and

[0017] The hopper rotating mechanism described above;

[0018] The pusher of the hopper rotation mechanism is movably connected to the hopper, and the shaft assembly of the hopper rotation mechanism is movably connected to the hopper.

[0019] The pushing member is movably connected to the hopper at its side, allowing the pushing member to apply a force along the first direction to the hopper and a supporting force along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0020] The shaft assembly is movably connected to the hopper at the top surface of the hopper.

[0021] To address the above problems, this application also provides a sample analyzer, comprising:

[0022] Detection components are used to detect samples; and

[0023] The silo assembly as described above;

[0024] The detection component is arranged adjacent to the hopper component.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this application are as follows: Unlike existing technologies, the hopper rotation mechanism of this application includes a support, a linear motion component, a guide seat, and a shaft assembly. The linear motion component is connected to the support and is used to drive the hopper to move linearly. The guide seat is equipped with a guide rail, and the shaft assembly cooperates with the guide rail to move with the hopper, realizing the change of the hopper's orientation during linear motion. This solves the problem of hopper reversal in narrow spaces and ensures smooth hopper movement without increasing the volume of the sample analyzer. Simultaneously, it also facilitates the replacement of reagent cards in the hopper, improving ease of use. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the hopper rotation mechanism of this application;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the shaft assembly of this application;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the hopper rotation mechanism of this application;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the sample analyzer of this application;

[0030] Reference numerals: Sample analyzer A; hopper assembly 100; detection assembly 200; card transfer mechanism 300; hopper rotation mechanism 1; bracket 10; guide rail 11; linear motion assembly 20; pusher 21; motor 22; screw 23; mating part 24; guide seat 30; guide rail 31; support surface 32; hopper 40; partition 41; shaft assembly 50; shaft 51; support part 52; ball bearing 53; first direction X. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to this application are shown in the accompanying drawings, not the entire structure. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0032] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0033] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0034] The hopper in this application can be used to store reagent strips (or reagent cards), which the sample analyzer uses to test the sample. Therefore, the reagent strips in the hopper are gradually consumed during the operation of the sample analyzer and need to be refilled. In contrast, the hoppers in existing sample analyzers use linear motion, resulting in a large sample analyzer size.

[0035] This application provides a hopper rotation mechanism for a sample analyzer. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the hopper rotation mechanism of this application. The hopper rotation mechanism 1 of this application includes a support 10, a linear motion component 20, a guide seat 30, and a shaft assembly 50. The hopper rotation mechanism 1 can be applied in a sample analyzer to store reagent strips, allowing the sample analyzer to detect the sample to be tested via the reagent strips.

[0036] The linear motion assembly 20 is connected to the support 10 and includes a pusher 21 for movably connecting with the hopper 40. The linear motion assembly 20 is configured to output a force along a first direction X via the pusher 21, acting on the hopper 40. A guide seat 30 is mounted on the support 10 and has a guide rail 31. A shaft assembly 50 engages with the guide rail 31 and is movably connected to the hopper 40. The first direction X is the width direction of the sample analyzer.

[0037] The guide rail 31 is configured such that as the pusher 21 pushes the hopper 40 to move along the first direction X, the shaft assembly 50 moves along the guide rail 31 and causes the hopper 40 to rotate around the shaft assembly 50.

[0038] That is, in this embodiment, since the pusher 21 is connected to the hopper 40, and the shaft assembly 50 is also connected to the hopper 40, when the pusher 21 pushes the hopper 40 to move along the first direction X, the shaft assembly 50, which is also connected to the hopper 40, will also move accordingly. Furthermore, due to the restriction of the shaft assembly 50's movement trajectory by the guide rail 31, the shaft assembly 50 cannot move along a path parallel to the first direction X. When the shaft assembly 50 moves along the guide rail 31, the hopper 40 will turn due to the pull of the shaft assembly 50.

[0039] In summary, the pusher 21 of the linear motion component 20 is movably connected to the hopper 40, and the hopper 40 is movably connected to the shaft assembly 50. Furthermore, the moving path of the pusher 21 is different from the moving path of the shaft assembly 50. This allows the hopper 40 to move along the first direction X under the action of the pusher 21, while simultaneously rotating due to the pull of the shaft assembly 50. This effectively solves the problem of turning the hopper 40 in a narrow space.

[0040] Understandably, since the hopper 40 is movably connected to the pusher 21 and the shaft assembly 50, the hopper 40 can be disassembled and replaced under certain circumstances.

[0041] Optionally, the guide rail 31 includes a first rail and a second rail, wherein the first rail is arranged gradually away from the first direction X. The second rail is arranged parallel to the first direction X and is connected to the first rail.

[0042] For example, the shaft assembly 50 is disposed at one end of the hopper 40. Since the shaft assembly 50 cooperates with the guide rail 31, it moves along the guide rail 31. The hopper 40 is movably connected to the pusher 21, which restricts the linear movement of the hopper 40. Because the shaft assembly 50 pulls one end of the hopper 40 along the guide rail 31, on the first rail, as the first rail gradually moves away from the first direction X, the shaft assembly 50 gradually moves away from the pusher 21, causing the hopper 40 to rotate, thus changing its orientation during linear movement. On the second rail, since the second rail is parallel to the first direction X, the direction of movement of the shaft assembly 50 is the same as the direction of movement of the pusher 21. Therefore, the hopper 40 does not rotate during linear movement. Simultaneously, the first and second rails are connected and on the same plane, ensuring the smoothness and stability of the hopper 40's movement / turning.

[0043] Optionally, the guide seat 30 includes a support surface 32 parallel to the first direction X.

[0044] In this design, the shaft assembly 50 and the support surface 32 are engaged by a rolling friction structure. Compared to sliding friction, the rolling friction of this application can better reduce the friction between the shaft assembly 50 and the support surface 32, reduce the wear of the shaft assembly 50 and the support surface 32, ensure the stability of the hopper rotation mechanism 1, and at the same time better achieve the smoothness of the hopper 40's rotation.

[0045] In other embodiments, in order to reduce the friction between the shaft assembly 50 and the support surface 32, the shaft assembly 50 and the support surface 32 may also be fitted together by means of magnetic force, buoyancy, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0046] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the shaft assembly of this application.

[0047] Optionally, the shaft assembly 50 includes a shaft 51, a support 52, and a plurality of balls 53.

[0048] The support portion 52 is mounted on the shaft 51 and has a surface facing the support surface 32. The ball bearing 53 is mounted inside the support portion 52 and protrudes from the surface facing the support surface 32. As the shaft assembly 50 moves along the guide rail 31, the ball bearing 53 rolls on the support surface 32.

[0049] In this embodiment, the shaft 51 is used to connect with the hopper 40, and the support 52 is disposed on the support surface 32 to allow the shaft assembly 50 to move along the guide rail 31. The support 52 and the shaft 51 can be mounted using bearings, allowing the shaft 51 to rotate under the constraint of the support 52, thereby driving the rotation of the hopper 40, reducing friction during turning, and ensuring smooth rotation of the hopper 40.

[0050] The support part 52 rolls on the support surface 32 via the ball bearing 53, reducing the friction between the support part 52 and the support surface 32, ensuring smooth movement between the support part 52 and the support surface 32, reducing wear between the two parts, and ensuring the smooth turning of the hopper 40.

[0051] Optionally, such as Figure 1 As shown, the linear motion assembly 20 also includes a motor 22, a screw 23, and a mating component 24.

[0052] The motor 22 is used to drive the screw 23 to rotate. The mating part 24 is slidably engaged with the bracket 10 and is provided with a screw hole. The screw 23 is engaged with the screw hole to drive the mating part 24 to drive the pusher 21 to move along the first direction X.

[0053] Optionally, the bracket 10 includes a guide rail 11, which is set along a first direction X.

[0054] The mating component 24 is provided with a sliding groove (not shown in the figure), which is slidably engaged with the guide rail 11. That is, the mating component 24 is mounted on the guide rail 11 through the sliding groove, and the mating component 24 can move along the guide rail 11 through the sliding groove.

[0055] The mating component 24 engages with the screw 23 via a screw hole, and the motor 22 drives the screw 23 to rotate, thereby moving the mating component 24 along the first direction X through the screw hole. The pushing component 21 is connected to the mating component 24 and is also connected to the hopper 40. The mating component 24 drives the pushing component 21 to move along the first direction X on the guide rail 11, thereby realizing the linear motion component 20 driving the hopper 40 to move along the first direction X.

[0056] It is understandable that the guide rail 11 and the screw 23 are both set along the first direction X, which serves to restrict the movement direction of the mating part 24, thereby restricting the movement of the hopper 40 along the first direction X and ensuring the smoothness and stability of the movement of the hopper 40.

[0057] Optionally, the guide rail 31 includes a first end and a second end.

[0058] When the shaft assembly 50 is located at the first end, the pusher 21 and the shaft assembly 50 are used to limit the hopper 40 to a first state; when the shaft assembly 50 is located at the second end, the pusher 210 and the shaft assembly 50 are used to limit the hopper 40 to a second state. The hopper 40 in the second state is rotated 90 degrees relative to the hopper 40 in the first state.

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second embodiment of the hopper rotation mechanism of this application.

[0060] For example, when the shaft assembly 50 is located at the first end, the shaft assembly 50 is connected to one end of the hopper 40, and the pusher 21 is connected to the other end of the hopper 40. Due to the connection between the shaft assembly 50 and the pusher 21, the hopper 40 is fixed in the first state. At this time, the hopper 40 is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the first direction X. As the pusher 21 pushes the hopper 40 to move along the first direction X, it simultaneously drives the shaft assembly 50 to move on the guide rail 31.

[0061] The movement path on guide rail 31 is not parallel to the movement path 0 of pusher 21 pushing hopper 40, that is, due to the pull of shaft assembly 50 on hopper 40, hopper 40 moves along the first direction.

[0062] It moves in the X direction while rotating.

[0063] When the shaft assembly 50 is at the second end, the pusher 21 reaches the end of the screw 23 away from the motor 22, and the end of the screw 23 away from the motor 22 is aligned with the second end of the guide rail 31.

[0064] Located on the same horizontal line I perpendicular to the first direction X, since both the pusher 21 and the shaft assembly 550 are on the horizontal line I, the hopper 40 has achieved a complete turn. At this time, the hopper 40 is in the second state, facing the direction of the first direction X. Through the above method, the hopper 40 achieves a 90-degree turn during linear movement.

[0065] Unlike existing technologies, the hopper rotation mechanism 1 in this embodiment is configured with a support 10, a linear motion component 20, a guide seat 30, and a shaft assembly 50. The support 10 supports the other components. The linear motion component 20 drives the hopper 40 to move linearly along the first direction X. The shaft assembly 50 is connected to the hopper 40, and the movement path of the shaft assembly 50 on the guide rail 31 of the guide seat 30 is not parallel to the movement path of the hopper 40 driven by the linear motion component 20. Under the action of the thrust of the linear motion component 20 along the first direction X and the pulling force of the shaft assembly 50 along other directions, the hopper 40 can turn during linear movement. This eliminates the need to increase the volume of the sample analyzer to move the hopper 40, enabling smooth movement of the hopper 40 in narrow spaces. Furthermore, the side of the hopper 40 that allows for reagent card replacement can be turned so that it faces the operator after the turn, facilitating reagent card replacement and improving the convenience of reagent use.

[0066] This application also provides a hopper assembly 100, including a hopper 40 and a hopper rotation mechanism 1.

[0067] Optionally, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pusher 21 and the hopper 40 are movably connected at the side of the hopper 40, allowing the pusher 21 to apply a force along the first direction X to the hopper 40 and a supporting force along the second direction Y perpendicular to the first direction X; and the shaft assembly 50 is movably connected to the hopper 40 at the top surface of the hopper 40. It can be understood that the second direction Y is a force opposite to the direction of gravity of the hopper 40, ensuring that the hopper 40 is suspended in the hopper assembly 100.

[0068] In this embodiment, the pusher 21 and the hopper 40 are connected at the side of the hopper 40 via a swivel buckle. While connecting the pusher 21 and the hopper 40, the hopper 40 retains some mobility, allowing it to rotate around the pusher 21 at a certain angle. This ensures that the hopper 40 can rotate under the pull of the shaft assembly 50.

[0069] In other embodiments, the pusher 21 and the hopper 40 may also be connected by other mechanisms, and this application does not limit this.

[0070] like Figure 1 As shown, the pusher 21 is connected to the side of the hopper 40. That is, while the pusher 21 provides the hopper 40 with a pushing force in the first direction X, it can also provide the hopper 40 with a supporting force in the second direction Y, ensuring that the hopper 40 is suspended and connected to the linear motion component 20.

[0071] The shaft assembly 50 is movably connected to the hopper 40 at the top surface of the hopper 40. As described above, the connection between the shaft assembly 50 and the hopper 40 is actually the connection between the shaft 51 in the shaft assembly 50 and the hopper 40. In this embodiment, the end of the shaft 51 near the hopper 40 may be threaded, and the hopper 40 may be provided with a threaded hole corresponding to the thread on the shaft 51. The shaft 51 and the hopper 40 are connected through the thread and the threaded hole. The shaft 51 and the support part 52 in the shaft assembly 50 may be connected by a bearing, that is, the shaft 51 can rotate under the restriction of the support part 52, and drive the hopper 40 to rotate. Thus, the shaft assembly 50 is connected to the hopper 40, and the hopper 40 can be rotated.

[0072] In other embodiments, the shaft 51 and the hopper 40 may also be connected via other rotatable structures, while the shaft 51 and the support 52 are fixedly connected; or the shaft 51 and the hopper 40 may be connected via rotatable structures, and the shaft 51 and the support 52 may also be connected via rotatable structures. This application does not impose any limitations on the implementation of the hopper assembly 100's functions.

[0073] By cooperating with the pusher 21 and the shaft assembly 50, the hopper 40 can be turned during linear movement without the need for additional linear guides. This allows the hopper 40 to move within the sample analyzer, reducing the size of the hopper assembly 100 and improving the user experience.

[0074] Optionally, the silo 40 includes a partition 41.

[0075] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the hopper rotation mechanism 1 is applied to the sample analyzer to store reagent strips. Since the reagent strips are small and cannot be stacked, multiple compartments 41 need to be set in the hopper 40 to accommodate multiple reagent strips, thereby improving the space utilization of the hopper 40.

[0076] It is understood that when the silo component 100 is applied in other scenarios, the space in the silo 40 can be handled according to actual needs, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0077] Please see Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the sample analyzer of this application.

[0078] This application also provides a sample analyzer A, including a hopper assembly 100 and a detection assembly 200. The sample analyzer A can be an immunoassay analyzer or a hematology analyzer, etc., and the sample can be whole serum or blood cells, etc.

[0079] The detection component 200 is used to detect samples. In this embodiment, the detection component 200 is used to detect specific immune proteins. The detection component 200 can be equipped with multiple specific protein detection channels to detect different specific proteins, which can improve the accuracy and efficiency of the detection component 200.

[0080] The hopper assembly 100 stores reagent strips. The sample analyzer A uses these reagent strips to test samples. During the testing process, the reagent strips are gradually consumed, so the reagent strips in the hopper 40 need to be refilled to ensure subsequent testing operations. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hopper assembly 100 is located on one side of the sample analyzer A, and the sample analyzer A has an opening on its side (not shown). After the hopper 40 is fully rotated, this opening corresponds to the hopper 40, and the user can fill the hopper 40 with reagent strips through this opening.

[0081] In this embodiment, the detection component 200 and the hopper component 100 can be arranged adjacent to each other, so that the reagent strips in the hopper component 100 can easily reach the detection component 200 for sample testing. In other embodiments, in addition to ensuring that the reagent strips in the hopper component 100 can reach the detection component 200 for sample testing, the detection component 200 is also arranged above the hopper component 100 along the height direction of the sample analyzer A, etc., and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0082] When the hopper 40 is in the first state, the hopper assembly 100 is in the process of sample testing, delivering the reagent strips stored in the hopper 40 into the testing assembly 200 for auxiliary testing. When the reagent strips in the hopper 40 are insufficient, the hopper 40 moves along the first direction X, gradually approaching the opening on the side of the sample analyzer A and turning so that the side of the hopper 40 where the reagent strips are placed faces the opening. When the hopper 40 reaches the second state, that is, when the hopper 40 has fully turned and is located at the opening, the user fills the hopper 40 with reagent strips through the opening. After filling, the hopper 40 returns along the original path, returning to the first state.

[0083] The hopper 40 moves and turns to the opening, making it convenient for the user to fill the reagent strips in the hopper 40. This avoids the possibility of accidentally hitting other components and causing malfunction of the sample analyzer A when filling the reagent strips inside the hopper. After the reagent strips are filled in the second state, the motor 22 drives the hopper 40 back to the first state, repeating the process of sending the reagent strips to the detection component 200.

[0084] Optionally, in order to achieve the above functions, the sample analyzer A provided in this application also includes a card transfer mechanism 300.

[0085] Optionally, the card transfer mechanism 300 includes a card holder assembly and a card hook assembly (not shown).

[0086] The reagent strip holder assembly is spaced apart from the hopper 40 and is used to receive reagent strips from the hopper 40. The hook assembly is movably connected to the reagent strip holder assembly and is used to pull the reagent strip from the hopper 40 and insert it into the reagent strip holder assembly. The reagent strip holder assembly may have a snap-fit ​​structure; when the hook assembly inserts the reagent strip into the reagent strip holder assembly, the snap-fit ​​on the reagent strip holder assembly secures the reagent strip, preventing it from falling off during the movement of the reagent strip transfer mechanism 300 and causing equipment malfunction.

[0087] Optionally, after the hook assembly pulls the reagent strip out of the hopper 40 and inserts it into the strip holder assembly, the sample analyzer A may use a sample addition assembly (not shown) to add a sample to the reagent strip.

[0088] To enable the movement of the card slot assembly, this embodiment includes multiple card slot guide rails and corresponding card slot motors, allowing the card slot assembly to move omnidirectionally within the sample analyzer A.

[0089] The following is the workflow of sample analyzer A in this application:

[0090] When sample analyzer A is in sample detection mode, the hopper 40 is in the first state. The reagent strip holder assembly moves to the side of the hopper 40 and uses the hook assembly to pull out the reagent strip stored in the hopper 40, then inserts the reagent strip into the reagent strip holder assembly. The clips on the reagent strip holder assembly secure the reagent strip to prevent it from falling off. After the reagent strip is secured, the reagent strip holder motor drives the reagent strip holder assembly to move the reagent strip towards the detection component 200. Upon reaching the detection component 200, the hook assembly pulls the reagent strip out of the reagent strip holder assembly and inserts it into the detection component 200 for sample detection.

[0091] After the last reagent strip in the hopper 40 is hooked by the hook assembly, the motor 22 drives the pusher 21 to move the hopper 40 along the first direction X. At the same time, the shaft assembly 50 provides a pulling force to the hopper 40 toward the side opening of the sample analyzer A, so that the hopper 40 gradually turns toward the opening while moving in a straight line.

[0092] When the hopper 40 reaches the opening, the user fills the hopper 40 with reagent strips through the opening, so that the hopper 40 stores enough reagent strips for sample testing.

[0093] Understandably, after the hook assembly picks up the last reagent strip in the hopper 40, the hopper assembly 100 detects insufficient sample volume in the hopper 40 and drives the hopper 40 to the opening to fill the reagent strip. At this time, the strip holder assembly continues to perform sample testing. That is, while the hopper 40 is filling the reagent strip, the sample testing operation in the sample analyzer A continues. Furthermore, when the strip holder assembly returns to the hopper 40 to retrieve the reagent strip, the hopper 40 has already completed the reagent strip filling operation and returned to its first state, ensuring the smoothness and efficiency of the sample analyzer A's operation.

[0094] In this embodiment, a quality detector (not shown) can be provided in the hopper assembly 100 to determine the amount of reagent strips in the hopper 40 by detecting the quality of the hopper 40.

[0095] The sample analyzer A of this application includes a reagent hopper assembly 100, a detection assembly 200, and a reagent strip transfer mechanism 300. The reagent strip transfer mechanism 300 retrieves reagent strips from the reagent hopper assembly 100 and delivers them to the detection assembly 200 for sample testing, thus automating sample testing in the sample analyzer A. Simultaneously, the reagent hopper assembly 100 can be moved to a position convenient for the user to refill the reagent hopper 40, preventing the user from affecting other components of the sample analyzer A or causing biological contamination; this improves the convenience of the sample analyzer A and enhances the user experience.

[0096] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and does not limit the patent scope of this application. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A hopper rotating mechanism, characterized in that it comprises: support; A linear motion assembly is connected to the support; the linear motion assembly includes a pusher for being movably connected to the hopper, and the linear motion assembly is configured to output a force along a first direction through the pusher to act on the hopper; A guide seat is mounted on the bracket and is provided with a guide rail; A shaft assembly, which mates with the guide rail and is used for movable connection with the hopper; The guide rail is configured such that as the pusher pushes the hopper to move in the first direction, the shaft assembly moves along the guide rail and causes the hopper to rotate about the shaft assembly; The guide rail further includes a first end and a second end; when the shaft assembly is located at the first end, the pusher and the shaft assembly are used to limit the hopper to a first state; when the shaft assembly is located at the second end, the pusher and the shaft assembly are used to limit the hopper to a second state, wherein the hopper in the second state is rotated 90 degrees relative to the hopper in the first state. The guide track further includes a first track and a second track. The first track is arranged gradually away from the first direction, and the second track is arranged parallel to the first direction and connected to the first track.

2. The hopper rotating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The guide seat includes a support surface parallel to the first direction, and the shaft assembly engages with the support surface in a rolling friction configuration.

3. The hopper rotating mechanism according to claim 2, characterized in that, The shaft assembly includes a shaft, a support portion, and a plurality of balls. The support portion is mounted on the shaft and has a surface facing the support surface. The balls are mounted inside the support portion and protrude from the surface. As the shaft assembly moves along the guide rail, the balls roll on the support surface.

4. The hopper rotating mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear motion assembly further includes a motor, a screw, and a mating component. The motor drives the screw to rotate. The mating component is slidably engaged with the bracket and has a screw hole. The screw engages with the screw hole to drive the mating component to move the pushing component along the first direction.

5. The hopper rotating mechanism according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bracket includes a guide rail, and the mating component is provided with a sliding groove; the sliding groove is slidably engaged with the guide rail.

6. A hopper assembly, characterized in that, include: silos; and The hopper rotating mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The pusher of the hopper rotation mechanism is movably connected to the hopper, and the shaft assembly of the hopper rotation mechanism is movably connected to the hopper.

7. The hopper assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, The pusher is movably connected to the hopper at the side of the hopper, so that the pusher can apply a force to the hopper in the first direction and a support force to the hopper in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, the shaft assembly is movably connected to the hopper at the top surface of the hopper.

8. A sample analyzer, characterized in that, include: Detection components are used to test samples; and The hopper assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 7; The detection component is arranged adjacent to the hopper component.

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