High-precision pipetting device

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of pipetting devices, in particular to a high-precision pipetting device which comprises a shell, a pipetting unit, a driving unit and a detection unit. The pipetting unit comprises a pipette and a pipetting push column, the pipette is connected to the shell, the pipetting push column is movably inserted into the pipette, the end part of the pipetting push column is in circumferential sealing contact with the inner side wall of the pipette, and the pipetting push column moves in the pipette according to an air replacement principle, so that liquid can be sucked and discharged. The driving unit is connected to the shell and is used for driving the pipetting push column to move in the pipette, so that automatic liquid suction and drainage are realized, and the pipetting operation efficiency is improved. The detection unit comprises a sensor, the sensor is connected to the shell and used for detecting the distance between the pipetting push column and the sensor, the driving unit can adjust the distance for driving the pipetting push column to move according to the detection result of the sensor, the amount of liquid suction and drainage can be adjusted and corrected at any time, accumulated errors after multiple times of pipetting are prevented, and the pipetting precision is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid transfer devices, and in particular to a high-precision liquid transfer device. Background Art

[0002] In current laboratories and industrial production, the efficiency and accuracy of pipetting operations have a significant impact on experimental results. The traditional method is for operators to manually pipette, and the amount and effect of pipetting are related to the operator's proficiency. Overall, it is not only inefficient and prone to errors, but also has fluctuations in accuracy. Summary of the invention

[0003] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a high-precision liquid transfer device, which can improve the liquid transfer efficiency and liquid transfer accuracy.

[0004] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0005] A high-precision liquid transfer device is provided, comprising:

[0006] case;

[0007] A pipetting unit, comprising a pipette and a pipetting push rod, wherein the pipette is connected to the housing, the pipetting push rod is movably inserted in the pipette, and an end of the pipetting push rod is circumferentially sealed and contacts the inner wall of the pipette;

[0008] A driving unit, the driving unit is connected to the housing, and the driving unit is used to drive the pipetting push rod to move in the pipette;

[0009] The detection unit includes a sensor connected to the housing, and the sensor is used to detect the distance between the pipetting push column and the sensor. The driving unit can adjust the distance that the pipetting push column is driven to move according to the detection result of the sensor.

[0010] Optionally, the pipetting unit further comprises a first supporting member, the first supporting member is connected to the housing, the pipette is inserted into a first through hole of the first supporting member, and the pipette is connected to the first supporting member;

[0011] The pipetting unit further comprises a second supporting member, wherein the second supporting member is connected to the output end of the driving unit, and the pipetting push rod is connected to the second supporting member.

[0012] Optionally, the pipetting unit also includes a tip, a connecting piece and a third support piece, the tip is detachably connected to an end of the pipette where the pipette push rod is not inserted, one end of the connecting piece passes through the second through hole of the first support piece and is connected to the third support piece, the pipette is inserted in the third through hole of the third support piece, the inner diameter of the third through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip, and the driving unit can drive the second support piece to move so that the second support piece can abut against the connecting piece to drive the third support piece to move, so that the third support piece can push the tip out of the pipette.

[0013] Optionally, the pipetting unit further comprises an elastic member, one end of the elastic member abuts against the connecting member, and the other end of the elastic member abuts against the first supporting member, and the elastic member has a tendency to move the connecting member in the second through hole in a direction away from the suction head.

[0014] Optionally, the pipetting unit includes N pipettes and N pipetting push rods corresponding to each other, and the output end of the driving unit is connected to the N pipetting push rods, so that the driving unit can simultaneously drive the N pipetting push rods to move in the N pipettes respectively, and N is a positive integer.

[0015] Optionally, the N pipettes are arranged in sequence and evenly spaced apart, and the N pipetting push rods are arranged in sequence and evenly spaced apart.

[0016] Optionally, the driving unit includes a motor, a threaded rod and a movable bracket, one end of the threaded rod is connected to the output end of the motor, and the other end is screwed to the movable bracket, and the movable bracket is connected to the pipetting push column.

[0017] Optionally, the driving unit further includes a guide rail and a slider, the slider is connected to the movable bracket, the guide rail is connected to the shell, and the slider is slidably connected to the guide rail.

[0018] Optionally, the guide rails and the sliders are both provided in M ​​numbers, and the M sliders are respectively slidably connected to the M sections of the guide rails, where M is a positive integer.

[0019] Optionally, a controller is further included, and the controller is communicatively connected with the driving unit and the sensor. The controller can adjust the distance that the driving unit drives the pipetting push rod to move according to the detection result of the sensor.

[0020] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0021] The present invention provides a high-precision liquid transfer device, including a housing, a liquid transfer unit, a driving unit and a detection unit. The liquid transfer unit includes a pipette and a liquid transfer push rod, the pipette is connected to the housing, the liquid transfer push rod is movably inserted in the pipette, the end of the liquid transfer push rod is circumferentially sealed and contacts the inner wall of the pipette, and the liquid transfer push rod moves in the pipette to realize the suction and discharge of liquid by using the air replacement principle. The driving unit is connected to the housing, and the driving unit is used to drive the liquid transfer push rod to move in the pipette, thereby realizing automatic liquid suction and discharge, and improving the efficiency of the liquid transfer operation. The detection unit includes a sensor, the sensor is connected to the housing, and the sensor is used to detect the distance between the liquid transfer push rod and the sensor. The driving unit can adjust the distance driven by the liquid transfer push rod to move according to the detection result of the sensor, and can adjust and calibrate the amount of liquid suction and discharge at any time, prevent the cumulative error after multiple pipetting, and improve the accuracy of liquid transfer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a high-precision liquid transfer device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a high-precision liquid transfer device provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3 It is a partial structural schematic diagram of a high-precision liquid transfer device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure:

[0026] 1. Housing; 2. Transfer unit; 21. Transfer tube; 22. Transfer push rod; 23. First support member; 24. Second support member; 25. Connecting member; 26. Third support member; 261. First connecting plate; 262. Second connecting plate; 263. Third connecting plate; 27. Elastic member;

[0027] 3. driving unit; 31. motor; 32. threaded rod; 33. moving bracket; 34. guide rail; 35. slider;

[0028] 4. Sensor; 5. Slot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and implementation methods. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, rather than all of them.

[0030] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection or a detachable connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0031] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0032] In current laboratories and industrial production, the efficiency and accuracy of pipetting operations have a significant impact on experimental results. The traditional method is for operators to manually pipette, and the amount and effect of pipetting are related to the operator's proficiency. Overall, it is not only inefficient and prone to errors, but also has fluctuations in accuracy.

[0033] Therefore, this embodiment provides a high-precision liquid transfer device to solve the above problems.

[0034] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, the high-precision liquid transfer device of this embodiment includes a housing 1, a liquid transfer unit 2, a driving unit 3 and a detection unit.

[0035] The pipetting unit 2 includes a pipette 21 and a pipette push rod 22. The pipette 21 is connected to the housing 1. The pipette push rod 22 is movably inserted in the pipette 21. The end of the pipette push rod 22 is circumferentially sealed to contact the inner wall of the pipette 21. By using the air replacement principle, the pipette push rod 22 moves in the pipette 21 to achieve the suction and discharge of liquid.

[0036] The driving unit 3 is connected to the housing 1 , and is used to drive the pipetting push rod 22 to move in the pipette 21 , thereby realizing automatic liquid aspiration and liquid discharge, and improving the efficiency of the pipetting operation.

[0037] The detection unit includes a sensor 4, which is connected to the housing 1. The sensor 4 is used to detect the distance between the pipetting push column 22 and the sensor 4. The driving unit 3 can adjust the distance of the pipetting push column 22 according to the detection result of the sensor 4, so that the amount of liquid suction and discharge can be adjusted at any time to prevent the cumulative error after multiple pipetting and improve the pipetting accuracy. Optionally, the sensor 4 is a photoelectric sensor to further improve the detection accuracy.

[0038] In order to further improve the efficiency of pipetting, optionally, the pipetting unit 2 includes N pipettes 21 and N pipetting push rods 22 corresponding to each other, and the output end of the driving unit 3 is connected to the N pipetting push rods 22, so that the driving unit 3 can simultaneously drive the N pipetting push rods 22 to move in the N pipettes 21, respectively, and N is a positive integer. In this embodiment, N is 8, that is, eight groups of pipettes 21 and pipetting push rods 22 corresponding to each other are provided, and eight samples can be sucked, transferred and released at the same time, which can greatly improve the operation efficiency. Of course, in other embodiments, N can also be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10 or a larger positive integer, which can be set as needed.

[0039] Optionally, N pipettes 21 are arranged at even intervals in sequence, and N pipette push rods 22 are arranged at even intervals in sequence. In this embodiment, eight groups of one-to-one corresponding pipettes 21 and pipette push rods 22 are arranged in a row, and are arranged in sequence. Of course, in other embodiments, two rows, four groups in each row, or three rows, three groups in each row can also be arranged, which is not limited here.

[0040] In order to facilitate the support and fixation of the pipette 21, optionally, the pipette unit 2 further includes a first support member 23, the first support member 23 is connected to the housing 1, the pipette 21 is inserted in the first through hole of the first support member 23, and the pipette 21 is connected to the first support member 23. In this embodiment, eight pipettes 21 are sequentially inserted in the eight first through holes of the first support member 23, and the eight first through holes are sequentially arranged in a row.

[0041] In order to facilitate the simultaneous control of the movement of eight pipetting push rods 22, optionally, the pipetting unit 2 further includes a second support member 24, the second support member 24 is connected to the output end of the driving unit 3, and the pipetting push rod 22 is connected to the second support member 24. That is, the driving unit 3 drives the second support member 24 to move, thereby driving the pipetting push rod 22 to move.

[0042] Optionally, the pipetting unit 2 further includes a pipette tip (not shown in the figure), a connector 25 and a third support member 26. The pipette tip is detachably connected to the end of the pipette 21 where the pipette push rod 22 is not inserted, and the pipette tip is used to contact and absorb the sample, or release the sample. Generally, the pipette tip is a consumable material and needs to be frequently replaced with a new one to absorb different types of samples. It is known that the ends of the eight pipettes 21 need to be equipped with pipette tips respectively.

[0043] In order to facilitate the removal of the suction head and improve the operating efficiency, in this embodiment, one end of the connecting member 25 passes through the second through hole of the first support member 23 and is connected to the third support member 26. The outer diameter of the end of the connecting member 25 that does not extend into the second through hole is greater than the inner diameter of the second through hole to prevent the connecting member 25 from passing through the other end of the second through hole. In this embodiment, the end of the connecting member 25 is screwed to the third support member 26 to facilitate the movement of the third support member 26 and facilitate disassembly. The pipette 21 is inserted into the third through hole of the third support member 26. The inner diameter of the third through hole is greater than the outer diameter of the pipette 21, but the inner diameter of the third through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the suction head. The driving unit 3 can drive the second support member 24 to move so that the end surface of the second support member 24 facing the connecting member 25 can abut the connecting member 25, and the connecting member 25 will drive the third support member 26 to move so that the third support member 26 can push the suction head out of the pipette 21.

[0044] Optionally, in this embodiment, the pipette 21 has a certain length to ensure the pipetting reserve. In order to match the length of the pipette 21, the third support member 26 includes a first connecting plate 261 and a third connecting plate 263 perpendicular to the length direction of the pipette 21, and the third support member 26 also includes a second connecting plate 262, and the second connecting plate 262 is used to connect the first connecting plate 261 and the third connecting plate 263. Among them, the first connecting plate 261 is arranged close to the first support member 23, the third connecting plate 263 is arranged close to the suction head, and the connecting member 25 is screwed to the first connecting plate 261, so that the connecting member 25 can drive the first connecting plate 261, the second connecting plate 262 and the third connecting plate 263 to move as a whole.

[0045] In order to restore the third support member 26 to its original position after the suction tip is removed and provide space for installing a new suction tip, the pipetting unit 2 optionally further comprises an elastic member 27, one end of the elastic member 27 abuts the connecting member 25, and the other end abuts the first support member 23, and the elastic member 27 has a tendency to move the connecting member 25 in the second through hole in a direction away from the suction tip. Optionally, the elastic member 27 is a spring, which is sleeved on the connecting member 25, and one end abuts the inner end surface of the protruding end of the connecting member 25, and the other end abuts the step surface in the second through hole of the first support member 23. When the connecting member 25 drives the third support member 26 to move as a whole to remove the suction tip, the spring is in a compressed state. When the driving unit 3 is restored and the second support member 24 is restored to its original position, the second support member 24 no longer presses the connecting member 25, and the connecting member 25 will drive the third support member 26 to return to its original position under the elastic force of the spring, so as to clear the end position of the pipette 21 and facilitate the installation of a new suction tip.

[0046] Optionally, the driving unit 3 includes a motor 31, a threaded rod 32 and a movable bracket 33, one end of the threaded rod 32 is connected to the output end of the motor 31, and the other end is screwed to the movable bracket 33, and the movable bracket 33 is connected to the pipetting push rod 22. In this embodiment, the movable bracket 33 is connected to the second support member 24, and the two have a sufficiently large docking surface, and multiple bolts can be assembled to ensure the firmness of the connection and the stability during the movement.

[0047] In order to further ensure the stability of the movement of the movable bracket 33 , optionally, the driving unit 3 further includes a guide rail 34 and a slider 35 , the slider 35 is connected to the movable bracket 33 , the guide rail 34 is connected to the housing 1 , and the slider 35 is slidably connected to the guide rail 34 .

[0048] Optionally, both the guide rails 34 and the sliders 35 are provided with M pieces, and the M sliders 35 are respectively slidably connected to the M sections of the guide rails 34, where M is a positive integer. In this embodiment, the value of M is 2, that is, two sections of the guide rails 34 are assembled on the housing 1, and the two sliders 35 on the movable bracket 33 are respectively slidably matched with the two end guide rails 34. Optionally, the guide rails 34 are precision guide rails to further improve the control accuracy of the movement.

[0049] Optionally, the high-precision pipetting device further includes a controller (not shown in the figure), which is communicatively connected to the driving unit 3 and the sensor 4, and the controller can adjust the distance that the driving unit 3 drives the pipetting push rod 22 to move according to the detection result of the sensor 4. Optionally, the controller is a single-chip microcomputer or a PLC, which are existing devices and will not be described in detail here.

[0050] Optionally, a slot 5 is provided on the housing 1 of the high-precision pipetting device, and the slot 5 includes a power slot and a communication slot, wherein the power slot is used to supply power to the motor 31, the sensor 4, etc., and the communication slot is used for data transmission.

[0051] Through the design of eight groups of pipettes 21 and pipetting push rods 22, the high-precision pipetting device can process multiple samples at the same time, significantly improving the efficiency of pipetting. And by adopting precision guide rails, photoelectric sensors and closed-loop controllers, the high-precision execution of pipetting actions can be ensured, and the accuracy of single pipetting and the repeatability of multiple pipetting can be improved. In addition, the replacement method of the pipette tip consumables of the high-precision pipetting device is cleverly designed, easy and quick to operate, and reduces the errors and time costs caused by manual operation. And the modular design allows each part of the high-precision pipetting device to be independently maintained and upgraded, improving the maintainability and scalability of the equipment.

[0052] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are only examples for clearly explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the implementation methods here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-precision liquid transfer device, characterized in that: include: Housing (1); A pipetting unit (2), comprising a pipette (21) and a pipetting push column (22), wherein the pipette (21) is connected to the housing (1), the pipetting push column (22) is movably inserted in the pipette (21), and the end of the pipetting push column (22) is circumferentially sealed and contacts the inner wall of the pipette (21); A driving unit (3), the driving unit (3) being connected to the housing (1), and the driving unit (3) being used to drive the pipetting push rod (22) to move inside the pipette (21); The detection unit comprises a sensor (4), wherein the sensor (4) is connected to the housing (1), and the sensor (4) is used to detect the distance between the pipetting push column (22) and the sensor (4). The driving unit (3) can adjust the distance of the pipetting push column (22) according to the detection result of the sensor (4).

2. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipetting unit (2) further comprises a first supporting member (23), the first supporting member (23) being connected to the housing (1), the pipette (21) being inserted into a first through hole of the first supporting member (23), and the pipette (21) being connected to the first supporting member (23); The pipetting unit (2) further comprises a second support member (24), wherein the second support member (24) is connected to the output end of the driving unit (3), and the pipetting push rod (22) is connected to the second support member (24).

3. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The pipetting unit (2) further comprises a pipette tip, a connecting member (25) and a third supporting member (26); the pipette tip is detachably connected to an end of the pipette (21) where the pipette push rod (22) is not inserted; one end of the connecting member (25) passes through the second through hole of the first supporting member (23) and is connected to the third supporting member (26); the pipette (21) is inserted into the third through hole of the third supporting member (26); the inner diameter of the third through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the pipette tip; the driving unit (3) is capable of driving the second supporting member (24) to move so that the second supporting member (24) can abut against the connecting member (25) to drive the third supporting member (26) to move so that the third supporting member (26) can push the pipette tip away from the pipette (21).

4. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The pipetting unit (2) further comprises an elastic member (27), one end of the elastic member (27) abuts against the connecting member (25), and the other end abuts against the first supporting member (23), and the elastic member (27) has a tendency to cause the connecting member (25) to move in a direction away from the suction head in the second through hole.

5. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pipetting unit (2) comprises N pipettes (21) and N pipetting push rods (22) in one-to-one correspondence, and the output end of the driving unit (3) is connected to the N pipetting push rods (22), so that the driving unit (3) can simultaneously drive the N pipetting push rods (22) to move in the N pipettes (21), respectively, and N is a positive integer.

6. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The N pipettes (21) are arranged in sequence at even intervals, and the N pipetting push rods (22) are arranged in sequence at even intervals.

7. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The driving unit (3) comprises a motor (31), a threaded rod (32) and a movable bracket (33); one end of the threaded rod (32) is connected to the output end of the motor (31), and the other end is screwed to the movable bracket (33); and the movable bracket (33) is connected to the pipetting push rod (22).

8. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The driving unit (3) further comprises a guide rail (34) and a slider (35), wherein the slider (35) is connected to the movable bracket (33), the guide rail (34) is connected to the housing (1), and the slider (35) is slidably connected to the guide rail (34).

9. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The guide rails (34) and the sliders (35) are both provided in M ​​numbers, and the M sliders (35) are respectively slidably connected to the M sections of the guide rails (34), where M is a positive integer.

10. The high-precision liquid transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: It also includes a controller, which is in communication connection with the driving unit (3) and the sensor (4), and the controller can adjust the distance that the driving unit (3) drives the pipetting push rod (22) to move according to the detection result of the sensor (4).

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