1ml pipettor and control method thereof
By designing a TIP head detection mechanism in a 1ml pipette, the automatic detection of the TIP head load status is achieved, which solves the problem of manual detection of existing pipettes, and improves the user experience and the efficiency of liquid suction and discharge.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202411799570.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-09
- Publication Date
- 2025-02-14
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-12-09
AI Technical Summary
After loading the TIP head, existing pipettes need to manually or visually detect whether the loading is successful, which affects the user experience.
A 1ml pipette is designed, using a TIP head detection mechanism, and through the cooperation of follower, TIP detection optocoupler and reset elastic member, it can automatically detect whether the TIP head is loaded successfully.
After loading the TIP head, it can automatically detect whether it is loaded, which is more convenient to use. The entire control method can better absorb and drain liquid, improving the convenience of use.
Smart Images

Figure CN119425832A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of pipettes, in particular to a 1ml pipette and a control method thereof. Background Art
[0002] A pipette, also known as a pipette gun, is a measuring tool that transfers liquid from the original container to another container within a certain range. It is widely used in biology, chemistry and other fields. For example, when testing and analyzing blood or urine samples in the testing and laboratory department of a hospital, it is usually necessary to use a pipette to transfer the sample or the corresponding chemical testing aid into the corresponding vessel for testing.
[0003] Conventional pneumatic pipettes usually consist of a pipette body and a TIP head (also called a suction tip), wherein the pipette body is provided with a gun tip used in conjunction with the TIP head. When pipetting is required, the Z-axis drive mechanism of the pipette system first drives the pipette body to move, so that the gun tip of the pipette body extends into the interior of the TIP head to complete the TIP head piercing action, and then repeats the piercing action so that the pipette can replace the TIP head and perform subsequent aspiration actions.
[0004] After the existing pipette body is loaded with the TIP head, it is necessary to manually or visually check whether the loading is successful, which greatly affects the subsequent use experience.
[0005] Therefore, in the patent application of the present invention, the applicant carefully studied a 1ml pipette and a control method thereof to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention
[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art, and its main purpose is to provide a 1ml pipette and a control method thereof, which can simultaneously detect whether the TIP is loaded after the TIP head is loaded, making it more convenient to use. The entire control method can better perform liquid suction and discharge, bringing convenience to use.
[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical scheme:
[0008] A 1ml pipette, comprising a TIP head, a drive control board, a main pump body, an air pressure sensor, a TIP adapter for loading the TIP head, a plunger unit slidably mounted in the main pump body, and a drive mechanism for driving the plunger unit to move relative to the main pump body;
[0009] The TIP head is tightly connected with the loading head of the TIP adapter;
[0010] The TIP head has a first inner cavity, the TIP adapter has a second inner cavity, the main pump body has a third inner cavity, and the first inner cavity is connected to the third inner cavity through the second inner cavity;
[0011] The air pressure sensor has a first detection port for communicating with the third inner cavity and detecting the air pressure in the third inner cavity and a second detection port for communicating with the external environment and performing detection;
[0012] The drive control board is provided with a main control circuit, a drive circuit for driving the drive mechanism, and a zero position detection optical coupler for detecting whether the plunger unit returns to the zero position;
[0013] The main control circuit is respectively connected to the air pressure sensor, the drive circuit and the zero position detection optical coupler;
[0014] The TIP adapter is provided with a TIP head detection mechanism for detecting whether the TIP head is loaded thereon;
[0015] The TIP head detection mechanism includes a follower, a TIP detection optical coupler, a reset elastic member for providing a reset elastic force to the follower, and a sleeve member sleeved on the outer periphery of the loading head of the TIP adapter and movable relative to the loading head;
[0016] The follower is connected to the sleeve to move with the sleeve, and a first baffle is provided on the follower, the first baffle corresponds to the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler, and the first baffle leaves or enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler as the sleeve moves; the driving mechanism can also drive the connected follower to drive the follower to move relative to the main pump body;
[0017] The main control circuit is connected to the TIP detection optical coupler, a limited step portion is formed on the loading head of the TIP adapter, and the socket is located between the TIP head and the limited step portion;
[0018] After the TIP head is loaded onto the loading head of the TIP adapter, the sleeve moves inward until it is clamped between the TIP head and the limiting step portion. At this time, the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter is greater than the resetting elastic force provided by the resetting elastic member to the follower, and the first baffle enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler.
[0019] When the TIP head needs to be unloaded, the driving mechanism drives the follower to move outward, and the socket also moves outward with the follower. At this time, the driving force of the driving mechanism to drive the follower to move is greater than the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter, and the TIP head is squeezed to move outward. At the same time, the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter disappears, and the follower continues to move outward and reset under the action of the reset elastic force. The first baffle leaves the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler, and the socket continues to reset and move outward.
[0020] As a preferred solution, it also includes a bracket;
[0021] The TIP adapter, the drive control board, the main pump body and the drive mechanism are all arranged on the bracket, and the air pressure sensor, the zero position detection optical coupler and the TIP detection optical coupler are all arranged on the drive control board.
[0022] As a preferred solution, the bracket is a U-shaped bracket with an upper opening, and the drive control board covers the upper opening of the U-shaped bracket;
[0023] The U-shaped bracket includes a bottom plate, and a front side plate and a rear side plate respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the upper end of the bottom plate, and the TIP adapter is arranged on the front side plate;
[0024] The main pump body is arranged on the bottom plate, and the front end surface of the main pump body abuts against the rear end surface of the front side plate, and the rear end surface of the front side plate is concavely provided with a truncated cone-shaped groove with a small front end and a large rear end;
[0025] The front side plate has an inverted T-shaped groove inside, the first end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the first detection port, the second end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the second inner cavity, and the third end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the third inner cavity through the truncated cone groove.
[0026] As a preferred solution, the zero position detection optocoupler and the TIP detection optocoupler are both arranged on the lower end surface of the drive control board, and the air pressure sensor is arranged on the upper end surface of the drive control board.
[0027] As a preferred solution, the upper end surface of the drive control board is also provided with a communication interface for connecting to a host computer or a PLC.
[0028] As a preferred solution, two ends of the resetting elastic member are respectively connected to the follower and the main pump body, and the first baffle is arranged on the upper end surface of the follower.
[0029] As a preferred solution, the loading head of the TIP adapter is connected to the front end surface of the front side plate through a fixing block;
[0030] The fixing block has channels respectively communicating with the inverted T-shaped groove and the first inner cavity.
[0031] As a preferred solution, the follower is connected to the sleeve member via a connecting rod;
[0032] A protrusion is convexly provided on the upper end surface of the main pump body; the fixed block has a first through hole extending through it in the front-to-back direction, the front side plate has a second through hole extending through it in the front-to-back direction, the front end of the connecting rod passes through the second through hole and the first through hole and is connected to the socket in sequence, the follower is arranged on the connecting rod and is located on the rear side of the front side plate, the other end of the connecting rod extends into the protrusion, and the two ends of the reset elastic member are respectively connected to the follower and the protrusion.
[0033] As a preferred solution, the protrusion has a third through hole penetrating along the front-to-back direction thereof, and the other end of the connecting rod extends into the third through hole and extends out of the protrusion.
[0034] A control method for a 1 ml pipette, based on the 1 ml pipette, comprises the following steps:
[0035] Step S1, connect the 1ml pipette to the host computer or PLC through RS485 or CAN communication mode, and determine whether the device ID needs to be modified. If the device ID needs to be modified, modify the device ID before entering step S2, otherwise, directly enter step S2;
[0036] Step S2, modifying the usage parameters;
[0037] Step S3, determining whether a new reset speed has been set in step S2, if yes, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the set new reset speed, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the default reset speed;
[0038] Step S4, determine whether to load the TIP header, if yes, proceed to step S5, otherwise, first load the TIP header, then continue to determine whether to load the TIP header, and only proceed to step S5 after the TIP header is successfully loaded;
[0039] Step S5, determining whether new liquid level detection parameters have been set in step S2, if yes, performing liquid level detection according to the set new liquid level detection parameters, and controlling the drive mechanism to reset, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the default reset speed;
[0040] The process proceeds to step S6 only after the liquid level is detected successfully, otherwise an alarm is issued and the process ends;
[0041] Step S6, first suck the liquid and then discharge the liquid, and then determine whether there is suction blockage, discharge blockage or insufficient suction and discharge precision. If there is suction blockage or discharge blockage, an alarm will be issued and the process ends; if the suction and discharge precision is insufficient, the suction and discharge amount is adjusted by the micro-lift pulse coefficient, and then the process proceeds to step S7; if there is no suction blockage, discharge blockage or insufficient suction and discharge precision, the process directly proceeds to step S7;
[0042] Step S7, unload the TIP header and end the control.
[0043] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, it mainly has a TIP head detection mechanism, which can simultaneously detect whether the TIP is loaded after the TIP head is loaded, which is more convenient to use. The entire control method can better absorb and discharge liquid, bringing convenience to use.
[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the structural features and effects of the present invention, it is described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional assembly structure from a second angle of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional assembly structure from a second angle of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] Figure 3 It is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention (protective cover is not shown).
[0048] Figure 4 3. It is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional assembly structure of an embodiment of the present invention from a third angle (protective cover is not shown).
[0049] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of an embodiment of the present invention (protective cover is not shown).
[0050] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the first cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of the present invention (protective cover is not shown).
[0051] Figure 7 2 is a schematic diagram of a second cross-sectional structure of an embodiment of the present invention (protective cover is not shown).
[0052] Figure 8 It is a general principle block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0053] Description of Figure Numbers:
[0054] TIP head 10, first inner cavity 11, protective cover 20, bracket 30, bottom plate 31, front side plate 32, truncated cone groove 321, inverted T-shaped groove 322, second through hole 323, rear side plate 33, drive control board 40, air pressure sensor 41, first detection port 411, second detection port 412, main control circuit 42, RGB indicator circuit 43, drive circuit 44, zero position detection optical coupler 45, communication interface 46, main pump body 50, third inner cavity 51, bump 5 2. The third through hole 521, the TIP adapter 60, the loading head 61, the limiting step portion 611, the second inner cavity 62, the fixing block 63, the channel 631, the first through hole 632, the plunger unit 70, the driving mechanism 80, the driving motor 81, the slide rail 82, the slider 83, the lead screw 84, the threaded sleeve 85, the TIP head detection mechanism 90, the follower 91, the first baffle 911, the TIP detection optical coupler 92, the reset elastic member 93, the socket 94, and the connecting rod 95. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0056] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a 1 ml pipette includes a TIP head 10, a protective cover 20, a bracket 30, a drive control board 40, a main pump body 50, an air pressure sensor 41, a TIP adapter 60 for loading the TIP head 10, a plunger unit 70 slidably mounted in the main pump body 50, and a drive mechanism 80 for driving the plunger unit 70 to move relative to the main pump body 50.
[0057] The TIP adapter 60 , the drive control board 40 , the main pump body 50 and the drive mechanism 80 are all disposed on the bracket 30 .
[0058] The TIP head 10 is tightly connected with the loading head 61 of the TIP adapter 60;
[0059] The TIP head 10 has a first inner cavity 11, the TIP adapter 60 has a second inner cavity 62, and the main pump body 50 has a third inner cavity 51, and the first inner cavity 11 is connected to the third inner cavity 51 through the second inner cavity 62;
[0060] The air pressure sensor 41 has a first detection port 411 for connecting to the third inner cavity 51 and detecting the air pressure in the third inner cavity 51 and a second detection port 412 for connecting to the external environment and detecting;
[0061] The driving control board 40 is provided with a main control circuit 42, an RGB indicator light circuit 43, a driving circuit 44 for driving the driving mechanism 80, and a zero position detection optical coupler 45 for detecting whether the plunger unit 70 returns to the zero position;
[0062] The main control circuit 42 is respectively connected to the air pressure sensor 41 , the RGB indicator light circuit 43 , the driving circuit 44 and the zero position detection optical coupler 45 .
[0063] The driving mechanism can also drive the connected follower to drive the follower to move relative to the main pump body. The driving mechanism 80 includes a driving motor 81, a slide rail 82 arranged on the upper end surface of the bottom plate 31, and a slider 83 slidably mounted on the slide rail 82; the driving motor 81 is a 28mm stepping motor, and a lead screw 84 is fixedly mounted on its output end, and a threaded sleeve 85 is threadedly mounted on the extended end of the lead screw 84, and the threaded sleeve 85 is connected to the slider 83. One end of the plunger unit 70 extends into the third inner cavity 51 and moves relative to the main pump body 50, and the other end of the plunger unit 70 is connected to the threaded sleeve 85.
[0064] The air pressure sensor 41 and the zero position detection optical coupler 45 are both disposed on the drive control board 40. Preferably, the zero position detection optical coupler 45 is disposed on the lower end surface of the drive control board 40, and the air pressure sensor 41 is disposed on the upper end surface of the drive control board 40.
[0065] The upper end surface of the drive control board 40 is also provided with a communication interface 46 for connecting to a host computer or PLC. The communication interface 46 may be an RS485 interface or a CAN communication port. The present embodiment supports both RS485 and CAN communication modes. The host computer or PLCS sends the instruction sequence data frame consisting of the device ID, control instructions and parameters to be set corresponding to the present embodiment to the present embodiment through the RS485 interface or the CAN communication port. After the present embodiment receives the instruction, the program automatically decodes and executes the corresponding action.
[0066] The TIP adapter 60 is provided with a TIP head detection mechanism 90 for detecting whether the TIP head 10 is loaded thereon;
[0067] The TIP head detection mechanism 90 includes a follower 91, a TIP detection optical coupler 92, a reset elastic member 93 for providing a reset elastic force to the follower 91, and a sleeve 94 which is sleeved on the outer periphery of the loading head 61 of the TIP adapter 60 and can move relative to the loading head 61;
[0068] The follower 91 is connected to the sleeve 94 to move with the sleeve 94. Preferably, the follower 91 is connected to the sleeve 94 through a connecting rod 95.
[0069] The follower 91 is provided with a first baffle 911, which corresponds to the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler 92. The first baffle 911 leaves or enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler 92 as the socket 94 moves.
[0070] The main control circuit 42 is connected to a TIP detection optical coupler 92, and the TIP detection optical coupler 92 is disposed on the drive control board 40. Preferably, the TIP detection optical coupler 92 is disposed on the lower end surface of the drive control board 40.
[0071] A limited step portion 611 is formed on the loading head 61 of the TIP adapter 60, and the sleeve 94 is located between the TIP head 10 and the limited step portion 611;
[0072] After the TIP head 10 is loaded onto the loading head 61 of the TIP adapter 60, the sleeve 94 moves inward until it is clamped between the TIP head 10 and the limiting step 611. At this time, the tight fit force between the TIP head 10 and the TIP adapter 60 is greater than the restoring elastic force provided by the restoring elastic member 93 to the follower 91, and the first baffle 911 enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler 92.
[0073] When the TIP head 10 needs to be unloaded, the driving mechanism 80 drives the follower 91 to move outward, and the socket 94 also moves outward along with the follower 91. At this time, the driving force of the driving mechanism 80 to drive the follower 91 to move is greater than the tight fit force between the TIP head 10 and the TIP adapter 60, and the TIP head 10 is squeezed to move outward. At the same time, the tight fit force between the TIP head 10 and the TIP adapter 60 disappears, and the follower 91 continues to move outward and reset under the action of the reset elastic force, the first baffle 911 leaves the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler 92, and the socket 94 continues to reset and move outward.
[0074] Specifically, when the TIP head 10 needs to be unloaded, the driving motor 81 drives the slider 83 to move toward the plunger unit 70 until it abuts against the other end of the connecting rod 95, and the slider 83 pushes the connecting rod 95 to move outward, and then the follower 91 and the sleeve 94 also move outward;
[0075] At this time, the driving force of the driving mechanism 80 to drive the follower 91 to move is equivalent to the squeezing force of the socket on the TIP head. Since the driving force of the driving mechanism 80 to drive the follower 91 to move is greater than the tight fit between the TIP head 10 and the TIP adapter 60, the TIP head 10 is squeezed to move outward and separate from the TIP adapter 60 (i.e., the TIP head 10 is unloaded). At this time, the driving motor 81 stops operating, and the follower 91 continues to move outward and reset under the action of the reset elastic force. The first baffle 911 leaves the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler 92, and the socket 94 continues to reset and move outward.
[0076] In this embodiment, the bracket 30 is a U-shaped bracket with an upper opening, and the drive control board 40 covers the upper opening of the U-shaped bracket;
[0077] The U-shaped bracket includes a bottom plate 31 and a front side plate 32 and a rear side plate 33 respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the upper end of the bottom plate 31 .
[0078] The TIP adapter 60 is disposed on the front side plate 32; preferably, the loading head 61 of the TIP adapter 60 is connected to the front end surface of the front side plate 32 through a fixing block 63. The fixing block 63 has a channel 631 respectively connected to the inverted T-shaped groove 322 and the first inner cavity 11.
[0079] The main pump body 50 is disposed on the bottom plate 31 and the front end surface of the main pump body 50 abuts against the rear end surface of the front side plate 32. The rear end surface of the front side plate 32 is concavely provided with a truncated cone-shaped groove 321 which is smaller in front and larger in the rear.
[0080] The front side plate 32 has an inverted T-shaped groove 322 inside, a first end of the inverted T-shaped groove 322 is connected to the first detection port 411 , a second end of the inverted T-shaped groove 322 is connected to the second inner cavity 62 , and a third end of the inverted T-shaped groove 322 is connected to the third inner cavity 51 through the truncated cone groove 321 .
[0081] Two ends of the resetting elastic member 93 are respectively connected to the follower 91 and the main pump body 50 , and the first blocking piece 911 is disposed on the upper end surface of the follower 91 .
[0082] The upper end surface of the main pump body 50 is convexly provided with a protrusion 52; the fixed block 63 has a first through hole 632 extending therethrough in the front-to-back direction, and the front side plate 32 has a second through hole 323 extending therethrough in the front-to-back direction. The front end of the connecting rod 95 passes through the second through hole 323 and the first through hole 632 and is connected to the socket 94 in sequence, and the follower 91 is arranged on the connecting rod 95 and is located on the rear side of the front side plate 32. The other end of the connecting rod 95 extends into the protrusion 52, and the two ends of the reset elastic member 93 are respectively connected to the follower 91 and the protrusion 52.
[0083] The protrusion 52 has a third through hole 521 extending through the protrusion 52 in the front-to-back direction. The other end of the connecting rod 95 extends into the third through hole 521 and extends out of the protrusion 52 .
[0084] A control method for a 1 ml pipette, based on the 1 ml pipette, comprises the following steps:
[0085] Step S1, connect the 1ml pipette to the host computer or PLC through RS485 or CAN communication mode, and determine whether the device ID needs to be modified. If the device ID needs to be modified, modify the device ID before entering step S2, otherwise, directly enter step S2;
[0086] Step S2, modifying the usage parameters;
[0087] Step S3, determining whether a new reset speed has been set in step S2, if yes, controlling the drive mechanism 80 to reset according to the set new reset speed, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism 80 to reset according to the default reset speed;
[0088] Step S4, determine whether the TIP header 10 is loaded, if yes, proceed to step S5, otherwise, first load the TIP header 10, then continue to determine whether the TIP header 10 is loaded, and then proceed to step S5 after the TIP header 10 is successfully loaded;
[0089] Step S5, determining whether new liquid level detection parameters have been set in step S2, if yes, performing liquid level detection according to the set new liquid level detection parameters, and controlling the drive mechanism 80 to reset, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism 80 to reset according to the default reset speed;
[0090] The process proceeds to step S6 only after the liquid level is detected successfully, otherwise an alarm is issued and the process ends;
[0091] Step S6, first suck the liquid and then discharge the liquid, and then determine whether there is suction blockage, discharge blockage or insufficient suction and discharge precision. If there is suction blockage or discharge blockage, an alarm will be issued and the process ends; if the suction and discharge precision is insufficient, the suction and discharge amount is adjusted by the micro-lift pulse coefficient, and then the process proceeds to step S7; if there is no suction blockage, discharge blockage or insufficient suction and discharge precision, the process directly proceeds to step S7;
[0092] Step S7, unloading the TIP head 10, and ending the control.
[0093] In this embodiment, if the reagent is fixed in a position for extraction, the user can only move the reagent container to the TIP head 10 of this embodiment to perform the suction and discharge actions. This certainly cannot meet the user's flexible and convenient suction and discharge needs, so a Z-axis drive device is required to carry this embodiment to move up and down in the vertical direction. By controlling this Z-axis drive device, the lifting and lowering of this embodiment can be achieved (the forward and backward movement described in this embodiment becomes downward and upward movement, respectively), so as to facilitate the suction and discharge actions.
[0094] In this embodiment, the liquid level detection in step S5 includes air pressure liquid level detection and capacitance liquid level detection.
[0095] The description of liquid level detection is as follows:
[0096] After the TIP head 10 is loaded on the TIP adapter 60, the user uses the Z-direction drive device to drive the present embodiment to move downward into the reagent container. Before it contacts the container, the entire gas path is the same as the external atmospheric pressure. When the drive control board 40 sends an air pressure detection preparation, the drive motor of the present embodiment drives the plunger unit 70 to retreat a certain distance, and then the drive control board 40 sends an air pressure detection instruction again. The present embodiment will push the plunger unit 70 to move back to the zero position at a certain speed. When the TIP head 10 contacts the reagent, the liquid will enter the TIP head 10, causing the air pressure in the third inner cavity 51 to change. After the air pressure sensor 41 detects the change in the air pressure value, the corresponding air pressure value data will be transmitted to the main control circuit 42. The drive control board 40 will determine whether the conditions for detecting the reagent liquid level are met after calculating and comparing the set air pressure detection threshold. If it meets the conditions, it will automatically stop driving the plunger unit 70 to move, and it will be determined that the liquid level is detected successfully. If the plunger unit 70 moves to the zero position and the air pressure value data output by the air pressure sensor 41 does not meet the standard of reaching the reagent liquid level, it will be judged that the liquid level detection has failed, and the output status is liquid level detection failure, and an alarm will be issued.
[0097] The description of liquid level detection is as follows:
[0098] Capacitive liquid level detection requires a prerequisite that the reagent has a conductive property. Through the TIP head 10 with a conductive function, the TIP adapter 60 is connected to the IPX terminal socket of the capacitance detection circuit of the drive control board 40 using a coaxial line. When the present embodiment moves to the reagent surface, the conductive property of the reagent will cause the capacitance value between the TIP head 10 and the capacitance detection circuit to change. The capacitance detection circuit will output the detected capacitance value to the main control circuit 42. After the main control circuit 42 calculates and compares with the pre-set capacitance detection threshold, when the obtained capacitance value is greater than the set capacitance detection threshold, it is judged that the liquid level is detected. When the obtained capacitance value is less than the pre-set capacitance detection threshold, it is judged that the liquid level has not been detected, and an alarm is issued. At this time, the user can choose to continue the detection until it is detected or stop when the reagent is insufficient.
[0099] In this embodiment, in step S6, two states, namely, the blockage suction state and the blockage discharge state, are described as examples.
[0100] Define the external air pressure value as 2980, the air pressure value during liquid suction as 2965, the air pressure value during liquid discharge as 3000, set the suction and blockage parameters, i.e. the lower limit of the air pressure value, to 2950, and set the blockage removal parameters, i.e. the upper limit of the air pressure value, to 3050)
[0101] 1) Description of the suction blockage problem: In actual use, the reagent sample or the solution to be tested may have clots or impurities. When the diameter of the clots or impurity particles is larger than the inner diameter of the suction hole of the TIP head 10, the clots or impurities will block the TIP head 10 during the suction process of this embodiment, and the reagent or the solution to be tested cannot be sucked into the TIP head 10. At this time, the present embodiment is still performing the suction action, which is equivalent to the action of vacuuming in the third inner cavity 51. There will be a negative pressure in the air pressure sensor 41, and the actual air pressure value of the air pressure sensor 41 will be less than the pressure value during the suction. By setting a lower limit of the air pressure value, that is, less than the air pressure value during the suction, when the actually read air pressure value (for example: the actually read air pressure value is 2935) is less than the set lower limit of the air pressure (2950), the software of the drive control board 40 automatically determines that it is suction blockage based on calculation.
[0102] 2) Blockage problem description: In actual use, the reagent sample or the solution to be tested may have clots or impurities. When the diameter of the clots or impurity particles is larger than the inner diameter of the suction hole of the TIP head 10, the clots or impurities may be sucked into the TIP head 10 at a certain angle. In the process of discharging liquid in this embodiment, the clots or impurities may also block the TIP head 10 after turning over inside the TIP head 10, and the reagent or the solution to be tested cannot be discharged from the TIP head 10. At this time, the present embodiment is still discharging liquid, which is equivalent to When the plunger unit 70 squeezes the gas in the third inner cavity 51, the pressure in the air pressure sensor 41 will increase, and the actual air pressure value of the air pressure sensor 41 will be lower than the pressure value when discharging liquid. By setting an upper limit of the air pressure value, that is, higher than the air pressure value when discharging liquid, the software of the driving control board 40 reads the air pressure value in the cavity in real time. When the actually read air pressure value (for example, the actually read air pressure value is 3070) is higher than the set upper limit of the air pressure (3050), the software of the driving control board 40 automatically determines that the drainage is blocked according to calculation.
[0103] By setting the suction parameter, i.e., the lower limit of the air pressure value, and the discharge parameter, i.e., the upper limit of the air pressure value, the software of the drive control board 40 can calculate and determine whether there is a blockage based on this setting. After that, the RGB indicator light circuit 43 will display red and status information prompts, so that the terminal user can know the operating status of this embodiment in real time.
[0104] The key points of the design of the present invention are: it is mainly a TIP head detection mechanism, which can simultaneously detect whether the TIP is loaded after the TIP head is loaded, which is more convenient to use, and the entire control method can better perform liquid suction and discharge, bringing convenience to use.
[0105] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. Therefore, any slight modifications, equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention are still within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. A 1 ml pipette, characterized in that: It includes a TIP head, a drive control board, a main pump body, an air pressure sensor, a TIP adapter for loading the TIP head, a plunger unit slidably mounted in the main pump body, and a driving mechanism for driving the plunger unit to move relative to the main pump body; The TIP head is tightly connected with the loading head of the TIP adapter; The TIP head has a first inner cavity, the TIP adapter has a second inner cavity, the main pump body has a third inner cavity, and the first inner cavity is connected to the third inner cavity through the second inner cavity; The air pressure sensor has a first detection port for communicating with the third inner cavity and detecting the air pressure in the third inner cavity and a second detection port for communicating with the external environment and performing detection; The drive control board is provided with a main control circuit, a drive circuit for driving the drive mechanism, and a zero position detection optical coupler for detecting whether the plunger unit returns to the zero position; The main control circuit is respectively connected to the air pressure sensor, the drive circuit and the zero position detection optical coupler; The TIP adapter is provided with a TIP head detection mechanism for detecting whether the TIP head is loaded thereon; The TIP head detection mechanism includes a follower, a TIP detection optical coupler, a reset elastic member for providing a reset elastic force to the follower, and a sleeve member sleeved on the outer periphery of the loading head of the TIP adapter and movable relative to the loading head; The follower is connected to the sleeve to move with the sleeve, and a first baffle is provided on the follower, the first baffle corresponds to the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler, and the first baffle leaves or enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler as the sleeve moves; the driving mechanism can also drive the connected follower to drive the follower to move relative to the main pump body; The main control circuit is connected to the TIP detection optical coupler, a limited step portion is formed on the loading head of the TIP adapter, and the socket is located between the TIP head and the limited step portion; After the TIP head is loaded onto the loading head of the TIP adapter, the sleeve moves inward until it is clamped between the TIP head and the limiting step portion. At this time, the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter is greater than the resetting elastic force provided by the resetting elastic member to the follower, and the first baffle enters the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler. When the TIP head needs to be unloaded, the driving mechanism drives the follower to move outward, and the socket also moves outward with the follower. At this time, the driving force of the driving mechanism to drive the follower to move is greater than the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter, and the TIP head is squeezed to move outward. At the same time, the tight fit force between the TIP head and the TIP adapter disappears, and the follower continues to move outward and reset under the action of the reset elastic force. The first baffle leaves the detection end of the TIP detection optical coupler, and the socket continues to reset and move outward.
2. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes a bracket; The TIP adapter, the drive control board, the main pump body and the drive mechanism are all arranged on the bracket, and the air pressure sensor, the zero position detection optical coupler and the TIP detection optical coupler are all arranged on the drive control board.
3. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bracket is a U-shaped bracket with an upper opening, and the drive control board covers the upper opening of the U-shaped bracket; The U-shaped bracket includes a bottom plate, and a front side plate and a rear side plate respectively connected to the front and rear sides of the upper end of the bottom plate, and the TIP adapter is arranged on the front side plate; The main pump body is arranged on the bottom plate, and the front end surface of the main pump body abuts against the rear end surface of the front side plate, and the rear end surface of the front side plate is concavely provided with a truncated cone-shaped groove with a small front end and a large rear end; The front side plate has an inverted T-shaped groove inside, the first end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the first detection port, the second end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the second inner cavity, and the third end of the inverted T-shaped groove is connected to the third inner cavity through the truncated cone groove.
4. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 3, characterized in that: The zero position detection optical coupler and the TIP detection optical coupler are both arranged on the lower end surface of the drive control board, and the air pressure sensor is arranged on the upper end surface of the drive control board.
5. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 3, characterized in that: The upper end surface of the drive control board is also provided with a communication interface for connecting to a host computer or a PLC.
6. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 4, characterized in that: The two ends of the resetting elastic member are respectively connected to the follower and the main pump body, and the first baffle is arranged on the upper end surface of the follower.
7. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 6, characterized in that: The loading head of the TIP adapter is connected to the front end surface of the front side plate through a fixing block; The fixing block has channels respectively communicating with the inverted T-shaped groove and the first inner cavity.
8. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 7, characterized in that: The follower is connected to the sleeve member via a connecting rod; A protrusion is convexly provided on the upper end surface of the main pump body; the fixed block has a first through hole extending through it in the front-to-back direction, the front side plate has a second through hole extending through it in the front-to-back direction, the front end of the connecting rod passes through the second through hole and the first through hole and is connected to the socket in sequence, the follower is arranged on the connecting rod and is located on the rear side of the front side plate, the other end of the connecting rod extends into the protrusion, and the two ends of the reset elastic member are respectively connected to the follower and the protrusion.
9. The 1 ml pipette according to claim 8, characterized in that: The protrusion has a third through hole which penetrates in the front-to-back direction thereof, and the other end of the connecting rod extends into the third through hole and extends out of the protrusion.
10. A control method for a 1 ml pipette, characterized in that: The 1 ml pipette according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the control method comprises the following steps: Step S1, connect the 1ml pipette to the host computer or PLC through RS485 or CAN communication mode, and determine whether the device ID needs to be modified. If the device ID needs to be modified, modify the device ID before entering step S2, otherwise, directly enter step S2; Step S2, modifying the usage parameters; Step S3, determining whether a new reset speed has been set in step S2, if yes, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the set new reset speed, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the default reset speed; Step S4, determine whether to load the TIP header, if yes, proceed to step S5, otherwise, first load the TIP header, then continue to determine whether to load the TIP header, and only proceed to step S5 after the TIP header is successfully loaded; Step S5, determining whether new liquid level detection parameters have been set in step S2, if yes, performing liquid level detection according to the set new liquid level detection parameters, and controlling the drive mechanism to reset, otherwise, controlling the drive mechanism to reset according to the default reset speed; The process proceeds to step S6 only after the liquid level is detected successfully, otherwise an alarm is issued and the process ends; Step S6, first suck the liquid and then drain the liquid, and then determine whether there is suction blockage, drainage blockage or insufficient suction and drainage accuracy. If there is suction blockage or drainage blockage, an alarm will be issued and the process ends; If the precision of suction and discharge is not enough, the suction and discharge amount is adjusted by the micro-lift pulse coefficient, and then the process goes to step S7; if there is no suction blockage, discharge blockage or the precision of suction and discharge is not enough, the process goes directly to step S7; Step S7, unload the TIP header and end the control.
Citation Information
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