Translation mechanism for automatic cell culture
By setting first and second support plates on the support platform and using a drive mechanism to realize the translation and tilting operation of the cell culture box, the problems of high cost, low stability and space occupation in the prior art are solved, and the operation of the cell culture box with low cost, high stability and high efficiency is realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423288710.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing automated cell culture translation mechanisms are costly, unstable, and space-consuming, making it difficult to efficiently coordinate the operation of suspended grippers with other mechanisms.
The cell culture chamber is moved horizontally by first and second support plates on a support platform and driven by first and second drive mechanisms. Combined with the placement station and lifting cylinder, the translation and tilting operations of the cell culture chamber are realized, reducing the length of the linear guide rail and the space occupied.
It achieves low-cost, high-stability, and high-efficiency translation of cell culture chambers, simplifies coordination with suspension mechanisms, and reduces space occupation.
Smart Images
Figure CN223591700U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of cell culture technology, specifically to a translation mechanism for automated cell culture. Background Technology
[0002] Cell culture refers to a method that uses a cell culture incubator to simulate the in vivo environment (sterile, suitable temperature, pH, and certain nutritional conditions, etc.) to enable cells to survive, grow, reproduce, and maintain their main structures and functions. To improve the efficiency of cell culture, automated cell culture lines have emerged. These automated lines are equipped with translation mechanisms to move the cell culture incubators.
[0003] Currently, there are two types of traditional translation mechanisms for automated cell culture: one is a multi-axis robotic arm, but multi-axis robotic arms are expensive, have poor stability, and can only operate in a single thread. The other is a suspended gripper, but suspended grippers occupy too much space in the suspension linear module and are complex to coordinate with other suspended mechanisms. Utility Model Content
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an automated translation mechanism for cell culture. This translation mechanism has low cost, good stability, and does not occupy the space of the suspended linear module.
[0005] To solve the above problems, the following technical solutions are provided:
[0006] The automated cell culture translation mechanism of this invention is characterized by including a support platform, a first support plate on top of the support platform, and a first drive mechanism between the first support plate and the support platform for driving the first support plate to move horizontally. Above the first support plate is a second support plate, and between the second support plate and the first support plate is a second drive mechanism for driving the second support plate to move horizontally, with the second support plate moving in the same direction as the first support plate. The top of the second support plate has a placement station for placing a cell culture chamber.
[0007] The first driving mechanism includes a first linear guide rail horizontally fixed to the top of the support platform, a first slider on the first linear guide rail, and first stops at both ends of the first linear guide rail. The first support plate is horizontally arranged and fixedly connected to the first slider. A first power unit for driving the first slider to slide along the first linear guide rail is located between the first support plate and the support platform.
[0008] The first power unit includes a first drive motor and a first rotating shaft arranged sequentially on the first support plate along the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide rail. The output shaft of the first drive motor and the first rotating shaft each have a first pulley. A synchronous belt is sleeved between the two first pulleys. A first transmission block is fixed on the top of the support platform. The first transmission block is fixedly connected to the first pulley.
[0009] The second driving mechanism includes a second linear guide rail horizontally fixed to the top of the first support plate, the second linear guide rail being parallel to the first linear guide rail. A second slider is mounted on the second linear guide rail, and second stops are located at both ends of the second linear guide rail. The second support plate is horizontally arranged and fixedly connected to the second slider. A second power unit for driving the second slider to slide along the second linear guide rail is located between the first support plate and the support platform.
[0010] The second power unit includes a second drive motor and a second rotating shaft arranged sequentially on the first support plate along the longitudinal direction of the second linear guide rail. The output shaft of the second drive motor and the second rotating shaft each have a second pulley. A synchronous belt is sleeved between the two second pulleys. A second transmission block is fixed on the lower plate surface of the second support plate. The second transmission block is fixedly connected to the second pulley.
[0011] The placement station includes a placement plate, the upper surface of which has recesses adapted to the shape of the cell culture box, thereby forming the placement station.
[0012] One side of the placement plate is hinged to the second support plate, and the hinged side of the placement plate is parallel to the direction of movement of the second support plate. There is an outwardly protruding protrusion on one side of the placement plate away from the hinged side. A vertically arranged lifting cylinder is located on the support platform below the protrusion, with the piston rod of the lifting cylinder pointing upwards. When the placement plate moves directly above the lifting cylinder, the piston rod extends, pushing the placement plate to an inclined position.
[0013] The above approach has the following advantages:
[0014] 1. The automated cell culture translation mechanism of this invention features a first support plate on top of its support platform, with a first drive mechanism between the first support plate and the support platform for driving the first support plate's horizontal movement. Above the first support plate is a second support plate, with a second drive mechanism between the second support plate and the first support plate for driving the second support plate's horizontal movement. The second support plate moves in the same direction as the first support plate, and the top of the second support plate has a placement station for placing the cell culture chamber. This translation mechanism utilizes the movement of the first support plate on the support platform and the movement of the second support plate on the first support plate to achieve the translation of the cell culture chamber. Compared to multi-axis robotic arms in the prior art, linear drive mechanisms are less expensive, and their simpler operation allows for reciprocating dual-thread operation. Compared to suspended grippers, they do not occupy excessive space in the suspended linear module, greatly simplifying the complexity of coordinating operations with other suspended mechanisms.
[0015] 2. This solution divides the translation distance into multiple layers from bottom to top for segmented translation, thus eliminating the need for a single long linear guide rail and support platform. When not in use, the first and second support plates can be retracted onto the support platform, greatly reducing the space occupied. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the automated cell culture translation mechanism of this utility model.
[0017] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the automated cell culture translation mechanism of this utility model behind the hidden support.
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first and second support plates of the automated cell culture translation mechanism of this utility model in the telescopic state.
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the automated cell culture translation mechanism of this utility model placed in an inclined state. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021] like Figure 1 As shown, the automated cell culture translation mechanism of this utility model includes a support platform, which includes a cuboid support frame 101, a platform 102 on the top of the support frame 101, and pads 103 on the four feet at the bottom of the support frame 101.
[0022] like Figures 1-3As shown, the top of the support platform has a first support plate 2, that is, the platform 102 has a horizontally arranged first support plate 2. Between the first support plate 2 and the support platform, there is a first driving mechanism for driving the first support plate 2 to move horizontally. The first driving mechanism includes a first linear guide rail 301 horizontally fixed to the top of the platform 102. To ensure stability, there can be multiple first linear guide rails 301, arranged in parallel side-by-side. In this embodiment, there are two first linear guide rails 301. Each first linear guide rail 301 has a first slider 305, and at least one first linear guide rail 301 has first stops 302 at both ends to prevent the first slider 305 from derailing. The first support plate 2 is fixedly connected to the first slider 305, and between the first support plate 2 and the platform 102, there is a first power unit for driving the first slider 305 to slide along the first linear guide rail 301. The first power unit includes a first drive motor 308 and a first rotating shaft 303, which are sequentially arranged on the first support plate 2 along the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide rail 301. In this embodiment, the first rotating shaft 303 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 2. Both the output shaft of the first drive motor 308 and the first rotating shaft 303 have first pulleys 307, which are rotatably engaged with the first rotating shaft 303. The first pulleys 307 are fixedly connected to the output shaft of the first drive motor 308. A first synchronous belt 306 is sleeved between the two first pulleys 307. A first transmission block 304 is fixedly mounted on the top of the support platform, and the first transmission block 304 is fixedly connected to the first synchronous belt 306.
[0023] like Figures 1-3As shown, a second support plate 6 is horizontally arranged above the first support plate 2. A second driving mechanism is located between the second support plate 6 and the first support plate 2 to drive the second support plate 6 to move horizontally. The movement direction of the second support plate 6 is the same as that of the first support plate 2. The top of the second support plate 6 has a placement station for placing a cell culture box. The second driving mechanism includes a second linear guide rail 501 horizontally fixed to the top of the first support plate 2. To ensure stability, multiple second linear guide rails 501 can be used, arranged in parallel side-by-side. In this embodiment, there are two second linear guide rails 501. The second linear guide rail 501 is parallel to the first linear guide rail. A second slider 505 is mounted on the second linear guide rail 501. At least one second linear guide rail 501 has second stops 502 at both ends to prevent the second slider 505 from derailing. The second support plate 6 is horizontally arranged, and the second support plate 6 is fixedly connected to the second slider 505. A second power unit is located between the first support plate 2 and the support platform to drive the second slider 505 to slide along the second linear guide rail 501. The second power unit includes a second drive motor 508 and a second rotating shaft 503 arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the second linear guide rail 501 on the first support plate 2. In this embodiment, the second rotating shaft 503 is fixedly connected to the first support plate 2. Both the output shaft of the second drive motor 508 and the second rotating shaft 503 have second pulleys 507, which are rotatably engaged with the first support plate 2. The second pulleys 507 are fixedly connected to the output shaft of the second drive motor 508. A second synchronous belt 306 is sleeved between the two second pulleys 507. A second transmission block is fixedly mounted on the lower surface of the second support plate 6, and the second transmission block is fixedly connected to the second synchronous belt 306.
[0024] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the placement station includes a placement plate 701. The upper surface of the placement plate 701 has recesses 703 adapted to the shape of the cell culture chamber, thus forming the placement station. One side of the placement plate 701 is hinged to the second support plate 6 via a pin and a pin seat. The specific hinge structure is prior art and will not be described in detail here. The hinged side of the placement plate 701 is parallel to the direction of movement of the second support plate 6. On the side of the placement plate 701 away from the hinged side, there is an outwardly protruding protrusion 702. A vertically arranged lifting cylinder 8 is located on the support platform below the protrusion 702. The piston rod of the lifting cylinder 8 faces upward. When the placement plate 701 moves directly above the lifting cylinder 8, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder 8 extends, pushing the placement plate 701 to an inclined position.
[0025] like Figure 2 As shown in this embodiment, the first support plate 2 and the platform 102, and the second support plate 6 and the first support plate 2, each have a position sensing structure for detecting extreme positions. The position sensing structure contains a fixed electrode and a moving electrode. The specific structure belongs to the prior art and will not be described in detail here.
[0026] In use, the first drive motor 308 drives the first support plate 2 to slide along the first linear guide rail 301 via the first synchronous belt 306, and the second drive motor 508 drives the second support plate 6 to slide along the second linear guide rail 501 via the second synchronous belt 306, thereby moving the placement plate 701 to the required position to receive the cell culture incubator, such as... Figure 3 As shown. When the cell culture chamber needs to be tilted, a drive motor drives the first support plate 2 to slide along the first linear guide rail 301 via the first synchronous belt 306, and a second drive motor 508 drives the second support plate 6 to slide along the second linear guide rail 501 via the second synchronous belt 306, so that the protrusion 702 is directly above the lifting cylinder 8. The piston rod of the lifting cylinder 8 extends, pushing the placement plate 701 to tilt, thereby tilting the cell culture chamber so that the liquid in the culture chamber can be sucked away. Figure 4 As shown.
Claims
1. A translation mechanism for automated cell culture, characterized in that, The device includes a support platform, a first support plate on top of the support platform, a first drive mechanism between the first support plate and the support platform for driving the first support plate to move horizontally, a second support plate above the first support plate, a second drive mechanism between the second support plate and the first support plate for driving the second support plate to move horizontally, the second support plate moves in the same direction as the first support plate, and a placement station for placing a cell culture box is located on top of the second support plate.
2. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first driving mechanism includes a first linear guide rail horizontally fixed to the top of the support platform, a first slider on the first linear guide rail, and first stops at both ends of the first linear guide rail. The first support plate is arranged horizontally and is fixedly connected to the first slider. There is a first power unit between the first support plate and the support platform for driving the first slider to slide along the first linear guide rail.
3. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first power unit includes a first drive motor and a first rotating shaft arranged sequentially on the first support plate along the longitudinal direction of the first linear guide rail. The output shaft of the first drive motor and the first rotating shaft each have a first pulley. A synchronous belt is sleeved between the two first pulleys. A first transmission block is fixed on the top of the support platform. The first transmission block is fixedly connected to the first pulley.
4. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second driving mechanism includes a second linear guide rail that is horizontally fixed to the top of the first support plate. The second linear guide rail is parallel to the first linear guide rail. There is a second slider on the second linear guide rail. There are second stops at both ends of the second linear guide rail. The second support plate is horizontally arranged and is fixedly connected to the second slider. There is a second power unit between the first support plate and the support platform for driving the second slider to slide along the second linear guide rail.
5. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The second power unit includes a second drive motor and a second rotating shaft arranged sequentially on the first support plate along the longitudinal direction of the second linear guide rail. The output shaft of the second drive motor and the second rotating shaft each have a second pulley. A synchronous belt is sleeved between the two second pulleys. A second transmission block is fixed on the lower plate surface of the second support plate. The second transmission block is fixedly connected to the second pulley.
6. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The placement station includes a placement plate, the upper surface of which has recesses adapted to the shape of the cell culture box, thereby forming the placement station.
7. The automated cell culture translation mechanism as described in claim 6, characterized in that, One side of the placement plate is hinged to the second support plate, and the hinged side of the placement plate is parallel to the movement direction of the second support plate. There is an outward protrusion on the side of the placement plate away from the hinged side. There is a vertically arranged lifting cylinder on the support platform below the protrusion. The piston rod of the lifting cylinder faces upward. When the placement plate moves directly above the lifting cylinder, the piston rod of the lifting cylinder extends and pushes the placement plate to be arranged at an angle.