Sample tube clamping mechanism for pipetting workstation

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of sample tube clamping, and discloses a sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation. The sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting work station is arranged on a machine base of the pipetting work station and comprises a fixed clamping jaw, a movable clamping jaw and a driving assembly, and the fixed clamping jaw is provided with a first abutting groove; the movable clamping jaw and the fixed clamping jaw are oppositely arranged, and the movable clamping jaw is provided with a second abutting groove; the driving assembly is arranged on the machine base, and the output end of the driving assembly is in transmission connection with the movable clamping jaw. Due to the fact that the fixed clamping jaw is fixed to the machine base, and the shape of the groove wall of the first abutting groove is matched with the shape of part of the outer wall of the sample tube, the placing position of the sample tube is limited, and the moving mechanism can conveniently position the placing position of the sample tube. When the sample tube is placed in the first abutting groove by the moving mechanism, the movable clamping jaw is driven by the driving assembly to move towards one side close to the fixed clamping jaw, so that the sample tube is abutted between the first abutting groove and the second abutting groove, the control is simple, and the sample tube cannot be clamped obliquely or fall off.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of sample tube clamping, in particular to a sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid transfer workstation. Background Art

[0002] The pipetting workstation is an automated liquid handling platform system that can automatically complete high-precision liquid handling tasks such as gradient dilution, pipetting, and merging liquids. The pipetting workstation includes a moving mechanism and a sample tube clamping mechanism. The moving mechanism is used to move the sample tube to the sample tube clamping mechanism, and then the sample tube is clamped by the sample tube clamping mechanism for subsequent capping operations.

[0003] The existing sample tube clamping mechanism achieves clamping through two clamping blocks. During the clamping operation, the moving mechanism places the sample tube in the middle of the two clamping blocks, and then drives the two clamping blocks to move closer to each other through the corresponding driving parts to clamp the sample tube. In this process, it is necessary to ensure that the position of the sample tube placed by the moving mechanism is accurate, and the moving stroke of the two clamping blocks needs to be controlled at the same time. If one of them is wrong, it may cause the sample tube to be clamped crooked or fall off. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide a sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid transfer workstation, which is convenient for a mobile mechanism to position the sample tube, is easy to control, and will not cause the sample tube to be crooked or fall off.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid transfer workstation is arranged on a machine base of the liquid transfer workstation, comprising:

[0007] A fixed claw, fixed on the machine base, the fixed claw is provided with a first abutment groove, the shape of the first abutment groove wall follows the shape of the outer wall of the sample tube portion, and is used to limit the placement position of the sample tube;

[0008] A movable claw, arranged opposite to the fixed claw, the movable claw being provided with a second abutting groove;

[0009] A driving assembly is arranged on the machine base, and an output end of the driving assembly is transmission-connected with the movable claw; the driving assembly can drive the movable claw to move toward a side close to the fixed claw, and make the sample tube abut between the first abutting groove and the second abutting groove.

[0010] Preferably, a support platform is provided at the lower end of the first abutting groove for supporting the sample tube, and an avoidance groove is provided at the lower end of the second abutting groove for avoiding the support platform.

[0011] Preferably, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation also includes two elastic members, a first accommodating groove is recessed on the groove wall of the first abutting groove, and a second accommodating groove is recessed on the groove wall of the second abutting groove, one of the elastic members is fixed on the first accommodating groove, and the other elastic member is fixed on the second accommodating groove, and both ends of the sample tube are respectively abutted between the two elastic members.

[0012] Preferably, the elastic member is an elastic rubber strip, one of the elastic rubber strips is clamped and fixed on the first receiving groove, and the other elastic rubber strip is clamped and fixed on the second receiving groove.

[0013] Preferably, the drive assembly includes a motor and a screw, the motor is fixed on the machine base, the output end of the motor is transmission connected to the screw, the movable claw is transmission connected to the screw, and can move on the screw along the axial direction of the screw.

[0014] Preferably, the driving assembly further comprises a slide rail, the slide rail is fixed on the machine base, and the movable claw is slidably connected to the slide rail.

[0015] Preferably, the fixed claw includes a fixed block and a fixed clamp, the fixed block is fixed on the machine base, and the fixed clamp is detachably connected to the fixed block; the movable claw includes a movable block and a movable clamp, the movable block is connected to the output end of the driving assembly, and the movable clamp is detachably connected to the movable block.

[0016] Preferably, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation also includes a photoelectric switch and a signaling block, wherein the photoelectric switch is electrically connected to the driving assembly, and the signaling block is arranged on the movable claw, and the signaling block limits the extreme position of the movement of the movable claw by blocking the light of the photoelectric switch.

[0017] Preferably, the shape of the wall of the second abutting groove follows the shape of the outer wall of the sample tube portion.

[0018] Preferably, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further comprises a fixing plate, the fixing plate is detachably connected to the machine base, and the fixing claw is detachably connected to the fixing plate.

[0019] Beneficial effects of the utility model:

[0020] The sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation provided by the utility model is arranged on the machine base of the pipetting workstation, and includes a fixed clamping claw, a movable clamping claw and a driving assembly. The fixed clamping claw is fixed on the machine base, and the shape of the first abutting groove wall is in accordance with the shape of the outer wall of the sample tube part, which defines the placement position of the sample tube and facilitates the positioning of the sample tube placement position by the moving mechanism. When the moving mechanism places the sample tube in the first abutting groove, the driving assembly drives the movable clamping claw to move to the side close to the fixed clamping claw, so that the sample tube abuts between the first abutting groove and the second abutting groove. The control is simple, and the sample tube will not be crooked or dropped. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a first-view structural schematic diagram of the sample tube clamping mechanism for the liquid transfer workstation provided by the utility model in a state of clamping the sample tube;

[0022] Figure 2 It is a second perspective structural schematic diagram of the sample tube clamping mechanism for the liquid transfer workstation provided by the utility model in a state of clamping the sample tube;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid transfer workstation provided by the utility model in a state where the sample tube is not clamped;

[0024] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the fixed clamping head involved in the utility model;

[0025] Figure 5 The utility model is a structural schematic diagram of the movable clamping head involved in the utility model.

[0026] In the figure:

[0027] 1. Fixed claw; 11. First abutment groove; 12. Support platform; 13. First receiving groove; 14. Fixed block; 15. Fixed clamp;

[0028] 2. movable claw; 21. second abutment groove; 22. avoidance groove; 23. second accommodating groove; 24. movable block; 25. movable clamping head;

[0029] 3. Driving assembly; 31. Motor; 32. Lead screw; 33. Slide rail; 34. Moving block;

[0030] 4. Photoelectric switch; 5. Transmitter block; 6. Fixing plate; 7. Motor fixing seat;

[0031] 100. Sample tube. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the present invention. It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the present invention, rather than all structures, are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0033] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0034] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or may include that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" and "above" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" and "below" a second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0035] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", etc., are based on the directions or positions shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplified operation, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description and have no special meaning.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 5As shown, the utility model provides a sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation, which is suitable for sample tubes 100 of different specifications and can reliably position and clamp the sample tube 100. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation is arranged on the machine base of the pipetting workstation, and includes a fixed clamping claw 1, a movable clamping claw 2 and a driving component 3. The fixed clamping claw 1 is fixed on the machine base, and the fixed clamping claw 1 is provided with a first abutting groove 11. The shape of the groove wall of the first abutting groove 11 follows the shape of the outer wall of the sample tube 100, and is used to limit the placement position of the sample tube 100; the movable clamping claw 2 is arranged opposite to the fixed clamping claw 1, and the movable clamping claw 2 is provided with a second abutting groove 21; the driving component 3 is arranged on the machine base, and the output end of the driving component 3 is transmission-connected with the movable clamping claw 2; the driving component 3 can drive the movable clamping claw 2 to move to the side close to the fixed clamping claw 1, and make the sample tube 100 abut between the first abutting groove 11 and the second abutting groove 21. The fixed jaw 1 is fixed on the machine base, and the shape of the groove wall of the first abutting groove 11 is in accordance with the shape of the outer wall of the sample tube 100, which defines the placement position of the sample tube 100 and facilitates the positioning of the sample tube 100 by the moving mechanism. When the moving mechanism places the sample tube 100 in the first abutting groove 11, the driving assembly 3 drives the movable jaw 2 to move to the side close to the fixed jaw 1, so that the sample tube 100 abuts between the first abutting groove 11 and the second abutting groove 21. The control is simple and the sample tube 100 will not be crooked or dropped.

[0037] Optionally, in this embodiment, if Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a support platform 12 is provided at the lower end of the first abutment groove 11 for supporting the sample tube 100, and an avoidance groove 22 is recessed at the lower end of the second abutment groove 21 for avoiding the support platform 12. The support platform 12 is provided at the lower end of the first abutment groove 11, and the support platform 12 can prevent the sample tube 100 from falling from the lower end of the first abutment groove 11. When the moving mechanism fails to grasp the sample tube 100 smoothly, but the movable claw 2 moves to the side away from the fixed claw 1 and releases the sample tube 100, the support platform 12 can play a certain supporting role. Optionally, in this embodiment, the shape of the groove wall of the second abutment groove 21 follows the shape of a part of the outer wall of the sample tube 100, thereby increasing the contact area between the groove wall of the second abutment groove 21 and the sample tube 100, so that the clamping effect is better. In other embodiments, the groove wall of the second abutting groove 21 can abut against the outer wall of the sample tube 100 in the form of point contact or line contact, as long as the groove wall of the second abutting groove 21 can abut against the outer wall of the sample tube 100, and this embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0038] Optionally, in the present embodiment, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further comprises two elastic members, a first receiving groove 13 is recessed on the groove wall of the first abutting groove 11, a second receiving groove 23 is recessed on the groove wall of the second abutting groove 21, one of the elastic members is fixed on the first receiving groove 13, the other elastic member is fixed on the second receiving groove 23, and the two ends of the sample tube 100 are respectively abutted between the two elastic members. The clamping force of the sample tube 100 can be adjusted by the elastic member to achieve a better clamping effect. Further, in the present embodiment, the elastic member is an elastic rubber strip, one of the elastic rubber strips is clamped and fixed on the first receiving groove 13, and the other elastic rubber strip is clamped and fixed on the second receiving groove 23. In other embodiments, the elastic member may also be a spring, and the sample tube 100 abuts between the two springs.

[0039] Optionally, in the present embodiment, the driving assembly 3 comprises a motor 31 and a lead screw 32, the motor 31 is fixed on the machine base, the output end of the motor 31 is connected to the lead screw 32 by transmission, the movable jaw 2 is connected to the lead screw 32 by transmission, and can move on the lead screw 32 along the axial direction of the lead screw 32. The lead screw 32 is driven to rotate by the motor 31, so that the movable jaw 2 moves toward or away from the side of the fixed jaw 1, thereby achieving the clamping or loosening of the sample tube 100. Through the transmission of the lead screw 32, the clamping force of the movable jaw 2 on the sample tube 100 can be accurately controlled. In other embodiments, the driving assembly 3 can be an electric push rod, a cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, as long as the linear movement of the movable jaw 2 can be achieved, and it is not limited to the present embodiment.

[0040] Further, the driving assembly 3 further includes a slide rail 33, which is fixed on the machine base, and the movable claw 2 is slidably connected to the slide rail 33, which guides the movement of the movable claw 2. Optionally, in this embodiment, the driving assembly 3 further includes a moving block 34, and the movable claw 2 is slidably connected to the slide rail 33 via the moving block 34. In addition, the movable claw 2 can also be directly slidably connected to the slide rail 33.

[0041] Optionally, in this embodiment, the fixed jaw 1 includes a fixed block 14 and a fixed clamp 15, the fixed block 14 is fixed on the machine base, and the fixed clamp 15 is detachably connected to the fixed block 14; the movable jaw 2 includes a movable block 24 and a movable clamp 25, the movable block 24 is connected to the output end of the driving component 3, and the movable clamp 25 is detachably connected to the movable block 24. The fixed clamp 15 is detachably connected to the fixed block 14, and the movable clamp 25 is detachably connected to the movable block 24, so that it is convenient to disassemble and replace, so as to adapt to clamping sample tubes 100 of different diameters.

[0042] Optionally, in the present embodiment, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further includes a photoelectric switch 4 and a signaling block 5, the photoelectric switch 4 is electrically connected to the driving assembly 3, the signaling block 5 is arranged on the movable claw 2, and the signaling block 5 blocks the light of the photoelectric switch 4 to limit the extreme position of the movement of the movable claw 2. Optionally, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further includes a fixed plate 6, the fixed plate 6 is detachably connected to the machine base, and the fixed claw 1 is detachably connected to the fixed plate 6 for easy disassembly and assembly. Optionally, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further includes a motor fixing seat 7, the motor fixing seat 7 is detachably connected to the machine base, and the motor 31 is detachably connected to the motor fixing seat 7 for easy disassembly and assembly. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the photoelectric switch 4 is detachably connected to the motor fixing seat 7, and the signaling block 5 is detachably connected to the movable block 24.

[0043] Working process of the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation: Before work, Figure 3 As shown, the sample tube clamping mechanism of the pipetting workstation is in an open state, the moving mechanism locates the placement position of the sample tube 100 through the first abutting groove 11 on the fixed jaw 1, and then moves the sample tube 100 into the first abutting groove 11. When working, the driving component 3 drives the movable jaw 2 to move to the side close to the fixed jaw 1, so that the sample tube 100 abuts between the first abutting groove 11 and the second abutting groove 21, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, the sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation is in a clamping state at this time. After the moving mechanism grabs the sample tube 100 steadily, the movable clamping claw 2 moves to the side away from the fixed clamping claw 1 to release the sample tube 100, and when the movable clamping claw 2 moves to the signaling block 5 to block the light of the photoelectric switch 4, the movable clamping claw 2 stops moving.

[0044] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation methods of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, various obvious changes, readjustments and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. It is not necessary and impossible to list all implementation methods here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid transfer workstation, arranged on a base of the liquid transfer workstation, characterized in that: include: A fixed claw (1) is fixed on the machine base, the fixed claw (1) is provided with a first abutment groove (11), the shape of the groove wall of the first abutment groove (11) follows the shape of a part of the outer wall of the sample tube (100), and is used to limit the placement position of the sample tube (100); A movable claw (2) is arranged opposite to the fixed claw (1), and the movable claw (2) is provided with a second abutment groove (21); A driving component (3) is arranged on the machine base, and an output end of the driving component (3) is drivingly connected to the movable claw (2); the driving component (3) can drive the movable claw (2) to move toward a side close to the fixed claw (1), and make the sample tube (100) abut between the first abutting groove (11) and the second abutting groove (21).

2. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support platform (12) is provided at the lower end of the first abutting groove (11) for supporting the sample tube (100), and an avoidance groove (22) is recessed at the lower end of the second abutting groove (21) for avoiding the support platform (12).

3. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a pipetting workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further comprises two elastic members, a first receiving groove (13) is recessed on the groove wall of the first abutting groove (11), and a second receiving groove (23) is recessed on the groove wall of the second abutting groove (21), one of the elastic members is fixed on the first receiving groove (13), and the other of the elastic members is fixed on the second receiving groove (23), and both ends of the sample tube (100) are respectively abutted between the two elastic members.

4. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to claim 3, characterized in that: The elastic member is an elastic rubber strip, one of the elastic rubber strips is clamped and fixed on the first receiving groove (13), and the other elastic rubber strip is clamped and fixed on the second receiving groove (23).

5. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving assembly (3) comprises a motor (31) and a lead screw (32); the motor (31) is fixed on the machine base; the output end of the motor (31) is transmission-connected to the lead screw (32); the movable claw (2) is transmission-connected to the lead screw (32) and can move on the lead screw (32) along the axial direction of the lead screw (32).

6. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving assembly (3) further comprises a slide rail (33), wherein the slide rail (33) is fixed on the machine base, and the movable claw (2) is slidably connected to the slide rail (33).

7. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The fixed clamping claw (1) comprises a fixed block (14) and a fixed clamping head (15), wherein the fixed block (14) is fixed on the machine base, and the fixed clamping head (15) is detachably connected to the fixed block (14); the movable clamping claw (2) comprises a movable block (24) and a movable clamping head (25), wherein the movable block (24) is connected to the output end of the driving component (3), and the movable clamping head (25) is detachably connected to the movable block (24).

8. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The sample tube clamping mechanism for the pipetting workstation further comprises a photoelectric switch (4) and a signaling block (5), wherein the photoelectric switch (4) is electrically connected to the driving assembly (3), and the signaling block (5) is arranged on the movable clamping claw (2), and the signaling block (5) limits the extreme position of movement of the movable clamping claw (2) by blocking the light of the photoelectric switch (4).

9. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The shape of the groove wall of the second abutting groove (21) follows the shape of a portion of the outer wall of the sample tube (100).

10. The sample tube clamping mechanism for a liquid handling workstation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The sample tube clamping mechanism for the liquid transfer workstation further comprises a fixing plate (6), the fixing plate (6) is detachably connected to the machine base, and the fixing claw (1) is detachably connected to the fixing plate (6).

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