Automatic bacterial colony picking device

Abstract

An automatic bacterial colony picking device is used in the field of microorganisms. An ejector rod of the automatic bacterial colony picking device penetrates through a center hole of a middle mounting base and is in sliding connection with the center hole, clamping arms are arranged on the two sides of the middle mounting base respectively and hinged to the middle mounting base through pin shafts, reset springs are arranged between the clamping arms and the middle mounting base, a lower mounting sleeve is connected to the lower portion of the ejector rod, and a negative electrode plate is arranged at the lower end of the ejector rod. The upper end of the top head is connected with the lock rod, the upper end of the lock rod is provided with the positive electrode slice, the middle of the top head is sleeved with the pressure feedback spring, and the electromagnet is connected to the lower end of the top head. Steel balls can be timely stored in the channel between the two clamping arms, the stroke of taking and placing the steel balls back and forth by the mechanical arm is reduced, one-feeding and one-placing actions are realized, and the sampling efficiency is conveniently improved; the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate are connected, a circuit is switched on, a feeding signal of the ejector rod is fed back to a control system in real time, and the ejector rod is prevented from being further fed to damage an agar layer and affect the accuracy of a sample.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of microorganisms, in particular to an automatic bacterial colony picking device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of society, microbial selection is increasingly being used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, and materials. Whether directly selecting strains from nature or using mutation-induced transformation techniques, microbial selection is involved. During the microbial selection process, selection equipment generally uses steel needles or steel balls to adsorb the strains in the culture dish. Current colony selection methods, however, generally use fixed metal needles or steel balls, which have the following drawbacks:

[0003] 1. Use a fixed metal needle or steel ball for sampling. The stroke of the metal needle or steel ball is fixed, but since the height of the agar layer may vary, fixed-stroke sampling may cause the agar layer to be punctured, resulting in the possibility of cross-contamination between colonies.

[0004] 2. The processing precision of metal needles is very high, and they need to be sterilized at high temperature after each picking. This leads to incomplete sterilization and increases energy consumption and the time for picking colonies.

[0005] 3. Using a suction nozzle to absorb steel balls for selecting colonies increases the action of moving the steel balls, which is inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic bacterial colony picking device to achieve the purpose of automatically storing beads and having feedback.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the invention, the automatic colony picking device of the present invention is composed of a middle mounting seat, a clamping arm, a push rod, a reset spring, a lower mounting sleeve, a push head, and a pressure feedback spring; the push rod passes through the center hole of the middle mounting seat and is slidably connected to the center hole. Clamping arms are respectively provided on both sides of the middle mounting seat, and the clamping arms are hinged to the middle mounting seat through a pin shaft. A reset spring is provided between the clamping arms and the middle mounting seat, and the two clamping arms are clamped by the reset spring. The lower mounting sleeve is connected to the lower part of the push rod by a thread, and the lower end of the push rod is provided with a negative electrode sheet. The push head is slidably connected to the center hole of the lower mounting sleeve, and the upper end of the push head is connected to a locking rod, and the upper end of the locking rod is provided with a positive electrode sheet. The middle part of the push head is provided with a pressure feedback spring, the electromagnet is provided on the outer side of the lower end of the push head, and the inner cavity of the lower end of the push head is provided with a photoelectric switch.

[0008] Furthermore, the middle mounting seat is positioned and installed with the external robotic arm through its slot, and the middle mounting seat is connected to the bead feeding air pipe through a thread, and the bead feeding air pipe feeds the material in the channel formed by the two clamping arms opening to overcome the elastic force of the reset spring.

[0009] Furthermore, the push rod of the middle mounting seat is connected to an external cylinder.

[0010] Furthermore, the pressure feedback spring is sleeved between the shaft shoulder of the mandrel and the stepped hole of the lower mounting sleeve, and is locked into the internal threaded hole of the mandrel through the external thread of the locking rod, thereby compressing and fixing the pressure feedback spring between the lower mounting sleeve and the mandrel.

[0011] Furthermore, the push rod drives the lower mounting sleeve to be pushed out through a threaded connection, overcomes the elastic force of the return spring, and moves in the channel between the two clamping arms.

[0012] Furthermore, the distance between the locking rod and the push rod is adjusted by the thread between the push rod and the lower mounting sleeve.

[0013] Furthermore, a steel ball sliding inclined groove is provided in the middle mounting seat, and the steel ball sliding inclined groove is communicated with the channel between the two clamping arms, and the steel ball falls into the channel between the two clamping arms through the ball feeding air pipe.

[0014] Furthermore, the bottom of the electromagnet is provided with an arc structure adapted to the steel ball.

[0015] When the utility model automatically picks up colonies, the middle mounting seat and the external robotic arm are positioned and fixed together. The middle mounting seat is connected to the external bead feeding air pipe. The steel balls are sent to the steel ball sliding chute inside the middle mounting seat through the external bead feeding air pipe and fall into the channel between the two clamping arms. The push rod is connected to the external cylinder. The push rod of the external cylinder pushes the push rod. When the photoelectric switch at the shaft end of the push rod contacts the steel ball, the electromagnet is energized to absorb the steel ball, and the push rod continues to move forward. When the steel ball is dipped into the bacteria in the agar of the culture dish, the push rod overcomes the elastic force of the pressure feedback spring and moves in the lower mounting sleeve. Finally, the locking rod contacts the push rod, so that the negative electrode sheet and the positive electrode sheet are connected, the circuit is connected, and the feed signal of the push rod is fed back to the control system in real time. The control system then stops the external robotic arm from feeding. The colony adsorbed by the steel ball is sent to the specified position by the external robotic arm to prevent the push rod from further feeding and damaging the agar layer. The colony selection is completed at this point.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following positive effects:

[0017] 1. The clamping arm structure design with a reset spring can store the steel balls in the channel between the two clamping arms in time, reducing the travel of the robotic arm to pick up and put the steel balls, realizing a one-time feeding and one-time releasing action, and facilitating the improvement of sampling efficiency.

[0018] 2. Through the pressure feedback spring set between the ejector head and the lower mounting sleeve, and relying on the relative position adjustment between the ejector rod and the lower mounting sleeve, the negative electrode sheet and the positive electrode sheet are connected, the circuit is connected, and the ejector rod feed signal is fed back to the control system in real time to prevent the ejector rod from further feeding and damaging the agar layer, which will affect the accuracy of the sample. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to make the content of the utility model easier to understand, the utility model is further described in detail below based on specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a structural appearance diagram of the utility model.

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 BB cross-sectional view.

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Front cross-section view of .

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the adsorption state of steel balls.

[0024] In the figure: 1. Middle mounting seat; 2. Clamping arm; 3. Push rod; 4. Return spring; 5. Lower mounting sleeve; 6. Push head; 7. Locking rod; 8. Pressure feedback spring; 9. Electromagnet; 10. Photoelectric switch; 11. Negative electrode sheet; 12. Positive electrode sheet; 13. Steel ball sliding chute; 14. Channel; 15. Steel ball. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the invention purpose, technical solution and advantages of the utility model more clear, the utility model will be further described in detail below. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described here are only used to explain the utility model and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the utility model.

[0026] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "middle," "outer," and "inner," etc., regarding positional relationships, are intended solely to describe the positions of the components of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Terms such as "mounted" and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connected" can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, and can be direct or through an intermediary. Those skilled in the art will readily understand the specific meanings of these terms within the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 4As shown, the automatic colony picking device of the present invention is mainly composed of a middle mounting seat 1, a clamping arm 2, a push rod 3, a reset spring 4, a lower mounting sleeve 5, a push head 6, a locking rod 7, a pressure feedback spring 8, an electromagnet 9, a photoelectric switch 10, a negative electrode sheet 11, a positive electrode sheet 12, etc.

[0028] The top rod 3 passes through the center hole of the middle mounting seat 1 and is slidably connected to the center hole. A clamping arm 2 is provided on both sides of the middle mounting seat 1. The clamping arm 2 is hinged to the middle mounting seat 1 through a pin shaft. A return spring 4 is provided between the clamping arm 2 and the middle mounting seat 1. The two clamping arms 2 are clamped by the return spring 4. The lower mounting sleeve 5 is connected to the lower part of the top rod 3 by a thread. The lower end of the top rod 3 is provided with a negative electrode sheet 11, and the top head 6 is slidably connected to the center hole of the lower mounting sleeve 5. The upper end of the top head 6 is connected with a locking rod 7, and the upper end of the locking rod 7 is provided with a positive electrode sheet 12. The middle part of the top head 6 is sleeved with a pressure feedback spring 8, and the electromagnet 9 is sleeved on the outer side of the lower end of the top head 6. The inner cavity of the lower end of the top head 6 is provided with a photoelectric switch 10. The bottom of the electromagnet 9 is provided with an arc structure adapted to the steel ball 15, which facilitates the electromagnet 9 to better adsorb the steel ball 15; the negative electrode sheet 11, the positive electrode sheet 12, the electromagnet 9, and the photoelectric switch 10 are connected to the control system.

[0029] Preferably, the central mounting base 1 is positioned and connected to the external robotic arm through its notch. The central mounting base 1 is connected to a bead feeding air pipe through a threaded connection. The bead feeding air pipe feeds the material into the channel 14 formed by the two clamping arms 2 opening to overcome the elastic force of the return spring 4. The ejector rod 3 of the central mounting base 1 is connected to the external cylinder. The ejector rod 3 is fed by the external cylinder and can also be fed twice by the robotic arm, which can ensure that the feeding accuracy of the ejector rod 3 is very high.

[0030] Preferably, the pressure feedback spring 8 is sleeved between the shoulder of the plug 6 and the stepped hole of the lower mounting sleeve 5, and is locked into the internal threaded hole of the plug 6 through the external thread of the locking rod 7, so that the pressure feedback spring 8 is compressed and fixed between the lower mounting sleeve 5 and the plug 6. The wire diameter of the pressure feedback spring 8 is 0.5 mm, the diameter is 4 mm, and the length is 10 mm.

[0031] Preferably, the push rod 3 drives the lower mounting sleeve 5 to be pushed out through a threaded connection, overcomes the elastic force of the return spring 4, and moves in the channel 14 between the two clamping arms 2.

[0032] Preferably, the distance between the locking rod 7 and the push rod 3 is adjusted by the thread between the push rod 3 and the lower mounting sleeve 5 , thereby adjusting the distance between the negative electrode sheet 11 and the positive electrode sheet 12 .

[0033] Preferably, a steel ball sliding chute 13 is provided in the middle mounting seat 1. The steel ball sliding chute 13 is connected to the channel 14 between the two clamping arms 2. The steel ball 15 falls into the channel 14 between the two clamping arms 2 through the ball delivery air pipe. The steel ball 15 can be stored in the channel 14 between the two clamping arms 2 in a timely manner, which can reduce the travel of the robot arm to pick up and put the steel ball 15 back and forth, realize a one-time feeding and one-time releasing action, and facilitate improving sampling efficiency.

[0034] The working process of the automatic colony picking device of the utility model is as follows:

[0035] First, the middle mounting seat 1 is positioned and fixed to the external robotic arm through its slot. The middle mounting seat 1 is connected to the external ball feeding air pipe through a thread. The steel ball 15 is sent to the steel ball sliding chute 13 inside the middle mounting seat 1 through the external ball feeding air pipe. Since the clamping arms 2 are connected to both sides of the middle mounting seat 1 and are clamped by the return spring 4, the steel ball 15 falls into the channel 14 between the two clamping arms 2. At this time, the push rod 3 is connected to the external cylinder, and the push rod of the external cylinder pushes the push rod 3. When the photoelectric switch 10 at the shaft end of the push head 6 contacts the steel ball 15, the electromagnet 9 is energized to adsorb the steel ball 15, and the push rod continues to move forward and is completely ejected. When the steel ball 15 dips into the bacteria in the agar of the culture dish, the push head 6 overcomes the elastic force of the pressure feedback spring 8 and moves in the lower mounting sleeve 5. Finally, the locking rod 7 contacts the push rod 3, so that the negative electrode sheet 11 and the positive electrode sheet 12 are connected, the circuit is connected, and the feed signal of the push rod 3 is fed back to the control system in real time. The control system stops feeding the external robotic arm to prevent the push rod 3 from further feeding and damaging the agar layer. The colony adsorbed by the steel ball 15 is sent to the designated position by the external robotic arm. At this time, the external cylinder of the push rod 3 stops supplying air, and the push rod 3 automatically retracts, completing the colony selection.

[0036] The above shows and describes the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and improvements are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in this invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automatic bacterial colony picking device, characterized in that: The automatic colony picking device comprises a middle mounting seat (1), a clamping arm (2), a push rod (3), a reset spring (4), a lower mounting sleeve (5), a push head (6), and a pressure feedback spring (8); the push rod (3) passes through the center hole of the middle mounting seat (1) and is slidably connected to the center hole; clamping arms (2) are respectively provided on both sides of the middle mounting seat (1); the clamping arms (2) are hinged to the middle mounting seat (1) through a pin; a reset spring (4) is provided between the clamping arms (2) and the middle mounting seat (1); the two clamping arms (2) are hinged to the middle mounting seat (1) through the reset spring (4) is clamped, the lower mounting sleeve (5) is connected to the lower part of the push rod (3) by a thread, the lower end of the push rod (3) is provided with a negative electrode sheet (11), the top head (6) is slidably connected in the center hole of the lower mounting sleeve (5), the upper end of the top head (6) is connected to a locking rod (7), the upper end of the locking rod (7) is provided with a positive electrode sheet (12), the middle part of the top head (6) is provided with a pressure feedback spring (8), the electromagnet (9) is provided on the outer side of the lower end of the top head (6), and the inner cavity of the lower end of the top head (6) is provided with a photoelectric switch (10).

2. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle mounting seat (1) is connected to the external mechanical arm through its notch for positioning and installation. The middle mounting seat (1) is connected to the bead feeding air pipe through a thread. The bead feeding air pipe is used to feed the material into the channel (14) formed by the two clamping arms (2) opening to overcome the elastic force of the return spring (4).

3. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top rod (3) of the middle mounting seat (1) is connected to an external cylinder.

4. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure feedback spring (8) is sleeved between the shaft shoulder of the mandrel (6) and the stepped hole of the lower mounting sleeve (5), and is locked into the internal threaded hole of the mandrel (6) through the external thread of the locking rod (7), so that the pressure feedback spring (8) is compressed and fixed between the lower mounting sleeve (5) and the mandrel (6).

5. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The push rod (3) drives the lower mounting sleeve (5) to be pushed out through the threaded connection, overcomes the elastic force of the return spring (4), and moves in the channel (14) between the two clamping arms (2).

6. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The distance between the locking rod (7) and the push rod (3) is adjusted by the thread between the push rod (3) and the lower mounting sleeve (5).

7. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle mounting seat (1) is provided with a steel ball sliding inclined groove (13), which is connected to the channel (14) between the two clamping arms (2), and the steel ball (15) falls into the channel (14) between the two clamping arms (2) through the ball delivery air pipe.

8. The automatic bacterial colony picking device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the electromagnet (9) is provided with an arc-shaped structure adapted to the steel ball (15).

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