Reagent storage device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a reagent storage device which comprises a box body and a horizontally arranged first annular conveying structure, and a loading and unloading cavity and at least two storage cabinets are arranged in the box body; one section of the first annular conveying structure enters the loading and unloading cavity from an inlet of the box body and penetrates out of an outlet of the box body, and a code scanner is arranged outside the inlet of the box body; each storage cabinet is communicated with one side of the loading and unloading cavity through a through hole, and a cabinet door is arranged at the through hole; each storage cabinet is internally provided with a reagent tube storage frame and a storage frame moving-out mechanism, the loading and unloading cavity is internally provided with a mechanical arm used for moving reagent tubes, and the code scanner and the mechanical arm are both electrically connected with the controller. According to the reagent storage device provided by the utility model, the reagent tubes can be automatically classified and put into the corresponding storage cabinets, so that the labor cost is saved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of reagent storage, and in particular to a reagent storage device. Background Technology

[0002] Reagent tubes containing reagents need to be stored in storage cabinets before testing. Different reagents have different storage requirements; some can be stored in a dry environment, while others require a lower temperature. Currently, reagent tube storage is mainly done manually by placing them into the storage cabinets. However, when there are many reagent tubes and a large number of storage cabinets, personnel need to carefully check the information of each reagent tube to ensure that it is not placed in the wrong cabinet. This results in a high workload for personnel and carries the risk of reagent tubes being placed in the wrong cabinet. Utility Model Content

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a reagent storage device that can automatically classify reagent tubes and place them into the corresponding storage cabinets, thereby saving labor costs.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a reagent storage device, including a box and a horizontally arranged first annular conveying structure. The box has a loading and unloading chamber and at least two storage cabinets. One section of the first annular conveying structure enters the loading and unloading chamber from the inlet of the box and exits from the outlet of the box. A barcode scanner is provided outside the inlet of the box. Each storage cabinet is connected to one side of the loading and unloading chamber through a through hole, and a cabinet door is provided at the through hole. Each storage cabinet is provided with a reagent tube storage rack and a storage rack removal mechanism. A robotic arm for moving reagent tubes is provided in the loading and unloading chamber. The barcode scanner and the robotic arm are electrically connected to the controller.

[0005] As a further improvement of this utility model, the storage rack removal mechanism includes a translation drive mechanism, a support, and a second annular conveying structure connected in sequence. The translation drive mechanism is connected to the storage cabinet. Each storage cabinet is provided with multiple reagent tube storage racks. The reagent tube storage racks are rotatably connected to the second annular conveying structure. Each reagent tube storage rack is arranged in sequence along the conveying path of the second annular conveying structure.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model, the bracket includes two symmetrically arranged vertical plates, which are connected by multiple horizontal bars; the second annular conveying structure (6) includes multiple second sprockets rotatably connected to each vertical plate, and two symmetrically arranged second conveying chains, each second conveying chain being sleeved on the second sprocket on each vertical plate, and one of the second sprockets on each second conveying chain being linked to a second motor, which is mounted on the vertical plate and electrically connected to the controller; the two ends of the reagent tube storage rack are rotatably connected to the two second conveying chains respectively.

[0007] As a further improvement of this utility model, the reagent tube storage rack includes an upper plate, a connecting column and a lower plate connected from top to bottom. The upper plate is provided with a plurality of limiting holes and the top surface of the lower plate is provided with a plurality of limiting grooves. The limiting holes and the limiting grooves correspond one-to-one. Both ends of the upper plate are connected to upwardly extending lugs, which are rotatably connected to the second conveyor chain through a rotating shaft.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, the translation drive mechanism includes a translation block and a lead screw that are threadedly connected to each other. The lead screw is linked to a drive motor, which is mounted on the storage cabinet. The translation block is connected to a bracket, and the lead screw is rotatably engaged with the storage cabinet. A guide structure connects the bracket and the storage cabinet.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model, the first annular conveying structure includes multiple drive wheels, a conveyor belt is provided on the outer sleeve of the drive wheels, multiple conveying blocks are connected along the conveying path of the conveyor belt, a reagent tube insertion hole is provided on the top of the conveying block, a section of the conveyor belt enters the loading and unloading chamber from the inlet of the box and exits from the outlet of the box; one of the drive wheels is linked to a first motor.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model, the robotic arm includes an x-axis moving mechanism, a y-axis moving mechanism, a z-axis moving mechanism, and a gripper connected in sequence. The x-axis moving mechanism is connected to the housing. The robotic arm is located above the first annular conveying structure. The number of robotic arms corresponds one-to-one with the storage cabinets, and each robotic arm is located outside the through hole of the storage cabinet.

[0011] As a further improvement of this utility model, a fixing frame is provided on both the left and right sides of the cabinet door, a longitudinal pressing cylinder is connected between the fixing frame and the cabinet door, and a lifting mechanism is connected between the fixing frame and the cabinet body.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model, the storage cabinet includes at least two of the following: a drying cabinet, a ventilation cabinet, a cooling cabinet, and a freezer.

[0013] Beneficial effects

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the reagent storage device of this utility model are:

[0015] 1. Reagent tubes with QR codes are conveyed via a first annular conveyor structure. Before entering the cabinet, they are scanned by a barcode scanner, allowing the controller to identify which storage cabinet the tube should be placed in. After the reagent tube is fed into the loading and unloading chamber of the cabinet via the first annular conveyor structure, a robotic arm picks up the tube, and a storage rack removal mechanism in the corresponding storage cabinet moves the rack out from the through-hole of the storage cabinet into the loading and unloading chamber. The robotic arm then places the reagent tube on the rack, and the rack removal mechanism moves the rack back into the storage cabinet for storage. This device eliminates the need for manual verification of reagent tube information and can replace manual labor in moving reagent tubes into the appropriate storage cabinet, saving labor costs and improving reagent tube storage efficiency.

[0016] 2. Multiple reagent tube storage racks within each storage cabinet can move relative to the support under the drive of the second annular conveyor structure. When the translation drive mechanism extends the front end of the support outward from the through-hole of the storage cabinet into the loading / unloading chamber, an empty reagent tube storage rack moves to the front end of the support via the second annular conveyor structure. The robotic arm then places the picked-up reagent tubes onto the empty rack. After all reagent tubes are placed, the translation drive mechanism retracts the front end of the support back into the storage cabinet, and the cabinet door closes. Because the robotic arm's movement is limited to the loading / unloading chamber, the movement of the robotic arm and the movement of the empty reagent tube storage racks can be completed independently. The robotic arm does not need to move over a large area, which shortens the time required for a single reagent tube to be removed from the first annular conveyor structure and placed on the reagent tube storage rack, improving storage efficiency. Furthermore, multiple reagent tube storage racks mounted on the same second annular conveyor structure can increase the number of reagent tubes that can be accommodated in a single storage cabinet, reducing the equipment's footprint.

[0017] 3. The robotic arm pulls the reagent tube from top to bottom through the limiting hole of the upper plate and allows the lower end of the reagent tube to fall into the limiting groove of the lower plate. Since the lifting lug of the reagent tube storage rack is above the upper plate and the overall center of gravity of the reagent tube storage rack and multiple reagent tubes is low, it can hang down naturally by its own weight, avoiding the reagent tube storage rack from tipping over, thus preventing the reagent tube from falling off the reagent tube storage rack.

[0018] The present invention will become clearer from the following description and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are used to explain the embodiments of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the reagent storage device;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a top-view partial sectional view of the reagent storage device;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a side sectional view showing the front end of the bracket extending from the through-hole in the storage cabinet.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a side sectional view showing the front end of the bracket retracting from the through-hole in the storage cabinet.

[0024] Figure 5 A perspective view of the support frame and the second annular conveyor structure;

[0025] Figure 6 A 3D view of the reagent tube storage rack;

[0026] Figure 7 Cabinet door and front view;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the conveyor belt and drive wheels. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] Example

[0030] The specific embodiments of this utility model are as follows: Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a reagent storage device includes a housing 2 and a horizontally arranged first annular conveying structure 1. The housing 2 has a loading / unloading chamber 20 and at least two storage cabinets 23. One section of the first annular conveying structure 1 enters the loading / unloading chamber 20 from the inlet 21 of the housing 2 and exits from the outlet 22 of the housing 2. A barcode scanner 3 is provided outside the inlet 21 of the housing 2. Each storage cabinet 23 is connected to one side of the loading / unloading chamber 20 through a through hole 24, and a cabinet door 25 is provided at the through hole 24 for movable cooperation with it. Each storage cabinet 23 is provided with a reagent tube storage rack 7 and a storage rack removal mechanism. A robotic arm 4 for moving reagent tubes 10 is provided in the loading / unloading chamber 20. The first annular conveying structure 1, the barcode scanner 3, and the robotic arm 4 are all electrically connected to a controller.

[0031] The storage rack removal mechanism includes a translation drive mechanism 9, a support 5, and a second annular conveying structure 6 connected in sequence. The translation drive mechanism 9 is connected to the storage cabinet 23. Each storage cabinet 23 is provided with multiple reagent tube storage racks 7, which are rotatably connected to the second annular conveying structure 6. The reagent tube storage racks 7 are arranged sequentially along the conveying path of the second annular conveying structure 6. The translation drive mechanism 9 and the second annular conveying structure 6 are also electrically connected to the controller.

[0032] The support 5 includes two symmetrically arranged vertical plates 51, connected by multiple horizontal bars 52. The second annular conveying structure 6 includes multiple second sprockets 61 rotatably connected to each vertical plate 51, and two symmetrically arranged second conveying chains 62. Each second conveying chain 62 is respectively sleeved on the second sprocket 61 on each vertical plate 51. One of the second sprockets 61 on each second conveying chain 62 is linked to a second motor 63, which is installed on the rear end of the vertical plate 51 and electrically connected to a controller. The shafts of the second sprockets 61 are horizontally arranged. In this embodiment, each second conveying chain 62 corresponds to four second sprockets 61. The reagent tube storage rack 7 is rotatably connected to the two second conveying chains 62 at both ends.

[0033] The reagent tube storage rack 7 includes an upper plate 71, a connecting column 73, and a lower plate 72 connected sequentially from top to bottom. The upper plate 71 has multiple limiting holes 74, and the top surface of the lower plate 72 has multiple limiting grooves 75. The limiting holes 74 and the limiting grooves 75 correspond one-to-one. Both ends of the upper plate 71 are connected to upwardly extending lugs 76, which are rotatably connected to the second conveyor chain 62 via a rotating shaft 77.

[0034] The translation drive mechanism 9 includes a translation block 93 and a lead screw 92 that are threadedly connected to each other. The lead screw 92 is horizontally arranged and linked to a drive motor 91, which is mounted on the storage cabinet 23. The translation block 93 is connected to the bracket 5, and the lead screw 92 is rotatably connected to the storage cabinet 23. Guide structures 8 are connected between both sides of the bracket 5 and the inner wall of the storage cabinet 23. The guide structure 8 includes a slider 81 and a guide rail 82 that slide against each other. The slider 81 is mounted on the vertical plate 51, and the guide rail 82 is mounted on the inner wall of the storage cabinet 23.

[0035] The first annular conveyor structure 1 includes multiple drive wheels 16, each surrounded by an annular conveyor belt 11. The shafts of each drive wheel 16 are vertically arranged, and the drive wheels 16 rotate relative to the housing 2. The drive wheels 16 are rotatably mounted on a platform located outside the housing 2. Multiple conveyor blocks 12 are connected along the conveyor belt 11's conveying path. Each conveyor block 12 has a reagent tube insertion hole 13 at its top. A section of the conveyor belt 11 enters the loading / unloading chamber 20 from the inlet 21 of the housing 2 and exits from the outlet 22 of the housing 2. One of the drive wheels 16 is linked to a first motor; when the first motor is started, it drives the conveyor belt 11 to move.

[0036] The robotic arm 4 includes an x-axis moving mechanism 42, a y-axis moving mechanism 43, a z-axis moving mechanism 44, and a gripper 41 connected in sequence. The x-axis moving mechanism 42 is connected to the housing 2. The robotic arm 4 is located above the first annular conveying structure 1. To improve storage efficiency, the number of robotic arms 4 corresponds one-to-one with the storage cabinets 23, and each robotic arm 4 is located outside the through hole 24 of the storage cabinet 23.

[0037] Both sides of the cabinet door 25 are equipped with fixing brackets 17. A longitudinal pressing cylinder 15 connects the fixing bracket 17 to the cabinet door 25, and a lifting mechanism 14 connects the fixing bracket 17 to the cabinet body 2. The lifting mechanism 14 can be a telescopic hydraulic cylinder. The lifting mechanism 14 drives the cabinet door 25 to rise and fall as a whole. When the cabinet door 25 is at its highest point, the cabinet door 25 and the through hole 24 of the storage cabinet 23 are arranged opposite each other, and each longitudinal pressing cylinder 15 is used to drive the cabinet door 25 to press against the sealing strip at the outer edge of the through hole 24 to achieve a seal. When the cabinet door 25 moves downwards, the cabinet door 25 and the through hole 24 of the storage cabinet 23 are staggered vertically, at which point the through hole 24 is in the open state.

[0038] In this embodiment, there are four storage cabinets 23, which are at least two of the following: drying cabinets, fume hoods, cooling cabinets, and freezers. The drying cabinets can store desiccants; the fume hoods have air inlets and exhaust fans on their walls; the cooling cabinets have functions such as cooling, dehumidification, humidification, and heating, similar to traditional cooling cabinets in the pharmaceutical industry; and the freezers can be equipped with refrigeration equipment.

[0039] After reagent tubes 10 are filled with reagents in the laboratory, a QR code needs to be affixed to their surface. The QR code corresponds to the reagent information of reagent tube 10 and the information of the corresponding storage cabinet 23. After multiple reagent tubes 10 filled with reagents are transported to one side of the first annular conveying structure 1, personnel insert the reagent tubes 10 one by one into the reagent tube insertion holes 13 of the empty conveying block 12. The reagent tubes 10 are transported through the first annular conveying structure. Before entering the cabinet 2, the QR code on the reagent tube 10 is scanned by the barcode scanner 3, and the controller can then identify which storage cabinet 23 the reagent tube 10 needs to enter. After the reagent tube 10 is fed into the loading / unloading chamber 20 of the housing 2 via the first annular conveying structure, the gripper 41 of the robotic arm 4 lifts the reagent tube 10 upwards. The translation drive mechanism 9 in the corresponding storage cabinet 23 drives the front end of the support 5 to extend outwards from the through hole 24 into the loading / unloading chamber 20. The empty reagent tube storage rack 7 is moved out of the storage cabinet 23 through the through hole 24 into the loading / unloading chamber 20 via the second annular conveying structure 6. After the robotic arm 4 places the reagent tube 10 on the reagent tube storage rack 7, the translation drive mechanism 9 and the second annular conveying structure 6 cooperate to move the reagent tube storage rack 7 back into the storage cabinet 23 for storage. This device eliminates the need for manual verification of reagent tube information and can replace manual labor in moving reagent tubes into the corresponding storage cabinets, saving labor costs and improving reagent tube storage efficiency.

[0040] The present invention has been described above in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed above, but should cover various modifications and equivalent combinations made in accordance with the essence of the present invention.

Claims

1. A reagent storage device, characterized by, The application relates to a reagent tube storage device, which comprises a box (2) and a horizontally arranged first annular conveying structure (1), the box (2) is provided with a loading and unloading cavity (20) and at least two storage cabinets (23); one section of the first annular conveying structure (1) enters the loading and unloading cavity (20) from an inlet (21) of the box (2) and passes out from an outlet (22) of the box (2), a code scanner (3) is arranged outside the inlet (21) of the box (2); each storage cabinet (23) is communicated with one side of the loading and unloading cavity (20) through a through hole (24), and a cabinet door (25) is arranged at the through hole (24); each storage cabinet (23) is provided with a reagent tube storage rack (7) and a storage rack moving mechanism, and a mechanical hand (4) for moving reagent tubes (10) is arranged in the loading and unloading cavity (20); the code scanner (3) and the mechanical hand (4) are electrically connected with a controller.

2. The reagent storage device of claim 1, wherein The storage rack moving mechanism comprises a translation driving mechanism (9), a support (5) and a second annular conveying structure (6) which are connected in sequence, the translation driving mechanism (9) is connected with the storage cabinet (23), each storage cabinet (23) is provided with a plurality of reagent tube storage racks (7), the reagent tube storage racks (7) are rotationally connected on the second annular conveying structure (6), and the reagent tube storage racks (7) are arranged in sequence along a conveying path of the second annular conveying structure (6).

3. The reagent storage device of claim 2, wherein, The support (5) comprises two vertically arranged vertical plates (51) which are symmetrically arranged and connected through a plurality of horizontal rods (52); the second annular conveying structure (6) comprises a plurality of second sprockets (61) which are rotationally connected on each vertical plate (51), further comprises two symmetrically arranged second conveying chains (62), each second conveying chain (62) is sleeved on the second sprockets (61) on each vertical plate (51), one of the second sprockets (61) on each second conveying chain (62) is connected with a second motor (63), the second motor (63) is installed on the vertical plate (51) and electrically connected with the controller; and the reagent tube storage rack (7) is rotationally connected with the two second conveying chains (62) at two ends.

4. The reagent storage device of claim 3, wherein The reagent tube storage rack (7) comprises an upper flat plate (71), a connecting column (73) and a lower flat plate (72) which are connected in sequence from top to bottom, a plurality of limiting holes (74) are arranged on the upper flat plate (71), a plurality of limiting grooves (75) are arranged on the top surface of the lower flat plate (72), the limiting holes (74) and the limiting grooves (75) are one-to-one corresponding in up-down direction; the two ends of the upper flat plate (71) are connected with upwardly extending lugs (76), and the lugs (76) are rotationally connected with the second conveying chains (62) through rotating shafts (77).

5. The reagent storage device of claim 2, wherein, The translation driving mechanism (9) comprises a translation block (93) and a screw rod (92) which are threadedly connected with each other, the screw rod (92) is connected with a driving motor (91), and the driving motor (91) is installed on the storage cabinet (23); the translation block (93) is connected with the support (5), the screw rod (92) is rotationally matched with the storage cabinet (23); and a guide structure (8) is connected between the support (5) and the storage cabinet (23).

6. The reagent storage device of claim 1, wherein The first annular conveying structure (1) comprises a plurality of transmission wheels (16), the transmission wheels (16) are provided with a conveying belt (11), a plurality of conveying blocks (12) are connected on the conveying belt (11) along the conveying path thereof, the conveying blocks (12) are provided with reagent tube insertion holes (13) on the top, one section of the conveying belt (11) enters the loading and unloading cavity (20) from the inlet (21) of the box body (2) and passes out from the outlet (22) of the box body (2); one of the transmission wheels (16) is connected with a first motor.

7. The reagent storage device of claim 1, wherein The mechanical arm (4) comprises an x-axis moving mechanism (42), a y-axis moving mechanism (43), a z-axis moving mechanism (44) and a clamping jaw (41) connected in sequence, and the x-axis moving mechanism (42) is connected with the box body (2); the mechanical arm (4) is located above the first annular conveying structure (1); the number of the mechanical arm (4) corresponds to the storage cabinet (23) one by one, and each mechanical arm (4) is located outside the through hole (24) of the storage cabinet (23).

8. The reagent storage device of claim 1, wherein, The left and right sides of the cabinet door (25) are provided with fixing frames (17), the fixing frames (17) and the cabinet door (25) are connected with longitudinal pressing cylinders (15), and the fixing frames (17) and the box body (2) are connected with lifting mechanisms (14).

9. The reagent storage device of claim 1, wherein, The storage cabinet (23) comprises at least two of a drying cabinet, a ventilation cabinet, a cool cabinet and a freezing cabinet.

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