Sorting mechanism, sample tube sorting device and pneumatic conveying equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a sorting mechanism, sample tube sorting device and pneumatic transmission equipment, and relates to medical instrument technical field, including: mounting rack, plugging unit, transfer unit, sorting channel and collection channel, sorting channel and collection channel top are both open, it is fixed on the mounting rack side by side; the blocking unit can move relative to the mounting frame so as to block the top opening of the sorting channel or the collecting channel; the transfer unit is movably connected to the mounting frame, and the bottom of the transfer unit is open so as to communicate with the sorting channel or the collecting channel. When the sample tube sorting device is applied to a sorting device, sample tubes can be automatically sorted according to requirements, and the working efficiency and the accuracy are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a sorting mechanism, a sample tube sorting device and a pneumatic transmission device. Background Art

[0002] Medical samples, such as blood collection samples, urine samples, etc., are common medical samples in hospitals and are usually contained in sample tubes. After medical staff collect medical samples, they need to manually transfer the samples to a medical testing room for subsequent staff to test and analyze the samples.

[0003] However, the testing speed of medical samples is limited by the collection speed of medical samples. For example, in most hospitals, usually staff collect samples within a certain period of time, and then the staff transport the collected samples to the testing room. After the testing room staff finish testing the samples, they also need to re-organize the tested samples. Conventional sample transportation is mostly completed by people, and it will also affect the transportation personnel during the transportation process. Therefore, the existing transportation efficiency of such medical samples is very low, and the samples will be contaminated during the handling process, or damaged samples will contaminate other samples, seriously affecting the processing speed of the samples.

[0004] In addition, if the samples are exposed to the air for a long time during transportation, it will not only affect the samples, but also is very likely to pollute the environment. For example, for virus detection samples, the transportation of samples not only requires high speed, but also needs to keep the samples as clean as possible, and there is no interference between samples. However, it is difficult to avoid the samples being exposed to the air during conventional sample transportation.

[0005] In view of the above problems, automatic pneumatic transmission devices have been developed in the prior art. However, the current sample tube sorting method mainly relies on manual identification of whether there is a label / whether the label content is correct, and then picking out the sample tubes that do not meet the requirements for classification and placement; this method not only has low sorting efficiency, but also is prone to errors during the sorting process. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] Aiming at the deficiencies in the prior art, the first object of the present utility model is to provide a sorting mechanism, which is applied to a sorting device and can automatically sort sample tubes according to requirements, improving work efficiency and accuracy.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] A sorting mechanism, comprising: a mounting frame, a blocking unit, a transfer unit, a sorting channel and a collection channel. The tops of the sorting channel and the collection channel are both open and they are fixedly arranged side by side on the mounting frame. The blocking unit is movable relative to the mounting frame to block the open top of the sorting channel or the collection channel. The transfer unit is movably connected to the mounting frame and the bottom of the transfer unit is open to communicate with the sorting channel or the collection channel.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0010] When this sorting structure is applied to a sample tube sorting device, the sorting device detects whether the sample tube meets the preset requirements for entering the sorting channel. If it meets the requirements, the controller of the sorting device controls the transfer unit to move together with the sample tube above the sorting channel. At this time, the transfer unit is communicated with the sorting channel, and the sample tube drops into the sorting channel. If the sorting device detects that the sample tube does not meet the requirements for entering the sorting channel, the controller controls the blocking unit to move until the open top of the sorting channel is blocked. Subsequently, it controls the transfer unit to move together with the sample tube above the collection channel. At this time, the transfer unit is communicated with the collection channel, and the sample tube drops into the collection channel. Applying this structure to the sorting device can automatically sort the sample tubes according to requirements, improving work efficiency and accuracy.

[0011] Another object of the utility model is to provide a sample tube sorting device, which includes the above sorting mechanism and further includes a scanning unit. The scanning unit has a platform for placing sample tubes, and the platform, the sorting channel and the collection channel are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the transfer unit.

[0012] The scanning unit of the sample tube sorting device can scan the information of the sample tube and feed the data back to the controller of the sorting device as a signal for judging whether it meets the sorting requirements. In addition to having the beneficial effects of the above sorting mechanism, by defining the arrangement of the platform, the sorting channel and the collection channel, optimizing the moving path of the transfer unit, the sorting effect is improved.

[0013] As a preferred solution, there are two groups of sorting channels, and the two groups of sorting channels are distributed on both sides of the platform along the moving direction of the transfer unit.

[0014] As a preferred solution, the blocking unit is located between the sorting channel and the collection channel, and the blocking unit is rotatably connected to the mounting frame.

[0015] As a preferred solution, the platform includes a power roller group having two groups of rollers.

[0016] As a preferred solution, it further includes a detection unit for detecting the orientation of the tube head of the sample tube.

[0017] As a preferred solution, the detection unit includes a light source, an induction module and a stopper. The light source is arranged to shoot into the sorting channel along the radial direction of the sample tube and can be received by the induction module. The stopper is movably connected to the mounting rack so that one end of it is inserted into the sorting channel.

[0018] As a preferred solution, it further includes a commutation unit having a body and an adjustment module. The body is provided with an inlet and an outlet. One end of the inlet is communicated with the sorting channel. The adjustment module has a cavity and is rotatably connected to the inside of the body so that its cavity is communicated with the other end of the inlet or its cavity is communicated with the outlet.

[0019] As a preferred solution, the cavity is a through hole penetrating the adjustment module. It further includes a pneumatic conveying unit having an upper air duct, a lower air duct and an air source module. The cavity is located between the upper air duct and the lower air duct and can connect the two air ducts. The air source module is communicated with the upper air duct / the lower air duct.

[0020] Another object of the present utility model is to propose a pneumatic transmission device for sample tubes, including the sample tube sorting device described in any one of the above.

[0021] This pneumatic transmission device for sample tubes saves the turnover time of blood collection tube labels and is a new type of device that is fast, safe and accurate. Description of the Drawings

[0022] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the sample tube sorting device in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2 For Figure 1 The partial enlarged view at A in

[0024] Figure 3 It is a schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the sorting mechanism, the detection unit and the commutation unit in the embodiment.

[0025] In the above drawings:

[0026] 1. Box body; 2. Scanning unit; 201. Scanner; 202. Platform; 3. Sorting mechanism; 301. Sealing unit; 3011. Sealing plate; 302. Transfer unit; 303. Sorting channel; 304. Collection channel; 4. Transportation structure; 5. Detection unit; 501. Light source; 502. Stopper; 6. Commutation unit; 601. Body; 602. Inlet; 603. Outlet; 604. Adjustment module; 7. Pneumatic conveying unit; 701. Upper air duct; 702. Lower air duct; 8. Sample tube; 9. Sprocket. Detailed implementation mode

[0027] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with 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 the embodiments; the mechanisms described in various embodiments can be freely combined without conflicts in terms of mechanisms or principles.

[0028] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as "installation", "connection", "connection", "fixation", etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it can be the communication inside two components or the interaction relationship between two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present utility model can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0029] In the description of the present utility model, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship when the product of the present utility model is placed habitually during use. It is only for the convenience of describing the present utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present utility model. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are only used for distinguishing descriptions and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0030] The following describes some embodiments of the present utility model in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0031] The present utility model proposes a sorting mechanism. For the convenience of understanding this technical solution, the sorting mechanism 3 is described in the context of a sample tube sorting device; the sample tube can be a blood collection tube, a urine tube, etc. The purpose of the sorting device is to sort out the sample tubes 8 that meet the screening requirements. In the embodiments herein, the example of sorting labeled and unlabeled sample tubes 8 is used.

[0032] Specifically, as Figure 1 shown, the sample tube sorting device includes a box body 1, a controller, a scanning unit 2, and a sorting mechanism 3, where:

[0033] The box body 1 is a frame structure surrounded by various sheet metal parts, providing an installation fulcrum for the components installed inside the box body 1 and protecting the components installed inside the box body 1.

[0034] Combined with Figure 2As shown in the figure, the scanning unit 2 includes a platform 202 and a scanner 201. The sample tube 8 is transported to the platform 202 through the added transportation structure 4. The scanner 201 generates a light beam to scan the sample tube 8 located on the platform 202, thereby collecting information and transmitting signals to the controller (this information can be the information for judging whether the sample tube 8 is labeled as described above, or distinguishing type A tubes / type B tubes, etc. according to different content information recorded on the label, which is set according to actual needs). It should be understood that the present utility model does not make improvements to the structures and working principles of the scanner 201, the transportation structure 4, and the controller itself. For example, the transportation structure 4 can be designed as a stepped pusher plate with reference to the patents with publication numbers CN118083550A / CN212397347U, or designed with reference to the patent with publication number CN208103099U, etc. The controller can be a PLC controller or a single-chip microcomputer, and details thereof will not be elaborated herein.

[0035] As Figure 2 shown in the figure, the sorting mechanism 3 includes a mounting frame, a blocking unit 301, a transfer unit 302, a sorting channel 303, and a collection channel 304, where:

[0036] The tops of the sorting channel 303 and the collection channel 304 are both open, and the sorting channel 303 and the collection channel 304 are fixedly arranged side by side on the mounting frame.

[0037] The blocking unit 301 can move relative to the mounting frame to selectively block the open top of the sorting channel 303 or the collection channel 304 (in the embodiments herein, the blocking unit 301 only needs to cover the sorting channel 303). Exemplarily, the blocking unit 301 includes a blocking plate 3011. One end of the blocking plate 3011 is rotatably connected to the mounting frame through a first rotating shaft. A first motor is installed on the mounting frame, and the output shaft of the first motor is in transmission connection with the first rotating shaft.

[0038] The transfer unit 302 is movably connected to the mounting frame, and the bottom of the transfer unit 302 is open, so that the transfer unit 302 can communicate with the sorting channel 303 or the collection channel 304. Exemplarily, as Figure 2 shown in the figure, a slide rail extending in the left-right direction is provided on the mounting frame, and a slider is provided on the slide rail. In order to facilitate the sample tube 8 to fall into the transfer unit 302 from the transportation structure 4, the top of the transfer unit 302 is also designed to be open, that is, the transfer unit 302 is in a square frame shape. A second motor is fixed on the mounting frame, and at least two sprockets 9 are rotatably connected to the mounting frame. The sprockets 9 are tensioned with a chain. The transfer unit 302 is fixedly connected to the slider, and the slider is fixedly connected to one of the links of the chain. The second motor is in transmission connection with the sprockets 9 to drive the sprockets 9 to rotate. The mounting frame is a frame structure built according to the positions and connection relationships of the components.

[0039] With the above scheme, asFigure 2 As shown in the figure, in the initial state, the transfer unit 302 is located above the platform 202. The sample tube 8 drops onto the platform 202 and at this time, the sample tube 8 is located within the transfer unit 302. If the scanner 201 scans that the sample tube 8 has been labeled, it will feedback a signal to the controller. Subsequently, the controller controls the second motor to rotate the chain, thereby causing the transfer unit 302 to move the sample tube 8 to the right together to above the sorting channel 303. At this time, the bottom of the transfer unit 302 is connected to the sorting channel 303, and the sample tube 8 drops into the sorting channel 303.

[0040] If the sorting device does not detect the label on the sample tube 8, the controller controls the first motor to rotate the sealing plate 3011 counterclockwise until it covers the top opening of the sorting channel 303. Subsequently, it controls the transfer unit 302 to move the sample tube 8 to the right together to above the collection channel 304. At this time, the transfer unit 302 is connected to the collection channel 304, and the sample tube 8 drops into the collection channel 304. The sorting device with this structure can automatically sort the sample tubes 8 according to requirements, greatly improving the work efficiency and accuracy.

[0041] As a preferred solution, considering that the proportion of unlabeled sample tubes 8 in practice is relatively small, as Figure 2 shown, the platform 202, the sorting channel 303, and the collection channel 304 are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the transfer unit 302 (that is, arranged from left to right in Figure 2 ). In this way, the distance between the sorting channel 303 and the platform 202 is shortened, that is, the conventional working path of the transfer unit 302 (that is, from the platform 202 to the sorting channel 303) is shortened, so that a large number of labeled sample tubes 8 can enter the sorting channel 303 more quickly, and the sorting efficiency is also improved.

[0042] As a preferred solution, considering that when the sample tube 8 drops onto the platform 202, the label on it is not necessarily facing up, resulting in the scanner 201 being unable to recognize it. As Figure 2 shown, the platform 202 is designed as a power roller group. The power roller group includes two roller shafts rotatably connected to the mounting frame and a third motor drivingly connected to the roller shafts. The two roller shafts are arranged side by side to support the sample tube 8. In addition, the third motor drives the roller shafts to rotate, thereby driving the sample tube 8 to rotate, so as to ensure that the scanner 201 can scan the label on the outer wall of the sample tube 8.

[0043] As a preferred solution, as Figure 2As shown in the figure, a set of sorting channels 303 are respectively arranged on the left and right sides of the platform 202, providing more combinations of sorting methods, and improving the sorting efficiency and applicability of the device. For example, the sample tubes 8 that meet condition A are screened out from the leftmost sorting channel 303, those that meet condition B are screened out from the middle sorting channel 303, and those that do not meet either condition are screened out from the rightmost collection channel 304.

[0044] As a preferred solution, as Figure 3 shown, the sample tube sorting device is also provided with a detection unit 5, and this detection unit 5 is used to detect the orientation of the tube head of the sample tube 8. Exemplarily, the sorting channel 303 includes a bottom plate and side plates fixedly arranged on opposite sides of the bottom plate. The bottom plate and the side plates together enclose a chute with a "U" - shaped cross - section. The distance between the two side plates is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the sample tube 8, ensuring that the sample tube 8 slides along the sorting channel 303 in a posture with its axial direction parallel to the length direction of the sorting channel 303.

[0045] The detection unit 5 includes a light source 501, an induction module, and a stopper 502. The induction module is preferably a photoelectric sensor and is installed on the mounting rack. The light source 501 is arranged to pass through a through - hole provided on the side plate along the radial direction of the sample tube 8, and then enters the sorting channel 303 and can be received by the induction module. The stopper 502 is movably connected to the mounting rack so that one end of it is inserted into the sorting channel 303. When the stopper 502 is inserted into the sorting channel 303, it plays a limiting role on the sample tube 8, preventing the sample tube 8 from continuing to slide down along the sorting channel 303. Specifically, the stopper 502 is rotatably connected to the mounting rack through a second rotating shaft, and a fourth motor is also installed on the mounting rack. The output shaft of the fourth motor is in transmission connection with the second rotating shaft. It should be noted that the positions of the stopper 502 and the light source 501 should be set reasonably, with the light source 501 irradiating the head or tail position of the sampling tube when the stopper 502 rotates into the sorting channel 303.

[0046] The fourth motor drives the stopper 502 to rotate, so that one end of the stopper 502 is inserted into the sorting channel 303, and then the sample tube 8 slides down along the sorting channel 303 until the head / tail of the sample tube 8 abuts against the stopper 502. At this time, the light beam emitted by the light source 501 irradiates on the sample tube 8; if the head of the blood vessel is downward (i.e., Figure 3 the state shown in the figure), at this time, the light beam of the light source 501 irradiates on the non - transparent plug of the sample tube 8 (i.e., the head of the sample tube 8), and the light beam cannot pass through the plug. The induction module feeds back this state to the controller. If the head of the sample tube 8 is upward, at this time, the light beam penetrates the transparent sample tube 8 and irradiates on the induction module. The induction module converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and feeds it back to the controller. The detection unit 5 provides a basis for the subsequent control of the controller.

[0047] In the preferred solution, as Figure 3As shown, the sample tube sorting device also includes a reversing unit 6, and the purpose of the reversing unit 6 is to adjust the directions of different sample tubes 8 to be consistent. Specifically, the reversing unit 6 has a body 601 and an adjustment module 604, wherein the body 601 is fixedly mounted on the mounting frame, and the body 601 is provided with an inlet 602 and an outlet 603, and one end of the inlet 602 is connected to the output end of the sorting channel 303. The adjustment module 604 has a cavity, and the adjustment module 604 is rotatably connected in the body 601 through a third rotating shaft, and a fifth motor is installed on the body 601, and the fifth motor is transmission-connected to the third rotating shaft to drive the adjustment module 604 to rotate. The outlet 603 is preferably designed to be in a vertical direction. The purpose of rotating the adjustment module 604 is to make its cavity communicate with the end of the inlet 602 away from the sorting channel 303, or to make its cavity communicate with the outlet 603.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is set as a through-hole structure that penetrates the regulating module 604; an outlet 603 is respectively set on the upper and lower sides of the body 601. The sorting device further includes a pneumatic conveying unit 7, which has an upper airway 701, a lower airway 702 and an air source module. The upper airway 701 and the lower airway 702 are respectively connected to the outlet 603, the cavity is located between the upper airway 701 and the lower airway 702 and can connect the two airways, and the air source module can be connected to the upper airway 701 or the lower airway 702.

[0049] like Figure 3 As shown, when the detection unit 5 detects that the plug cover of the sample tube 8 is facing downward, the stopper 502 rotates counterclockwise to leave the sorting channel 303. At this time, the sample tube 8 slides into the cavity of the adjustment module 604 along the sorting channel 303. The fifth motor drives the adjustment module 604 to rotate counterclockwise until the cavity is vertical. At this time, the cavity is connected to the upper airway 701 and the lower airway 702 respectively. The gas source module is a conventional gas supply device. The gas source module can be connected to the upper airway 701 or the lower airway 702. Taking the gas source module connected to the lower airway 702 as an example, the gas source module generates gas to push the sample tube 8 to move upward and pass through the upper airway 701 (conversely, if the gas source module is connected to the upper airway 701, the gas source module generates gas to push the sample tube 8 to move downward and pass through the lower airway 702. In practice, the design is selected according to the needs).

[0050] When the detection unit 5 detects that the plug of the sample tube 8 is facing upward, the stopper 502 rotates counterclockwise to leave the sorting channel 303, and the sample tube 8 slides along the sorting channel 303 into the cavity of the adjustment module 604; the fifth motor drives the adjustment module 604 to rotate clockwise until the cavity is vertical, and the cavity is respectively connected with the upper airway 701 and the lower airway 702. The gas source module generates gas to push the sample tube 8 upward and pass through the upper airway 701.

[0051] As a preferred solution, a second sensor and a third sensor are further installed on the mounting rack. Exemplarily, the second sensor and the third sensor are photoelectric sensors, which are respectively used to detect the positions of the stoppers 502 and the adjustment module 604, and feedback signals to the controller, so that the sorting device can be controlled more precisely.

[0052] The present utility model further provides a pneumatic transmission device for sample tubes, including the sample tube sorting device described in any one of the above; and the sample tubes 8 are output through the pneumatic conveying unit 7. Of course, other existing pneumatic conveying structures can be used to replace the pneumatic conveying unit 7 in this embodiment. For example, the conveying structure disclosed in the patents with publication numbers

[0053] CN220033340U / CN204777590U.

[0054] This pneumatic transmission device for sample tubes saves the turnover time of blood collection tube specimens and is a new type of device that is fast, safe, and accurate.

Claims

1. A sorting mechanism, characterized in that: include: A mounting frame, a blocking unit (301), a transfer unit (302), a sorting channel (303) and a collecting channel (304); the tops of the sorting channel (303) and the collecting channel (304) are both open and fixed side by side on the mounting frame; the blocking unit (301) can move relative to the mounting frame to cover the top opening of the sorting channel (303) or the collecting channel (304); the transfer unit (302) is movably connected to the mounting frame and the bottom of the transfer unit (302) is open to communicate with the sorting channel (303) or the collecting channel (304).

2. A sample tube sorting device, characterized in that: It comprises a sorting mechanism as described in claim 1, and also comprises a scanning unit (2), wherein the scanning unit (2) has a platform (202) for placing a sample tube (8), and the platform (202), the sorting channel (303) and the collecting channel (304) are arranged in sequence along the moving direction of the transfer unit (302).

3. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sorting channels (303) are provided with two groups, and the two groups of sorting channels (303) are distributed on both sides of the platform (202) along the moving direction of the transfer unit (302).

4. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The blocking unit (301) is located between the sorting channel (303) and the collecting channel (304), and the blocking unit (301) is rotatably connected to the mounting frame.

5. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The platform (202) includes a powered roller set having two sets of roller shafts.

6. A sample tube sorting device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: It also includes a detection unit (5) for detecting the orientation of the tube head of the sample tube (8).

7. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The detection unit (5) comprises a light source (501), a sensing module and a stopper (502), wherein the light source (501) is arranged to be emitted into the sorting channel (303) along the radial direction of the sample tube (8) and can be received by the sensing module, and the stopper (502) is movably connected to the mounting frame so that one end thereof can be inserted into the sorting channel (303).

8. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The invention also comprises a reversing unit (6) having a main body (601) and an adjusting module (604), wherein the main body (601) is provided with an inlet (602) and an outlet (603), and one end of the inlet (602) is connected to the sorting channel (303); the adjusting module (604) has a cavity, and the adjusting module (604) is rotatably connected in the main body (601) so that its cavity is connected to the other end of the inlet (602), or its cavity is connected to the outlet (603).

9. A sample tube sorting device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cavity is a through hole that passes through the regulating module (604); it also includes a pneumatic conveying unit (7) having an upper airway (701), a lower airway (702) and an air source module, the cavity is located between the upper airway (701) and the lower airway (702) and can connect the two airways, and the air source module is connected to the upper airway (701) / the lower airway (702).

10. A sample tube pneumatic transmission device, characterized in that: Comprising a sample tube sorting device as described in any one of claims 2 to 9.

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