A tandem mass spectrometer instrument sample storage device

Abstract

The application relates to a sample storage device of a tandem mass spectrometer, belonging to the technical field of chemical analysis equipment, which comprises a box body, one end of the top of the box body is provided with a sample inlet, one end of the bottom of the box body is provided with a sample outlet, a transport unit is arranged in the box body, the transport unit comprises a transport track, a flexible conveying chain and multiple sets of clamping assemblies; the transport track is fixedly arranged at the top in the box body, the flexible conveying chain is arranged in the transport track, the flexible conveying chain is in sliding connection with the transport track, and the multiple sets of clamping assemblies are uniformly arranged on the flexible conveying chain; a pushing assembly is arranged at the bottom of the box body and located below the sample inlet, a taking assembly is arranged in the box body at the sample outlet, a rotating assembly is arranged in the box body and installed on one side of the sample outlet; a pushing block is arranged on the clamping assembly, and the pushing assembly drives the clamping assembly to slide through the pushing block; and the application has the technical effects of realizing automatic closed-loop transfer of samples and orderly taking of the samples in the advanced-in-first mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of chemical analysis equipment, and in particular to a sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer. Background Technology

[0002] Tandem mass spectrometry instruments, with their advantages of high sensitivity and high specificity, are widely used in clinical testing, food safety, environmental monitoring and other fields. Their detection efficiency and accuracy depend on the stable and orderly storage and transportation of samples. As a core auxiliary component, the sample storage device undertakes the functions of temporary storage and orderly transportation of samples. It needs to meet the requirements of multi-sample carrying, automated transportation, stable sample posture and no cross-contamination. Sample transportation is completed through an automatic unlocking device. Most existing devices adopt linear track or simple turntable structure, with manual or semi-automatic drive for feeding and sampling. Some are equipped with basic clamping components, but they generally have problems with insufficient transportation continuity and difficulty in accurately controlling the order of sample use, which can easily lead to sample displacement, jamming and disordered order.

[0003] Patent (CN 116923900 A) discloses a bottle feeding device for sample collection and preparation, including a bottle storage cabinet and a bottle retrieval and conveying mechanism disposed below the storage cabinet. The storage cabinet has multiple rows of vertically parallel bottle compartments, each row storing multiple horizontally oriented sample bottles from bottom to top. Each row of bottle compartments has a bottle-stopping switch assembly at its vertical bottom outlet to prevent sample bottles from falling downwards. One end of the bottle retrieval and conveying mechanism has a bottle feeding area for cooperation with external transmission equipment. The mechanism includes a horizontally mounted translational track and a translational flipping manipulator positioned below the storage cabinet. The translational flipping manipulator moves horizontally to the bottom of the bottle compartments. The device works in conjunction with a bottle-stopping switch assembly to clamp sample bottles falling from the outlet and move them horizontally to the bottle supply area. After flipping, the sample bottles are placed vertically on an external transmission device for bottle supply and transportation. The patent enables batch storage and automated bottle retrieval, flipping, and bottle supply transportation of horizontal sample bottles. However, it is limited to a single bottle supply scenario for standard horizontal sample bottles and can only complete a single bottle supply. It cannot achieve cyclic storage and sequential control of sample retrieval. It cannot effectively achieve the automatic storage and transportation of various types of samples required by tandem mass spectrometers, the cyclic reuse of empty bearing components after sampling, and the control of the sample retrieval sequence.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, the inventors believe that they suffer from the inability to achieve automated closed-loop transfer of samples and orderly retrieval using an in-first-out (IF) method. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer.

[0006] This application provides a sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer, which adopts the following technical solution: A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer includes a housing. A sample inlet is located at one end of the top of the housing, and a sampling port is located at one end of the bottom of the housing. A storage unit is housed within the housing, comprising a transport track, a flexible conveyor chain, and multiple sets of clamping assemblies. The transport track is fixedly mounted on the top of the housing, and the flexible conveyor chain is disposed within the transport track and slidably connected to it. Multiple sets of clamping assemblies are evenly arranged on the flexible conveyor chain. A toggle assembly is located at the bottom of the housing, below the sample inlet. A retrieval assembly is located within the housing at the sampling port, and a rotary assembly is located within the housing, mounted on one side of the sampling port. The rotary assembly is an automatic unlocking device. A toggle block is provided on each clamping assembly, and the toggle assembly drives the clamping assembly to slide via the toggle block.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, the device integrates a storage unit, a toggle component, a pick-up component, and a rotation component to form an integrated sample storage and transport structure. Each component works in concert to achieve sample handling from injection and storage to retrieval. The storage unit uses a transport track combined with a flexible conveyor chain. Multiple clamping components are evenly arranged on the flexible conveyor chain, enabling simultaneous carrying and orderly storage of multiple samples, significantly increasing the device's sample storage capacity. Simultaneously, the flexible conveyor chain and transport track slide together to ensure the stability of the sample transport process, preventing sample tipping or displacement from affecting subsequent testing. The toggle component corresponds to… Below the sample inlet, a toggle block and clamping components work together to drive the clamping components to move in a directional manner, ensuring orderly sample loading and preventing problems such as jamming or missing clamps during sample injection, thus improving sample injection stability. The pick-up component and the rotary component are respectively located at the sampling port and side, and the sampling and clamping component reset actions are linked. After sampling, the empty clamping component can be automatically driven to return to its position, and the component waiting to be picked up can be accurately moved to the sampling port, realizing automatic iteration of the sampling station and ensuring the continuity of sample picking. At the same time, the standardized arrangement of the clamping components avoids chaotic sample picking order and improves the accuracy of sample transfer.

[0008] Preferably, the clamping assembly includes a mounting frame and two sets of clamping mechanisms. The mounting frame is fixedly mounted on the flexible conveyor chain, and the two sets of clamping mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mounting frame. Each clamping mechanism includes a clamping claw and a clamping spring. One end of the clamping claw is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the mounting frame. One end of the clamping spring is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame, and the other end of the clamping spring is rotatably mounted in the middle of the clamping claw.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, the clamping component is fixedly connected to the flexible conveyor chain through the mounting frame, which has strong connection stability and can slide smoothly along the transport track with the flexible conveyor chain. This avoids the clamping component from falling off or shaking during sample transfer, ensuring the stability of sample storage and adapting to the automated cyclic transfer requirements of the device. Two sets of clamping mechanisms are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mounting frame to form a symmetrical clamping structure. This structure can apply clamping force from both sides of the sample simultaneously, so that the sample is clamped in the center, effectively preventing sample displacement and tipping, and ensuring the stability of the sample posture during transfer and waiting for detection, providing accurate sample positioning for subsequent mass spectrometry detection. The clamping mechanism adopts an elastic clamping design with clamping claws and clamping springs. One end of the clamping claw is rotatably connected to the mounting frame, and the middle part is linked with the clamping spring. The spring force is used to realize the adaptive opening and closing of the clamping claw.

[0010] Preferably, the actuating assembly includes a driving mechanism and an actuating mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a driving cylinder, a driving spring, and a driving block. The driving cylinder is disposed at the bottom of the housing, the driving spring is disposed inside the driving cylinder, one end of the driving spring is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the driving cylinder, the bottom of the driving block is fixedly disposed at the other end of the driving spring, and the driving block is slidably disposed inside the driving cylinder. The actuating mechanism is disposed at the bottom of the housing, one end of the actuating mechanism is rotatably connected to the driving block, and the other end of the actuating mechanism is used to abut against the actuating block.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, the drive mechanism uses a sliding fit structure of drive cylinder, drive spring and drive block. The drive spring provides reset power for the drive block, realizing the automatic reciprocating sliding of the drive block; the drive block and drive cylinder are in sliding fit, and the drive cylinder provides precise guidance for the up and down sliding of the drive block, avoiding the drive block offset and causing power transmission failure, and ensuring the stability and accuracy of the action of the drive block driving the toggle mechanism to rotate. One end of the toggle mechanism is rotatably connected to the drive block, and the other end of the toggle mechanism is used to abut against the toggle block of the clamping component, realizing the conversion of the linear reciprocating motion of the drive mechanism into the rotational motion of the toggle mechanism, driving the clamping component to move.

[0012] Preferably, the actuating mechanism includes an actuating rod and a support rod; the bottom end of the support rod is slidably disposed at the bottom of the housing, the actuating rod is rotatably disposed on the support rod, and one end of the actuating rod is rotatably disposed on one side of the drive block; the other end of the actuating rod is provided with a sliding groove, a relief spring is disposed in the sliding groove, one end of the relief spring is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the sliding groove, a sliding rod is slidably disposed in the sliding groove, one end of the sliding rod is fixedly disposed on the other end of the relief spring, and a relief slope is provided on one side of the other end of the sliding rod.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, the actuating mechanism uses a rotating engagement structure of actuating rod and support rod. The support rod provides stable support for the actuating rod, and the bottom end of the support rod is slidably set at the bottom of the housing, which can adaptively adjust the support position of the actuating rod to ensure precise engagement between the actuating rod and the drive block and the clamping component actuating block, thereby improving the reliability of power transmission. One end of the actuating rod is rotatably connected to the drive block, which can convert the linear reciprocating motion of the drive block into the rotation of the actuating rod around the axis. The other end of the actuating rod integrates a sliding groove, a relief spring, and an elastic telescopic structure of the sliding rod. Together with the relief slope at the end of the sliding rod, it realizes the unidirectional driving function of the actuating rod. When pressing the sample, the sliding rod avoids the clamping component actuating block through the relief slope. When resetting, the sliding rod rigidly abuts against the actuating block to drive the displacement, avoiding interference from reverse force, forming a precise unidirectional transmission logic, and ensuring that the clamping component moves cyclically along the preset trajectory.

[0014] Preferably, the rotary assembly includes a trigger rod, a connecting rod, a return spring, a slider, a slide rail, and a return mechanism; one end of the trigger rod is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing, one end of the return spring is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing, and the other end of the return spring is rotatably disposed on one side of the trigger rod; both ends of the slide rail are fixedly disposed in the housing, the slider is slidably disposed on the slide rail, one end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the other side of the trigger rod, and the other end of the connecting rod is rotatably connected to the slider; the return mechanism is disposed at the bottom of the housing on one side of the slide rail.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, the rotary assembly uses a linkage structure of trigger rod, connecting rod, slider and slide rail to achieve precise transmission and guidance of mechanical action. The slide rail provides stable linear sliding guidance for the slider, avoiding slider deviation and action failure, and ensuring the accuracy and stability of the overall linkage of the rotary assembly. The trigger rod cooperates with the return spring, and the return spring provides automatic reset power for the trigger rod. After the trigger rod is touched by the clamping claw, it can automatically rotate to trigger the linkage. After sampling, it can quickly return to the initial state when there is no external force. The rotational motion of the trigger rod is converted into linear sliding of the slider through the connecting rod, ensuring that the triggering action is transmitted to the return mechanism to realize the timely return and displacement of the clamping assembly.

[0016] Preferably, the return mechanism includes a return rod, a first rod, a return spring, a locking block, and a fixing block; the bottom of the first rod is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the housing, and the return rod is rotatably disposed at the top of the first rod; the fixing block is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the housing at one end of the slide rail, one end of the return spring is fixedly disposed on the fixing block, and the locking block is fixedly disposed at the other end of the return spring, the locking block being used to drive the slider to slide; one end of the return rod is rotatably connected to the locking block, and the other end of the return rod is used to abut against the actuation block.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, the return mechanism uses the first rod as support to realize the rotational installation of the return rod. The return spring and the locking block cooperate to form an elastic drive structure. The elastic force of the return spring provides power for the rotation of the return rod and the movement of the locking block. The locking block has the dual functions of driving the rotation of the return rod and limiting the movement of the slider. It can transmit the power of the return spring to drive the movement of the return rod, and can also limit the movement of the return mechanism through the locking of the slider. One end of the return rod is rotatably connected to the locking block, and the other end of the return rod is used to abut against the actuating block of the clamping component, which can convert the power of the return spring into the rotational power of the return rod.

[0018] Preferably, the picking assembly includes a picking structure and a resetting mechanism; the picking structure includes a picking groove, a picking spring, a first block, a picking rod, and a support plate. The picking groove is longitudinally arranged on the box above the sampling port. The picking spring is disposed in the picking groove, with one end of the picking spring fixedly disposed at the bottom of the picking groove. The first block is slidably disposed in the picking groove, with the bottom of the first block fixedly disposed at the other end of the picking spring. The picking rod is slidably disposed in the picking groove, located above the first block. The picking rod has a telescopic structure inside, and the top of the first block is used to abut against the telescopic structure. The top of the support plate is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the picking rod, and a support cylinder is disposed at the bottom of the support plate.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the retrieval groove provides precise guidance for the up-and-down sliding of the retrieval rod. The retrieval spring and the first block form an elastic support structure, providing automatic reset power for the retrieval rod. After sampling, releasing the retrieval rod will achieve self-reset through the spring force. The first block abuts against the internal telescopic structure of the retrieval rod, realizing the linkage triggering of the retrieval rod's pressing action and the telescopic structure's action to complete the extension and retraction of the telescopic structure. The bottom of the retrieval rod is provided with a bearing plate and a bearing cylinder, forming a stable bearing structure for the sample. During the sampling pressing process, it can provide flexible support for the sample.

[0020] Preferably, the telescopic structure includes a sampling plate, a telescopic cavity, a telescopic groove, a second block, and a telescopic spring; the telescopic cavity is disposed inside the picking rod, one end of the sampling plate is slidably disposed inside the telescopic cavity, and the other end of the sampling plate is disposed outside the picking rod; the telescopic groove is disposed at the bottom of the picking rod, one end of the second block is slidably disposed inside the telescopic groove, the telescopic spring is sleeved on the other end of the second block, one end of the telescopic spring is fixedly disposed on the picking rod, and the other end of the telescopic spring is fixedly disposed on the other end of the second block; the telescopic groove communicates with the telescopic cavity.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, a linkage transmission path is formed through the interconnected structure of the telescopic cavity and the telescopic groove. With the sliding engagement of the second block and the sampling plate, the abutting force of the first block can be accurately transmitted to the sampling plate, realizing the synchronous linkage between the pressing action of the lifting rod and the extension action of the sampling plate. The telescopic spring provides elastic reset power for the second block. After sampling is completed, the lifting rod resets, the first block and the second block disengage, and the telescopic spring can drive the second block to automatically reset.

[0022] Preferably, the reset mechanism includes a reset rod and a reset block. The reset block is slidably disposed inside the housing and located below the slide rail. One end of the reset rod is rotatably disposed on the reset block, and the other end of the reset rod is rotatably disposed on the side of the picking rod. The reset block is used to abut against and push the locking block to slide.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the two ends of the reset rod are rotatably connected to the reset block and the picking rod respectively. The force of the picking component controls the locking block. The reset block is arranged below the slide rail, abutting against and pushing the locking block of the return mechanism to slide, realizing the quick unlocking and reset of the locking block. This ensures that the return mechanism completes the limit release and re-locking according to the preset logic, avoiding the failure of the mechanism due to position deviation.

[0024] Preferably, the first end of the transport track is connected to the last end of the transport track, and the transport track is concave in shape.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the transport track is designed to be concave and connected end to end to form a closed loop structure. With the help of the flexible conveyor chain, the clamping component can be circulated and slid, completing the transfer of the sample from the inlet to the outlet and the return of the empty clamping component. The concave closed loop structure realizes the unidirectional circulatory movement of the clamping component. With the unidirectional drive logic of the toggle component and the rotation component, it precisely matches the sample retrieval rule of the device, ensuring the uniqueness of the sample trajectory from inlet to retrieval and avoiding confusion in the retrieval order.

[0026] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: 1. The actuation mechanism adopts a rotating engagement structure of actuation rod and support rod. The support rod provides stable support for the actuation rod, and the bottom end of the support rod is slidably set at the bottom of the housing, which can adaptively adjust the support position of the actuation rod to ensure precise engagement between the actuation rod and the drive block and the clamping component actuation block, improving the reliability of power transmission. One end of the actuation rod is rotatably connected to the drive block, which can convert the linear reciprocating motion of the drive block into the rotation of the actuation rod around the axis. The other end of the actuation rod integrates a sliding groove, a relief spring and an elastic telescopic structure of the sliding rod. Together with the relief slope at the end of the sliding rod, it realizes the unidirectional driving function of the actuation rod. When pressing the sample, the sliding rod avoids the clamping component actuation block through the relief slope. When resetting, the sliding rod rigidly abuts against the actuation block to drive the displacement, avoiding interference from reverse force, forming a precise unidirectional transmission logic, and ensuring that the clamping component moves cyclically along the preset trajectory.

[0027] 2. The return mechanism uses the first rod as support to achieve the rotational installation of the return rod. The return spring and the locking block cooperate to form an elastic drive structure. The elastic force of the return spring provides power for the rotation of the return rod and the movement of the locking block. The locking block has the dual function of driving the rotation of the return rod and limiting the movement of the slider. It can transmit the power of the return spring to drive the movement of the return rod, and can also limit the movement of the return mechanism through the locking of the slider. One end of the return rod is rotatably connected to the locking block, and the other end of the return rod is used to abut against the actuating block of the clamping component, which can convert the power of the return spring into the rotational power of the return rod. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure in the embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the internal structure of the box in the embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the memory unit in the embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the toggle component in the embodiment.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating component in the embodiment.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the component being picked up in the embodiment.

[0034] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the telescopic structure in the embodiment.

[0035] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Box body; 11. Sample inlet; 12. Sampling port; 2. Storage unit; 21. Transport track; 22. Flexible conveyor chain; 23. Clamping assembly; 231. Mounting frame; 232. Clamping mechanism; 2321. Clamping claw; 2322. Clamping spring; 3. Actuating assembly; 31. Drive mechanism; 311. Drive cylinder; 312. Drive spring; 313. Drive block; 32. Actuating mechanism; 321. Actuating rod; 3211. Sliding groove; 3212. Yield spring; 3213. Sliding rod; 3214. Yield ramp; 322. Support rod; 4. Rotation assembly; 41. Trigger rod; 42 43. Linkage rod; 44. Return spring; 45. Slider; 46. Slide rail; 47. Retraction mechanism; 48. Retraction rod; 49. First rod; 40. Retraction spring; 41. Locking block; 42. Fixing block; 50. Picking assembly; 51. Picking structure; 512. Picking groove; 513. Picking spring; 514. First block; 515. Picking rod; 515. Bearing plate; 5151. Bearing cylinder; 52. Reset mechanism; 521. Reset rod; 522. Reset block; 61. Telescopic structure; 62. Sampling plate; 63. Telescopic cavity; 64. Telescopic groove; 65. Second block; 666. Telescopic spring; 7. Actuating block. Detailed Implementation

[0036] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1-7 This application will be described in further detail.

[0037] This application discloses a sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer. (Refer to...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The container includes a housing 1, with a sample inlet 11 at the top and a sampling port 12 at the bottom. A storage unit 2 is installed inside the housing 1. The storage unit 2 includes a transport track 21, a flexible conveyor chain 22, and multiple clamping components 23. The transport track 21 is fixedly installed at the top inside the housing 1. The flexible conveyor chain 22 is installed inside the transport track 21 and is slidably connected to the transport track 21. Multiple clamping components 23 are evenly arranged on the flexible conveyor chain 22. A toggle assembly 3 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1, located below the sample inlet 11. A retrieval assembly 5 is provided inside the housing 1 at the sampling port 12. A rotary assembly 4 is provided inside the housing 1 and installed on one side of the sampling port 12. The rotary assembly 4 is an automatic unlocking device. A toggle block 7 is provided on the clamping assembly 23. The toggle assembly 3 drives the clamping assembly 23 to slide through the toggle block 7. The first end of the transport track 21 is connected to the last end of the transport track 21, and the transport track 21 is concave.

[0038] A concave closed-loop transport track 21, in conjunction with a flexible conveyor chain 22, forms a cyclic transport path. After the sample is inserted through the top inlet 11 of the housing 1, pressing the sample triggers the bottom actuating component 3. Releasing the sample resets the actuating component 3, which in turn actuates the actuating block 7 on the current set of clamping components 23, causing the clamping component 23 to move. This moves the next set of clamping components 23 to the inlet 11. Multiple sets of clamping components 23 slide along the transport track 21 with the flexible conveyor chain 22, achieving closed-loop sample transport and storage. When the sample is transported to the sampling port 12 at the bottom of the housing 1, the retrieval component 5 at the sampling port 12 takes the sample out of the clamping component 23. After the sample is taken out, the rotating component 4 reverses the movement of the actuating block 7 on a set of clamping components 23, causing another clamping component 23 with the sample to slide to the sampling port 12. At the same time, the freed clamping component 23 moves with the flexible conveyor chain 22 to the sample inlet 11 area to continue to participate in the clamping and storage of the next round of samples. The last sample put in is taken out first to ensure the retrieval order.

[0039] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The clamping assembly 23 includes a mounting frame 231 and two sets of clamping mechanisms 232. The mounting frame 231 is fixedly mounted on the flexible conveyor chain 22, and the two sets of clamping mechanisms 232 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mounting frame 231. The clamping mechanism 232 includes a clamping claw 2321 and a clamping spring 2322. One end of the clamping claw 2321 is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the mounting frame 231. One end of the clamping spring 2322 is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame 231, and the other end of the clamping spring 2322 is rotatably mounted in the middle of the clamping claw 2321. The clamping assembly 23 is fixed to the flexible conveyor chain 22 by the mounting frame 231. The clamping mechanisms 232 symmetrically arranged on both sides achieve elastic clamping of the sample by means of the clamping claw 2321 and the clamping spring 2322. In the natural state, the spring force drives the two sets of clamping claws 2321 to close relative to each other, forming a stable clamping space.

[0040] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 4The actuating assembly 3 includes a drive mechanism 31 and an actuating mechanism 32. The drive mechanism 31 includes a drive cylinder 311, a drive spring 312, and a drive block 313. The drive cylinder 311 is located at the bottom of the housing 1, the drive spring 312 is located inside the drive cylinder 311, one end of the drive spring 312 is fixedly located at the bottom of the drive cylinder 311, and the bottom of the drive block 313 is fixedly located at the other end of the drive spring 312. The drive block 313 is slidably located inside the drive cylinder 311. The actuating mechanism 32 is located at the bottom of the housing 1, one end of the actuating mechanism 32 is rotatably connected to the drive block 313, and the other end of the actuating mechanism 32 is used to abut against the actuating block 7. The actuating mechanism 32 includes... A toggle lever 321 and a support rod 322 are provided. The bottom end of the support rod 322 is slidably disposed at the bottom of the housing 1. The toggle lever 321 is rotatably disposed on the support rod 322. One end of the toggle lever 321 is rotatably disposed on one side of the drive block 313. The other end of the toggle lever 321 is provided with a sliding groove 3211. A relief spring 3212 is disposed in the sliding groove 3211. One end of the relief spring 3212 is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the sliding groove 3211. A sliding rod 3213 is slidably disposed in the sliding groove 3211. One end of the sliding rod 3213 is fixedly disposed on the other end of the relief spring 3212. A relief slope 3214 is provided on one side of the other end of the sliding rod 3213.

[0041] The sample is inserted through the sample inlet 11 at the top of the housing 1. Pressing down on the drive block 313 of the actuating assembly 3 causes the drive block 313 to slide downwards along the drive cylinder 311 and compress the drive spring 312. Simultaneously, this causes the actuating rod 321 of the actuating mechanism 32 to rotate around the support rod 322. In this rotational direction, the actuating block 7 of the clamping assembly 23 contacts the clearance slope 3214 of the sliding rod 3213 at the end of the actuating rod 321, squeezing the sliding rod 3213 back into the sliding groove 3211 and compressing the clearance spring 3212. This allows the actuating rod 321 to smoothly pass through the actuating block 7. At this time, the clamping assembly 23 remains stationary, and the sample falls between the two clamping claws 2321 of the currently unloaded clamping assembly 23. The pressing pressure on the sample is then released. Afterwards, the drive spring 312 resets and pushes the drive block 313 to slide upward along the drive cylinder 311, causing the actuating rod 321 to rotate in the opposite direction around the support rod 322. In this rotation direction, the side of the sliding rod 3213 without the yielding slope 3214 precisely abuts against the actuating block 7 of the clamping assembly 23, and the sliding rod 3213 is kept in the extended state by the yielding spring 3212 and cannot be retracted. The rotational power of the actuating rod 321 is transmitted to the actuating block 7 through the sliding rod 3213, driving the current clamping assembly 23 to drive the flexible conveyor chain 22 to slide along the concave transport track 21, so that the next set of empty clamping assemblies 23 moves to the bottom of the sample inlet 11 to wait for the next one. At the same time, the assemblies that have clamped the sample enter the closed-loop storage path with the conveyor chain.

[0042] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 5The rotary assembly 4 includes a trigger rod 41, a connecting rod 42, a return spring 43, a slider 44, a slide rail 45, and a return mechanism 46. One end of the trigger rod 41 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing 1, one end of the return spring 43 is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing 1, and the other end of the return spring 43 is rotatably disposed on one side of the trigger rod 41. Both ends of the slide rail 45 are fixedly disposed inside the housing 1, the slider 44 is slidably disposed on the slide rail 45, one end of the connecting rod 42 is rotatably connected to the other side of the trigger rod 41, and the other end of the connecting rod 42 is rotatably connected to the slider 44. The return mechanism 46 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 1 on one side of the slide rail 45. 6 includes a return lever 461, a first lever 462, a return spring 463, a locking block 464, and a fixing block 465; the bottom of the first lever 462 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the housing 1, and the return lever 461 is rotatably installed at the top of the first lever 462; the fixing block 465 is fixedly installed at the bottom of the housing 1 at one end of the slide rail 45, one end of the return spring 463 is fixedly installed on the fixing block 465, and the locking block 464 is fixedly installed at the other end of the return spring 463. The locking block 464 is used to drive the slider 44 to slide; one end of the return lever 461 is rotatably connected to the locking block 464, and the other end of the return lever 461 is used to abut against the actuating block 7.

[0043] The sampling operation is performed by sliding component 5 downwards. During the downward movement, the gripping claw 2321 of the clamping component 23 is pushed to swing outwards. After the gripping claw 2321 swings, it touches the trigger rod 41 of the rotating component 4, causing the trigger rod 41 to rotate around the bottom of the housing 1 and stretch the return spring 43. The rotation of the trigger rod 41 drives the slider 44 to slide along the slide rail 45 via the connecting rod 42. During the sliding of the slider 44, the locking block 464 of the rotating component 4 is subjected to the force of the return spring 463 and moves downwards a short distance along the rotation trajectory of the return rod 461, releasing the contact limit between it and the slider 44. The elastic force of the return spring 463 further drives... The return lever 461 rotates around the first lever 462, and the end of the return lever 461 abuts against the actuating block 7 of the sample clamping assembly 23 that has been removed. The empty clamping assembly 23 is moved along the transport track 21 to the sample inlet 11 area to wait for the sample. At the same time, the flexible conveyor chain 22 slides synchronously, so that the second to last sample placed in the clamping assembly 23 is moved to the sampling port 12, waiting for the subsequent sampling by the retrieval assembly 5. When the sample is not removed, the clamping claw 2321 remains in a closed state. The clamping claw 2321 does not rotate. The length of the clamping claw 2321 is insufficient, so it will not touch the trigger lever 41. The clamping assembly 23 can slide normally to complete the sample placement requirement.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The retrieval component 5 includes a retrieval structure 51 and a reset mechanism 52. The retrieval structure 51 includes a retrieval groove 511, a retrieval spring 512, a first block 513, a retrieval rod 514, and a support plate 515. The retrieval groove 511 is longitudinally arranged on the box 1 above the sampling port 12. The retrieval spring 512 is arranged inside the retrieval groove 511, with one end of the retrieval spring 512 fixedly arranged at the bottom of the retrieval groove 511. The first block 513 is slidably arranged inside the retrieval groove 511. The bottom of the first block 513 is fixedly mounted on the other end of the spring 512; the lifting rod 514 is slidably mounted in the lifting groove 511, and the lifting rod 514 is located above the first block 513. The lifting rod 514 is provided with a telescopic structure 6 inside, and the top of the first block 513 is used to abut against the telescopic structure 6; the top of the bearing plate 515 is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the lifting rod 514, and the bottom of the bearing plate 515 is provided with a bearing cylinder 5151; the telescopic structure 6 includes a sampling plate 61 and a telescopic cavity 62. The system includes a telescopic groove 63, a second block 64, and a telescopic spring 65. A telescopic cavity 62 is located inside the picking rod 514. One end of the sampling plate 61 is slidably disposed within the telescopic cavity 62, and the other end of the sampling plate 61 is located outside the picking rod 514. The telescopic groove 63 is located at the bottom of the picking rod 514. One end of the second block 64 is slidably disposed within the telescopic groove 63, and the other end of the telescopic spring 65 is sleeved on the other end of the second block 64. One end of the telescopic spring 65 is fixedly disposed on the picking rod 514, and the other end of the telescopic spring 65 is fixedly disposed on the other end of the second block 64. The telescopic groove 63 communicates with the telescopic cavity 62. The reset mechanism 52 includes a reset rod 521 and a reset block 522. The reset block 522 is slidably disposed within the housing 1, located below the slide rail 45. One end of the reset rod 521 is rotatably disposed on the reset block 522, and the other end of the reset rod 521 is rotatably disposed on one side of the picking rod 514. The reset block 522 is used to abut against and push the locking block 464 to slide.

[0045] During sampling, pressing down on the picking rod 514 of the picking assembly 5 causes the first block 513 to abut against the second block 64. Through the medium transmission of the telescopic cavity 62 and the telescopic groove 63, the sampling plate 61 slides outward from the telescopic cavity 62 to above the sample. Continuing to press down on the picking rod 514 causes the sample to slide down through the sampling plate 61 and push the clamping claw 2321 to swing outward, triggering the trigger rod 41 of the rotary assembly 4 to rotate. The trigger rod 41 drives the slider 44 to slide along the slide rail 45 via the connecting rod 42. Simultaneously, the picking rod 514 moves downward, driving the reset block 522 to slide via the reset rod 521. The reset block 522 disengages from the locking block 464, releasing the restriction on the locking block 464. After the slider 44 slides, the locking block 464 moves downward along the rotation trajectory of the return rod 461 under the action of the return spring 463, releasing its contact with the slider 44. The return spring 463 then drives the return rod. 461 rotates around the first rod 462, and the return rod 461 abuts against the toggle block 7 of the empty clamping assembly 23, moving it to the sample inlet 11. At the same time, the clamping assembly 23 of the next set of samples to be taken moves to the sampling port 12. After the sample is taken away, the picking rod 514 is released, and the picking spring 512 resets, causing the picking rod 514 to move upward. The first block 513 and the second block 64 disengage. The sampling plate 61 retracts into the telescopic cavity 62 under the action of the telescopic structure 6, without affecting the reset of the picking rod 514. At the same time, the upward movement of the picking rod 514 drives the reset block 522 to slide in the opposite direction via the reset rod 521. The reset block 522 abuts against the locking block 464, causing it to rotate in the opposite direction to the slider 44 to re-lock. The rotary assembly 4 is reset. After the toggle assembly 3, picking assembly 5, and rotary assembly 4 are reset, the device enters the next round of sample transport cycle, maintaining the first-in-last-out sample retrieval order throughout the process.

[0046] The working principle of the sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer in this application is as follows: the sample is inserted through the sample inlet 11 at the top of the housing 1. The driving block 313 below the sample inlet 11 is pressed down, and the driving block 313 moves down along the driving cylinder 311 to compress the driving spring 312, thereby driving the actuating rod 321 to rotate around the support rod 322. During this process, the actuating block 7 on the clamping assembly 23 contacts the relief slope 3214 of the sliding rod 3213 at the end of the actuating rod 321, squeezing the sliding rod 3213 back into the sliding groove 3211 and compressing the relief spring 3212. The actuating rod 321 avoids the actuating block 7, so that the clamping assembly 23 does not move, and the sample falls into the currently unloaded clamping assembly 23. Between the two sets of clamping claws 2321, after the sample pressing pressure is removed, the drive spring 312 resets and pushes the drive block 313 upward, causing the actuating rod 321 to rotate in the opposite direction. The side of the sliding rod 3213 without the yielding slope 3214 precisely abuts against the actuating block 7, and the sliding rod 3213 is kept extended by the yielding spring 3212. The rotational power of the actuating rod 321 is transmitted to the actuating block 7 through the sliding rod 3213, driving the current clamping assembly 23 to slide the flexible conveyor chain 22 along the concave transport track 21, so that the next set of empty clamping assemblies 23 moves to the bottom of the sample inlet 11 to wait. The assembly with the clamped sample enters the closed-loop storage path with the flexible conveyor chain 22. When the clamping spring 2322 of the clamping assembly 23 resets, it drives the two clamping claws 2321 to close relative to each other, firmly clamping the sample. When the last sample is placed in, it is transported to the sampling port 12 at the bottom of the box 1 by the clamping assembly 23. Press down on the picking rod 514 of the picking assembly 5. The first piece 513 in the picking groove 511 abuts against the second piece 64 of the telescopic structure 6 inside the picking rod 514. Through the communication between the telescopic cavity 62 and the telescopic groove 63, the sampling plate 61 slides outward from the telescopic cavity 62 to above the sample. Continue to press down on the picking rod 514. The sample slides down through the sampling plate 61 and pushes the clamping claws 2321 to swing outward. The gripper 2321 touches the trigger rod 41 of the rotary assembly 4, causing the trigger rod 41 to rotate around the bottom of the housing 1 and stretch the reset spring 43. The rotation of the trigger rod 41 drives the slider 44 to slide along the slide rail 45 via the connecting rod 42. At the same time, the take-up rod 514 moves down, causing the reset rod 521 to rotate, driving the reset block 522 to slide and disengage from the locking block 464 of the return mechanism 46, releasing the limit of the reset block 522 on the locking block 464. The slider 44 slides along the slide rail 45 to make way for the locking block 464. The locking block 464 is subjected to the force of the return spring 463 and moves down a small distance along the rotation trajectory of the return rod 461, releasing the contact limit with the slider 44.The spring force of the return spring 463 further drives the return rod 461 to rotate around the first rod 462. The end of the return rod 461 abuts against the actuating block 7 on the empty clamping assembly 23 with the sample already removed, moving the empty clamping assembly 23 along the transport track 21 to the sample inlet 11 area to wait for the next sample. At the same time, it drives the flexible conveyor chain 22 to slide synchronously, so that the penultimate sample clamping assembly 23 to be placed is moved to the sampling port 12 to wait for subsequent sampling. If no sampling operation is performed, the clamping claw 2321 remains closed. The length of the clamping claw 2321 does not reach the position of the trigger rod 41 and cannot touch the trigger rod 41. The clamping assembly 23 can slide normally with the flexible conveyor chain 22 to complete the sample placement requirement. After the sample at the sampling port 12 is removed, the picking rod 514 is released. The picking spring 512 returns to its original position and pushes the picking rod 514 to slide upward along the picking groove 511. The first block 513 and the second block 64 Upon disengagement, the telescopic spring 65 resets, causing the second block 64 to slide outward, retracting the sampling plate 61 into the telescopic cavity 62 without affecting the reset of the retrieval rod 514. Simultaneously, the retrieval rod 514 moves upward, causing the reset rod 521 to rotate in the opposite direction, driving the reset block 522 to slide in the opposite direction and abut against the locking block 464, causing the locking block 464 to rotate in the opposite direction to re-lock at the slider 44. The trigger rod 41, under the elastic force of the reset spring 43, rotates in the opposite direction to reset, and through the connecting rod 42, drives the slider 44 to slide back to the initial position along the slide rail 45. The entire rotary assembly 4 resets, and the empty clamping assembly 23 circulates with the flexible conveyor chain 22 to the sample inlet 11 area, waiting for the next round of sample clamping. The actuating assembly 3 and the retrieval assembly 5 simultaneously reset to the initial standby state, and the device enters the next round of sample transport cycle, maintaining the first-in-last-out sample retrieval order throughout the process, realizing continuous automated storage and transport of samples.

[0047] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer, characterized in that: The system includes a housing (1), with a sample inlet (11) at one end of the top and a sampling port (12) at one end of the bottom. A storage unit (2) is located inside the housing (1), comprising a transport track (21), a flexible conveyor chain (22), and multiple clamping assemblies (23). The transport track (21) is fixedly mounted on the top of the housing (1), and the flexible conveyor chain (22) is mounted inside the transport track (21) and slidably connected to the transport track (21). The multiple clamping assemblies (23)... The components are evenly arranged on the flexible conveyor chain (22); the bottom of the box (1) is provided with a toggle component (3), the toggle component (3) is located below the sample inlet (11), the box (1) at the sampling port (12) is provided with a picking component (5), the box (1) is provided with a rotating component (4), the rotating component (4) is installed on one side of the sampling port (12), and the rotating component (4) is an automatic unlocking device; the clamping component (23) is provided with a toggle block (7), and the toggle component (3) drives the clamping component (23) to slide through the toggle block (7).

2. The sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (23) includes a mounting frame (231) and two sets of clamping mechanisms (232). The mounting frame (231) is fixedly mounted on the flexible conveyor chain (22), and the two sets of clamping mechanisms (232) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bottom of the mounting frame (231). The clamping mechanism (232) includes a clamping claw (2321) and a clamping spring (2322). One end of the clamping claw (2321) is rotatably mounted on the bottom of the mounting frame (231). One end of the clamping spring (2322) is rotatably mounted on the mounting frame (231), and the other end of the clamping spring (2322) is rotatably mounted in the middle of the clamping claw (2321).

3. The sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The actuating assembly (3) includes a driving mechanism (31) and an actuating mechanism (32). The driving mechanism (31) includes a driving cylinder (311), a driving spring (312), and a driving block (313). The driving cylinder (311) is located at the bottom of the housing (1). The driving spring (312) is located inside the driving cylinder (311). One end of the driving spring (312) is fixedly located at the bottom of the driving cylinder (311). The bottom of the driving block (313) is fixedly located at the other end of the driving spring (312). The driving block (313) is slidably located inside the driving cylinder (311). The actuating mechanism (32) is located at the bottom of the housing (1). One end of the actuating mechanism (32) is rotatably connected to the driving block (313). The other end of the actuating mechanism (32) is used to abut against the actuating block (7).

4. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The actuating mechanism (32) includes an actuating rod (321) and a support rod (322); the bottom end of the support rod (322) is slidably disposed at the bottom of the housing (1), the actuating rod (321) is rotatably disposed on the support rod (322), and one end of the actuating rod (321) is rotatably disposed on one side of the drive block (313); the other end of the actuating rod (321) is provided with a sliding groove (3211), a relief spring (3212) is provided in the sliding groove (3211), one end of the relief spring (3212) is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the sliding groove (3211), a sliding rod (3213) is slidably disposed in the sliding groove (3211), one end of the sliding rod (3213) is fixedly disposed on the other end of the relief spring (3212), and a relief inclined surface (3214) is provided on one side of the other end of the sliding rod (3213).

5. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotary assembly (4) includes a trigger rod (41), a connecting rod (42), a return spring (43), a slider (44), a slide rail (45), and a return mechanism (46); one end of the trigger rod (41) is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing (1), one end of the return spring (43) is rotatably disposed at the bottom of the housing (1), and the other end of the return spring (43) is rotatably disposed on one side of the trigger rod (41); both ends of the slide rail (45) are fixedly disposed in the housing (1), the slider (44) is slidably disposed on the slide rail (45), one end of the connecting rod (42) is rotatably connected to the other side of the trigger rod (41), and the other end of the connecting rod (42) is rotatably connected to the slider (44); the return mechanism (46) is disposed at the bottom of the housing (1) on one side of the slide rail (45).

6. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The return mechanism (46) includes a return rod (461), a first rod (462), a return spring (463), a locking block (464), and a fixing block (465); the bottom of the first rod (462) is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the housing (1), and the return rod (461) is rotatably disposed at the top of the first rod (462); the fixing block (465) is fixedly disposed at the bottom of the housing (1) at one end of the slide rail (45), one end of the return spring (463) is fixedly disposed on the fixing block (465), and the locking block (464) is fixedly disposed at the other end of the return spring (463), and the locking block (464) is used to drive the slider (44) to slide; one end of the return rod (461) is rotatably connected to the locking block (464), and the other end of the return rod (461) is used to abut against the actuating block (7).

7. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 6, characterized in that: The picking component (5) includes a picking structure (51) and a resetting mechanism (52); the picking structure (51) includes a picking groove (511), a picking spring (512), a first block (513), a picking rod (514), and a support plate (515). The picking groove (511) is longitudinally arranged on the box (1) above the sampling port (12). The picking spring (512) is arranged in the picking groove (511), and one end of the picking spring (512) is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the picking groove (511). The first block (513) is slidably arranged in the picking groove (511). Inside 511), the bottom of the first block (513) is fixedly set at the other end of the picking spring (512); the picking rod (514) is slidably set in the picking groove (511), the picking rod (514) is located above the first block (513), the picking rod (514) is provided with a telescopic structure (6), the top of the first block (513) is used to abut against the telescopic structure (6); the top of the bearing plate (515) is fixedly set at the bottom of the picking rod (514), and the bottom of the bearing plate (515) is provided with a bearing cylinder (5151).

8. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The telescopic structure (6) includes a sampling plate (61), a telescopic cavity (62), a telescopic groove (63), a second block (64), and a telescopic spring (65); the telescopic cavity (62) is located inside the picking rod (514), one end of the sampling plate (61) is slidably located inside the telescopic cavity (62), and the other end of the sampling plate (61) is located outside the picking rod (514); the telescopic groove (63) is located at the bottom of the picking rod (514), one end of the second block (64) is slidably located inside the telescopic groove (63), and the telescopic spring (65) is sleeved on the other end of the second block (64), one end of the telescopic spring (65) is fixedly located on the picking rod (514), and the other end of the telescopic spring (65) is fixedly located on the other end of the second block (64); the telescopic groove (63) communicates with the telescopic cavity (62).

9. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The reset mechanism (52) includes a reset rod (521) and a reset block (522). The reset block (522) is slidably disposed inside the housing (1) and is located below the slide rail (45). One end of the reset rod (521) is rotatably disposed on the reset block (522), and the other end of the reset rod (521) is rotatably disposed on one side of the picking rod (514). The reset block (522) is used to abut against and push the locking block (464) to slide.

10. A sample storage device for a tandem mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first end of the transport track (21) is connected to the last end of the transport track (21), and the transport track (21) is concave.

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