Cap removing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an uncapping device. The uncapping device comprises a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprises a clamping assembly and a first driving assembly, the clamping assembly is connected to the first driving assembly, and the clamping assembly is arranged to be capable of moving in the Z direction under the driving action of the first driving assembly and clamping a sample tube; the cap removing mechanism comprises a cap removing assembly and a driving module, the cap removing assembly is connected to the driving module, the driving module is used for driving the cap removing assembly to move relative to the clamping assembly, and the cap removing assembly is arranged to be capable of driving a pipe cap of the sample pipe to rotate so that the pipe cap can be separated from the sample pipe. According to the cap removing device, the pipe caps and the sample pipes can be separated through mutual cooperation of the clamping mechanism and the cap removing mechanism, the cap removing speed is high, the cap removing success rate is high, the cap removing device is compatible with the sample pipes of different sizes and types, and the cap removing device can be suitable for cap removing, cap throwing and sample pipe transferring of the sample pipes of different heights.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of medical devices, in particular to a cap removing device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the field of biological medicine, various types of samples are often involved, which need to be stored in sample tubes of different sizes. In the process of sample pretreatment, in order to automatically remove the sample tube cap, the sample pretreatment equipment is designed with a cap removing device.

[0003] In the related art, the sample tube needs to be raised to a certain height before being capped, so that the sample tube can be matched with the cap removing device, and the cap removing operation can be performed by the cap removing device. Especially when facing different types of sample tubes, the cap removing device is difficult to adapt to sample tubes of different heights, resulting in low cap removing efficiency and low cap removing success rate. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a cap removing device to solve the problems of low cap removing efficiency and low cap removing success rate of the sample tube.

[0005] A cap removing device, comprising: a clamping mechanism, comprising a clamping assembly and a first driving assembly, the clamping assembly being connected to the first driving assembly, the clamping assembly being arranged to move along the Z direction under the driving action of the first driving assembly and clamp the sample tube; and a cap removing mechanism, comprising a cap removing assembly and a driving module, the cap removing assembly being connected to the driving module, the driving module being used to drive the cap removing assembly to move relative to the clamping assembly, the cap removing assembly being arranged to rotate the cap of the sample tube to make the cap separate from the sample tube.

[0006] In one of the embodiments, the clamping assembly comprises a first clamping piece and a second clamping piece, the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece being connected to the first driving assembly respectively; the first driving assembly is arranged to drive the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece to move along the Z direction, and is arranged to drive the first clamping piece and the second clamping piece to move towards each other to clamp the sample tube or to move away from each other to release the sample tube.

[0007] In one of the embodiments, one side of the first clamping piece facing the second clamping piece is arranged as an arc surface; and / or one side of the second clamping piece facing the first clamping piece is arranged as an arc surface.

[0008] In one of the embodiments, the first driving assembly comprises a first driving member and a second driving member; the first clamping member and the second clamping member are respectively connected to the output end of the second driving member; the second driving member is connected to the output end of the first driving member, and is used to drive the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move towards or away from each other; the first driving member is used to drive the second driving member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move along the Z direction.

[0009] In one of the embodiments, the clamping mechanism further comprises a connecting assembly, which is used to connect the clamping assembly and the first driving assembly; wherein the connecting assembly comprises a first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member is connected between the first clamping member and the first driving assembly, and the second connecting member is connected between the second clamping member and the first driving assembly.

[0010] In one of the embodiments, the first connecting member comprises a first connecting portion and a first extending portion, the first connecting portion is connected to the output end of the first driving assembly and is arranged to extend along the Z direction, one end of the first extending portion is connected to the first connecting portion, and the other end of the first extending portion is arranged to extend along the X direction and is connected to the first clamping member; and / or the second connecting member comprises a second connecting portion and a second extending portion, the second connecting portion is connected to the output end of the first driving assembly and is arranged to extend along the Z direction, one end of the second extending portion is connected to the second connecting portion, and the other end of the second extending portion is arranged to extend along the X direction and is connected to the second clamping member.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the cap removing assembly comprises a jaw assembly and a second driving assembly, the jaw assembly is connected to the second driving assembly, the jaw assembly comprises a plurality of jaws, and the second driving assembly is arranged to drive the plurality of jaws to clamp the caps of the sample tubes and to drive the caps to rotate around the Z axis.

[0012] In one of the embodiments, the second driving assembly comprises a third driving member and a fourth driving member; the jaws are connected to the output end of the third driving member and the fourth driving member; the third driving member is used to drive the plurality of jaws to clamp the caps of the sample tubes, and the fourth driving member is used to drive the jaws to rotate around the Z axis.

[0013] In one of the embodiments, the driving module comprises a Y direction driving module and a Z direction driving module, the cap removing assembly is connected to the Z direction driving module, the Z direction driving module is used to drive the cap removing assembly to move along the Z direction, and the Z direction driving module is connected to the Y direction driving module, and the Y direction driving module is used to drive the cap removing assembly to move along the Y direction.

[0014] In one of the embodiments, the cap removing device further comprises a control unit electrically connected with the first driving assembly, the second driving assembly and the driving module.

[0015] The cap removing device comprises a clamping mechanism for fixing the sample tube and a cap removing mechanism for removing the tube cap. When the cap removing device is used for removing the cap of the sample tube with different heights, the clamping assembly is first driven by the first driving assembly to move in the vertical direction until the height of the clamping assembly matches the sample tube, so that the clamping assembly can accurately clamp the corresponding part of the sample tube. Then the cap removing assembly is driven by the driving module to move until the height of the cap removing assembly matches the sample tube, so that the cap removing assembly can contact the tube cap of the sample tube and drive the tube cap to rotate, so that the tube cap is separated from the sample tube, thereby realizing the cap removing operation. Thus, the separation of the tube cap and the sample tube can be realized by the cooperation of the clamping mechanism and the cap removing mechanism, the cap removing speed is fast, the cap removing success rate is high, different sizes and types of sample tubes are compatible, and the cap removing, cap throwing and sample tube transferring functions of sample tubes with different heights can be realized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cap removing device provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0017] Figure 2 A structure schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism of the cap removing device provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0018] Figure 3 A structure schematic diagram of the cap removing mechanism of the cap removing device provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0019] Figure 4 A whole structure schematic diagram of the cap removing assembly provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0020] Figure 5 An internal structure schematic diagram of the cap removing assembly provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0021] Figure 6 A structure schematic diagram of the sample tube provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0022] Figure 7 A cap removing operation schematic diagram of the cap removing device provided by the embodiment of the present application is provided.

[0023] REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0024] 10, cap removing device;

[0025] 100, clamping mechanism; 110, clamping assembly; 111, first clamping piece; 112, second clamping piece; 120, first driving assembly; 121, first driving piece; 122, second driving piece; 130, connecting assembly; 131, first connecting piece; 131a, first connecting portion; 131b, first extending portion; 132, second connecting piece; 132a, second connecting portion; 132b, second extending portion;

[0026] 200, cap removing mechanism; 210, cap removing assembly; 211, clamping jaw assembly; 211a, adapter sleeve; 211b, fork; 211c, clamping jaw; 212, second driving assembly; 212a, third driving piece; 212b, fourth driving piece; 212c, output shaft; 220, driving module; 221, Y-direction driving module; 222, Z-direction driving module;

[0027] 20, sample tube; 21, tube base; 22, tube body; 23, tube cap;

[0028] M, cap removing area; N, cap throwing area; P, loading area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to make the above objectives, features and advantages of the present application more apparent, specific embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. However, the present application can be practiced in a number of ways beyond the specific embodiments described and claimed herein. It is therefore intended that the present application not be limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed but rather that the scope of the present application be measured by the broadest permissible interpretation of the claims.

[0030] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that if the terms "center", "longitudinal", "transverse", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and therefore cannot be understood as indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present application.

[0031] In addition, if there are terms such as "first", "second", these terms are only used for description purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first", "second" can be explicitly or implicitly included at least one of the features. In the description of the present application, if the term "multiple" appears, the meaning of "multiple" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0032] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, if the terms "mount", "connect", "connect", "fix" and the like appear, these terms should be interpreted broadly. For example, it can be fixedly connected, or it can be detachably connected, or it can be integrated; it can be mechanically connected, or it can be electrically connected; it can be directly connected, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise explicitly limited. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0033] In the present application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, if there are similar descriptions such as "first feature on" or "below" the second feature, the meaning can be that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are indirectly in contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, the first feature "above", "above" and "above" the second feature can be the first feature directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is higher than the second feature in horizontal height. The first feature "below", "below" and "below" the second feature can be the first feature directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or only indicates that the first feature is lower than the second feature in horizontal height.

[0034] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as "fixed to" or "provided on" another element, it can be directly on another element or there can be a middle element. If an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element or there can be a middle element. If present, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "up", "down", "left", "right" and similar expressions used in the present application are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation.

[0035] In the field of biological medicine, various types of samples are often involved, and various types of samples need to be stored in sample tubes. In the process of sample pretreatment, in order to automatically remove the sample tube cap on the sample tube, the sample pretreatment equipment is designed with a cap removal device. In the related art, the height of the sample tube needs to be manually raised or the height of the sample tube is raised by a corresponding device before cap removal, so that the sample tube matches the cap removal device for cap removal operation, resulting in low cap removal efficiency and low cap removal success rate.

[0036] To solve at least part of the above technical problems, embodiments of the present application provide a cap removing device.

[0037] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the Z direction refers to the direction of gravity of the cap removing device, i.e. the vertical direction of the cap removing device in the installed state. The X direction and the Y direction both refer to the direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity of the cap removing device, i.e. the horizontal direction of the cap removing device in the installed state, and the X direction and the Y direction are perpendicular to each other. The description of the directions herein can be understood with reference to the interpretation here.

[0038] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the cap removing device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. Figure 2 A structural schematic diagram of the clamping mechanism of the cap removing device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. Figure 3 A structural schematic diagram of the cap removing mechanism of the cap removing device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 As shown in the figure, the cap removing device 10 provided by the embodiments of the present application includes a clamping mechanism 100 and a cap removing mechanism 200, and is used for performing cap removing operation on a sample tube 20.

[0040] Exemplarily, Figure 6 A structural schematic diagram of the sample tube 20 provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. Referring to Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the sample tube 20 includes a tube seat 21, a tube body 22 and a tube cap 23. The tube body 22 is formed with a cavity for accommodating sample reagent. The tube seat 21 is connected to the bottom of the tube body 22, and can be used for fixing the tube body 22 and for indicating the type of sample reagent accommodated in the tube body 22. The tube cap 23 is connected to the top of the tube body 22, and is used for plugging the cavity in the tube body 22. When it is needed to load sample reagent into the tube body 22 or to take out sample reagent, the tube cap 23 needs to be detached from the tube body 22, i.e. cap removing operation is performed.

[0041] The clamping mechanism 100 is used to clamp the sample tube 20 to fix the sample tube 20, for example, the clamping mechanism 100 can be arranged to clamp the tube body 22 of the sample tube 20, facilitating the removal of the tube cap 23 from the tube body 22 of the sample tube 20. The clamping mechanism 100 comprises a clamping assembly 110 and a first driving assembly 120, the clamping assembly 110 is connected to the first driving assembly 120, and the clamping assembly 110 is arranged to move along the Z direction under the driving action of the first driving assembly 120 and clamp the sample tube 20. Specifically, the output end of the first driving assembly 120 is connected with the clamping assembly 110, and the first driving assembly 120 can drive the clamping assembly 110 to move along the vertical direction, so that the clamping assembly 110 can flexibly clamp sample tubes 20 with different heights. For example, when the height of the sample tube 20 is high, the clamping assembly 110 can be driven by the first driving assembly 120 to move upward along the vertical direction, so that the clamping assembly 110 can accurately clamp the corresponding part of the sample tube 20; when the height of the sample tube 20 is low, the clamping assembly 110 can be driven by the first driving assembly 120 to move downward along the vertical direction, so that the clamping assembly 110 can accurately clamp the corresponding part of the sample tube 20.

[0042] The cap removal mechanism 200 is used to remove and transfer the tube cap 23 from the sample tube 20, of course, the cap removal mechanism 200 can also be used to transfer the sample tube 20. The cap removal mechanism 200 comprises a cap removal assembly 210 and a driving module 220, the cap removal assembly 210 is connected to the driving module 220, the driving module 220 is used to drive the cap removal assembly 210 to move relative to the clamping assembly 110, and the cap removal assembly 210 is arranged to rotate the tube cap 23 of the sample tube 20 to make the tube cap 23 separate from the sample tube 20. Specifically, after the clamping mechanism 100 stably clamps the sample tube 20, the cap removal assembly 210 can be driven by the driving module 220 to move to the vicinity of the clamping assembly 110, so that the cap removal assembly 210 can contact the sample tube 20 clamped by the clamping assembly 110 and remove the tube cap 23, to realize the cap removal operation.

[0043] Through the above structural design, the cap removing device 10 of the embodiment of the application can realize flexible cap removing operation through the cooperation of the clamping mechanism 100 and the cap removing mechanism 200. Specifically, when the cap removing device 10 is used for removing the cap of the sample tube 20 with a high height, first, the clamping assembly 110 is driven by the first driving assembly 120 to move upward along the vertical direction until the height of the clamping assembly 110 matches the sample tube 20, so that the clamping assembly 110 can accurately clamp the corresponding part of the sample tube 20; then the cap removing assembly 210 is driven by the driving module 220 to move until the height of the cap removing assembly 210 matches the sample tube 20, so that the cap removing assembly 210 can contact the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and drive the cap 23 to rotate, so that the cap 23 is separated from the sample tube 20, thereby realizing the cap removing operation. When the cap removing device 10 is used for removing the cap of the sample tube 20 with a low height, first, the clamping assembly 110 is driven by the first driving assembly 120 to move downward along the vertical direction until the height of the clamping assembly 110 matches the sample tube 20, so that the clamping assembly 110 can accurately clamp the corresponding part of the sample tube 20; then the cap removing assembly 210 is driven by the driving module 220 to move until the height of the cap removing assembly 210 matches the sample tube 20, so that the cap removing assembly 210 can contact the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and drive the cap 23 to rotate, so that the cap 23 is separated from the sample tube 20, thereby realizing the cap removing operation.

[0044] And, referring to Figure 1 When the clamping assembly 110 fixes the sample tube 20 in the cap removing area M and uses the cap removing assembly 210 to remove the cap 23 in the cap removing area M, then the cap removing assembly 210 can be driven by the driving module 220 to move and transfer the removed cap 23 to the cap throwing area N, thereby realizing the function of transferring the cap 23. In addition, when it is necessary to transfer the sample tube 20, for example, when it is necessary to transfer the sample tube 20 after the cap removing to the sample rack in the loading area P, at this time, the sample tube 20 can be driven by the cap removing assembly 210 driven by the driving module 220 to move, thereby realizing the function of transferring the sample tube 20.

[0045] Therefore, the cap removing device 10 of the embodiment of the application includes the clamping mechanism 100 for fixing the sample tube 20 and the cap removing mechanism 200 for removing the cap 23, and the separation of the cap 23 and the sample tube 20 can be realized through the cooperation of the clamping mechanism 100 and the cap removing mechanism 200, the cap removing speed is fast, the cap removing success rate is high, different sizes and types of sample tubes 20 are compatible, and the cap removing device 10 can be applied to different heights of sample tubes 20, and can realize the functions of cap removing, cap throwing and sample tube 20 transferring.

[0046] In some embodiments, the clamping assembly 110 includes a first clamping member 111 and a second clamping member 112, which are respectively connected to a first driving assembly 120. The first driving assembly 120 is configured to drive the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move along the Z-direction, and is also configured to drive the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move towards each other to clamp the sample tube 20 or to move away from each other to release the sample tube 20. Specifically, during the movement towards each other, the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 move closer to each other; during the movement away from each other, the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 move away from each other.

[0047] When performing the cap removal operation, the first drive assembly 120 first drives the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move in opposite directions, so that the distance between the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 is large enough to accommodate the sample tube 20; then the first drive assembly 121 drives the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move along the Z direction to the height corresponding to the sample tube 20, thereby driving the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to opposite sides of the sample tube 20 respectively; then the first drive assembly 120 drives the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move towards each other, so that the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 clamp the sample tube 20; after the cap removal mechanism 200 completes the cap removal, the first drive assembly 120 then drives the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move in opposite directions to release the sample tube 20, so that the sample tube 20 can be removed and the next batch of sample tubes 20 can be decapped. Therefore, by controlling the opening and closing of the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112, the sample tube 20 can be firmly clamped, ensuring that the sample tube 20 can successfully complete the cap removal operation, and can adapt to the cap removal requirements of sample tubes 20 of different heights.

[0048] In some embodiments, the side of the first clamping member 111 facing the second clamping member 112 is configured as an arc-shaped surface. See also... Figure 2 As shown, the first clamping member 111 has an arc-shaped structure, with the opening of the arc-shaped structure facing the second clamping member 112. The surface of the first clamping member 111 facing the second clamping member 112 is an arc-shaped surface. When the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 cooperate to clamp the sample tube 20, the arc-shaped surface of the first clamping member 111 can fit tightly against the outer surface of the sample tube 20, which helps to firmly clamp the sample tube 20 and ensures that the sample tube 20 remains fixed during the cap removal process.

[0049] In some embodiments, the side of the second clamping member 112 facing the first clamping member 111 is configured as an arc-shaped surface. See also... Figure 2 As shown, the second clamping member 112 is configured with a structure that is mirror-symmetrical to the first clamping member 111, which further facilitates the stable clamping of the sample tube 20.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first driving assembly 120 comprises a first driving member 121 and a second driving member 122; the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 are respectively connected to the output end of the second driving member 122; the second driving member 122 is connected to the output end of the first driving member 121, and the second driving member 122 is used to drive the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move towards or away from each other; the first driving member 121 is used to drive the second driving member 122, the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move along the Z direction. In the embodiments of the present application, the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 are driven to move along the Z direction by the first driving member 121, so as to adapt to sample tubes 20 of different heights; the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 are driven to move towards or away from each other by the second driving member 122, so as to clamp or release the sample tube 20, thereby effectively clamping and fixing sample tubes 20 of different heights.

[0051] Exemplarily, the first driving member 121 can comprise a linear motor, and the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 are connected to the output end of the linear motor through the second driving member 122. The output end of the linear motor extends along the Z direction, so that the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 can be driven to move freely along the Z direction by the linear motor.

[0052] Exemplarily, the second driving member 122 can comprise a servo motor, and the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 are connected to the servo motor in a structure similar to an electrically operated clamping jaw, so as to realize the actions of clamping or releasing by driving the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 by the servo motor.

[0053] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 100 further comprises a connecting assembly 130, which is used to connect the clamping assembly 110 and the first driving assembly 120; wherein the connecting assembly 130 comprises a first connecting member 131 and a second connecting member 132, the first connecting member 131 is connected between the first clamping member 111 and the first driving assembly 120, and the second connecting member 132 is connected between the second clamping member 112 and the first driving assembly 120. Specifically, with reference to Figure 2As shown, one end of the first connecting member 131 is connected to the first clamping member 111, and the other end of the first connecting member 131 is connected to the output end of the second driving member 122 and connected to the first driving member 121 through the second driving member 122. One end of the second connecting member 132 is connected to the second clamping member 112, and the other end of the second connecting member 132 is connected to the output end of the second driving member 122 and connected to the first driving member 121 through the second driving member 122. Thus, by connecting the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 through the first connecting member 131 and the second connecting member 132 respectively, it is convenient to drive the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 to move respectively by the second driving member 122, and it is also convenient to disassemble and assemble the components of the clamping mechanism 100.

[0054] In some embodiments, the first connecting member 131 comprises a first connecting portion 131a and a first extending portion 131b. The first connecting portion 131a is connected to the output end of the first driving assembly 120 and extends along the Z direction. One end of the first extending portion 131b is connected to the first connecting portion 131a, and the other end of the first extending portion 131b extends along the X direction and is connected to the first clamping member 111. The Z direction is perpendicular to the X direction. Since the first extending portion 131b protrudes from the first connecting portion 131a along the X direction, and the first clamping member 111 is connected to the first connecting portion 131a through the first extending portion 131b, the first clamping member 111 is spaced apart from the first connecting portion 131a and the first driving assembly 120 in the X direction. This can avoid interference between the first clamping member 111 and the first driving assembly 120 when the first clamping member 111 is used to clamp the sample tube 20.

[0055] Referring to Figure 2 As shown, the first driving member 121 and the second driving member 122 are arranged along the Z direction in sequence, and the first driving member 121 can drive the second driving member 122 to move along the Z direction. The first connecting portion 131a extends along the Z direction, i.e. the vertical direction, and is connected to the second driving member 122. The first extending portion 131b extends along the X direction, i.e. the horizontal direction, and is connected to the second driving member 122. The first connecting portion 131a and the first extending portion 131b are connected to form an L-shaped structure. Thus, the first extending portion 131b protrudes from the first connecting portion 131a in the horizontal direction, so as to avoid interference between the first clamping member 111 and the second clamping member 112 connected at both ends of the first extending portion 131b. Furthermore, the first clamping member 111 can be extended into a relatively narrow space through the first extending portion 131b to clamp the sample tube 20. This is beneficial to use the cap removal device 10 in a space with a smaller space, saves space, and has a lower cost and a wider application range.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second connecting member 132 comprises a second connecting portion 132a and a second extending portion 132b, the second connecting portion 132a is connected to the output end of the first driving assembly 120 and extends along the Z direction, one end of the second extending portion 132b is connected to the second connecting portion 132a, and the other end of the second extending portion 132b extends along the X direction and is connected to the second clamping member 112. Since the second extending portion 132b protrudes from the second connecting portion 132a along the X direction, and the second clamping member 112 is connected to the second connecting portion 132a through the second extending portion 132b, the second clamping member 112 is spaced apart from the second connecting portion 132a and the first driving assembly 120 along the X direction, so that the second clamping member 112 can avoid interfering with the first driving assembly 120 when clamping the sample tube 20.

[0057] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, the second connecting member 132 comprises a second connecting portion 132a and a second extending portion 132b, the second connecting portion 132a is connected to the output end of the first driving assembly 120 and extends along the Z direction, one end of the second extending portion 132b is connected to the second connecting portion 132a, and the other end of the second extending portion 132b extends along the X direction and is connected to the second clamping member 112. Since the second extending portion 132b protrudes from the second connecting portion 132a along the X direction, and the second clamping member 112 is connected to the second connecting portion 132a through the second extending portion 132b, the second clamping member 112 is spaced apart from the second connecting portion 132a and the first driving assembly 120 along the X direction, so that the second clamping member 112 can avoid interfering with the first driving assembly 120 when clamping the sample tube 20.

[0058] In some embodiments, the cap removing assembly 210 comprises a jaw assembly 211 and a second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 is connected to the second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 comprises a plurality of jaws 211c, and the second driving assembly 212 is configured to drive the plurality of jaws 211c to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and rotate the cap 23 around the Z axis. Figure 3 Referring to In some embodiments, the cap removing assembly 210 comprises a jaw assembly 211 and a second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 is connected to the second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 comprises a plurality of jaws 211c, and the second driving assembly 212 is configured to drive the plurality of jaws 211c to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and rotate the cap 23 around the Z axis.

[0059] In order to facilitate understanding of the functions of the cap removing device 10 of the embodiments of the present application, the cap removing operation process of the cap removing device 10 will be described below. Figure 7 In some embodiments, the cap removing assembly 210 comprises a jaw assembly 211 and a second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 is connected to the second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 comprises a plurality of jaws 211c, and the second driving assembly 212 is configured to drive the plurality of jaws 211c to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and rotate the cap 23 around the Z axis. Figure 7 In some embodiments, the cap removing assembly 210 comprises a jaw assembly 211 and a second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 is connected to the second driving assembly 212, the jaw assembly 211 comprises a plurality of jaws 211c, and the second driving assembly 212 is configured to drive the plurality of jaws 211c to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20 and rotate the cap 23 around the Z axis. Figure 7(2) As shown in the state, the clamping assembly 110 forms a stable clamping on the sample tube 20, and the driving module 220 drives the second driving assembly 212 and the jaw assembly 211 to move to a position where the jaw assembly 211 cooperates with the cap 23 of the sample tube 20. In Figure 7 (3) As shown in the state, the clamping assembly 110 forms a stable clamping on the sample tube 20, and the second driving assembly 212 drives the jaw assembly 211 to move to clamp and rotate the cap 23, and gradually moves upward by driving the second driving assembly 212 and the jaw assembly 211 by the driving module 220 during the rotation of the cap 23, so that the cap 23 gradually separates from the barrel 22 of the sample tube 20. In Figure 7 (4) As shown in the state, the clamping assembly 110 forms a stable clamping on the sample tube 20, and the driving module 220 drives the second driving assembly 212 and the jaw assembly 211 to continue to move to realize the cap removal function.

[0060] It should be noted that the number of the jaw 211c included in the jaw assembly 211 is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, the jaw assembly 211 can include two jaws 211c, three jaws 211c, four jaws 211c, etc.

[0061] In some embodiments, the second driving assembly 212 includes a third driving member 212a and a fourth driving member 212b; the jaw 211c is connected to the output end of the third driving member 212a and the fourth driving member 212b; the third driving member 212a is used to drive the plurality of jaws 211c to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20, and the fourth driving member 212b is used to drive the jaw 211c to rotate around the Z axis. Referring to Figure 3 As shown, the third driving member 212a, the fourth driving member 212b and the jaw assembly 211 are sequentially arranged from top to bottom, the output end of the third driving member 212a is connected with the jaw assembly 211, and the third driving member 212a can drive the plurality of jaws 211c to open and close to clamp or release the cap 23 of the sample tube 20. The output end of the fourth driving member 212b is connected with the jaw assembly 211, and the fourth driving member 212b can drive the plurality of jaws 211c to rotate around the Z axis to separate the cap 23 from the barrel 22 of the sample tube 20, thereby effectively realizing the cap removal operation.

[0062] Exemplarily, in some embodiments, referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the third driving member 212a can be a through-shaft type stepper motor, and the fourth driving member 212b can be a servo motor. The clamping jaw assembly 211 includes an adapter sleeve 211a, a yoke 211b and a clamping jaw 211c. The top end of the adapter sleeve 211a is sleeved on the output shaft 212c of the third driving member 212a through a bearing, and the bottom end of the adapter sleeve 211a is connected with the clamping jaw 211c through the yoke 211b. When the third driving member 212a drives the output shaft 212c to move up and down, the adapter sleeve 211a can be driven to move up and down, and at this time, the adapter sleeve 211a can drive the yoke 211b to rotate and drive the clamping jaw 211c to open and close to clamp the cap 23 of the sample tube 20. The fourth driving member 212b is connected with the adapter sleeve 211a through a belt, so as to drive the adapter sleeve 211a to rotate relative to the output shaft 212c of the third driving member 212a, and at this time, the adapter sleeve 211a can drive the clamping jaw 211c to rotate through the yoke 211b, thereby realizing the cap removal function.

[0063] In some embodiments, the driving module 220 includes a Y-direction driving module 221 and a Z-direction driving module 222. The cap removal assembly 210 is connected to the Z-direction driving module 222, and the Z-direction driving module 222 is used to drive the cap removal assembly 210 to move along the Z-direction. The Z-direction driving module 222 is connected to the Y-direction driving module 221, and the Y-direction driving module 221 is used to drive the cap removal assembly 210 to move along the Y-direction. Referring to Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the Z-direction driving module 222 is used to drive the cap removal assembly 210 to move along the vertical direction, so as to cooperate with the cap removal assembly 210 to remove the cap 23 from the tube body 22, thereby realizing the cap removal function. The Y-direction driving module 221 is used to drive the cap removal assembly 210 to move along the horizontal direction, so as to send or remove the cap removal assembly 210 above the sample tube 20, thereby realizing the cap throwing and sample tube 20 transferring functions.

[0064] In some embodiments, the cap removal device 10 further includes a control unit, which is electrically connected with the first driving assembly 120, the second driving assembly 212 and the driving module 220. Exemplarily, the control unit can include a controller, which is used to receive control instructions to control the first driving assembly 120, the second driving assembly 212 and the driving module 220 to stop, start or perform corresponding actions, thereby improving the working efficiency of the cap removal device 10.

[0065] According to the cap removing device 10 provided in the embodiment, in the process of separating the sample tube 20 from the tube cap 23, the first driving assembly 120 is used to drive the clamping assembly 110 to move along the Z direction so as to adapt the height of the clamping assembly 110 to the height of the sample tube 20, so as to facilitate the clamping of the sample tube 20 at the corresponding height by the clamping assembly 110. Then the driving module 220 is used to drive the cap removing assembly 210 to move so as to make the cap removing assembly 210 reach above the sample tube 20, so as to drive the N tube caps 23 of the sample tube 20 to rotate and separate from the sample tube 20 by the cap removing assembly 210. Then the driving module 220 is used to drive the cap removing assembly 210 to move so as to make the cap removing assembly 210 move away from above the sample tube 20, so as to realize the cap removing function. Moreover, after the cap removing, the driving module 220 can be used to drive the cap removing assembly 210 to move so as to make the cap removing assembly 210 send the tube cap 23 to the cap throwing area N, so as to realize the cap throwing function. In addition, the driving module 220 can also be used to drive the cap removing assembly 210 to move so as to make the cap removing assembly 210 be capable of clamping the sample tube 20, so as to realize the function of transferring the sample tube 20. Thus, the cap removing device 10 provided in the embodiment can realize the functions of cap removing, cap throwing and transferring of the sample tube 20 by controlling the clamping mechanism 100 and the cap removing mechanism 200 to cooperate, and can be compatible with sample tubes 20 of different heights, has a fast cap removing speed and a high cap removing success rate.

[0066] Exemplarily, in a specific embodiment, the use flow of the cap removing device 10 provided in the embodiment is as follows:

[0067] In combination with Figures 1 to 7 As shown in the figure, before the cap removing, the sample tube 20 is transported to the cap removing area M, when the light coupling arranged in the cap removing area M detects the tube base 21 of the sample tube 20, the information of the tube base 21 is read by the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) board to judge whether the sample in the sample tube 20 is a qualified sample for serum quality detection, and if the detection is qualified, the cap removing process is executed.

[0068] In the cap removing process, the sample tube 20 is clamped by the clamping mechanism 100, so as to ensure that the sample tube 20 does not move in the vertical direction in the cap removing process, and is accurately positioned in the horizontal direction, so as to ensure that the sample tube 20 does not deviate in position. Meanwhile, the cap removing assembly 210 is driven to move to the cap removing area M and to reach the cap removing start height of the sample tube 20, so as to make the tube cap 23 separate from the sample tube 20 by the cap removing assembly 210.

[0069] After the cap removing, the cap removing assembly 210 is driven to move to the cap throwing area N, so as to transfer the tube cap 23 to the cap throwing area N, and then the cap removing assembly 210 is controlled to return to the cap removing area M to perform the next process.

[0070] When the sample tube 20 needs to be transferred, the cap removal assembly 210 is driven to move to the sample tube 20 gripping height, and the sample tube 20 is clamped by the cap removal assembly 210, then the cap removal assembly 210 is driven to move to the loading area P, so as to transfer the sample tube 20 to the sample rack, and then the cap removal assembly 210 is controlled to return to the cap pulling area M to perform the next sample tube 20 cap removal process.

[0071] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described, but it should be understood that any combination of the technical features is within the scope of the present disclosure as long as the combination does not result in contradictions.

[0072] The above-described embodiments only express several implementation manners of the present application, and the description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be understood as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these are within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the patent protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cap removal device, characterized in that, The cap removing device comprises: a clamping mechanism comprising a clamping assembly and a first driving assembly, the clamping assembly being connected to the first driving assembly, the clamping assembly being arranged to move along the Z direction under the driving action of the first driving assembly and clamp the sample tube; and a cap removing mechanism comprising a cap removing assembly and a driving module, the cap removing assembly being connected to the driving module, the driving module being used to drive the cap removing assembly to move relative to the clamping assembly, the cap removing assembly being arranged to rotate the cap of the sample tube to separate the cap from the sample tube; the cap removing assembly comprising a jaw assembly and a second driving assembly, the jaw assembly being connected to the second driving assembly, the jaw assembly comprising a plurality of jaws, the second driving assembly being arranged to drive the plurality of jaws to clamp the cap of the sample tube and rotate the cap around the Z axis.

2. The decapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The clamping assembly comprises a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member being respectively connected to the first driving assembly; The first driving assembly is arranged to drive the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move along the Z direction, and is arranged to drive the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move towards each other to clamp the sample tube or move away from each other to release the sample tube.

3. The decapping apparatus of claim 2, wherein, One side of the first clamping member facing the second clamping member is arranged as an arc surface; and / or One side of the second clamping member facing the first clamping member is arranged as an arc surface.

4. The decapping apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The first driving assembly comprises a first driving member and a second driving member; The first clamping member and the second clamping member are respectively connected to the output end of the second driving member; The second driving member is connected to the output end of the first driving member, and is used to drive the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move towards each other or move away from each other; The first driving member is used to drive the second driving member, the first clamping member and the second clamping member to move along the Z direction.

5. The decapping apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The clamping mechanism further comprises a connecting assembly for connecting the clamping assembly and the first driving assembly; The connecting assembly comprises a first connecting member and a second connecting member, the first connecting member being connected between the first clamping member and the first driving assembly, and the second connecting member being connected between the second clamping member and the first driving assembly.

6. The decapping apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The first connecting member comprises a first connecting portion and a first extension portion, the first connecting portion being connected to the output end of the first driving assembly and being arranged to extend along the Z direction, one end of the first extension portion being connected to the first connecting portion, and the other end of the first extension portion being arranged to extend along the X direction and being connected to the first clamping member.

7. The decapping apparatus of claim 5, wherein, The second connecting member comprises a second connecting portion and a second extension portion, the second connecting portion being connected to the output end of the first driving assembly and being arranged to extend along the Z direction, one end of the second extension portion being connected to the second connecting portion, and the other end of the second extension portion being arranged to extend along the X direction and being connected to the second clamping member.

8. The decapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The second driving assembly comprises a third driving member and a fourth driving member; The jaws are connected to the output ends of the third driving member and the fourth driving member; The third driving member is used for driving a plurality of the clamping jaws to clamp the caps of the sample tubes, and the fourth driving member is used for driving the clamping jaws to rotate around the Z axis.

9. The decapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The driving module comprises a Y-direction driving module and a Z-direction driving module, the cap removing assembly is connected to the Z-direction driving module, the Z-direction driving module is used for driving the cap removing assembly to move along the Z direction, the Z-direction driving module is connected to the Y-direction driving module, and the Y-direction driving module is used for driving the cap removing assembly to move along the Y direction.

10. The decapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The cap removing device further comprises a control unit, and the control unit is electrically connected to the first driving assembly, the second driving assembly and the driving module.

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