High-automation vortex mixing device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a high automation vortex mixing device which comprises a main body and a protective cover, the protective cover is arranged on the outer side of the main body, the upper side of the main body is respectively provided with a PLC (programmable logic controller) and a touch screen, the lower side of the main body is provided with a vortex mechanism, and the main body is respectively provided with a vertically moving Z-axis moving mechanism and a horizontally moving Y-axis moving mechanism. The vortex mechanism is connected with the Y-axis moving mechanism, and the main body is provided with a cap dismounting / screwing mechanism connected with the Z-axis moving mechanism. The Z-axis moving mechanism and the Y-axis moving mechanism are used for driving the cap dismounting / screwing mechanism which moves automatically to carry out automatic cap dismounting and screwing operation on the centrifugal tube, so that the pollution risk caused by manual operation is avoided, and the full-flow standardization in a high-throughput experiment is realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of laboratory automation equipment and precision machinery technology, specifically a highly automated vortex mixing device. Background Technology

[0002] Vortex mixers belong to the field of laboratory automation equipment and precision machinery manufacturing technology, and are mainly used in biomedicine, chemical analysis, and pharmaceutical research and development. Most existing vortex mixers require manual operation, resulting in low efficiency. They rely on manual placement of centrifuge tubes, adjustment of rotation speed, and switching on and off, making operation cumbersome and time-consuming, and difficult to meet the demands of high-throughput experiments. Furthermore, their automation level is low; steps such as uncapping and capping require manual completion, increasing the risk of contamination, especially in high-throughput experiments where full-process standardization is difficult. Therefore, we propose a highly automated vortex mixer. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the existing defects and provide a highly automated vortex mixing device. The capping / uncapping mechanism automatically caps and uncapsulates the centrifuge tubes, avoiding the risk of contamination caused by manual operation. It is conducive to achieving full-process standardization in high-throughput experiments and can effectively solve the problems in the background technology.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a highly automated vortex mixing device, comprising a main body and a protective cover, the protective cover being disposed on the outside of the main body, a PLC controller and a touch screen being respectively installed on the upper side of the main body, a vortex mechanism being disposed on the lower side of the main body, and a vertically moving Z-axis moving mechanism and a horizontally moving Y-axis moving mechanism being respectively disposed on the main body, the vortex mechanism being connected to the Y-axis moving mechanism, and a cap removal / tightening mechanism being installed on the main body and connected to the Z-axis moving mechanism.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the Y-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis motor disposed at the lower part of the main body and a horizontally disposed Y-axis linear guide rail. A Y-axis slide mounting plate is slidably disposed on the Y-axis linear guide rail. The output shaft of the Y-axis motor is connected to a ball screw. A screw nut is disposed on the ball screw. The Y-axis linear guide rail is disposed above the ball screw. The Y-axis slide mounting plate is fixedly connected to the screw nut.

[0006] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the vortex mechanism includes a vortex housing mounted on the Y-axis slide mounting plate, a vortex motor installed inside the vortex housing, an eccentric shaft mounted on the vortex motor, the eccentric shaft being connected to the vortex cover via bearing II, and a placement groove for placing centrifuge tubes being provided on the vortex cover.

[0007] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the vortex outer shell is provided with a glue cap limiting plate corresponding to the vortex glue cap.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, a rubber pad is provided on the inner side of the placement groove of the vortex rubber cover.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the vortex mechanism further includes a pressing cylinder mounting bracket installed in the middle of the main body, a pressing cylinder is installed on the pressing cylinder mounting bracket, a cylinder solenoid valve corresponding to the pressing cylinder is provided on the lower side of the main body, and a test tube pressure plate for pressing the centrifuge tube is provided at the lower part of the telescopic end of the pressing cylinder.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, the Z-axis moving mechanism includes a Z-axis motor installed in the middle of the main body and a vertically arranged Z-axis linear guide rail. A Z-axis slide mounting plate is slidably arranged on the Z-axis linear guide rail. The output shaft of the Z-axis motor is connected to a ball screw, and a screw nut is provided on the ball screw. The Z-axis slide mounting plate is fixedly connected to the screw nut.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the cap removal / tightening mechanism includes an electric gripper mounting plate mounted on the Z-axis slide mounting plate, an electric gripper mounted on the electric gripper mounting plate, and a gripper I for gripping the centrifuge tube cap mounted at the front end of the electric gripper; the cap removal / tightening mechanism also includes a gripper cylinder mounted on the lower part of the main body, and a gripper II for gripping the centrifuge tube mounted at the front end of the gripper cylinder.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, the main body is further provided with a liquid filling component, which includes a conduit connected to an external positive pressure liquid storage container, a solenoid valve installed on the conduit, and a liquid filling pipe at the end of the conduit with the outlet of the liquid filling pipe facing downward.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this utility model, an in-situ sensor is provided at the end of the main body.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: the Z-axis and Y-axis moving mechanisms drive the automatic capping / uncapping mechanism to automatically cap centrifuge tubes, avoiding the risk of contamination caused by manual operation and facilitating the standardization of the entire process in high-throughput experiments; at the same time, it improves the automation level and work efficiency of vortex mixing samples. The PLC controller automatically controls the capping and uncapping operations of centrifuge tubes, as well as the rotation speed and switching time of the vortex mechanism, through preset programs, which can further improve work efficiency. It is simple to operate, convenient to use, and can meet the needs of high-throughput experiments. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2This is a side view of a partial cross-sectional structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of the present invention.

[0018] In the diagram: 1 Protective cover, 2 Spring, 3 Press-down cylinder mounting bracket, 4 Position sensor, 5 Electric gripper, 6 Press-down cylinder, 7 Test tube clamping plate, 8 PLC controller, 9 Touch screen, 10 Z-axis motor, 11 Z-axis slide mounting plate, 12 Solenoid valve, 13 Cylinder solenoid valve, 14 Y-axis motor, 15 Z-axis linear guide, 16 Electric gripper mounting plate, 17 Liquid filling pipe, 18 Gripper I, 19 Gripper cylinder, 20 Cable chain, 21 Bearing I, 22 Gripper II, 23 Scroll cap, 24 Cap limit plate, 25 Y-axis linear guide, 26 Rubber pad, 27 Bearing II, 28 Eccentric shaft, 29 Scroll housing, 30 Y-axis slide mounting plate, 31 Scroll motor. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0020] Please see Figure 1-3 This utility model provides a technical solution: a highly automated vortex mixing device, including a main body and a protective cover 1. The protective cover 1 is disposed on the outside of the main body and is used to protect the main body and its various mechanisms and devices. A PLC controller 8 and a touch screen 9 are respectively installed on the upper side of the main body. The PLC controller 8 can be a Siemens S7 series PLC controller. The PLC controller 8 is operated and set via the touch screen 9, improving the human-machine interaction performance. Both the PLC controller 8 and the touch screen 9 are powered by an external power supply.

[0021] A vortex mechanism is provided on the lower side of the main body. The vortex mechanism includes a vortex motor 31 located on the lower side of the main body. An eccentric shaft 28 is provided on the vortex motor 31. The eccentric shaft 28 is connected to the vortex cap 23 through a bearing II 27. The vortex cap 23 is provided with a placement slot for placing centrifuge tubes. After the centrifuge tubes are placed in the placement slot, the vortex motor 31 is started. The vortex motor 31 drives the vortex cap 23 and the centrifuge tubes to perform vortex motion through the eccentric shaft 28, so as to mix the sample in the centrifuge tubes evenly.

[0022] A scroll housing 29 is provided on the outside of the scroll motor 31 and the eccentric shaft 28 to protect the scroll motor 31 assembly.

[0023] The vortex mechanism is connected to the Y-axis moving mechanism, which includes a Y-axis motor 14 located at the lower part of the main body and a horizontally positioned Y-axis linear guide 25. A Y-axis slide mounting plate 30 is slidably mounted on the Y-axis linear guide 25. The output shaft of the Y-axis motor 14 is connected to a ball screw, and a screw nut is mounted on the ball screw. The Y-axis linear guide 25 is positioned above the ball screw, and the Y-axis slide mounting plate 30 is slidably sleeved on the outside of the Y-axis linear guide 25 and fixedly connected to the screw nut. The vortex housing 29 is mounted on the Y-axis slide mounting plate 30. The ball screw of the Y-axis motor 14 drives the Y-axis slide mounting plate 30 to move horizontally on the Y-axis linear guide 25 via the screw nut, thereby driving the vortex mechanism to move back and forth, facilitating operations such as uncapping / tightening, adding liquid, and loading / unloading centrifuge tubes.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the vortex outer shell 29 is provided with a cap limiting plate 24 corresponding to the vortex cap 23, which is used to limit the vortex cap 23 and ensure the stability of the vortex mixing process.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, a rubber pad 26 is provided inside the placement groove of the vortex rubber cap 23 to buffer and protect the surface of the centrifuge tube.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the vortex mechanism further includes a pressure cylinder mounting bracket 3 installed in the middle of the main body. A pressure cylinder 6 is mounted on the pressure cylinder mounting bracket 3. A cylinder solenoid valve 13 corresponding to the pressure cylinder is provided on the lower side of the main body. A test tube clamping plate 7 for pressing the centrifuge tube is provided at the lower part of the telescopic end of the pressure cylinder 6. Before vortex mixing, the test tube clamping plate 7 is moved downward by the pressure cylinder 6 to press the centrifuge tube, so as to prevent the centrifuge tube from moving or even falling off the vortex cap 23 during centrifugal vortex mixing, thereby further improving the stability of vortex mixing.

[0027] The main body is equipped with a vertical Z-axis moving mechanism and a horizontal Y-axis moving mechanism, and the main body is also equipped with a cap removal / tightening mechanism that is connected to the Z-axis moving mechanism and the Y-axis moving mechanism respectively.

[0028] Specifically, the Z-axis moving mechanism includes a Z-axis motor 10 installed in the middle of the main body and a vertically arranged Z-axis linear guide rail 15. A Z-axis slide mounting plate 11 is slidably mounted on the Z-axis linear guide rail 15, and a buffer spring is provided on the Z-axis slide mounting plate 11. The output shaft of the Z-axis motor 10 is connected to a ball screw, and a screw nut is provided on the ball screw. The Z-axis slide mounting plate 11 is fixedly connected to the screw nut. The Z-axis motor 10 drives the Z-axis slide mounting plate 11 to move up and down on the Z-axis linear guide rail 15 through the screw nut. The capping / uncapping mechanism includes an electric gripper mounting plate 16 mounted on a Z-axis slide mounting plate 11. An electric gripper 5 is mounted on the electric gripper mounting plate 16, and a gripper I 18 for holding the centrifuge tube cap is mounted at the front end of the electric gripper 5. The Z-axis slide mounting plate 11 can drive the electric gripper 5 to move up and down. The electric gripper 5 has clamping and rotating functions. The clamping function is achieved through the drive mechanism of gripper I 18, and the rotating function can be achieved by mounting a motor and gear set on the upper side of gripper I 18. After gripper I 18 clamps the centrifuge tube cap, the motor and gear set drive the centrifuge tube cap to rotate. Simultaneously, the Z-axis moving mechanism drives gripper I 18 to rise or fall, thus realizing the capping / uncapping operation of the centrifuge tube cap, greatly improving the degree of automation and work efficiency.

[0029] The capping / uncapping mechanism also includes a gripper cylinder 19 located at the lower part of the main body. A gripper II 22 for holding the centrifuge tube is mounted at the front end of the gripper cylinder 19. The Y-axis slide mounting plate 30 drives the centrifuge tube on the vortex mechanism to move back and forth, moving the centrifuge tube between the capping position, liquid adding position, vortex position, and material loading position to perform operations at each position. During capping and uncapping, the centrifuge tube is firmly clamped by the gripper II 22. Combined with the rotation and lifting of the gripper I 18, the capping / uncapping operation is completed, preventing the centrifuge tube from rotating during the process.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the main body is further provided with a liquid addition assembly. The liquid addition assembly includes a conduit that is connected to an external positive pressure liquid storage container. A solenoid valve 12 is installed on the conduit, and a liquid addition pipe 17 is provided at the end of the conduit. The outlet of the liquid addition pipe 17 faces downward. The sample is sent from the conduit to the liquid addition pipe 17 by a pump installed on the external positive pressure liquid storage container, and then put into the centrifuge tube.

[0031] A further preferred technical solution includes a presence sensor 4 at the end of the main body. This presence sensor 4 is positioned at the loading / unloading positions. After the external robotic arm loads the centrifuge tubes, it detects whether loading is complete. Only when loading is complete does the vortex mechanism move to the unloading position. It can also detect unloading. After vortex mixing is complete, the vortex mechanism drives the centrifuge tubes to the loading / unloading positions. Upon detection by the presence sensor 4, the PLC controller automatically controls the external robotic arm to unload the tubes. The presence sensor 4 can be a commonly used proximity switch, etc.

[0032] The presence sensor 4, touch screen 9, Z-axis motor 10, Y-axis motor 14, gripper cylinder 19, robotic arm, pump, cylinder solenoid valve 13, solenoid valve 12, electric gripper 5, pressing cylinder 6, scroll motor 31, and other motors used in this application are all electrically connected to the PLC controller. The PLC controller, presence sensor 4, touch screen 9, Z-axis motor 10, Y-axis motor 14, gripper cylinder 19, robotic arm, pump, cylinder solenoid valve 13, solenoid valve 12, electric gripper 5, pressing cylinder 6, scroll motor 31, and other motors used in this application are all commonly used electronic components in the prior art. Their specific structures, working principles, control methods, and circuit connections are all well-known technologies and will not be described in detail here.

[0033] Optionally, a drag chain 20 is provided at the lower part of the main body to protect the circuit wires of the vortex mechanism, etc.

[0034] The parts not disclosed in this utility model are all prior art, and their specific structures, materials, and working principles will not be described in detail. Although embodiments of this utility model have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this utility model, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A highly automated vortex mixing device, comprising a main body and a protective cover (1), wherein the protective cover (1) is disposed on the outside of the main body, characterized in that: The main body is equipped with a PLC controller (8) and a touch screen (9) on the upper side, a vortex mechanism on the lower side, and a vertical Z-axis moving mechanism and a horizontal Y-axis moving mechanism on the main body. The vortex mechanism is connected to the Y-axis moving mechanism, and a cap removal / tightening mechanism connected to the Z-axis moving mechanism is installed on the main body.

2. A highly automated vortex mixing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The Y-axis moving mechanism includes a Y-axis motor (14) located at the lower part of the main body and a horizontally arranged Y-axis linear guide (25). A Y-axis slide mounting plate (30) is slidably arranged on the Y-axis linear guide (25). The output shaft of the Y-axis motor (14) is connected to a ball screw. A screw nut is provided on the ball screw. The Y-axis linear guide (25) is located above the ball screw. The Y-axis slide mounting plate (30) is fixedly connected to the screw nut.

3. The highly automated vortex mixing device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The vortex mechanism includes a vortex housing (29) mounted on a Y-axis slide mounting plate (30), a vortex motor (31) installed inside the vortex housing (29), an eccentric shaft (28) mounted on the vortex motor (31), the eccentric shaft (28) being connected to the vortex cover (23) via bearing II (27), and the vortex cover (23) having a placement groove for placing centrifuge tubes.

4. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein: The vortex outer shell (29) is provided with a cap limiting plate (24) corresponding to the vortex cap (23).

5. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein: A rubber pad (26) is provided inside the placement groove of the vortex rubber cap (23).

6. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein: The vortex mechanism also includes a pressure cylinder mounting bracket (3) installed in the middle of the main body. A pressure cylinder (6) is installed on the pressure cylinder mounting bracket (3). A cylinder solenoid valve (13) corresponding to the pressure cylinder is provided on the lower side of the main body. A test tube pressure plate (7) for pressing the centrifuge tube is provided at the lower part of the telescopic end of the pressure cylinder (6).

7. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein: The Z-axis moving mechanism includes a Z-axis motor (10) installed in the middle of the main body and a vertically arranged Z-axis linear guide (15). A Z-axis slide mounting plate (11) is slidably arranged on the Z-axis linear guide (15). The output shaft of the Z-axis motor (10) is connected to a ball screw. A screw nut is provided on the ball screw. The Z-axis slide mounting plate (11) is fixedly connected to the screw nut.

8. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein: The cap removal / tightening mechanism includes an electric gripper mounting plate (16) mounted on the Z-axis slide mounting plate (11), an electric gripper (5) mounted on the electric gripper mounting plate (16), and a gripper I (18) for clamping the centrifuge tube cap mounted at the front end of the electric gripper (5); the cap removal / tightening mechanism also includes a gripper cylinder (19) located at the lower part of the main body, and a gripper II (22) for clamping the centrifuge tube mounted at the front end of the gripper cylinder (19).

9. A highly automated vortex mixing device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that: The main body is also provided with a liquid filling component, which includes a conduit that is connected to an external positive pressure liquid storage container. A solenoid valve (12) is installed on the conduit, and a liquid filling pipe (17) is provided at the end of the conduit, with the outlet of the liquid filling pipe (17) facing downward.

10. A highly automated vortex mixing apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein: An in-situ sensor (4) is provided at the end of the main body.

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