Multi-channel pipetting device

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of pipetting devices, and discloses a multi-channel pipetting device which comprises a base part, a moving part and a driving part, a plurality of pipetting channels are defined by the base part, and a plunger is arranged in each pipetting channel; the plungers in the plurality of pipetting channels are all connected to a moving part, and the moving part is provided with a plurality of driving points; the driving part is provided with power output ends, the power output ends correspond to the driving points one to one, and the power output ends are in transmission connection with the corresponding driving points. According to the utility model, the plurality of driving points are arranged on the moving part for driving the plunger to move, and the driving parts with the power output ends in one-to-one correspondence with the driving points are matched, so that the plurality of driving points are uniformly distributed on the periphery of the geometric center of the moving part; therefore, when the driving part drives the moving part to move through the power output end of the driving part, the force borne by the moving part can be more uniform, and the stability of the moving part in the moving process can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of pipetting devices, and in particular, to a multi-channel pipetting device. Background Art

[0002] The content of this part only provides background information related to the utility model, which may not constitute the prior art.

[0003] A multi-channel pipette generally refers to a pipette with multiple pipetting channels. Due to having multiple pipetting channels, such a pipette can suck and transfer multiple reagents at a time.

[0004] In the technology of related multi-channel pipettes, the known multi-channel pipettes generally include a moving plate for driving the plungers in multiple pipetting channels to reciprocate along the extension direction of the pipetting channels, and a driving component for driving the movement of the moving plate. Further, the driving component adopted by the known multi-channel pipettes is generally a linear driving mechanism composed of components such as a motor and a lead screw, and the lead screw serving as the power output end is generally connected to the geometric center (i.e., the center) of the moving plate. Among them, the connection point between the lead screw and the moving plate can be regarded as the driving point.

[0005] Regarding such a driving component with this structural design, since there is only one driving point and it is located at the geometric center of the moving plate, during the process of the driving component driving the moving plate to move, the force on the moving plate around the driving point may be unbalanced, resulting in the moving plate not moving smoothly. At the same time, for a general multi-channel pipette, multiple pipetting channels are generally arranged in an array, so the plungers in multiple pipetting channels are also arranged in an array when connected to the moving plate. On this basis, if the moving plate does not move smoothly, it may cause the moving strokes of the plungers corresponding to each pipetting channel to be different, thereby affecting the pipetting accuracy of the multi-channel pipette. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] In view of this, the purpose of the utility model is to provide a multi-channel pipetting device to at least overcome the technical problem that the moving plate of the known multi-channel pipette does not move smoothly.

[0007] The purpose of the utility model is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] The utility model discloses a multi-channel pipetting device, including:

[0009] A base defining a plurality of pipetting channels extending in a first direction; a plunger is provided in each of the pipetting channels;

[0010] A moving part, the plungers in a plurality of the pipetting channels are all connected to the moving part; the moving part is configured to be able to perform reciprocating linear motion along a first direction; the moving part is provided with a plurality of driving points, and the plurality of driving points are evenly distributed around the geometric center of the moving part;

[0011] A driving component, having a power output end for outputting reciprocating linear motion along the first direction; the power output end corresponds to the driving point one by one, and the power output end is drivingly connected to the corresponding driving point.

[0012] Further, the driving component includes a lead screw and a motor; the lead screws correspond to the driving points one by one, the lead screws extend along the first direction and pass through the corresponding driving points on the moving part;

[0013] Each of the lead screws is drivingly connected to the output end of the motor to drive each of the lead screws to rotate around its own axis through the motor;

[0014] The moving part is drivingly matched with each of the lead screws to convert the rotational motion of the lead screw into its own linear motion along the axial direction of the lead screw.

[0015] Further, the driving component further includes a transmission assembly, and the transmission assembly includes a driving pulley and a driven pulley corresponding to each of the lead screws;

[0016] The driving pulley is drivingly connected to the output end of the motor; the driven pulley is coaxially sleeved on the outer wall of the corresponding lead screw, and the driven pulleys and the driving pulley are drivingly connected through a synchronous belt.

[0017] Further, a tension pulley is further provided between each of the driven pulleys and the driving pulley, and the tension pulley is used to tension the synchronous belt between the driving pulley and the corresponding driven pulley.

[0018] Further, the moving part is threadedly connected to each of the lead screws;

[0019] The driving component further includes a fixedly arranged guide post, the guide post extends along the first direction and passes through the moving part, and the guide post is slidably matched with the moving part.

[0020] Further, the multi-channel pipetting device further includes a mounting part, the mounting part is arranged opposite to the moving part, and the moving part is located between the mounting part and the base;

[0021] The motor is arranged on one side of the mounting part facing the moving part, and the output end of the motor extends in a direction away from the moving part.

[0022] Further, the multi-channel pipetting device further includes a housing that defines a relatively enclosed receiving cavity, and both the moving part and the driving component are disposed in the receiving cavity.

[0023] Further, the housing is detachably connected to the base.

[0024] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present utility model has at least the following advantages and beneficial effects:

[0025] In the multi-channel pipetting device disclosed by the present utility model, a plurality of driving points are provided on the moving part for driving the movement of the plunger, and in cooperation with a driving component having power output ends corresponding to the driving points one by one, based on the fact that the plurality of driving points are evenly distributed around the geometric center of the moving part, when the driving component drives the moving part to move by relying on its own power output ends, the force received by the moving part can be made more uniform, which is beneficial to improving the smoothness of the moving part during movement, and further beneficial to improving the pipetting accuracy of the multi-channel pipetting device. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of the multi-channel pipetting device provided by the embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic internal structural diagram of the multi-channel pipetting device shown;

[0028] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a main view sectional view of the multi-channel pipetting device shown;

[0029] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a top view of the multi-channel pipetting device shown.

[0030] Reference numerals: 10 - base, 11 - pipetting channel, 12 - nozzle, 20 - moving part, 30 - driving component, 31 - lead screw, 32 - motor, 33 - guide post, 34 - transmission assembly, 341 - driving pulley, 342 - driven pulley, 343 - timing belt, 344 - tension pulley, 40 - plunger, 50 - mounting part, 60 - housing, 61 - receiving cavity. Detailed Embodiments

[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present utility model clearer, the technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with specific embodiments. Identical reference numerals in the drawings represent identical components. It should be noted that 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 described embodiments of the present utility model without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0032] Compared with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the feasible embodiments within the scope of protection of the present utility model may have fewer components, have other components not shown in the drawings, different components, differently arranged components, or components with different connections, etc. In addition, two or more components in the drawings may be implemented in a single component, or a single component shown in the drawings may be implemented as multiple separate components.

[0033] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, an embodiment of the present utility model discloses a multi-channel pipetting device, especially a multi-channel pipette. Among them, Figure 1 shows the appearance of the exemplary multi-channel pipetting device disclosed in the embodiment of the present utility model, Figure 2 shows the internal structure of the multi-channel pipetting device, Figure 3 shows the main sectional view of the multi-channel pipetting device.

[0034] In Figures 1 to 3 the multi-channel pipetting device shown, the multi-channel pipetting device may include a base 10, a moving part 20, and a driving component 30.

[0035] Referring to Figure 3 shown, the base 10 defines a plurality of pipetting channels 11 extending in a first direction, and a plunger 40 is provided in each pipetting channel 11. Among them, the plunger 40 in each pipetting channel 11 can reciprocate in the corresponding pipetting channel 11 to achieve the basic liquid suction and discharge functions of the multi-channel pipetting device. It can be understood that the first direction described in this embodiment may be the vertical direction.

[0036] Furthermore, the plurality of pipetting channels 11 on the base 10 may be arranged in a matrix array to optimize the structural design of the base 10 and improve the aesthetics of the base 10. By way of example, the appendix of the present utility model Figure 2 shows a case where 96 pipetting channels 11 are defined on the base 10, and the 96 pipetting channels 11 are arranged in a rectangular array in the form of 8×12.

[0037] Meanwhile, nozzles 12 are provided at the same end of multiple pipetting channels 11. Among them, the nozzles 12 are used to load pipette tips (i.e., "TIP heads") used during pipetting. For example, when the multi-channel pipetting device is in the Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown state, the nozzles 12 provided on each pipetting channel 11 are all located at the bottom end of the pipetting channel 11.

[0038] In this embodiment, the moving part 20 can be arranged opposite to the base part 10. For example, the moving part 20 can be arranged directly above the base part 10 as shown in Figure 3 and is opposite to the base part 10, and the moving part 20 can be in the form of a plate. Among them, the pistons 40 in the multiple pipetting channels 11 can all extend from the end of the corresponding pipetting channel 11 away from the nozzle 12 and be connected to the moving part 20. And the moving part 20 is configured to be able to perform a reciprocating linear motion along the first direction, so as to be able to drive the pistons 40 in the multiple pipetting channels 11 to move synchronously through the moving part 20.

[0039] Furthermore, multiple driving points are also provided on the moving part 20, and the multiple driving points are evenly distributed around the geometric center of the moving part 20. Among them, the driving points are used for transmission connection with the driving component 30 to be elaborated in detail below, so that the driving component 30 can drive the moving part 20 to perform a reciprocating linear motion along the first direction. By way of example, this embodiment shows a case where two driving points are provided on the moving part 20, and the two driving points are symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides of the moving part 20 with the geometric center of the moving part 20 as the center.

[0040] Of course, in other embodiments of the present utility model, when there are two driving points on the moving part 20, the two driving points can also be in the form of being symmetrically distributed on the front and back sides of the moving part 20 with the geometric center of the moving part 20 as the center. In addition, the number of driving points is not limited to two.

[0041] In this embodiment, the driving component 30 is used to drive the moving part 20 to perform a reciprocating linear motion along the first direction. Among them, the driving component 30 can have power output ends corresponding one-to-one to the driving points on the moving part 20 and used to output reciprocating linear motion along the first direction, and each power output end of the driving component 30 is transmission-connected to the corresponding driving point on the moving part 20.

[0042] In this way, when each power output end of the driving component 30 outputs a reciprocating linear motion along the first direction simultaneously, the moving part 20 can be driven to perform a reciprocating linear motion along the first direction through each power output end.

[0043] It can be understood that the multi-channel pipetting device disclosed in the embodiments of the present utility model sets a plurality of driving points on the moving part 20 for driving the plunger 40 to move, and cooperates with a driving component 30 having power output ends corresponding to each driving point one by one. Based on the fact that the plurality of driving points are evenly distributed around the geometric center of the moving part 20, when the driving component 30 drives the moving part 20 to move by relying on its own power output end, the force received by the moving part 20 can be made more uniform, which is beneficial to improving the smoothness of the moving part 20 during movement, and further beneficial to improving the pipetting accuracy of the multi-channel pipetting device.

[0044] Among them, the driving component 30 with a power output end can be constructed in the following manner, but is not limited thereto.

[0045] Specifically, in combination with Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in the content, the driving component 30 may include a lead screw 31 and a motor 32. Among them, the lead screws 31 correspond to the driving points on the moving part 20 one by one, and the lead screws 31 extend along the first direction and pass through the corresponding driving points on the moving part 20. Each lead screw 31 is in transmission connection with the output end of the motor 32 to drive each lead screw 31 to rotate around its own axis through the motor 32. And, the moving part 20 is also in driving cooperation with each lead screw 31 so that the moving part 20 can convert the rotational movement of the lead screw 31 into its own linear movement along the axial direction of the lead screw 31. For example, as Figure 2 or Figure 3 shown, when there are two driving points on the moving part 20, there are also two lead screws 31 of the driving component 30.

[0046] It can be understood that the lead screw 31 corresponding to the driving point on the moving part 20 can be regarded as the power output end of the driving component 30. When the motor 32 drives each lead screw 31 to rotate simultaneously, based on the fact that the lead screw 31 extends along the first direction, the linear movement of the moving part 20 along the first direction can be realized. On this basis, only by reasonably controlling the forward or reverse rotation of the motor 32 to drive each lead screw 31, the reciprocating linear movement of the moving part 20 along the first direction can be realized.

[0047] Among them, the driving cooperation between the moving part 20 and the lead screw 31 can be realized in the following manner.

[0048] The moving part 20 is threadedly connected to each lead screw 31. At this time, in combination with Figure 2 As shown in the content, the driving component 30 may further include a fixed guide post 33. Among them, the guide post 33 extends along the first direction and passes through the moving part 20, and the guide post 33 is in sliding cooperation with the moving part 20.

[0049] Thus, since the moving part 20 can only slide in the first direction under the limiting action of the guiding columns 33, when the motor 32 drives the lead screws 31 to rotate, based on the principle of screw drive, the moving part 20 can move in the first direction. It can be understood that the guiding columns 33 can be arranged corresponding to the respective lead screws 31 to further improve the stability of the moving part 20 when moving in the first direction. For example, guiding columns 33 can be arranged on both opposite sides of each lead screw 31 so that each lead screw 31 is located between two guiding columns 33.

[0050] Moreover, one end of a single guiding column 33 can be fixedly connected to the base 10, and the other end of the single guiding column 33 can be fixedly connected to the mounting part 50 to be described below. Among them, the mounting part 50 is also used to provide a carrier for the installation of components such as the motor 32.

[0051] In order to realize driving the respective lead screws 31 to rotate simultaneously by one motor 32, in combination with Figure 2 the content shown, the driving component 30 can further include a transmission assembly 34. Among them, the lead screws 31 corresponding to the respective driving points on the moving part 20 are drivingly connected to the output end of the motor 32 through the transmission assembly 34.

[0052] As Figure 4 shown, the transmission assembly 34 can include a driving pulley 341 and driven pulleys 342 corresponding to the respective lead screws 31. Among them, the driving pulley 341 is drivingly connected to the output end of the motor 32, and the driven pulleys 342 are coaxially sleeved on the outer wall of the corresponding lead screws 31, for example, the outer wall near the top of the lead screw 31, and the respective driven pulleys 342 are drivingly connected to the driving pulley 341 through a timing belt 343.

[0053] Thus, when the motor 32 operates to drive the driving pulley 341 to rotate, the driving pulley 341 can drive the driven pulleys 342 corresponding to the respective lead screws 31 to rotate synchronously under the action of the timing belt 343, thereby realizing the synchronous rotation of the respective lead screws 31. By way of example, when there are two driving points on the moving part 20 and the driving component 30 includes two lead screws 31, the driving pulley 341 can be located between the driven pulleys 342 on the two lead screws 31 to optimize the structural design of the driving component 30 as much as possible.

[0054] Furthermore, continuing to refer to Figure 4 the content shown, a tension pulley 344 is also provided between the respective driven pulleys 342 and the driving pulley 341. Among them, the tension pulley 344 is used to tension the timing belt 343 between the driving pulley 341 and the corresponding driven pulley 342. It can be understood that through the setting of the tension pulley 344, it helps to transmit the power output by the motor 32 to the respective lead screws 31 more reliably.

[0055] It should be noted that although the transmission assembly 34 shown in this embodiment is a belt drive mechanism, the structure of the transmission assembly 34 described in the embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the transmission assembly 34 can also be a chain drive mechanism or a gear drive mechanism, etc.

[0056] The inventor of the present invention further found that in addition to the problem that the moving plate moves not smoothly enough in the known multi-channel pipette in the prior art, the motor 32 as the power source is usually exposed to the external environment. Such a design not only is not conducive to improving the service life of electrical components such as the motor 32, but also affects the aesthetics of the entire pipette.

[0057] Therefore, the multi-channel liquid transfer device disclosed in this embodiment also improves the installation position of electrical components such as the motor 32.

[0058] Specifically, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the multi-channel liquid transfer device may further include a housing 60. Among them, the housing 60 can be connected to the base 10, and the housing 60 defines a relatively enclosed receiving cavity 61. For example, the housing 60 can be a hollow shell with an opening on one side. At this time, the interior of the housing 60 can be regarded as the receiving cavity 61. And the side of the housing 60 with the opening can be detachably connected to the base 10. Among them, when the housing 60 is connected to the base 10, the base 10 can seal the opening of the housing 60, so as to form a relatively enclosed receiving cavity 61 inside the housing 60.

[0059] At this time, the aforementioned moving part 20 and the driving component 30 are both received in the receiving cavity 61, so as to provide protection for the moving part 20 and the driving component 30 and other related components through the receiving cavity 61, thereby helping to improve the service life of related electrical components and the aesthetics of the multi-channel liquid transfer device.

[0060] In order to accommodate components such as the motor 32 in the driving component 30 in the receiving cavity 61, in combination with Figure 2 or Figure 3 As shown, an installation part 50 is fixedly arranged in the receiving cavity 61. Among them, the installation part 50 can be arranged opposite to the moving part 20, so that the moving part 20 is located between the installation part 50 and the base 10. At this time, components such as the motor 32 and the transmission assembly 34 in the driving component 30 can be arranged on the installation part 50.

[0061] Furthermore, the motor 32 can be arranged on the side of the mounting portion 50 facing the moving portion 20, and the output end of the motor 32 extends in a direction away from the moving portion 20 (i.e., upward); the transmission assembly 34 can be arranged on the side of the mounting portion 50 away from the moving portion 20. Such an arrangement can reduce the volume of the entire multi-channel pipetting device in the first direction as much as possible, thereby being more conducive to realizing a compact and miniaturized design of the multi-channel pipetting device.

[0062] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may be subject to various modifications and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel liquid transfer device, characterized in that: include: a base defining a plurality of pipetting channels extending along a first direction; A plunger is provided in each of the pipetting channels; A moving part, the plungers in the plurality of pipetting channels are all connected to the moving part; the moving part is configured to be able to perform reciprocating linear motion along a first direction; the moving part is provided with a plurality of driving points, and the plurality of driving points are evenly distributed around the geometric center of the moving part; The driving component has a power output end for outputting reciprocating linear motion along a first direction; the power output end corresponds to the driving point one by one, and the power output end is transmission-connected to the corresponding driving point.

2. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving component includes a screw rod and a motor; the screw rod corresponds to the driving point one by one, and the screw rod extends along the first direction and passes through the corresponding driving point on the moving part; Each of the screw rods is transmission-connected to the output end of the motor so as to be driven by the motor to rotate around its own axis; The moving part cooperates with each of the screw rods to convert the rotational motion of the screw rods into a linear motion of the moving part along the axial direction of the screw rods.

3. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The driving component further comprises a transmission assembly, wherein the transmission assembly comprises a driving pulley and a driven pulley corresponding to each of the screw rods one by one; The driving pulley is transmission-connected to the output end of the motor; the driven pulley is coaxially sleeved on the outer wall of the corresponding screw rod, and each driven pulley is transmission-connected to the driving pulley via a synchronous belt.

4. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 3, characterized in that: A tensioning wheel is further provided between each of the driven pulleys and the driving pulley, and the tensioning wheel is used to tension the synchronous belt between the driving pulley and the corresponding driven pulley.

5. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The moving part and each of the screw rods are threadedly connected; The driving component further comprises a fixed guide post, which extends along a first direction and passes through the moving part, and the guide post is slidably matched with the moving part.

6. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a mounting portion, the mounting portion is arranged opposite to the moving portion, and the moving portion is located between the mounting portion and the base; The motor is arranged on a side of the mounting portion facing the moving portion, and an output end of the motor extends in a direction away from the moving portion.

7. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a shell, which defines a relatively closed receiving cavity, and the moving part and the driving component are both arranged in the receiving cavity.

8. The multi-channel pipetting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The housing is removably connected to the base.

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