Uniform mixing module and sample analysis equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a uniform mixing module and sample analysis equipment. The uniform mixing module comprises a fixed seat; the container seat is provided with at least one container mounting part for accommodating a container, and the container seat is movably connected with the fixed seat; the transmission mechanism comprises a plurality of transmission wheels, the transmission wheels are rotatably mounted on the container seat, each transmission wheel is connected with one container mounting part, and the transmission wheels and the container mounting parts can synchronously rotate relative to the fixed seat; the driving mechanism is mounted on the fixed seat; and the locking mechanism is installed on the container base, and the locking mechanism is configured in the mode that when the container base is located at the second position, transmission connection between the driving mechanism and the transmission mechanism is disconnected, and the locking mechanism locks the transmission wheel so as to prevent the transmission wheel from rotating. The blending module can reduce the risk of rotation of the container before blending and reduce the risk of code scanning failure of a code scanning module of sample analysis equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a mixing module and sample analysis device. Background Technology

[0002] Sample analysis equipment typically includes a mixing module, which moves the container (e.g., test tube) to ensure uniform mixing of substances within. For example, the container can hold reagents, and the mixing module mixes them to prevent precipitation and uneven mixing that may occur if the reagents are left to stand. This helps ensure that the reagent concentration drawn by the subsequent pipette is uniform, thus contributing to the accuracy of experimental results. The container can also hold other substances that require mixing, not just reagents, such as mixed reaction solutions.

[0003] Before mixing, the sample analysis device first transports the container-containing stand or carrier to a specific position (referred to as the mixing position). Then, the scanning module in the sample analysis device scans the QR code or barcode affixed to the container's exterior. Only after scanning and verifying the sample information within the container is the mixing module truly engaged in mixing. However, in existing technologies, the container may rotate during transport to the mixing position, causing the QR code or barcode on the container to misalign with the scanning module. This can lead to scanning errors or even prevent scanning altogether, thus affecting sample processing efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this invention proposes a mixing module that can reduce the risk of container rotation before mixing.

[0005] The present invention also proposes a sample analysis device including the above-mentioned mixing module.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a mixing module includes: a fixed base; a container base having at least one container mounting portion for accommodating a container, the container base being movably connected to the fixed base, the container base being movable relative to the fixed base to a second position and a first position; a transmission mechanism including a plurality of transmission wheels rotatably mounted on the container base, each transmission wheel being connected to one of the container mounting portions and both being capable of rotating synchronously relative to the fixed base; a drive mechanism mounted on the fixed base; and a locking mechanism mounted on the container base, the locking mechanism being configured such that: when the container base is in the first position, the drive mechanism and the transmission mechanism are connected in a transmission connection, the locking mechanism releases the locking of the transmission wheels, and the drive mechanism is able to drive the transmission wheels to rotate; when the container base is in the second position, the transmission connection between the drive mechanism and the transmission mechanism is disconnected, and the locking mechanism locks the transmission wheels to prevent the transmission wheels from rotating.

[0007] The mixing module according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: when the container seat is in the first position, the driving mechanism can drive the transmission wheel to rotate, thereby causing the container mounting part and the container to rotate, thus realizing the mixing function. During the process of pushing the container seat from the second position to the first position, the locking mechanism locks the transmission wheel, thereby preventing the container mounting part and the container from rotating, thus reducing the risk of the container rotating before reaching the first position and reducing the risk of the barcode scanning module of the sample analysis device failing to scan.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission mechanism includes a first gear, which is connected to the transmission wheel, and the drive mechanism includes a motor and a second gear that are connected to each other; when the container seat is in the first position, the first gear and the second gear are engaged; when the container seat is in the second position, the first gear and the second gear are disengaged.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission mechanism further includes a connecting gear that meshes with the first gear. The connecting gear is coaxially arranged with one of the transmission wheels and can rotate synchronously. The locking mechanism includes a locking member that is movably mounted on the container seat. The locking member includes locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are separated from the connecting gear and from the first gear. When the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth mesh with at least one of the connecting gear and the first gear to prevent the connecting gear and the first gear from rotating.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first gear is coaxially arranged with one of the transmission wheels and can rotate synchronously. The locking mechanism includes a locking member, which is movably mounted on the container seat. The locking member includes locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are separated from the first gear. When the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth are engaged with the first gear to prevent the first gear from rotating.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the driving mechanism includes a first abutting portion fixed relative to the fixed seat, and the locking member includes a second abutting portion; when the container seat is in the first position, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion abut against each other; when the container seat is in the second position, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion separate from each other; According to some embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism further includes a reset member mounted on the container seat. After the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion separate, the reset member is used to drive the locking member to move so that at least one of the first gear and the connecting gear re-engages with the locking teeth.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism further includes a locking mounting portion, which is fixed to the container seat. The locking member is slidably mounted on the locking mounting portion. The reset member is an elastic member, and its two ends are respectively connected to the locking mounting portion and the locking member. After the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion separate, the reset member applies an elastic force to the locking member to drive the locking member to move, so that at least one of the first gear and the connecting gear re-engages with the locking teeth.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the locking member is slidably mounted on the container seat, the locking member is capable of sliding in a straight line, and the sliding direction of the locking teeth is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first gear; the locking teeth are rack-shaped, and the extending direction of the locking teeth is perpendicular to both the sliding direction and the axial direction of the first gear; or, the locking teeth are gear-shaped, and the locking teeth are capable of sliding relative to the container seat but cannot rotate relative to the container seat.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the container seat includes a plurality of container mounting portions, each of the container mounting portions being fixed relative to one of the transmission wheels, and all the transmission wheels being able to rotate synchronously under the drive of the drive mechanism.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission mechanism further includes a belt and a first gear, the transmission wheel is a pulley, the belt surrounds all the transmission wheels, the first gear is rotatably mounted on the container seat, the first gear is drivingly connected to the transmission wheels, and when the container seat is in the first position, the drive mechanism is drivingly connected to the first gear.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the transmission wheel is a gear, the locking mechanism includes a locking member, the locking member is movably mounted on the container seat, and the locking member includes locking teeth; when the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are separated from the transmission wheel; when the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth are engaged with the transmission wheel to prevent the transmission wheel from rotating.

[0017] A sample analysis apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a mixing module as described in the first aspect embodiment.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing module when the container rack is in the second position according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 An exploded view of the mixing module when the container rack is in the second position; Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the state of the fixed base with a belt installed; Figure 4 for Figure 2 Enlarged view of region A in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the engagement relationship between the locking teeth, the connecting gear, and the first gear when the container rack is in the second position. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the mixing module when the container rack is in the first position. Figure 7 An exploded view of the mixing module when the container rack is in the first position; Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of region B in the middle; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the engagement relationship between the locking teeth, the connecting gear, and the first gear when the container rack is in the first position. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the locking member and the locking mounting part in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 for Figure 10 The exploded view of the structure shown.

[0020] Reference numerals: 101-Mixing module, 102-Container seat, 103-Fixed seat, 104-Transmission mechanism, 105-Locking mechanism, 106-First abutment part, 107-Second gear, 108-Mounting bracket, 109-Motor, 110-Drive mechanism, 111-Second position, 112-First gear, 113-Tension wheel, 114-Transmission wheel, 115-Sliding part, 116-Handle part, 117-Bearing part, 118-Partition part, 119-Container mounting part, 120-Belt, 121-Locking element, 122-Locking tooth part, 123-Second abutment part, 124-Locking mounting part, 125-Connecting gear, 126-First position, 127-Cover plate, 128-Main body, 129-Stop, 130-Reset element, 131-Shaft, 201-Container. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation descriptions, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the module or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0023] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0024] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0025] In existing technologies, before mixing, the sample analysis equipment first transports the container-containing holder or support to a specific position (referred to as the mixing position). Then, the scanning module in the sample analysis equipment scans the QR code or barcode affixed to the container's exterior. Only after scanning and verifying the sample information within the container is the mixing module truly engaged in mixing. However, during the transport of the container to the mixing position, it may rotate, causing the QR code or barcode on the container to misalign with the scanning module. This can lead to scanning errors or even failure to scan, thus affecting sample processing efficiency.

[0026] To address the above problems, some embodiments of the present invention propose a mixing module 101. Figure 1 and Figure 2 A mixing module 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The mixing module 101 may be part of a sample analysis device. The mixing module 101 includes a container base 102, a fixing base 103, a transmission mechanism 104, a drive mechanism 110, and a locking mechanism 105.

[0027] The container holder 102 is provided with at least one container mounting part 119 for accommodating the container 201. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows the state of the mixing module 101 when it is loaded with container 201. In this embodiment, container 201 is a test tube. In other embodiments, container 201 may also be a cup, bottle, etc. Container seat 102 is movably connected to fixed seat 103, and container seat 102 can move relative to fixed seat 103, moving to a second position 111 and a first position 126. It should be noted that the foregoing statement means that container seat 102 can be in the second position 111 at some times and in the first position 126 at other times; container seat 102 is not simultaneously in the second position 111 and the first position 126. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the middle, container seat 102 is in the second position 111. Figure 6 and Figure 7 In this embodiment, the container seat 102 is in the first position 126. That is, in this embodiment, the container seat 102 can slide relative to the fixed seat 103 in a first direction, thereby switching between the second position 111 and the first position 126. The first position 126 can be used as a mixing position, where the mixing module 101 mixes the container 201 located in the first position 126. The second position 111 can be used as a preparation position, so that the container 201 containing the substance to be mixed can be installed into the container mounting part 119 manually or by equipment.

[0028] The drive mechanism 110 is mounted on the fixed base 103, and the specific configuration of the drive mechanism 110 will be described below. When the container base 102 is in the first position 126, the drive mechanism 110 can drive the container mounting part 119 to rotate, thereby causing the container 201 on it to rotate, so that the substance in the container 201 rotates and mixes. When the container base 102 is in the second position 111, the user can manually place the container 201 into the container base 102, or the robotic arm in the sample analysis device can place the container 201 into the container base 102. For example, if the container 201 is placed into the container base 102 manually, when the container base 102 is in the second position 111, the container mounting part 119 of the container base 102 can be located outside the outer shell of the sample analysis device so that the user can put the container 201 into the container base 102; if the container 201 is placed into the container base 102 by the robotic arm of the sample analysis device, the container base 102 in the second position 111 can be designed to be located inside the outer shell of the sample analysis device.

[0029] The transmission mechanism 104 includes a plurality of transmission wheels 114, which are rotatably mounted on the container base 102. Each transmission wheel 114 is fixed relative to a container mounting portion 119, and both are capable of rotating synchronously relative to the fixed base 103. Specifically, as shown... Figure 2 As shown, the container holder 102 includes a sliding portion 115, a handle portion 116, a support portion 117, multiple partition portions 118, and multiple container mounting portions 119. The fixed base 103 may be provided with a slide rail that matches the sliding portion 115, and the sliding portion 115 is installed in the slide rail and can reciprocate along the slide rail. The support portion 117 is fixed to the sliding portion 115 (e.g., by screws, welding, etc.), and the multiple partition portions 118 are fixed to the support portion 117. The multiple partition portions 118 are arranged at intervals along a first direction, and a container mounting portion 119 is provided between two adjacent partition portions 118. Each of the support portion 117 and the corresponding container mounting portions 119 has through holes. The transmission mechanism 104 also includes a shaft 131, with each transmission wheel mounted on a shaft 131. The shaft 131 can pass through the through holes on the support portion 117 from bottom to top and connect to the container mounting portions 119, thereby enabling the transmission wheel 114 and the container mounting portions 119 to rotate synchronously, thus driving the container 201 on the container mounting portion 119 to rotate. The shape of the container mounting portion 119 is adapted to the shape of the container 201. The handle portion 116 is fixed to the end of the sliding portion 115 away from the drive mechanism 110. The user can grasp the handle portion 116 to push or pull the entire container seat 102, thereby causing the container seat 102 to slide relative to the slide rail on the fixed seat 103, thus switching the container seat 102 between the second position 111 and the first position 126.

[0030] In other embodiments not shown, the container seat 102 can be driven to slide linearly along the slide rail by a linear module such as a lead screw module or a belt module, thereby switching the container seat 102 between the second position 111 and the first position 126. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the container seat 102 can also rotate relative to the fixed base 103, thereby switching between the second position 111 and the first position 126. Accordingly, the module used to drive the movement of the container seat 102 needs to be configured to drive the container seat 102 to rotate.

[0031] A locking mechanism 105 is mounted on the container base 102. The locking mechanism 105 is configured such that: when the container base 102 is in the first position 126, the drive mechanism 110 and the transmission mechanism 104 are connected, and simultaneously, the locking mechanism 105 releases the lock on the transmission wheel 114, allowing the drive mechanism 110 to drive the transmission wheel 114 to rotate; when the container base 102 is in the second position 111, the connection between the drive mechanism 110 and the transmission mechanism 104 is broken, and the locking mechanism 105 locks the transmission wheel 114 to prevent its rotation. In this application, a transmission connection between two components (or mechanisms, modules) means that the power of one component can be transmitted to another component, thereby enabling one component to drive the other. This transmission connection can be a direct connection between the two components, or it can involve additional transmission components connecting them.

[0032] Based on the above configuration, when the container holder 102 is in the first position 126, the drive mechanism 110 can drive the transmission wheel 114 to rotate. Since the shaft on the transmission wheel 114 passes through the through hole on the bearing part 117 from bottom to top and connects to the container mounting part 119, the container mounting part 119 and the container 201 on it rotate, thereby achieving the mixing function. Before the container holder 102 moves to the first position 126, that is, during the process of the container holder 102 moving from the second position 111 to the first position 126, the locking mechanism 105 always locks the transmission wheel 114, thereby preventing the container mounting part 119 and the container 201 on it from rotating, thus reducing the risk of the container 201 rotating before reaching the first position 126, thereby reducing the risk of the barcode scanning module of the sample analysis device failing to scan.

[0033] The container holder 102 includes multiple container mounting portions 119, each of which is fixed relative to a drive wheel 114. For example, the bottom of the container mounting portion 119 is fixedly connected to a shaft 131, and the shaft 131 is fixedly connected to the drive wheel 114, thereby achieving relative fixation between the container mounting portion 119 and the drive wheel 114. Figure 2 and Figure 4As shown, the transmission mechanism 104 also includes a first gear 112, which is connected to the transmission wheel 114. In this embodiment, the transmission wheel 114 is a pulley and a synchronous pulley. The transmission mechanism 104 also includes a belt 120 and a plurality of tensioning pulleys 113. The belt 120 is a synchronous belt and is rotatably mounted on the sliding portion 115 of the container seat 102 around all the transmission wheels 114 and tensioning pulleys 113, thereby enabling the transmission wheels 114 and tensioning pulleys 113 to be linked, wherein the tensioning pulleys 113 can abut against the belt 120 and tension the belt 120. The transmission mechanism 104 may also include a connecting gear 125 (e.g., Figure 8 As shown, the connecting gear 125 is coaxially arranged with one of the drive wheels 114 and the two can rotate synchronously. The connecting gear 125 is meshed with the first gear 112. Specifically, the connecting gear 125 can be coaxially arranged with the drive wheel 114 located closest to the drive mechanism 110, and the connecting gear 125 is located below the drive wheel 114. When the first gear 112 rotates, the connecting gear 125 and the drive wheel 114 closest to the drive mechanism 110 rotate accordingly, and the belt 120 also moves, thereby driving all the drive wheels 114 to rotate synchronously. Correspondingly, all the container mounting parts 119 rotate synchronously, and all the containers 201 carried by the container mounting parts 119 rotate synchronously, which enables the substances in each container 201 to be mixed synchronously.

[0034] In other embodiments not shown, to enable all containers 201 to rotate synchronously, the drive wheel 114 can also be configured as a gear, and correspondingly, adjacent drive wheels 114 can be driven by several other gears. Alternatively, in other embodiments not shown, the transmission mechanism 104 may not have a connecting gear 125, but instead directly coaxially configure the first gear 112 with one of the drive wheels 114 (e.g., the drive wheel 114 closest to the drive mechanism 110).

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the drive mechanism 110 includes a motor 109, a mounting bracket 108, and a second gear 107. The mounting bracket 108 is fixed to the end of the fixed base 103 away from the handle portion 116. The motor 109 is fixed to the mounting bracket 108, and the second gear 107 is connected to the motor 109 in a transmission connection. In this embodiment, the second gear 107 is directly mounted on the motor shaft of the motor 109. In other embodiments not shown, the second gear 107 may not be mounted on the motor shaft, but may mesh with another gear mounted on the motor shaft, as long as the motor 109 can drive the second gear 107 to rotate.

[0036] like Figure 8As shown, when the container seat 102 is in the first position 126, the first gear 112 and the second gear 107 mesh (and the locking mechanism 105 releases the lock on the connecting gear 125), and the power of the motor of the drive mechanism 110 is sequentially transmitted to the second gear 107, the first gear 112, the connecting gear 125, the transmission wheel 114, and the container 201, thereby causing the container 201 to rotate and achieve the mixing function. When the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, as... Figure 2 As shown, the first gear 112 and the second gear 107 are separated from each other. At this time, the drive mechanism 110 cannot drive the first gear 112 to rotate. Also, since the locking mechanism 105 locks the connecting gear 125 and thus locks the transmission wheel 114, the container 201 will not rotate.

[0037] Viewed along the axial direction of the first gear 112, the line connecting the center of the first gear 112 and the center of the second gear 107 is used as the reference line. If... Figure 2 For example, the axial direction of the first gear 112 is vertical. The reference line is not shown in the attached drawing; it is a horizontal straight line extending along the first direction. Please refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 5 The container seat 102 can slide relative to the fixed seat 103 along the extension direction of the reference line (i.e., along the first direction), thereby switching between the second position 111 and the first position 126. The advantage of this arrangement is that the arrangement direction of the first gear 112 and the second gear 107 matches the movement direction of the first gear 112 relative to the second gear 107, and the two gears are less likely to jam when the first gear 112 and the second gear 107 are separated or meshed with each other.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, the locking mechanism 105 includes a locking member 121, which is movably mounted on the container base 102. The locking member 121 includes locking teeth 122. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, when the container seat 102 is in the first position 126, the locking teeth 122 are separated from the connecting gear 125, and the locking teeth 122 are also separated from the first gear 112. At this time, both the first gear 112 and the connecting gear 125 can rotate, and correspondingly, the container 201 can also rotate, starting the mixing process. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, when the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, the locking tooth 122 engages with the connecting gear 125, thereby hindering the rotation of the connecting gear 125 and consequently hindering the rotation of the container 201. For example, when the locking tooth 122 is engaged with the connecting gear 125, if the connecting gear 125 can rotate, then the locking tooth 122 needs to be able to move in the second direction; however, since the locking tooth 122 can only move in the first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the degree of freedom of movement of the locking tooth 122 cannot meet the requirement that the connecting gear 125 can rotate. When the locking tooth 122 is engaged with the connecting gear 125, the connecting gear 125 cannot rotate, and the first gear 112, the transmission wheel 114, and the container 201 also cannot rotate. The specific installation method of the locking member 121 will be described in detail below.

[0039] In some embodiments not shown, when the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, the locking teeth 122 may engage with the first gear 112 but not with the connecting gear 125. Since the first gear 112 cannot rotate, the connecting gear 125 also cannot rotate. Alternatively, when the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, both the first gear 112 and the connecting gear 125 may engage with the locking teeth 122, as long as the locking teeth 122 can prevent the connecting gear 125 and the first gear 112 from rotating.

[0040] As described in the preceding embodiments, in some embodiments not shown, the transmission mechanism 104 may not have a connecting gear 125. The first gear 112 is located directly below one of the transmission wheels 114 (e.g., the transmission wheel 114 closest to the drive mechanism 110). The first gear 112 is coaxially arranged with the transmission wheel 114 and can rotate synchronously. In this case, when the container seat 102 is in the first position 126, the locking teeth 122 are separated from the first gear 112, allowing the container 201 to rotate; when the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, the locking teeth 122 directly mesh with the first gear 112 to prevent the first gear 112 from rotating, thereby preventing the container 201 from rotating.

[0041] Alternatively, in some embodiments not shown, the drive wheel 114 is a gear. When the container seat 102 is in the first position 126, the locking teeth 122 are disengaged from the drive wheel 114; when the container seat 102 is in the second position 111, the locking teeth 122 engage with the drive wheel 114 to prevent the drive wheel 114 from rotating, thereby preventing the container 201 from rotating. This arrangement saves the connecting gear 125 and further simplifies the structure of the mixing module 101.

[0042] In this embodiment, the locking member 121 is slidably mounted on the container seat 102. The locking member 121 can slide in a straight line, and the sliding direction of the locking teeth 122 is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first gear 112. For example, the locking member 121 can slide relative to the container seat 102 in a first direction, where the axial direction of the first gear 112 is vertical. The locking teeth 122 are rack-shaped, and the extending direction of the locking teeth 122 is perpendicular to both the sliding direction of the locking member 121 and the axial direction of the first gear 112. For example, the rack-shaped locking teeth 122 extends in a second direction, where the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. When the locking tooth 122 is engaged with the connecting gear 125, if the connecting gear 125 can rotate, then the locking tooth 122 needs to be able to move in the second direction. However, since the locking tooth 122 can only move in the first direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction, the degree of freedom of movement of the locking tooth 122 cannot meet the requirement that the connecting gear 125 can rotate. Therefore, when the locking tooth 122 is engaged with the connecting gear 125, the locking tooth 122 locks the connecting gear 125, and the container 201 cannot rotate.

[0043] In some other embodiments not shown, the locking tooth 122 may also be gear-shaped. However, in order for the locking tooth 122 to have the function of locking and unlocking the connecting gear 125, the movement of the locking tooth 122 should be restricted to being able to slide relative to the container seat 102 but not to rotate relative to the container seat 102.

[0044] like Figure 8 As shown, the drive mechanism 110 also includes a first abutment portion 106, which is fixed relative to the fixed base 103. Specifically, the first abutment portion 106 may be a part of the mounting bracket 108, or a baffle-shaped portion of the mounting bracket 108. Of course, the first abutment portion 106 may also be another abutment structure mounted on the mounting bracket 108, which is not limited here. The locking member 121 also includes a second abutment portion 123. In one embodiment, the second abutment portion 123 may be rod-shaped, with one end connected to the locking tooth portion 122 and the other end used to contact the first abutment portion 106. When the container is in the first position 126, the first abutting part 106 and the second abutting part 123 abut against each other at the ends away from the locking teeth 122. After they abut against each other, the first abutting part 106 drives the locking teeth 122 to disengage from the connecting gear 125, and keeps the locking teeth 122 and the connecting gear 125 in a state of separation, thereby ensuring that the mixing module 101 can perform the mixing operation normally.

[0045] The locking mechanism 105 also includes a reset member 130. After the first abutment portion 106 and the second abutment portion 123 are separated, the reset member 130 is used to drive the locking member 121 to move, thereby causing the connecting gear 125 to re-engage with the locking tooth portion 122, and thus restoring the container mounting portion 119 and the container 201 to a state where they cannot rotate.

[0046] It should be noted that in some other embodiments, if the locking tooth 122 engages with the first gear 112 to indirectly lock the transmission wheel 114, then after the locking member 121 is reset, the locking tooth 122 resumes engagement with the first gear 112; if the locking tooth 122 engages with both the first gear 112 and the connecting gear 125 to indirectly lock the transmission wheel 114, then after the locking member 121 is reset, the locking tooth 122 resumes engagement with both the first gear 112 and the connecting gear 125.

[0047] In some embodiments, the reset member 130 can be an elastic member, and the container seat further includes a locking mounting portion 124, which is fixed to the sliding portion. The locking member 121 is slidably mounted on the locking mounting portion 124. The two ends of the elastic member (reset member 130) are respectively connected to the locking mounting portion 124 and the locking member 121. The elastic force applied by the reset member 130 to the locking member 121 is used to drive the locking member 121 to reset. The advantage of this configuration is that the locking member 121 can be automatically reset without the need for sensors and complex electronic control software, thereby simplifying the control logic of the mixing module and reducing the production cost of the mixing module 101. In other embodiments, the reset member 130 can also be an electromagnet, and the magnetic force between the reset member 130 and the locking teeth 122 is used to drive the locking member 121 to reset.

[0048] Taking the reset component 130 as an elastic component as an example, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11As shown, the locking mounting portion 124 includes a main body 128, a cover plate 127, and a stop block 129. The main body 128 is fixed to the sliding portion 115 of the container seat 102 by screws, and the cover plate 127 is fixed to the main body 128 by screws. The elastic element can specifically be a spring. The second abutment portion 123 passes through the locking mounting portion 124. The reset member 130 and the stop block 129 are fitted around the outer periphery of the second abutment portion 123, and the stop block 129 is fixed to the second abutment portion 123. The reset member 130 and the stop block 129 are both located inside the main body 128. One end of the reset member 130 abuts against the stop block 129, and the other end abuts against the cover plate 127. During the movement of the container seat 102 from the second position 111 to the first position 126, after the first abutment portion 106 and the second abutment portion 123 abut against each other, as the container seat 102 continues to move, the second abutment portion 123 moves relative to the locking mounting portion 124 in a direction away from the connecting gear, thereby compressing the reset member 130. After the first abutment portion 106 and the second abutment portion 123 separate from each other, the elastic force of the reset member 130 drives the second abutment portion 123 to move relative to the locking mounting portion 124 in a direction closer to the connecting gear, thus resetting it.

[0049] The mixing module 101 of any of the above embodiments can be applied in a sample analysis device. The sample analysis device may further include a barcode scanning module, which may be adjacent to the second position 111, with the scanning head of the barcode scanning module facing the second position 111. The barcode scanning module is used to scan barcodes or QR codes, etc., affixed to the outer surface of the container 201. Specifically, if... Figure 6 For example, the test tube holder can slide relative to the fixed base 103 along a first direction, so the barcode scanning module can be located at the second position 111 on one side of the second direction. The position of the barcode scanning module can be fixed. During the process of the container holder 102 moving from the second position 111 to the first position 126, multiple containers 201 pass through the scanning head of the barcode scanning module one by one, so that the barcode scanning module reads and scans the identification codes of all containers 201. The processor of the sample analysis device receives the container information read by scanning. After the processor determines that the container information is correct, when the container holder 102 moves to the first position 126, the motor 109 of the mixing module 101 starts to start mixing.

[0050] The process by which a user mixes the substance in container 201 using the sample analysis device is roughly as follows: First, the user pulls the container seat 102 to the second position 111 and places the container 201 containing the substance to be mixed into the container seat 102 (at this time, the container 201 will not rotate). Then, the user pushes the container seat 102 to the first position 126. During the movement of the container seat 102 from the second position 111 to the first position 126, the container 201 will not rotate due to the locking function of the locking mechanism 105. Multiple containers 201 pass through the scanning head of the barcode scanning module one by one, allowing the scanning module to read and scan the identification codes of all containers 201. When the container seat 102 reaches the first position 126, the first abutment part 106 and the second abutment part 123 abut against each other, causing the locking teeth 122 to release the locking of the connecting gear 125. Subsequently, the drive mechanism 110 can drive the container 201 to rotate, achieving mixing.

[0051] In the description of this invention, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A mixing module, characterized in that, include: Fixed base; A container holder is provided with at least one container mounting part for accommodating a container. The container holder is movably connected to the fixed base, and the container holder is capable of moving relative to the fixed base to a first position and a second position. The transmission mechanism includes a plurality of transmission wheels, which are rotatably mounted on the container seat. Each transmission wheel is connected to a container mounting part and both are capable of rotating synchronously relative to the fixed seat. The drive mechanism is mounted on the fixed base; A locking mechanism is installed on the container seat. The locking mechanism is configured such that: when the container seat is in the first position, the drive mechanism and the transmission mechanism are connected, the locking mechanism releases the lock on the transmission wheel, and the drive mechanism can drive the transmission wheel to rotate; when the container seat is in the second position, the drive mechanism and the transmission mechanism are disconnected, and the locking mechanism locks the transmission wheel to prevent the transmission wheel from rotating.

2. The mixing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism includes a first gear, which is connected to the transmission wheel; the drive mechanism includes a motor and a second gear that are connected to each other. When the container seat is in the first position, the first gear and the second gear are engaged; when the container seat is in the second position, the first gear and the second gear are disengaged.

3. The mixing module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism further includes a connecting gear, which meshes with the first gear. The connecting gear is coaxially arranged with one of the transmission wheels and can rotate synchronously. The locking mechanism includes a locking member, which is movably mounted on the container seat. The locking member includes locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are separated from the connecting gear and from the first gear; when the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth are engaged with at least one of the connecting gear and the first gear to prevent the connecting gear and the first gear from rotating.

4. The mixing module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first gear is coaxially arranged with one of the transmission wheels and can rotate synchronously. The locking mechanism includes a locking member, which is movably mounted on the container seat. The locking member includes locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are disengaged from the first gear; when the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth are engaged with the first gear to prevent the first gear from rotating.

5. The mixing module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driving mechanism includes a first abutting part, which is fixed relative to the fixed base; the locking member includes a second abutting part, which is fixed to the locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the first abutting part and the second abutting part abut against each other; when the container seat is in the second position, the first abutting part and the second abutting part separate from each other.

6. The mixing module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The locking mechanism further includes a reset member installed on the container seat. After the first abutment portion and the second abutment portion, the reset member is used to drive the locking member to move so that at least one of the first gear and the connecting gear re-engages with the locking teeth.

7. The mixing module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The locking member is slidably mounted on the container seat, and the reset member is an elastic member, with its two ends connected to the container seat and the locking member, respectively. After the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion separate, the spring force applied by the reset member to the locking member drives the locking member to move so that at least one of the first gear and the connecting gear re-engages with the locking teeth.

8. The mixing module according to claim 3, characterized in that, The locking member is slidably mounted on the container seat, the locking member is capable of sliding in a straight line, and the sliding direction of the locking teeth is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first gear; The locking teeth are rack-shaped, and the extension direction of the locking teeth is perpendicular to both the sliding direction and the axial direction of the first gear; or, the locking teeth are gear-shaped, and the locking teeth can slide relative to the container seat but cannot rotate relative to the container seat.

9. The mixing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The container base includes a plurality of container mounting parts, each of which is fixed relative to one of the transmission wheels, and all the transmission wheels can rotate synchronously under the drive of the drive mechanism.

10. The mixing module according to claim 9, characterized in that, The transmission mechanism further includes a belt and a first gear. The transmission wheel is a pulley. The belt surrounds all the transmission wheels. The first gear is rotatably mounted on the container seat. The first gear is drivingly connected to the transmission wheels. When the container seat is in the first position, the drive mechanism is drivingly connected to the first gear.

11. The mixing module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission wheel is a gear, and the locking mechanism includes a locking member that is movably mounted on the container seat. The locking member includes locking teeth. When the container seat is in the first position, the locking teeth are separated from the drive wheel; when the container seat is in the second position, the locking teeth are engaged with the drive wheel to prevent the drive wheel from rotating.

12. A sample analysis device, characterized in that, Includes the mixing module as described in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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