Sample tube uncovering equipment and uncovering method

Abstract

The invention discloses sample tube uncovering equipment and an uncovering method, and relates to the technical field of uncovering equipment. A sample rack is placed on the conveying track; the code scanner is used for reading the bar code content on the sample tube; the uncovering mechanism is used for grabbing the sample tube and driving the sample tube to rotate, and when the fixing mechanism clamps the sample tube, the uncovering mechanism grabs a tube cover on the sample tube and drives the tube cover to rotate until the tube cover is separated from the sample tube; the detection mechanism is used for identifying whether the sample tubes are placed at all positions on the sample frame or not and whether the uncovering mechanism takes down tube covers on the sample tubes or not. According to the sample tube uncovering equipment, the technical problems that a sample with a bar code on a sample tube does not directly face a notch of a sample frame, directly enters an analysis instrument and is identified as a wrong sample to be discharged, and the detection efficiency is influenced are solved, the bar code on the sample tube is adjusted and corrected to directly face the notch of the sample frame, and the sample tube is accurately identified by the analysis instrument; the sample detection efficiency is effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of cover opening equipment, and in particular to a sample tube cover opening equipment and a cover opening method. Background Art

[0002] With the development of in vitro diagnostic technology, multiple analyzers are connected in series using computer technology and sample transmission modules to form a full laboratory automation processing system that covers the entire inspection process. The full laboratory automation processing system uses various automatic detection equipment and computers to realize the automation of measurement, experiment and data processing, thereby reducing the manual operation of laboratory personnel and improving the efficiency of scientific research. The full laboratory automation processing system in the in vitro diagnostic industry is composed of multiple functional modules, transmission transfer modules and analytical instruments. From sample entry to result output, no human operation is required in the intermediate process, realizing automated analysis and processing. For example, the sample is sequentially used through the combination of injection, centrifugation, opening the lid, biochemical / immunoassay analyzer, closing the lid, sample output / refrigeration, forming a simple full laboratory automation processing system. In the face of the full laboratory automation processing system, the overall requirements for detection time, accuracy and throughput are higher, and the opening of the sample tube is an important link in the system.

[0003] In the prior art, samples with barcodes generally require manual opening of the sample tube and placement of the barcode opposite the notch in the sample rack before entering the analytical instrument. The instrument performs relevant analysis and testing based on the identified barcode information. When the barcode on the sample tube is not opposite the notch in the sample rack and enters the analytical instrument directly, it will be identified as a wrong sample and discharged, affecting the detection efficiency. Moreover, manually opening the sample tube cap not only poses aerosol hazards, but is also accompanied by sample splashing, cross-contamination between samples, and possible risks, affecting the accuracy of the detection. Therefore, a sample tube opening device and method are proposed to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sample tube opening device and method, which solves the technical problem that the sample with the barcode on the sample tube is not aligned with the notch of the sample rack, and directly enters the interior of the analysis instrument, and is identified as a wrong sample and discharged, thereby affecting the detection efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a sample tube cover opening device, comprising:

[0006] frame;

[0007] A conveying track is arranged on the top surface of the frame, a sample rack is placed on the conveying track, a plurality of sample tubes are placed on the sample rack in sequence, and the sample rack can reciprocate along the conveying track;

[0008] A barcode scanner, disposed on one side of the conveying track, for reading the barcode content on the sample tube;

[0009] A fixing mechanism, disposed on the frame and used for clamping the sample tube;

[0010] A cover opening mechanism is arranged on the rack and is used to grab the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rotate. When the fixing mechanism clamps the sample tube, the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover on the sample tube and drives the tube cover to rotate until it is separated from the sample tube;

[0011] The detection mechanism is arranged on one side of the conveying track and is used to identify whether a sample tube is placed at each position on the sample rack and whether the cover opening mechanism has removed the tube cover on the sample tube.

[0012] Preferably, the detection mechanism comprises:

[0013] A first sensor assembly is disposed on one side of the conveying track and is used to detect the model of the sample tube and whether there is a tube cover on the sample tube;

[0014] The second sensor assembly is disposed on one side of the conveying track and is used to detect whether the sample tube is successfully opened.

[0015] Preferably, the cover opening mechanism comprises:

[0016] A lifting motor is arranged on the frame, the lifting motor is connected to the first mounting frame through a piston rod, and the lifting motor drives the first mounting frame to rise and fall through the piston rod;

[0017] A clamping jaw motor is arranged on the first mounting frame. A clamping jaw is arranged at the output end of the clamping jaw motor. The clamping jaw can grasp the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rotate.

[0018] Preferably, a first driving motor is arranged on the frame, an output end of the first driving motor is connected to a driving belt, the driving belt is connected to a limiting frame, and the limiting frame is connected to the sample frame by snapping.

[0019] Preferably, a tube cover collecting mechanism is provided on the frame, and the tube cover collecting mechanism comprises:

[0020] A swing arm motor is arranged at one side of the conveying track, the output end of the swing arm motor is connected to a material receiving plate, and a material receiving cylinder is arranged at one end of the material receiving plate away from the swing arm motor, and the material receiving cylinder is used to receive the tube cover removed by the cover opening mechanism;

[0021] A material blocking plate, arranged below the material receiving plate, for blocking the bottom of the material receiving barrel;

[0022] The material receiving channel is arranged on the frame and is used for receiving the tube covers in the material receiving barrel and processing the tube covers in a centralized manner.

[0023] Preferably, the tube cover collection mechanism also includes: a first limiting rod, which is arranged on one side of the swing arm motor, and before the material receiving barrel rotates to directly above the material receiving channel, the outer wall of the first limiting rod abuts against the material baffle plate, so that the material baffle plate is separated from the lower end of the material receiving barrel when the material receiving barrel is located directly above the material receiving channel.

[0024] Preferably, a mounting plate is provided at the upper end of the material receiving channel, a rotating shaft is provided on the top surface of the mounting plate, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to a sealing cover, and the sealing cover is used to seal the material receiving channel.

[0025] Preferably, a limit plate is provided on the top surface of the sealing cover, and before the material receiving cylinder rotates to directly above the material receiving channel, the side surface of the limit plate abuts against the material receiving plate, so that the sealing cover is separated from the upper end of the material receiving channel when the material receiving cylinder is located directly above the material receiving channel, and the mounting plate is connected to the sealing cover via a return spring, and when the limit plate is no longer subjected to the supporting force of the material receiving plate, the return spring pulls the sealing cover to return to the upper end of the material receiving channel.

[0026] Correspondingly, the technical solution of the present invention further provides a sample tube cover opening method, which is applied to any of the sample tube cover opening devices described above, and the sample tube cover opening method comprises:

[0027] Controlling the detection mechanism to identify whether the sample tube is placed on the sample rack and the characteristics of the sample tube;

[0028] Control the cover opening mechanism to grab the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rise to a certain height, and control the cover opening mechanism to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube until the barcode on the sample tube is placed right at the notch of the sample rack;

[0029] The fixing mechanism is controlled to clamp the corresponding sample tube, and the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover above the sample tube and rotates until the tube cover is separated from the sample tube, thereby completing the sample tube cover opening.

[0030] Preferably, the step of controlling the cover opening mechanism to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube includes:

[0031] The cover-opening mechanism is controlled to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube, and the barcode scanner is controlled to perform a single recognition of the sample tube. If the barcode scanner reads the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner has recognized the barcode boundary; if the barcode scanner does not read the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner has not recognized the barcode boundary. The cover-opening mechanism drives the sample tube to rotate until the barcode scanner reads the barcode content, and then it is determined that the barcode scanner has recognized the barcode boundary.

[0032] After the barcode scanner recognizes the barcode boundary, it controls the cover opening mechanism to drive the sample tube to rotate, and the barcode scanner continuously scans the sample tube. When the barcode scanner reads the threshold data three times in a row, the cover opening mechanism stops driving the sample tube to rotate, and then the barcode scanner performs a single recognition and reading of the sample tube to confirm the barcode content. At this time, the barcode correction is completed.

[0033] Compared with the above background technology, the sample tube opening device provided by the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the opening mechanism drives the sample tube to rotate until the barcode scanner reads the barcode content on the sample tube. Before the sample tube enters the analytical instrument, the barcode on the sample tube is adjusted and corrected so that the barcode on the sample tube is directly opposite to the notch of the sample rack, so that the barcode scanner can accurately read the barcode content on the corresponding sample tube, so that the sample tube is accurately identified by the analytical instrument, effectively improving the sample detection efficiency and ensuring the reliability of the analytical instrument detection. On the other hand, after the fixing mechanism clamps the fixed sample tube, the opening mechanism grabs the tube cover and twists the tube cover off, replacing the staff to manually remove the tube cover on the sample tube. On the one hand, it prevents the staff from being harmed by the aerosol when the tube cover is opened, and improves the safety of the sample tube opening process. On the other hand, the opening mechanism removes the tube cover on the sample tube more stably than the manual opening action, which can prevent sample splashing and cross contamination between samples and possible risks, and further improve the accuracy of sample detection. The sample tube opening method used in the present invention also has the above beneficial effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without paying creative work.

[0035] FIG1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a sample tube cover opening device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG2 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the sample tube cover opening device provided by an embodiment of the present invention from another angle;

[0037] FIG3 is an enlarged schematic diagram of point A in FIG1 ;

[0038] FIG4 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a fixing mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG5 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a conveying track provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] FIG6 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a tube cover collecting mechanism provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of the opening process of the sample tube opening device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a barcode correction process of a sample tube cover opening device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] FIG9 is a top view of a sample rack provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 10 is a front view of a sample rack provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Specifically, 1-frame; 2-transmission track; 201-assembly hole; 3-sample rack; 301-positioning groove; 4-barcode scanner; 5-first sensor assembly; 501-first sensor; 502-second sensor; 503-third sensor; 504-fourth sensor; 6-second sensor assembly; 601-fifth sensor; 602-sixth sensor; 7-lifting motor; 8-first mounting frame; 9-gripping motor; 10-gripping jaw; 11-first driving motor; 12- Transmission belt; 13-limiting frame; 1301-claw; 14-slide rail; 15-moving seat; 16-clamp; 17-fixed claw; 18-assembly plate; 19-transmission rack; 20-assembly frame; 21-second drive motor; 22-transmission gear; 23-swing arm motor; 24-material receiving plate; 25-material receiving barrel; 26-material receiving channel; 27-first limiting rod; 28-mounting plate; 29-sealing cover; 30-limiting plate; 31-reset spring; 32-spring frame; 33-positioning column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0047] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the scheme of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , in order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a sample tube cover opening device, comprising: a frame 1 and a cover opening mechanism and a fixing mechanism arranged on the frame 1 .

[0049] A conveying track 2 is arranged on the top surface of the frame 1, a sample rack 3 is placed on the conveying track 2, and a plurality of sample tubes (not shown in the figure) are arranged on the sample rack 3 in sequence. Driven by a power device, the sample rack 3 can reciprocate along the conveying track 2.

[0050] A barcode scanner 4 is arranged on one side of the conveying track 2. Preferably, the barcode scanner 4 is a CCD (CCD is Charge Coupled Device in English, and light coupling device in Chinese) barcode scanner. The CCD barcode scanner has the advantages of narrow exit beam, fast scanning speed, high reading and high reliability in recognition during motion. Specifically, the barcode scanner 4 is fixed on the rack 1. The barcode content on the sample tube can be read by the barcode scanner 4 to input information into the sample tube, so that the sample tube can be recognized by the subsequent analysis instrument after entering the subsequent analysis instrument, so as to accurately correspond the data detected by the analysis instrument to the sample tube, thereby improving the accuracy of data detection. Of course, a high-speed camera can also be used to take pictures and identify the sample tube instead to achieve the same effect. It should be noted that when the high-speed camera is in a weak light working environment, a fill light is added to ensure that the high-speed camera completes the recognition.

[0051] A fixing mechanism is provided on the frame 1 for clamping the sample tube. At the same time, an opening mechanism is provided on the frame 1 for grabbing the sample tube and driving the sample tube to rotate. When the barcode scanner 4 fails to read the barcode content on the sample tube, specifically, the opening mechanism grabs the sample tube and drives the sample tube to rise to a certain height, and identifies the sample tube through the barcode scanner 4. If the barcode scanner 4 fails to read the barcode content, the opening mechanism can drive the sample tube to rotate until the barcode scanner 4 reads the barcode content, that is, before the sample tube enters the analysis instrument, the barcode on the sample tube is adjusted and corrected so that the barcode on the sample tube is aligned with the notch of the sample rack 3. At this time, the barcode scanner 4 can accurately read the barcode content on the corresponding sample tube, and the sample tube can be accurately identified by the analysis instrument, thereby improving the sample detection efficiency and ensuring the reliability of the analysis instrument detection.

[0052] Furthermore, when it is necessary to open the cover of the sample tube, the sample tube is clamped by the fixing mechanism, and the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover on the sample tube and drives the tube cover to rotate until it is detached from the sample tube, completing the cover opening operation of the sample tube. The tube cover is grabbed by the cover opening mechanism and screwed off, instead of the staff manually removing the tube cover on the sample tube, which can prevent the staff from being harmed by aerosols when the tube cover is opened, thereby improving the safety of the inspection process. It should be noted that in the process of grabbing the tube cover and screwing it off, the cover opening mechanism rises a certain height relative to the frame 1 to ensure that the tube cover is smoothly removed.

[0053] The detection mechanism on one side of the conveying track 2 identifies whether the sample tubes are placed at various positions on the sample rack 3 and whether the cover opening mechanism has removed the tube caps on the sample tubes, so as to assist the barcode scanner 4 and the cover opening mechanism in making corresponding actions on the sample tubes to ensure the smooth progress of the experimental process.

[0054] During use, the control detection mechanism identifies whether a sample tube is placed on the sample rack 3 and the characteristics of the sample tube, the cover opening mechanism grabs the sample tube and drives the sample tube to rise to a certain height, and the control cover opening mechanism cooperates with the barcode scanner 4 to perform barcode correction on the sample tube until the barcode on the sample tube is placed opposite the notch of the sample rack 3. After the barcode correction is completed, the fixing mechanism clamps the corresponding sample tube, and the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover above the sample tube and rotates until the tube cover is detached from the sample tube, completing the sample tube cover opening, effectively preventing the staff from being harmed by aerosols when the tube cover is opened, improving the safety of the sample tube cover opening process, and preventing sample splashing and cross-contamination and risk between samples, thereby further improving the accuracy of sample detection.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, the detection mechanism includes: a first sensor component 5 arranged on one side of the conveying channel, which detects the model of the sample tube and whether there is a tube cover on the sample tube through the first sensor component 5. When there is a tube cover on the sample tube, after the sample tube moves under the cover opening mechanism, the cover opening mechanism normally performs the cover opening action. When there is no tube cover on the sample tube, after the sample tube moves under the cover opening mechanism, the cover opening mechanism no longer performs the cover opening action.

[0056] Specifically, the first sensor assembly 5 is composed of four reflective sensors, which include: a first sensor 501, a second sensor 502, a third sensor 503 and a fourth sensor 504. The first sensor 501 is used to identify whether a 75 mm high sample tube is placed on the sample rack 3, the second sensor 502 is used to identify whether there is a tube cover on the 75 mm high sample tube on the sample rack 3, the third sensor 503 is used to identify whether a 100 mm high sample tube is placed on the sample rack 3, and the fourth sensor 504 is used to identify whether there is a tube cover on the 100 mm high sample tube on the sample rack 3.

[0057] In addition, a second sensor assembly 6 is provided on one side of the conveying channel, and the second sensor assembly 6 is used to detect whether the sample tube is successfully opened. After the sample tube is successfully opened, all the sample tubes on the sample rack are manually sent to the analyzer for detection as a whole, or all the sample tubes on the sample rack are sent to the analyzer for detection as a whole through a belt transmission mechanism. When the sample tube is not successfully opened, that is, there is still a tube cover on the sample tube, the power device pushes the sample tube again to the bottom of the opening mechanism for opening. If the sample tube is still not successfully opened for the second time, the staff is prompted to take out the corresponding sample tube for manual processing to ensure the smooth progress of the experimental process.

[0058] Specifically, the second sensor assembly 6 is composed of two reflective sensors arranged vertically, and the two reflective sensors include: a fifth sensor 601 and a sixth sensor 602. The fifth sensor 601 is used to identify whether the 75mm high sample tube is successfully opened, and the fifth sensor 601 is used to identify whether the 100mm high sample tube is successfully opened.

[0059] As shown in Figures 5 and 10, a plurality of spring frames 32 are arranged on one side of the conveying track 2, and the plurality of spring frames 32 are arranged on the frame 1. One end of the spring frame 32 abuts against the outer wall of the conveying track 2, and the other end of the spring frame 32 is connected to the positioning column 33. A plurality of assembly holes 201 are arranged on the outer wall of the conveying track 2, and the assembly holes 201 are used to penetrate the positioning column 33. Correspondingly, a positioning groove 301 is arranged on the side close to the sample rack 3, and the positioning column 33 can be snap-connected to the positioning groove 301. When one of the sample tubes on the sample rack 3 moves with the sample rack 3 to the three positions of the first sensor assembly 5, the barcode scanner 4 and the second sensor assembly 6 respectively, the corresponding positioning column 33 is snap-connected in the positioning groove 301, thereby ensuring that when the sample rack 3 stops moving, the sample rack moves quickly and accurately to the specified position, effectively improving the recognition efficiency of the first sensor assembly 5, the barcode scanner 4 and the second sensor assembly 6.

[0060] As shown in FIG3 , the cover opening mechanism includes: a lifting motor 7 arranged on the frame 1, the lifting motor 7 is connected to the first mounting frame 8 through a piston rod, and the lifting motor 7 drives the first mounting frame 8 to rise and fall through the piston rod. At the same time, a clamping motor 9 is arranged on the frame 1, and a clamping jaw 10 is arranged at the output end of the clamping jaw motor 9. Under the drive of the clamping jaw motor 9, the clamping jaw 10 can grab the sample tube, and at the same time, the clamping jaw motor 9 can drive the sample tube to rotate a certain angle through the clamping jaw 10. Specifically, when the barcode scanner 4 is required to scan and identify the sample tube, after the clamping jaw motor 9 grabs the corresponding sample tube through the clamping jaw 10, the lifting motor 7 drives the first mounting frame 8 to rise to a certain height through the piston rod, and the first mounting frame 8 synchronously drives the clamping jaw motor 9 and the sample tube on the clamping jaw 10 to rise to a certain height, so that the barcode scanner 4 can accurately identify the sample tube.

[0061] Preferably, a vertical guide rail is provided on the frame 1, and the vertical guide rail is slidably connected to the first mounting frame 8. The movement path of the first mounting frame 8 is corrected and limited by the vertical guide rail, thereby effectively improving the stability of the clamping motor 9 when it is raised and lowered, thereby further improving the recognition accuracy of the barcode content on the sample tube by the scanner 4.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present invention, a first drive motor 11 is provided on the frame 1. Preferably, the first drive motor 11 adopts a two-phase stepping motor. The output end of the first drive motor 11 is connected to the transmission belt 12, the transmission belt 12 is connected to the limit frame 13, and the limit frame 13 is connected to the sample rack 3. It should be noted that, specifically, claws 1301 are provided at both ends of the limit frame 13, and the two claws 1301 can be fixed on the two end surfaces of the sample rack 3. The transmission belt 12 is driven by the first drive motor 11 to rotate forward and reversely, and the transmission belt 12 drives the sample tube on the sample rack 3 to reciprocate along the conveying guide rail through the limit frame 13.

[0063] As shown in FIG4 , it should be noted that the fixing mechanism includes: a slide rail 14 arranged at the lower part of the frame 1, the length direction of the slide rail 14 is perpendicular to the length direction of the vertical guide rail, two symmetrical moving seats 15 are arranged on the top surface of the slide rail 14, the moving seats 15 are slidably connected to the slide rail 14, and the top surfaces of the two moving seats 15 are both provided with clamping plates 16, the clamping plates 16 are arranged below the clamping claws 10, and the upper ends of the clamping plates 16 are provided with fixed claws 17, and the two fixed claws 17 cooperate to clamp the sample tube. In addition, the sides of the two moving seats 15 are respectively connected An assembly plate 18 is connected, a transmission rack 19 is set on the side of the assembly plate 18, an assembly frame 20 is set on the bottom of the slide rail 14, a second drive motor 21 is set on the bottom of the assembly frame 20, and a transmission gear 22 is set at the output end of the second drive motor 21. The transmission gear 22 is meshed and connected with two transmission racks 19 at the same time. The movement direction of the two transmission racks 19 is perpendicular to the length direction of the vertical guide rail to ensure that the two fixed claws 17 can reciprocate along the direction perpendicular to the vertical guide rail to flexibly clamp and release the corresponding sample tube.

[0064] It should be noted that, in the initial state, the two clamps 16 are far away from each other, and the two fixed claws 17 cannot clamp the sample tube. When the fixing mechanism is needed to clamp the corresponding sample tube, the second drive motor 21 drives the transmission gear 22 to rotate forward, and the transmission gear 22 drives the two transmission racks 19 to move toward each other. At this time, the two clamps 16 approach each other until the two fixed claws 17 clamp the corresponding sample tube.

[0065] As shown in Figures 1 and 6, a tube cover collecting mechanism is provided on the frame 1, and the tube cover collecting mechanism includes: a swing arm motor 23 arranged on one side of the conveying track 2, wherein a support frame is provided on the top surface of the frame 1, and the swing arm motor 23 is fixed on the side of the support frame close to the conveying track 2, and the output end of the swing arm motor 23 is connected to a material receiving plate 24, and a material receiving barrel 25 is provided at one end of the material receiving plate 24 away from the swing arm motor 23, and the material receiving barrel 25 is used for receiving the tube covers removed by the cover opening mechanism. After the barcode correction of the specific sample tube is completed, the lifting motor 7 drives the clamping motor 9 to descend, and the clamping motor 9 drives the sample tube to descend until the sample tube is placed in the sample rack 3. When the cover opening mechanism opens the cover of the sample tube, the second drive motor 21 drives the transmission gear 22 to rotate forward until the two fixed claws 17 clamp the corresponding sample tube. According to the model of the sample tube identified by the first sensor assembly 5, the lifting motor 7 drives the clamping motor 9 to move to a specified height, so that the clamping claw 10 on the clamping claw motor 9 can just grab the tube cover on the corresponding sample tube, and the clamping claw motor 9 drives the clamping claw 10 to rotate and screw the tube cover. At the same time, the lifting motor 7 drives the clamping claw motor 9 to rise. After the tube cover is screwed off, the lifting motor 7 continues to drive the clamping claw motor 9 to rise to a certain height, and the swing arm motor 23 drives the receiving plate 24 to rotate forward by a certain angle until the receiving barrel 25 is located directly below the clamping claw 10. At this time, the clamping claw motor 9 controls the clamping claw 10 to release the tube cover, and the tube cover falls into the receiving barrel 25 under the action of gravity. Furthermore, when the clamp 10 releases the tube cover, the clamp motor 9 controls the clamp 10 to accelerate its rotation, which can prevent the clamp 10 from sticking to the tube cover. When the tube cover is light, it can still ensure that the tube cover falls smoothly by its own gravity, thereby ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent processes.

[0066] In addition, a material receiving channel 26 is provided on the frame 1, and the material receiving channel 26 is used to receive the tube caps in the material receiving barrel 25 and collect the tube caps together. When the tube caps fall into the material receiving barrel 25 under the action of gravity, the swing arm motor 23 drives the material receiving plate 24 to rotate in the opposite direction by a certain angle until the material receiving barrel 25 is located directly above the material receiving channel 26. The bottom end of the material receiving barrel 25 is opened, and the tube caps further fall into the material receiving channel 26, completing the automatic collection of the tube caps, so that the entire equipment can continue to work without the need to stop the machine specifically to collect and process the tube caps, effectively improving the working efficiency of the equipment for opening the caps, and at the same time ensuring the smooth progress of subsequent experimental processes.

[0067] It should be noted that a material baffle plate is provided below the material receiving plate 24, and the material baffle plate is used to block the bottom of the material receiving barrel 25. At the same time, a first limit rod 27 is provided on one side of the swing arm motor 23. Before the swing arm motor 23 drives the material receiving barrel 25 to rotate to the top of the material receiving channel 26 through the material receiving plate 24, the outer wall of the first limit rod 27 abuts against the material baffle plate, and the swing arm motor 23 drives the material receiving barrel 25 to continue to rotate through the material receiving plate 24. The material baffle plate no longer rotates under the obstruction of the first limit rod 27, thereby causing the material baffle plate to detach from the bottom of the material receiving barrel 25, and causing the material receiving barrel 25 to detach from the lower end portion of the material receiving barrel 25 when the material receiving barrel 25 is located directly above the material receiving channel 26, thereby causing the pipe cover in the material receiving barrel 25 to automatically fall into the material receiving channel 26.

[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, a mounting plate 28 is provided at the upper end of the material receiving channel 26, and a rotating shaft is provided on the top surface of the mounting plate 28. The rotating shaft is rotatably connected to a sealing cover 29. The sealing cover 29 can block the material receiving channel 26 to prevent harmful substances from volatilizing in the form of gas and being discharged from the material receiving channel 26, thereby improving the safety of the working environment.

[0069] It should be noted that a limit plate 30 is provided on the top surface of the sealing cover 29. Before the receiving barrel 25 rotates to the top of the receiving channel 26, the side of the limit plate 30 abuts against the receiving plate 24, so that when the receiving barrel 25 is located above the receiving channel 26, the sealing cover 29 is detached from the upper end of the receiving channel 26, and at this time, the baffle plate is detached from the lower end of the receiving barrel 25, further ensuring that the tube cover automatically falls into the receiving channel 26.

[0070] Furthermore, a return spring 31 is provided on the mounting plate 28, one end of the return spring 31 is connected to the top surface of the mounting plate 28, and the other end of the return spring 31 is connected to the sealing cover 29. When the limit plate 30 is no longer subjected to the supporting force of the receiving plate 24, the return spring 31 pulls the sealing cover 29 to return to the upper end of the receiving channel 26, thereby ensuring that after the receiving barrel 25 leaves the upper end of the receiving channel 26, the sealing cover 29 can automatically block the receiving channel 26, further preventing harmful substances in the receiving channel 26 from volatilizing in the form of gas, thereby improving the safety of the working environment.

[0071] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the sample tube opening method adopted by the present invention specifically includes the following steps: the clamping motor 9 grabs the corresponding sample tube through the clamping jaw 10, and the lifting motor 7 drives the clamping motor 9 and the sample tube on the clamping jaw 10 to rise to a certain height through the piston rod, so that the barcode scanner 4 can align with the sample tube for accurate identification. The barcode scanner 4 first performs a single identification on the sample tube. If the barcode scanner 4 reads the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner 4 has identified the barcode boundary; if the barcode scanner 4 does not read the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner 4 has not identified the barcode boundary. After the barcode scanner 4 recognizes the barcode boundary, the cover opening mechanism drives the sample tube to rotate until the barcode scanner 4 reads the barcode content, and then it is determined that the barcode scanner 4 has recognized the barcode boundary; the clamping jaw motor 9 drives the sample tube to rotate, and the barcode scanner 4 continuously scans the sample tube. When the barcode scanner 4 reads the threshold data three times in a row, the clamping jaw motor 9 stops driving the sample tube to rotate, and then the barcode scanner 4 performs a single recognition and reads the barcode content of the sample tube to confirm, and the barcode correction is completed at this time; after the barcode correction is completed, the sample tube is placed on the sample rack 3, and the lifting motor The machine 7 drives the clamping motor 9 to move to a specified height, so that the clamping jaws 10 on the clamping motor 9 can just grab the tube cover on the corresponding sample tube, and the second driving motor 21 drives the transmission gear 22 to rotate forward, and the transmission gear 22 drives the two transmission racks 19 to move towards each other. At this time, the two clamping plates 16 approach each other until the two fixed claws 17 clamp the corresponding sample tube, and the clamping jaw motor 9 drives the clamping jaw 10 to rotate and screw the tube cover. At the same time, the lifting motor 7 drives the clamping jaw motor 9 to rise, and the tube cover is screwed off, completing the opening of the sample tube, and the lifting motor 7 continues to drive the clamping jaw motor 9 to move upward. The claw motor 9 rises to a certain height, and the swing arm motor 23 drives the receiving plate 24 to rotate forward by a certain angle until the receiving barrel 25 is directly below the clamp 10. The clamp motor 9 controls the clamp 10 to release the tube cover, and the tube cover falls into the receiving barrel 25 under the action of gravity. The swing arm motor 23 drives the receiving plate 24 to rotate reversely by a certain angle until the receiving barrel 25 is directly above the receiving channel 26. The bottom end of the receiving barrel 25 and the upper end of the receiving channel 26 are opened, and the tube cover further falls into the receiving channel 26 and is collected centrally through the receiving channel 26.

[0072] It should be noted that after the continuous scanning mode is turned on, the barcode scanner 4 can continuously and stably output the collected data. According to the width of the gap of the sample rack 3, the barcode width and the set rotation speed of the gripper motor 9, the number of valid values ​​of the barcode on the corresponding sample tube that can be captured can be accurately calculated, and the judgment threshold is reasonably set. When the barcode scanner 4 scans the threshold data within the judgment threshold for three consecutive times, the barcode on the sample tube can stably stop at the center of the gap of the sample rack 3. In addition, when the barcode scanner 4 continuously obtains data information, it can filter out invalid data to avoid interference from invalid data.

[0073] When the barcode scanner 4 fails to obtain the threshold data, the barcode on the sample tube can be re-identified by controlling the clamp motor 9 to reduce the rotation speed of the clamp 10 until the barcode scanner 4 reads the threshold data three times in a row.

[0074] As shown in FIG9 , it should be further explained that when the barcode scanner 4 recognizes the barcode of one of the sample tubes, the detection mechanism recognizes whether the previous sample tube is successfully opened and whether the next sample tube is placed. Specifically, the sample rack 3 is provided with limiting holes No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 from right to left. Sample tube No. 1 is placed in limiting hole No. 1, sample tube No. 2 is placed in limiting hole No. 2, sample tube No. 3 is placed in limiting hole No. 3, and sample tube No. 4 is placed in limiting hole No. 4. Sample tube No. 5 is placed in limit hole No. 5, and sample rack 3 moves from left to right driven by transmission belt 12. When barcode scanner 4 recognizes the barcode of sample tube No. 3, first sensor assembly 5 detects whether sample tube No. 4 is placed in limit hole No. 4, and second sensor assembly 6 detects whether sample tube No. 2 is successfully opened. The first sensor assembly 5, barcode scanner 4, second sensor assembly 6 and opening mechanism work in coordination, thereby effectively reducing the number of movement times of sample rack 3, reducing the time required for opening the sample tube, and effectively improving the detection throughput of the whole machine.

[0075] In summary, before the sample tube enters the analytical instrument, the barcode on the sample tube is adjusted and corrected so that the barcode on the sample tube is aligned with the notch of the sample rack 3, so that the sample tube can be accurately identified by the analytical instrument, effectively improving the sample detection efficiency and ensuring the reliability of the analytical instrument detection. At the same time, the tube cover is grasped and screwed off by the opening mechanism, replacing the manual removal of the tube cover on the sample tube by the staff, preventing the staff from being harmed by the aerosol when the tube cover is opened, improving the safety of the sample tube opening process, and preventing sample splashing and cross contamination between samples and possible risks, further improving the accuracy of sample detection.

[0076] It should be noted that, in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are merely used to distinguish one entity from other entities, but do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0077] The principles and implementation methods of the present invention are described in this article using specific examples. The description of the above embodiments is only used to help understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sample tube opening device, characterized in that: include: frame; A conveying track is arranged on the top surface of the frame, a sample rack is placed on the conveying track, a plurality of sample tubes are placed on the sample rack in sequence, and the sample rack can reciprocate along the conveying track; A barcode scanner, disposed on one side of the conveying track, for reading the barcode content on the sample tube; A fixing mechanism, disposed on the frame and used for clamping the sample tube; A cover opening mechanism is arranged on the rack and is used to grab the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rotate. When the fixing mechanism clamps the sample tube, the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover on the sample tube and drives the tube cover to rotate until it is separated from the sample tube; The detection mechanism is arranged on one side of the conveying track and is used to identify whether a sample tube is placed at each position on the sample rack and whether the cover opening mechanism has removed the tube cover on the sample tube.

2. A sample tube decapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detection mechanism includes: A first sensor assembly is disposed on one side of the conveying track and is used to detect the model of the sample tube and whether there is a tube cover on the sample tube; The second sensor assembly is disposed on one side of the conveying track and is used to detect whether the sample tube is successfully opened.

3. A sample tube decapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cover opening mechanism comprises: A lifting motor is arranged on the frame, the lifting motor is connected to the first mounting frame through a piston rod, and the lifting motor drives the first mounting frame to rise and fall through the piston rod; A clamping jaw motor is arranged on the first mounting frame. A clamping jaw is arranged at the output end of the clamping jaw motor. The clamping jaw can grasp the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rotate.

4. A sample tube decapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a first driving motor, the output end of the first driving motor is connected to a driving belt, the driving belt is connected to a limiting frame, and the limiting frame is connected to the sample frame by a clamping connection.

5. The sample tube decapping device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame is provided with a tube cover collecting mechanism, and the tube cover collecting mechanism comprises: A swing arm motor is arranged at one side of the conveying track, the output end of the swing arm motor is connected to a material receiving plate, and a material receiving cylinder is arranged at one end of the material receiving plate away from the swing arm motor, and the material receiving cylinder is used to receive the tube cover removed by the cover opening mechanism; A material blocking plate, arranged below the material receiving plate, for blocking the bottom of the material receiving barrel; The material receiving channel is arranged on the frame and is used for receiving the tube covers in the material receiving barrel and processing the tube covers in a centralized manner.

6. A sample tube decapping device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The tube cover collecting mechanism also includes: a first limiting rod, which is arranged on one side of the swing arm motor. Before the material receiving barrel rotates to the top of the material receiving channel, the outer wall of the first limiting rod abuts against the material baffle plate, so that the material baffle plate is separated from the lower end of the material receiving barrel when the material receiving barrel is located above the material receiving channel.

7. A sample tube decapping device according to claim 6, characterized in that: A mounting plate is arranged at the upper end of the material receiving channel, a rotating shaft is arranged on the top surface of the mounting plate, the rotating shaft is rotatably connected to a sealing cover, and the sealing cover is used to block the material receiving channel.

8. The sample tube decapping device according to claim 7, characterized in that: A limit plate is arranged on the top surface of the sealing cover, and before the material receiving cylinder rotates to the top of the material receiving channel, the side surface of the limit plate abuts against the material receiving plate, so that the sealing cover is separated from the upper end of the material receiving channel when the material receiving cylinder is located above the material receiving channel, and the mounting plate is connected to the sealing cover by a return spring, and when the limit plate is no longer subjected to the supporting force of the material receiving plate, the return spring pulls the sealing cover to return to the upper end of the material receiving channel.

9. A sample tube opening method, applied to the sample tube opening device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The sample tube uncapping method comprises: Controlling the detection mechanism to identify whether the sample tube is placed on the sample rack and the characteristics of the sample tube; Control the cover opening mechanism to grab the sample tube and drive the sample tube to rise to a certain height, and control the cover opening mechanism to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube until the barcode on the sample tube is placed right at the notch of the sample rack; The fixing mechanism is controlled to clamp the corresponding sample tube, and the cover opening mechanism grabs the tube cover above the sample tube and rotates until the tube cover is separated from the sample tube, thereby completing the sample tube cover opening.

10. A sample tube opening method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The step of controlling the cover opening mechanism to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube includes: The cover-opening mechanism is controlled to cooperate with the barcode scanner to perform barcode correction on the sample tube. The barcode scanner performs a single recognition on the sample tube. If the barcode scanner reads the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner has recognized the barcode boundary; if the barcode scanner does not read the barcode content, it is determined that the barcode scanner has not recognized the barcode boundary. The cover-opening mechanism drives the sample tube to rotate until the barcode scanner reads the barcode content, and then it is determined that the barcode scanner has recognized the barcode boundary. After the barcode scanner recognizes the barcode boundary, it controls the cover opening mechanism to drive the sample tube to rotate, and the barcode scanner continuously scans the sample tube. When the barcode scanner reads the threshold data three times in a row, the cover opening mechanism stops driving the sample tube to rotate, and then the barcode scanner performs a single recognition and reading of the sample tube to confirm the barcode content. At this time, the barcode correction is completed.

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