Cover opening and closing module and cover opening and closing equipment comprising same

Abstract

A cover opening and closing module is used for opening and closing a laboratory sample container with a cover, the cover opening and closing module comprises at least one screwdriver head assembly, each screwdriver head assembly comprises a first screwdriver head and a second screwdriver head, the cover opening and closing module has a first mode and a second mode, and in the first mode, the first screwdriver head is connected with the second screwdriver head, and the second screwdriver head is connected with the second screwdriver head. In the first mode, the first bit is located at the position closer to the cover relative to the second bit so as to open and close the cover, and in the second mode, the second bit is located at the position closer to the cover relative to the first bit so as to open and close the cover. And the switching mechanism is configured to drive at least one of the first bit and the second bit to move in the vertical direction, so that the one, farther than the cover, of the first bit and the second bit before movement is located at the position relatively closer to the cover after movement. The utility model further discloses cover opening and closing equipment which comprises the cover opening and closing module, a container holding module for holding the laboratory sample container and a container moving module for moving the container holding module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of low-temperature storage of biological samples, and in particular to an opening and closing cover module and an opening and closing cover device comprising the opening and closing cover module. Background Art

[0002] In medical experiments and biological sample storage, how to preserve laboratory samples has always been a concern. In recent years, with the advancement of technology, cryopreservation boxes have gradually become an efficient and safe option.

[0003] Cryoboxes are an excellent way to collect materials in ultra-low temperature or low temperature freezers, and are suitable for storing a variety of laboratory sample containers (e.g., cryobottles and cryotubes, etc.) in ultra-low temperature or low temperature freezers. Cryoboxes typically include a container holding module (e.g., a rack or a storage board made of polycarbonate or waterproof fiber) that is designed to hold laboratory sample containers. In the case where the laboratory sample containers are test tubes, the container holding module can be a tube rack for holding a large number of test tubes at the same time.

[0004] like Figure 1 As shown, the existing tube rack has three different test tube holding modes: 24 (6×4) tubes / rack, 48 tubes / rack and 96 (12×8) tubes / rack, which are suitable for different customers or application scenarios. These test tubes need to be opened for use or closed for storage. Since the tube rack holds a large number of test tubes at the same time, it is desirable to use a tool to open and close the test tubes at the same time for the sake of convenience and time saving.

[0005] Cap opening and closing devices such as decappers are widely used in biobanks and laboratories that manage samples. It has the characteristics of high throughput and can complete the opening and closing of the entire tube rack at one time, saving users a lot of manpower and time. Usually, the decapper includes multiple batch heads, which are operated to align the test tubes, and then the batch heads are lowered (or the tube rack is raised) so that each batch head contacts the corresponding test tube cap, and then the batch heads are rotated to open or close the cap.

[0006] When using a tube rack with three different holding modes, if the tube rack needs to sequentially perform the opening and closing of 48 test tubes and 96 test tubes or vice versa, the opening and closing device can directly adopt the opening and closing mode of 96 batch heads. There is no obstacle, because the holding mode of 48 tubes / rack is included in the holding mode of 96 tubes / rack (refer to Figure 1 However, if the rack is opened and closed for 24 test tubes after opening and closing the caps for 48 or 96 test tubes, or vice versa, difficulties will arise because the center positions of the test tubes do not overlap for the two holding modes of the rack, 24 tubes / rack and 96 tubes / rack (refer to Figure 1This makes it impossible to simply lower the bit to open and close the test tube.

[0007] The common solution currently is to replace the decapper to meet the tube racks with different holding modes, which undoubtedly takes unnecessary time and labor.

[0008] Therefore, a capping device is currently desired that can open and close the caps of test tubes in different holding modes without the need for replacement. Utility Model Content

[0009] In order to solve the problem that the existing opener cannot open and close the lids of test tubes in different holding modes, the utility model designs a lid opening and closing module for opening and closing the lids of laboratory sample containers with lids. The lid opening and closing module can switch the bit assembly in the vertical direction to use different bit assemblies to open and close the lids of test tubes in different modes.

[0010] Specifically, the cover opening and closing module includes: at least one batch head assembly, each batch head assembly includes at least one first batch head and at least one second batch head; the cover opening and closing module has a first mode and a second mode, in the first mode, the first batch heads are located closer to the cover than the second batch heads, so that the first batch heads can open and close the cover, and in the second mode, the second batch heads are located closer to the cover than the first batch heads, so that the second batch heads can open and close the cover; and a switching mechanism, which is configured to drive at least one of the first batch heads and the second batch heads to move in a vertical direction, so that the one of the first batch heads and the second batch heads that is farther away from the cover before the movement is located relatively closer to the cover after the movement.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the laboratory sample container is a test tube, and the cover opening and closing module can be used to perform two modes of opening and closing the covers: 24 test tubes and 96 / 48 test tubes.

[0012] When the first batch heads are closer to the cover than the second batch heads, the switching mechanism is configured to drive the second batch heads to move in the vertical direction so that the second batch heads are closer to the cover than the first batch heads to open and close the cover.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the number of the second batch heads is greater than the number of the first batch heads, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to only drive the second batch heads to move, so as to reduce the number of required power sources and make the switching mechanism compact.

[0014] In one embodiment, the bit assembly includes a first bit and a plurality of second bits, and the second bits are arranged around the first bit at equal angles to match the arrangement pattern of the laboratory sample containers, thereby facilitating alignment of the lids of the laboratory sample containers.

[0015] Advantageously, the opening and closing cover module comprises a plurality of bit assemblies, wherein the first bit assemblies of at least two of the bit assemblies have no relative movement therebetween, and the second bit assemblies of at least two of the plurality of bit assemblies have no relative movement therebetween, thereby enabling the bit assemblies without relative movement to remain flush on a horizontal plane, so that the bit assemblies can subsequently contact the cover and the opening and closing cover at the same time, thereby avoiding the situation where the cover is missed or the cover is missed as much as possible.

[0016] Furthermore, the opening and closing cover module further includes a first substrate and a second substrate, the first batch of heads are fixedly mounted on the first substrate, and the second batch of heads are fixedly mounted on the second substrate, and the switching mechanism is configured to drive at least one of the first substrate and the second substrate to move in the first mode or the second mode. The first substrate and the second substrate are configured such that there is no relative movement between all the first batch of heads and there is no relative movement between all the second batch of heads.

[0017] The second substrate is located closer to the cover than the first substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate are arranged to overlap at least partially up and down, so that at least one first batch head fixedly mounted to the first substrate can extend through the second substrate. The overlapping arrangement of the substrates reduces the volume of the opening and closing cover module, saves the space occupied by the opening and closing cover module, and facilitates the smooth movement of the container holding module.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the first batch head includes a first shaft extending vertically, and the second batch head includes a second shaft extending vertically, wherein the first shaft is provided with a first toothed portion extending along its axial direction, and the second shaft is provided with a second toothed portion extending along its axial direction, wherein the first toothed portion and the second toothed portion can mesh with each other, and the second toothed portion can move along the first toothed portion in a vertical direction. Through the design of the toothed portion, only a small amount of power source is needed to drive one of the first batch head or the second batch head to rotate to realize the rotation of both, which makes the entire device more compact.

[0019] In one embodiment, the switching mechanism includes a moving plate, and the moving plate is fixed together with the second substrate, wherein the switching mechanism drives the second substrate to move by driving the moving plate to move.

[0020] Furthermore, the switching mechanism drives the moving plate to move via the rotation of the screw rod. The screw rod mechanism can ensure the stable movement of the screw bit in the vertical direction.

[0021] On the other hand, the utility model also discloses a cover opening and closing device, comprising an open and close cover module of any one of the foregoing items or any combination thereof; a container holding module for holding a laboratory sample container; and a container moving module, which is configured to move the container holding module so that the cover is at least partially aligned with the batch head assembly of the open and close cover module.

[0022] Further, the container moving module is configured to be movable relative to the cover opening and closing module so that the cover opening and closing module contacts the cover, thereby realizing the rotational opening and closing of the cover of the bit.

[0023] In one embodiment, in order to rotate the bit, the cover opening and closing device further includes a rotating module, the rotating module includes a rotating connecting piece, the rotating connecting piece is connected to the bit assembly and is driven to rotate to drive the bit assembly to rotate.

[0024] Additional features and advantages of the described opening and closing cover module and opening and closing cover device will be set forth in the detailed description below and will be apparent to those skilled in the art through the following description or will be recognized by those skilled in the art through practice of the embodiments described herein, which description includes the detailed description below and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] With reference to the above purposes, the technical features of the present invention are clearly described in the following claims, and its advantages are obvious from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the preferred embodiments of the present invention by way of example without limiting the scope of the concept of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 1 A top view of a tube rack for holding test tubes of the prior art is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional diagram of an opening and closing cover device according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown, which shows in detail an opening and closing cover module of the opening and closing cover device;

[0028] Figure 3 A perspective view of an opening and closing cover device according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown from another perspective;

[0029] Figure 4 A three-dimensional diagram of a screwdriver bit assembly of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 A perspective view showing a portion of a first batch of bits of a bit assembly of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0031] Figure 6 A perspective view showing a portion of a second bit of a bit assembly of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model;

[0032] Figure 7 A partial side view of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown, wherein the opening and closing cover module is in a first mode;

[0033] Figure 8A partial side view of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown, wherein the opening and closing cover module is in a second mode;

[0034] Fig. 9 A three-dimensional diagram showing a first batch of heads and a first substrate of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0035] Fig.10 A perspective view of a second batch head and a second substrate of an opening and closing cover module according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0036] Fig.11 A perspective view of an opening and closing cover device according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown;

[0037] Fig.12 A perspective view of a cover opening and closing device according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown, wherein the container holding module is moved; and

[0038] Fig.13 A partial stereoscopic view of an opening and closing cover device according to an embodiment of the utility model is shown, wherein a rotating module of the opening and closing cover device is shown.

[0039] Reference numerals

[0040] 1. Opening and closing cover equipment;

[0041] 2 base;

[0042] 3 supporting columns;

[0043] 10 opening and closing cover module;

[0044] 110 bit assembly;

[0045] 111 The first batch of heads;

[0046] 1111 first axis;

[0047] 1112 first toothed portion;

[0048] 112 second batch of heads;

[0049] 1121 Second axis;

[0050] 1122 second toothed portion;

[0051] 120 first substrate;

[0052] 130 second substrate;

[0053] 131 mounting holes;

[0054] 132 through hole;

[0055] 140 Switching mechanism;

[0056] 141 Sports Board;

[0057] 142 screw;

[0058] 143 Nut;

[0059] 144 guide bushing;

[0060] 145 motor;

[0061] 146 Transmission parts;

[0062] 147 limit plate;

[0063] 150 sliding shaft;

[0064] 20 container holding module;

[0065] 30 Rotation modules;

[0066] 310 Rotating electrical machines;

[0067] 311 Rotation axis;

[0068] 320 connecting plate;

[0069] 321 connection hole;

[0070] 330 Connectors;

[0071] 331 Eccentric shaft. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The present invention is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention in any way.

[0073] The directional terms "upper", "lower", "higher", "lower", "vertical direction" and the like used herein are described with reference to the relative positions of the components when the opening and closing cover module is placed on an ideal horizontal surface. It should be understood that in actual situations, such as when the opening and closing cover device described below is placed on a non-flat surface, the actual direction may slightly deviate from the vertical direction.

[0074] The term "mode" used herein refers to the style of a module (ie, the style of an opening and closing cover module), ie, different module structures presented due to relative movement of components in the module.

[0075] This article mainly describes an opening and closing cover module, which has at least one screwdriver assembly, each screwdriver assembly includes at least one first screwdriver and at least one second screwdriver, wherein the opening and closing cover module has a first mode and a second mode, in which the first screwdriver is located at a position closer to the cover than the second screwdriver, so that the first screwdriver can open and close the cover, and in the second mode, the second screwdriver is located at a position closer to the cover than the first screwdriver, so that the second screwdriver can open and close the cover. The opening and closing cover module also includes a switching mechanism, which can drive at least one of the first screwdriver and the second screwdriver to move in a vertical direction, so that the one of the first screwdriver and the second screwdriver that is farther from the cover before the movement is located at a position relatively closer to the cover after the movement.

[0076] It should be understood that, although the following embodiments are described based on the case where the laboratory sample container is a cryopreservation test tube (and therefore the container holding module is a tube rack), those skilled in the art can modify the opening and closing cover module to realize the opening and closing of laboratory sample containers other than test tubes. Therefore, the opening and closing cover modules applicable to various laboratory sample containers fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0077] Note that “first” and “second” herein may be interchanged without affecting the description of the embodiments.

[0078] For the sake of clarity, in the drawings, identical components are labeled only one of them.

[0079] Figure 2 and 3 A lid opening and closing device 1 of a preferred embodiment of the utility model is shown from different perspectives, and the lid opening and closing device 1 includes a base 2, a plurality of support columns 3, and a lid opening and closing module 10. The support columns 3 are fixed on the base 2, and fixedly support the lid opening and closing module 10, so that the lid opening and closing module 10 is spaced a certain distance from the base 2 in the vertical direction, so that a container holding module (for example, a tube rack) can be placed below the lid opening and closing module 10 on the base 2. The lid opening and closing module 10 is used to open and close the lid of a laboratory sample container with a lid held by the container holding module. In this embodiment, the lid opening and closing module 10 opens and closes the lid of a test tube held by the tube rack.

[0080] The opening and closing cover module 10 includes at least one (preferably a plurality of) bit assemblies 110 and a switching mechanism 140. Figure 4-6, a separate batch head assembly 110 is shown. The batch head assembly 110 includes at least one first batch head 111 and at least one second batch head 112, which can be used to open and close the caps of test tubes in two different modes. The first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 are optionally substantially cylindrical in shape. In the present embodiment, the first batch heads 111 are configured to open and close the caps of 24 test tubes, while the second batch heads 112 are configured to open and close the caps of 48 / 96 test tubes, so the number of the second batch heads 112 is greater than the number of the first batch heads 111. It should be understood that in other cases, such as when opening and closing the caps of other containers, the number of the first batch heads 111 may be greater than or equal to the number of the second batch heads 112.

[0081] As previously referenced Figure 1 As described, the arrangement pattern of the test tubes on the tube rack includes 6×4 and 12×8 rectangular arrays. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the batch head assembly 110 includes a first batch head 111 and a plurality of (specifically four) second batch heads 112, and preferably, the second batch heads 112 are arranged at equal angles (i.e., 90 degrees apart) around the first batch heads 111 to conform to the arrangement pattern of the test tubes on the tube rack, thereby facilitating alignment of the test tube caps. In the present embodiment, the opening and closing cover module 10 may include a plurality of batch head assemblies 110, and twenty-four batch head assemblies 110 may be arranged in a 6×4 rectangular array, thereby simultaneously satisfying the alignment of the batch heads with the test tube caps in two modes.

[0082] It should be understood that other styles of the bit assembly 110 are also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the bit assembly 110 may include two first bit assemblies 111 and eight second bit assemblies 112, wherein the two first bit assemblies 111 are spaced apart at the spacing of the test tubes in the 6×4 mode, and the eight second bit assemblies 112 are spaced apart at the spacing of the test tubes in the 12×8 mode around the two first bit assemblies 111. Further, the twelve bit assemblies 110 may be arranged in a 4×3 rectangular array, which can also simultaneously meet the alignment of the bit assemblies with the test tube caps in the two modes.

[0083] It should also be understood that, although the number of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 of the batch head assembly 110 is shown to be 1:4, when the arrangement pattern of the test tubes on the tube rack is not limited to the above case, the corresponding number and arrangement of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 can be changed. As an example, in some cases, the batch head assembly 110 can include one first batch head 111 and three second batch heads 112, and the second batch heads 112 do not have to be arranged around the first batch heads 111 at equal angles.

[0084] Preferably, there is no relative movement between the first batch heads 111 of at least two of the plurality of the batch head assemblies 110, and there is no relative movement between the second batch heads 112 of at least two of the batch head assemblies 110, so that the batch heads without relative movement can be kept flush on the horizontal plane, so that the batch heads can subsequently contact the cover and the opening and closing cover at the same time, and the situation of missing the opening cover or missing the closing cover is avoided as much as possible. Most preferably, there is no relative movement between all the first batch heads 111, and there is no relative movement between all the second batch heads 112.

[0085] like Figure 7-10 As shown, in this embodiment, in order to satisfy that there is no relative movement between the first batch heads 111 and there is no relative movement between the second batch heads 112, the opening and closing cover module 10 also includes a first substrate 120 and a second substrate 130. The first batch heads 111 are fixedly mounted on the first substrate 120, and the second batch heads 112 are fixedly mounted on the second substrate 130, thereby achieving that the first batch heads 111 are kept flush on the horizontal plane and the second batch heads 112 are kept flush on the horizontal plane. "Fixed installation" here means that the batch heads do not move in the vertical direction relative to the substrate, but can rotate around the central axis in the vertical direction.

[0086] After the first batch head 111 and the second batch head 112 are aligned with the test tube caps and there is no relative movement of the batch heads through the above arrangement, in order to enable the cover opening and closing module 10 to open and close the test tubes in two different modes, that is, to open and close the test tubes for 24 test tubes and 48 / 96 test tubes, the cover opening and closing module 10 is designed to have a first mode and a second mode. Figure 7 As shown, in the first mode, the first batch heads 111 are located closer to the cover than the second batch heads 112, so that the first batch heads 111 can open and close the cover; and as shown in FIG. Figure 8 As shown, in the second mode, the second batch head 112 is located closer to the cover than the first batch head 111, so that the second batch head 112 can open and close the cover.

[0087] Continue to refer to Figure 7-8 In order to enable the opening and closing cover module 10 to switch between the first mode and the second mode, a switching mechanism 140 is further provided for the opening and closing cover module 10, and the switching mechanism 140 is configured to drive at least one of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 to move in the vertical direction, so that the one of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 that is farther from the cover before the movement is located relatively closer to the cover after the movement. In other words, the switching mechanism 140 can drive both the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 to move, or can drive only one of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 to move.

[0088] For example, when the first batch heads 111 are closer to the cover than the second batch heads 112, the switching mechanism 140 may be configured to drive the second batch heads 112 to move in the vertical direction, so that the second batch heads 112 are closer to the cover than the first batch heads 111, so as to open and close the cover. At this time, the switching mechanism 140 may not drive the first batch heads 111 to move, that is, the switching mechanism 140 is configured to only drive the second batch heads 112 to move. Figure 7-8 As shown in FIG. 1 , only the second batch heads 112 are driven to move so that the number of power sources can be reduced, making the switching mechanism 140 compact. Alternatively, the switching mechanism 140 can drive the first batch heads 111 to move, for example, the switching mechanism 140 can drive both the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 to move downward but the second batch heads 112 move a greater distance, which can also satisfy the second batch heads 112 being closer to the cover than the first batch heads 111.

[0089] In other embodiments, when the first batch heads 111 are closer to the cover relative to the second batch heads 112, the switching mechanism 140 may alternatively be configured to only drive the first batch heads 111 to move so that the second batch heads 112 are closer to the cover than the first batch heads 111. For example, the switching mechanism 140 may drive the first batch heads 111 to move upward so that the second batch heads 112 are closer to the cover. All of the above embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0090] The above embodiment describes a situation where the switching mechanism 140 can switch the opening and closing cover module 10 from the first mode (i.e., the first batch of heads 111 is closer to the cover) to the second mode (i.e., the second batch of heads 112 is closer to the cover). It should be understood that the above situation is reversible, so that the switching mechanism 140 can switch the opening and closing cover module 10 from the second mode back to the first mode.

[0091] As described above, the first batch heads 111 are fixedly mounted on the first substrate 120, and the second batch heads 112 are fixedly mounted on the second substrate 130. Therefore, the switching mechanism 140 can be configured to drive at least one of the first substrate 120 and the second substrate 130 to move in the first mode or the second mode, thereby driving one of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112 to move. Further, as described above, in this embodiment, the switching mechanism 140 is configured to only drive the second batch heads 112 to move ( Figure 7-8 ), so the switching mechanism 140 can be configured to only drive the second substrate 130 to move, so as to drive the second batch head 112 to move.

[0092] Reference Figure 7-10 , and additionally refer to Figure 3The first substrate 120 is mounted on the support column 3, and the upper end of the first batch of heads 111 can extend upward from the first substrate 120 (the portion extending upward can also be Fig.13 The second substrate 130 is located closer to the cover than the first substrate 120 ( Figure 7-8 The first substrate 120 and the second substrate 130 are arranged to overlap at least partially, so that at least one first batch of heads 111 fixedly mounted to the first substrate 120 can extend through the second substrate 130. Preferably, the first substrate 120 and the second substrate 130 completely overlap, so that all the first batch of heads 111 extend through the second substrate 130. Fig.10 The second substrate 130 includes a mounting hole 131 and a through hole 132, the second batch head 112 is fixedly mounted to the second substrate 130 through the mounting hole 131, and the first batch head 111 extends through the through hole 132, so that the movement of the second substrate 130 and the second batch head 112 does not interfere with the first batch head 111. The arrangement pattern of the mounting hole 131 and the through hole 132 is similar to the arrangement of the first batch head 111 and the second batch head 112 in the above-mentioned batch head assembly 110 (see Figure 4 The overlapping arrangement of the first substrate 120 and the second substrate 130 makes the size of the opening and closing cover module 10 compact and saves space.

[0093] Continue to refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 7-10 In this embodiment, the switching mechanism 140 includes a moving plate 141, and the moving plate 141 is fixed to the second substrate 130 (for example, by Fig.10 The switching mechanism 140 is a shaft member in the first substrate 120, so that the switching mechanism 140 can drive the second substrate 130 to move by driving the moving plate 141 to move. The switching mechanism 140 drives the moving plate 141 to move via the rotation of the screw rod 142 to ensure the stable movement of each screw head in the vertical direction. Specifically, two screw rods 142 and two sliding shafts 150 are fixedly mounted on the first substrate 120, and the moving plate 141 is threadedly connected to the screw rod 142 through a nut 143 fixed thereon, and is slidably connected to the sliding shaft 150 through a guide sleeve 144 (or linear bearing) fixed thereon. Thus, when the screw rod 142 rotates, the moving plate 141 can move in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the screw rod 142 and the sliding shaft 150 are positioned as four vertices similar to a rectangle, and the screw rod 142 is arranged diagonally, so that the moving plate 141 is balanced in force during movement without being biased to one side.

[0094] like Figure 3As shown, the lead screw 142 of the switching mechanism 140 is driven to move by a motor 145, which is fixed on the lower surface of the first substrate 120 and transmits the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor 145 to the lead screw 142 via a transmission component 146. In this embodiment, the transmission component 146 is a belt mechanism, but other transmission components can also be envisioned.

[0095] Advantageously, the switching mechanism 140 may include a limit plate 147, which is mounted at the lower end of the lead screw 142 to limit the lowest movement position of the moving plate 141. The limit plate 147 has a through hole that allows the first batch head 111 and the second batch head 112 to extend through. Similarly, the switching mechanism 140 may also include a limit sensor (not shown, such as a metal sheet), which may be mounted under the first substrate 120, for example, to limit the highest movement position of the moving plate 141.

[0096] Through the switching mechanism 140, the cover opening and closing module 10 can be switched to the first mode or the second mode to make the first batch head 111 or the second batch head 112 closer to the cover of the laboratory sample container. The switching mechanism 140 is compact in size and can realize the mode switching of the cover opening and closing module 10 while maintaining stable power transmission.

[0097] like Figure 11-12 As shown, according to an embodiment of the utility model, the opening and closing cover device includes the opening and closing cover module 10 as described above and a container holding module 20 for holding a laboratory sample container. The container holding module 20 can be moved by a container moving module (not shown) so that the cover of the laboratory sample container is at least partially aligned with the batch head assembly 110 of the opening and closing cover module 10. For example, the container moving module can translate the container holding module 20 to the bottom of the batch head assembly 110. Further, the container moving module can be configured to move relative to each other with the opening and closing cover module 10 so that the opening and closing cover module 10 contacts the cover. For example, the container holding module 20 can be lifted so that the cover contacts the batch head assembly 110 of the opening and closing cover module 10. Or the container moving module can lower the opening and closing cover module 10 so that the batch head assembly 110 contacts the cover.

[0098] After the contact is completed, the bit assembly 110 can be rotated by using a rotating mechanism as described below to open and close the cover.

[0099] Return to reference Figure 4-6The first batch head 111 includes a first shaft 1111 extending vertically, and the first shaft 1111 is provided with a first toothed portion 1112 extending along its axial direction. The second batch head 112 includes a second shaft 1121 extending vertically, and the second shaft 1121 is provided with a second toothed portion 1122 extending along its axial direction. The first toothed portion 1112 and the second toothed portion 1122 can be formed integrally with the first shaft 1111 and the second shaft 1121, respectively, or can be separate components fixed to the first shaft 1111 and the second shaft 1121, respectively. The first toothed portion 1112 and the second toothed portion 1122 can mesh with each other, and the second toothed portion 1122 can move along the first toothed portion 1112 in the vertical direction. When the first batch head 111 rotates, the first toothed portion 1112 drives the second toothed portion 1122 to rotate, so that the second batch head 112 can also rotate. Preferably, the length of the second toothed portion 1122 along the axial direction is greater than the length of the first toothed portion 1112 along the axial direction, so that when the second toothed portion 1122 moves in the vertical direction, the first toothed portion 1112 is always engaged with the second toothed portion 1122, thereby preventing the second batch head 112 from being unable to rotate due to the disengagement of the toothed portions. In other embodiments, the lengths of the first toothed portion 1112 and the second toothed portion 1122 along the axial direction are designed so that at least a portion of them are engaged with each other at any time when the batch heads move. Through the design of the toothed portion, only a small amount of power source is needed to drive the first batch heads 111 to rotate to achieve the rotation of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112, which makes the entire device more compact. It should be understood that the power source can also be designed to drive the second batch heads 112 to rotate to achieve the rotation of the first batch heads 111 and the second batch heads 112.

[0100] Reference Fig.13 , in order to make the first batch of heads 111 and the second batch of heads 112 ( Fig.10 The cover opening and closing device 1 further comprises a rotating module 30, which comprises a rotating motor 310 and a rotating coupling member. The rotating motor 310 is optionally fixed under the first substrate 120, and its rotating shaft 311 extends above the first substrate 120. The rotating coupling member is connected to the screwdriver bit assembly 110 and is driven to rotate to drive the screwdriver bit assembly 110 to rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating coupling member can drive all the first screwdriver bits 111 to rotate. To this end, the rotating coupling member comprises a connecting plate 320 and a connecting member 330. The connecting plate 320 has a connecting hole 321, and the connecting member 330 has an eccentric shaft 331 (see also Figure 8). The connecting member 330 is mounted on the rotating shaft 311 of the rotating motor 310 and the upper ends of all the first batch heads 111 (as mentioned above, the upper ends of the first batch heads 111 extend upward from the first substrate 120), so that the eccentric shaft 331 of the connecting member 330 protrudes upward, and in a top view, the eccentric shaft 331 forms the same angle with respect to the central axis of the first shaft 1111 of the first batch heads 111 in the vertical direction and the central axis of the rotating shaft 311 of the rotating motor 310 in the vertical direction. The connecting plate 320 is mounted on the connecting member 330, so that the eccentric shafts 331 of all the connecting members 330 pass through the connecting holes 321 of the connecting plate 320. Thus, when the rotating motor 310 is activated to drive the rotating shaft 311 to rotate, the rotating shaft 311 drives the connecting member 330 thereon to rotate, and the rotation of the connecting member 330 causes the eccentric shaft 331 to move in a circular trajectory around the central axis of the rotating shaft 311 in the vertical direction, and the connecting plate 320 connected to the eccentric shaft 331 moves in the same circular trajectory, and drives all other eccentric shafts 331 to move in a circular trajectory around the central axis of the first shaft 1111 in the vertical direction, so that the connecting member 330 on the first shaft 1111 rotates, and finally drives the first batch of screwdrivers 111 to rotate. The advantage of this design is that only one motor can be used to drive all screwdrivers to rotate, which greatly reduces the structural complexity of the device.

[0101] It should be understood that the rotating coupling can also drive all the second screw bits to rotate. In this case, the upper end of the second screw bit can be designed to extend upward beyond the first substrate 120 so that the connecting member 330 can be mounted thereon. Note that the above-mentioned rotating module 30 is only an example, and other rotating modules can be envisioned. In other embodiments, multiple power sources can also be provided to drive the screw bits to rotate.

[0102] Although the structure and operation method of the utility model are described above in combination with the preferred embodiments, it should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the above examples are only for illustration and cannot be used as limitations of the utility model. Therefore, the utility model can be modified and varied, and these modifications and variations will fall within the scope defined by the claims attached to this application.

Claims

1. A cover opening and closing module (10) for opening and closing a laboratory sample container with a cover, characterized in that: The opening and closing cover module (10) comprises: at least one batch head assembly (110), each batch head assembly (110) comprising at least one first batch head (111) and at least one second batch head (112), The cover opening and closing module has a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the first batch of heads (111) is located closer to the cover than the second batch of heads (112), so that the first batch of heads (111) can open and close the cover. In the second mode, the second batch of heads (112) is located closer to the cover than the first batch of heads (111), so that the second batch of heads (112) can open and close the cover. A switching mechanism (140) is configured to drive at least one of the first batch heads (111) and the second batch heads (112) to move in a vertical direction, so that the one of the first batch heads (111) and the second batch heads (112) that is farther from the cover before the movement is located relatively closer to the cover after the movement.

2. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laboratory sample container is a test tube.

3. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first batch heads (111) are closer to the cover than the second batch heads (112), the switching mechanism (140) is configured to drive the second batch heads (112) to move in a vertical direction so that the second batch heads (112) are closer to the cover than the first batch heads (111) so as to open and close the cover.

4. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the second batch heads (112) is greater than the number of the first batch heads (111), wherein the switching mechanism (140) is configured to drive only the second batch heads (112) to move.

5. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bit assembly (110) comprises a first bit (111) and a plurality of second bit heads (112), wherein the second bit heads (112) are arranged around the first bit (111) at equal angles and spaced apart.

6. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening and closing cover module (10) comprises a plurality of bit assemblies (110), wherein the first bit assemblies (111) of at least two of the plurality of bit assemblies (110) have no relative movement with each other, and the second bit assemblies (112) of at least two of the plurality of bit assemblies (110) have no relative movement with each other.

7. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The opening and closing cover module (10) further comprises a first substrate (120) and a second substrate (130), the first batch heads (111) being fixedly mounted on the first substrate (120), and the second batch heads (112) being fixedly mounted on the second substrate (130), wherein the switching mechanism (140) is configured to drive at least one of the first substrate (120) and the second substrate (130) to move in the first mode or the second mode.

8. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second substrate (130) is located closer to the cover than the first substrate (120), and the first substrate (120) and the second substrate (130) are arranged to at least partially overlap each other, so that at least one first batch head (111) fixedly mounted to the first substrate (120) can extend through the second substrate (130).

9. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first batch head (111) comprises a first shaft (1111) extending vertically, the second batch head (112) comprises a second shaft (1121) extending vertically, and Wherein, the first shaft (1111) is provided with a first toothed portion (1112) extending along its axial direction, and the second shaft (1121) is provided with a second toothed portion (1122) extending along its axial direction, wherein the first toothed portion (1112) and the second toothed portion (1122) can engage with each other, and the second toothed portion (1122) can move in a vertical direction along the first toothed portion (1112).

10. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The switching mechanism (140) comprises a moving plate (141), and the moving plate (141) is fixed together with the second substrate (130), wherein the switching mechanism (140) drives the second substrate (130) to move by driving the moving plate (141) to move.

11. The opening and closing cover module (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The switching mechanism (140) drives the moving plate (141) to move via the rotation of the screw rod (142).

12. A cover opening and closing device (1), characterized in that: include: The opening and closing cover module (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11; A container holding module (20) for holding the laboratory sample container; as well as A container moving module is configured to move the container holding module (20) so that the cover is at least partially aligned with a bit assembly (110) of the cover opening and closing module (10).

13. The cover opening and closing device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The container moving module is configured to be movable relative to the opening and closing cover module (10) so that the opening and closing cover module (10) contacts the cover.

14. The cover opening and closing device (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that: The cover opening and closing device (1) further comprises a rotating module (30), wherein the rotating module (30) comprises a rotating connecting piece, wherein the rotating connecting piece is connected to the screwdriver bit assembly (110) and is driven to rotate so as to drive the screwdriver bit assembly (110) to rotate.

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