Centrifugal cup and centrifugal machine

Abstract

The centrifugal cup comprises a base and a clamping piece, the base is provided with an insertion groove used for insertion of a test tube, the clamping piece is installed on the insertion groove, and the clamping piece is provided with a clamping arm used for clamping the test tube; in the centrifugal process of an automatic system, a plurality of test tubes of the same type and with different diameters are possibly needed, in order to facilitate taking and placing of the test tubes, the width of an insertion groove is larger than the diameter of each test tube, and due to the fact that the hole diameter of the insertion groove is fixed, when the test tubes are placed on a centrifugal cup, the test tubes with the small diameters are likely to be inclined, and the test tubes are difficult to take out. After the clamping piece is installed on the base, the test tube is inserted into the inserting groove firstly, the test tube is clamped and straightened through the clamping arms of the clamping piece, the axis of the test tube coincides with the axis of the inserting groove as much as possible, and when the base is horizontally placed, the test tube is placed perpendicular to the horizontal plane, so that the test tube can be prevented from inclining, and the positioning accuracy of the test tube is improved; the test tube grabbing stability of the mechanical arm is guaranteed, and the working efficiency of an automatic system is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a centrifuge cup and a centrifuge. Background Art

[0002] To improve the efficiency of clinical laboratory work, laboratory automation systems (LAS) have received corresponding attention and development worldwide. During the operation of the automation system, centrifuging the liquid samples taken from test tubes is a relatively important step.

[0003] In existing centrifugal equipment, since the aperture of the slot on the centrifuge cup for placing test tubes is fixed, the compatibility with test tubes of different diameters at the client side is relatively low. When the diameter of the test tube is too small, the test tube will be skewed when placed on the centrifuge cup, which will affect the stability of the robotic arm for grasping the test tube. It is very likely that the operation will fail due to inaccurate positioning of the test tube, reducing the working efficiency of the automation system. Therefore, when the centrifuge cup is compatible with the same type of test tube in different diameters, how to keep the test tube from tilting has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] The main purpose of the utility model is to provide a centrifuge cup, aiming to solve the problem that test tubes of different diameters are skewed when placed on the centrifuge cup.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the centrifuge cup proposed by the utility model includes:

[0006] A base, the base has a slot for inserting a test tube;

[0007] A clamping member, installed on the slot, the clamping member has a clamping arm for clamping the test tube.

[0008] In one embodiment, the clamping member further includes a collar, the clamping arm is connected to the collar, the test tube passes through the collar, and the clamping arm clamps the outer surface of the test tube.

[0009] In one embodiment, an installation groove is opened at the opening of the slot on the base, the collar is embedded in the installation groove, and the clamping arm extends along the length direction of the test tube into the slot.

[0010] In one embodiment, a buckle is further connected to the collar, and a buckle position is provided in the installation groove. The buckle is snapped into the buckle position to fixedly connect the clamping member to the base.

[0011] In one embodiment, the number of the clamping arms is multiple, and the number of the buckles is also multiple. The multiple clamping arms and the multiple buckles are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction around the collar.

[0012] In one embodiment, a recess is provided at the bottom of the slot, and the recess is used to abut against the bottom of the test tube.

[0013] In one embodiment, a plurality of the slots are formed in the base, and the plurality of slots are arranged in a rectangular pattern on the base.

[0014] In one embodiment, the centrifuge cup further includes a connecting rod, the connecting rod is detachably connected to the base, and the connecting rod is used to drive the base to move.

[0015] In one embodiment, an external thread is provided at one end of the connecting rod, and a threaded groove is formed on one side of the base where the slot is provided. One end of the connecting rod having the external thread is used to be screwed into the threaded groove, so that the connecting rod is detachably connected to the base.

[0016] The present utility model also provides a centrifuge, including the centrifuge cup in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0017] The technical solution of the present utility model is to provide a clamping member on the base of the centrifuge cup to prevent test tubes with different diameters from being skewed when placed on the base. Specifically, the centrifuge cup includes a base and a clamping member. The base has a slot for inserting a test tube, and the clamping member is installed on the base. The clamping member has a clamping arm for clamping the test tube; during the centrifugation process of the automated system, it may be necessary to use multiple test tubes of the same model and different diameters. To facilitate the insertion and removal of the test tubes, the width of the slot is greater than the diameter of the above-mentioned test tubes. Since the aperture of the slot is fixed, when placing these test tubes on the centrifuge cup, the test tubes with a smaller diameter may be skewed. Based on this, after installing the clamping member on the base, first insert the test tube into the slot, and then use the clamping arm of the clamping member to clamp the test tube and straighten it, so that the axis of the test tube coincides as much as possible with the axis direction of the slot. When the base is placed flat, the test tube is perpendicular to the horizontal plane, thus avoiding the skewing of the test tube, improving the positioning accuracy of the test tube, ensuring the stability of the robotic arm to grasp the test tube, and enhancing the working efficiency of the automated system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the centrifuge cup of the present utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 For Figure 1Schematic structural diagram of a centrifuge cup loading a test tube;

[0021] Figure 3 For Figure 2 Schematic exploded view of each component in

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic structural diagram of the base in an embodiment of the centrifuge cup of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic structural diagram of the clamping member in an embodiment of the centrifuge cup of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 Top view of a test tube loaded in an embodiment of the centrifuge cup of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 7 For Figure 6 Cross-sectional view in the A-A direction in

[0026] Explanation of the reference numerals in the drawings:

[0027] 100 - centrifuge cup;

[0028] 110 - base; 111 - slot; 111a - recess; 112 - mounting groove; 113 - threaded groove;

[0029] 120 - clamping member; 121 - clamping arm; 122 - collar; 123 - buckle;

[0030] 130 - connecting rod; 131 - external thread;

[0031] 200 - test tube;

[0032] The realization, functional features and advantages of the purpose of the present utility model will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0034] It should be noted that all the directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present utility model are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0035] In addition, the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present utility model are only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, the features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. Additionally, the technical solutions between various embodiments may be combined with each other, but it must be based on the ability of those of ordinary skill in the art to implement. When the combination of technical solutions results in contradictions or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the protection scope required by the present utility model.

[0036] The present utility model provides a centrifuge cup 100.

[0037] As Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 5 shown, the centrifuge cup 100 includes a base 110 and a clamping member 120. The base 110 has a slot 111 for inserting a test tube 200. The clamping member 120 is installed in the slot 111, and the clamping member 120 has a clamping arm 121 for clamping the test tube 200.

[0038] During the centrifugation process of the automated system, it may be necessary to use multiple test tubes 200 of the same type but with different diameters. To facilitate the insertion and removal of the test tubes 200, the width of the slot 111 is greater than the diameter of the above-mentioned test tubes 200. Also, since the aperture of the slot 111 is fixed, when placing these test tubes 200 on the centrifuge cup 100, the test tubes 200 with a relatively small diameter may be skewed. Based on this, after installing the clamping member 120 at the opening of the slot 111, the test tube 200 is first inserted into the slot 111, and an elastic force is applied to the test tube 200 through the clamping arm 121 of the clamping member 120 to straighten it, so that the axis of the test tube 200 coincides with the axis of the slot 111 as much as possible. When the base 110 is placed flat, the test tube 200 is placed perpendicular to the horizontal plane, which can avoid the skewing of the test tube 200, improve the positioning accuracy of the test tube 200, ensure the stability of the robotic arm for grasping the test tube 200, and enhance the working efficiency of the automated system.

[0039] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the centrifuge cup 100 can be compatible with 5 ml sample test tubes 200 of various sizes and can keep the test tubes 200 from being skewed. Of course, in some other embodiments of the present utility model, according to different settings of the diameter of the slot 111, it can also be compatible with test tubes 200 of other capacity specifications, which will not be specifically limited here.

[0040] In one embodiment, the clamping member 120 further includes a collar 122. The clamping arm 121 is connected to the collar 122. The test tube 200 passes through the collar 122, and the clamping arm 121 clamps the outer surface of the test tube 200.

[0041] AsFigure 3 and 5 As shown in 5 , in an embodiment of the present utility model, the clamping member 120 further includes a collar 122 for connecting the clamping arms 121. One end of the clamping arm 121 is connected to the inner side of the collar 122. The inner diameter of the collar 122 is also larger than the diameter of the test tube 200. The clamping member 120 is installed on the base 110 and is located at the opening of the slot 111. The test tube 200 passes through the middle of the collar 122 and extends into the slot 111. The other end of the clamping arm 121 abuts against the outer surface of the test tube 200 to apply an elastic force, straighten the test tube 200 and maintain it stable, so that the axis of the test tube 200 coincides with the axes of the slot 111 and the collar 122 as much as possible, avoiding the test tube 200 from being skewed on the base 110. The accurately positioned test tube 200 is convenient for the robotic arm to grasp, greatly reducing the probability of operation failure.

[0042] It can be understood that in this embodiment, the clamping arm 121 is connected to the inner side of the collar 122 for facilitating the clamping of the test tube 200. In some other embodiments of the present utility model, the connection position of the clamping arm 121 and the collar 122 is not limited. The clamping arm 121 can be arranged on the outer side or the upper and lower edges of the collar 122, and the shapes of the clamping arm 121 and the collar 122 are not specifically defined, as long as it can ensure the clamping of the outer surface of the test tube 200, and can be set according to actual needs.

[0043] In an embodiment, an installation groove 112 is provided at the opening of the slot 111 on the base 110. The collar 122 is embedded in the installation groove 112, and the clamping arm 121 extends into the slot 111 along the length direction of the test tube 200.

[0044] As Figure 4 shown, in an embodiment of the present utility model, an installation groove 112 is formed by downward depression at the opening of the slot 111 on the base 110. The installation groove 112 is arranged around the circumferential direction of the slot 111, and the shape of the installation groove 112 matches the shape of the collar 122. The collar 122 can be embedded in the installation groove 112 and fixed on the base 110. In addition, a notch corresponding to the clamping arm 121 is provided between the installation groove 112 and the slot 111 on the base 110. This notch is used to avoid the clamping arm 121;

[0045] When the collar 122 is installed on the base 110, one end of the clamping arm 121 away from the collar 122 extends into the slot 111 through the notch. It can be understood that the installation groove 112 is provided to install the clamping member 120, so that the integration degree of the centrifuge cup 100 is higher, the appearance is simple. The clamping arm 121 extends into the slot 111 to clamp the test tube 200. The hidden design can reduce the space occupation. At the same time, when loading and unloading the test tube 200, blind insertion can be carried out, and the test tube 200 can be straightened without performing a secondary correction operation on the clamping arm 121, improving the overall picking and placing efficiency. The clamping arm 121 extends along the length direction of the test tube 200, which can increase the contact area between the clamping arm 121 and the test tube 200 and improve the clamping stability of the test tube 200.

[0046] In one embodiment, a buckle 123 is further connected to the collar 122, and a buckle position is provided in the installation groove 112. The buckle 123 is snapped into the buckle position so that the clamping member 120 is fixedly connected to the base 110.

[0047] As Figures 3 to 5 shown, a buckle 123 is connected to the end face of the collar 122 near the bottom of the installation groove 112. The buckle 123 extends along the length direction of the slot 111. A buckle position (not shown) corresponding to the buckle 123 is provided at the bottom of the installation groove 112. The collar 122 is embedded in the installation groove 112, and the buckle 123 is snapped into the buckle position to fix the collar 122 in the installation groove 112;

[0048] From Figure 5 it can be seen that the end of the buckle 123 extends obliquely away from the test tube 200, and an inclined guide surface is provided at the position where the buckle 123 contacts the inner wall surface of the installation groove 112. During the process of installing the clamping member 120, the collar 122 moves in the direction of being embedded in the installation groove 112, and the inclined guide surface of the buckle 123 abuts against the inner wall surface of the installation groove 112, causing the whole buckle 123 to undergo elastic deformation and contract in the direction close to the test tube 200. When the collar 122 is embedded in place, the buckle 123 rebounds and is snapped into the buckle position, and the clamping member 120 is fixed on the base 110. The tight clamping of the buckle 123 and the buckle position can effectively prevent the clamping member 120 from detaching from the base 110 and improve the stability during the centrifugation process.

[0049] In one embodiment, the number of the clamping arms 121 is multiple, and the number of the buckles 123 is also multiple. The multiple clamping arms 121 and the multiple buckles 123 are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the collar 122.

[0050] As Figure 5 shown, in one embodiment of the present utility model, the number of the clamping arms 121 and the buckles 123 on the collar 122 is set to be multiple. In a preferred embodiment, 4 clamping arms 121 and 4 buckles 123 are respectively provided, and the 4 clamping arms 121 and the 4 buckles 123 are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the collar 122;

[0051] Four clamping arms 121 are circumferentially evenly distributed on the inner side of the collar 122, that is, the angle between two adjacent clamping arms 121 is 90°. The four clamping arms 121 can abut against the outer surface around the test tube 200, applying an even elastic force to ensure that the axis direction of the test tube 200 coincides with the axis direction of the slot 111 as much as possible, effectively preventing the test tube 200 from tilting due to uneven force. The four buckles 123 are also circumferentially evenly distributed along the collar 122, and the angle between two adjacent buckles 123 is also 90°. That is, each buckle 123 is arranged between two adjacent clamping arms 121, and the buckle 123 and the clamping arm 121 do not interfere with each other. Setting four buckles 123 can respectively fix the four sides of the collar 122, further improving the fixing effect.

[0052] It should be noted that the collar 122, the clamping arms 121 and the buckles 123 can be integrally formed to improve the structural strength of the entire clamping member 120. In addition, the number of the clamping arms 121 and the buckles 123 can be determined according to the situation. For example, three clamping arms 121 and three buckles 123 can be respectively arranged, and the angle between two adjacent buckles 123 or clamping arms 121 is 120°, and the buckles 123 and the clamping arms 121 are arranged at intervals. Similarly, in order to improve the clamping effect, the number of the clamping arms 121 or the buckles 123 can also be greater than four, as long as it can ensure that an even elastic force is applied to the test tube 200 to straighten the test tube 200, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0053] In an embodiment, a recess 111a is provided at the bottom of the slot 111, and the recess 111a is used to abut against the bottom of the test tube 200.

[0054] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, in order to further improve the placement and positioning of the test tube 200, in an embodiment of the present utility model, a recess 111a is provided at the bottom of the slot 111 corresponding to the curved surface of the bottom of the test tube 200. Specifically, when the test tube 200 is inserted into the slot 111, the recess 111a fits the curved surface of the bottom of the test tube 200 to prevent the bottom of the test tube 200 from shaking in the slot 111 and affecting the straightening effect of the clamping arm 121. By clamping the middle position of the test tube 200 with the clamping arm 121 and adding the assistance of the recess 111a to stabilize the bottom of the test tube 200, the test tube 200 can be effectively prevented from tilting on the base 110, facilitating the precise positioning and grasping by the robotic arm.

[0055] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the recessed portion 111a is a circular groove, and the annular protrusions on both sides of the groove are in contact with the bottom of the test tube 200 to play a role in stable placement. In some other embodiments of the present utility model, the recessed portion 111a can also be a curved groove, and the curved groove can be fitted with the curved surface at the bottom of the test tube 200 to prevent the bottom of the test tube 200 from shaking. Similarly, the recessed portion 111a can also be some other shapes, and this structure plays a role in assisting the clamping arm 121 to straighten the test tube 200, and is subject to being able to stably place the test tube 200, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0056] In one embodiment, a plurality of slots 111 are formed in the base 110, and the plurality of slots 111 are arranged in a rectangular pattern on the base 110.

[0057] As Figures 3 to 6 shown, in order to make the best use of the internal space of the base 110, in one embodiment of the present utility model, a plurality of slots 111 are formed in the base 110, and the plurality of slots 111 are arranged in a rectangular array on the base 110. As Figure 6 can be seen, there are 5 columns of slots 111 arranged vertically and horizontally on the base 110, and an installation groove 112 for installing the clamping member 120 is formed in each slot 111. Therefore, it can be selected whether to install the clamping member 120 in each slot 111 to straighten the test tube 200, improving the applicability of the centrifuge cup 100. The compact arrangement of the plurality of slots 111 makes full use of the internal space of the base 110 to load as many test tubes 200 as possible.

[0058] In one embodiment, the centrifuge cup 100 further includes a connecting rod 130, and the connecting rod 130 is detachably connected to the base 110, and the connecting rod 130 is used to drive the base 110 to move.

[0059] As Figures 2 to 4 shown, in order to facilitate lifting the base 110, in one embodiment of the present utility model, the centrifuge cup 100 further includes a connecting rod 130, which is arranged at the central position above the base 110, and one end of the connecting rod 130 is detachably connected to the base 110. During the operation of the automated system, the robotic arm or clamping gripper of the equipment can carry the base 110 and the test tubes 200 loaded on the base 110 by grasping the connecting rod 130. Connecting the end of the connecting rod 130 to the central position above the base 110 makes the center of gravity of the base 110 on the axis direction of the connecting rod 130 to avoid accidental situations caused by the center of gravity deviation during the transportation process and improve the transportation stability.

[0060] In one embodiment, an external thread 131 is provided at one end of the connecting rod 130. A threaded groove 113 is formed on one side of the base 110 where the slot 111 is provided. The end of the connecting rod 130 having the external thread 131 is adapted to be screwed into the threaded groove 113, so that the connecting rod 130 is detachably connected to the base 110.

[0061] As Figure 3 shown, in one embodiment of the present utility model, an external thread 131 is provided at one end of the connecting rod 130 close to the base 110. A threaded groove 113 is correspondingly formed at the center position above the base 110. The external thread 131 of the connecting rod 130 is screwed into the threaded groove 113 to achieve threaded connection. Unscrewing the connecting rod 130 from the threaded groove 113 can achieve disassembly, which is convenient and fast. It can be understood that disassembling the connecting rod 130 and the base 110 is to simplify the mold structure between the components and facilitate production. Of course, the connecting rod 130 can also be integrally formed with the base 110, which is not limited herein.

[0062] It should be noted that in addition to threaded connection, the connecting rod 130 can also be connected to the base 110 by means of plug connection, sliding clamping connection or screwing connection, etc., which can be selected according to actual needs and are not specifically limited herein either.

[0063] The present utility model also provides a centrifuge, which includes a centrifuge cup 100. The specific structure of the centrifuge cup 100 refers to the above embodiments. Since this centrifuge adopts all the technical solutions of the above all embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated herein one by one.

[0064] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model, and do not limit the patent scope of the present utility model accordingly. Any equivalent structural transformation made under the inventive concept of the present utility model by using the content of the specification and drawings of the present utility model, or direct / indirect application in other related technical fields is included in the patent protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A centrifugal cup, characterized in that: include: A base, wherein the base has a slot for inserting a test tube; A clamping member, mounted on the slot, the clamping member having a clamping arm, the clamping arm being used to clamp the test tube; The clamping member further comprises a collar, the clamping arm is connected to the collar, the test tube is inserted into the collar, and the clamping arm clamps the outer surface of the test tube; The base is provided with a mounting groove at the opening of the slot, the collar is embedded in the mounting groove, and the clamp arm extends into the slot along the length direction of the test tube.

2. The centrifugal cup according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collar is also connected with a buckle, and a buckle position is provided in the mounting groove, and the buckle is snapped into the buckle position so that the clamping member is fixedly connected to the base.

3. The centrifugal cup according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the clamp arms is multiple, the number of the buckles is also multiple, and the multiple clamp arms and the multiple buckles are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the ring.

4. The centrifugal cup according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A recessed portion is provided at the bottom of the slot, and the recessed portion is used to abut against the bottom of the test tube.

5. The centrifugal cup according to claim 4, characterized in that: The base is provided with a plurality of slots, and the plurality of slots are arranged in a rectangular shape on the base.

6. The centrifugal cup according to claim 4, characterized in that: The centrifuge cup further comprises a connecting rod, the connecting rod is detachably connected to the base, and the connecting rod is used to drive the base to move.

7. The centrifuge cup according to claim 6, characterized in that: One end of the connecting rod is provided with an external thread, and a thread groove is opened on one side of the base provided with the slot. The end of the connecting rod with the external thread is used to be screwed into the thread groove, so that the connecting rod and the base are detachably connected.

8. A centrifuge, characterized in that: Comprising the centrifuge cup according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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