Sample cover recycling device and sample pretreatment system

Abstract

The application discloses a sample cover recycling device and a sample pretreatment system. The sample cover recycling device comprises a rotating recycling assembly for receiving a sample cover pulled out by a cover opening device; a transfer trolley assembly comprising a first driving mechanism, a transfer trolley and a transfer pipeline. The first driving mechanism is used to drive the transfer trolley to shift between a first position and a second position. The transfer trolley is used to receive the sample cover delivered by the rotating recycling assembly at the first position and temporarily store the sample cover. The transfer trolley is also used to release the sample cover to the transfer pipeline at the second position. An outlet end of the transfer pipeline is provided with a garbage can for carrying the sample cover. The application designs the transfer trolley with a certain storage space, and improves the transfer from one by one to batch transfer, thereby saving the process and improving the efficiency of sample cover recycling. Further, the application has a compact structure, a free installation mode and is suitable for various different sample pretreatment systems.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of in vitro diagnostic instrument technology, specifically relating to a sample cap recovery device and a sample pretreatment system. Background Technology

[0002] In modular medical testing automated lines, instruments automatically perform operations such as opening the sample cap, adding samples, adding reagents, and mixing. The opening step involves removing the sample cap. To recover the removed sample cap, existing technology provides a multi-segment pipeline-type recovery device, including: a recovery pipeline, a rotating component for rotating the recovery pipeline, and a drive component for rotating the rotating component. The recovery pipeline is sloped, and when the opening of the recovery pipeline rotates below the opening mechanism, it receives the sample cap. The sample cap then slides rapidly down the recovery pipeline into a waste bin, thus achieving sample cap recovery.

[0003] However, with the above-mentioned recycling device, each time a sample cap is removed during the opening process, the sample cap needs to fall from the recycling pipe and other pipes to the trash can. In other words, the sample caps are continuously transported to the trash can, causing a cumbersome process. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application discloses a sample cap recovery device and a sample pretreatment system to solve the problem of cumbersome procedures in the prior art.

[0005] A first aspect of this application provides a sample cap recovery device, disposed on one side of a cap opening device, the cap opening device being used to remove the sample cap of a sample tube located directly below it, the sample cap recovery device comprising:

[0006] A rotating recovery assembly is used to receive the sample caps removed by the cap-opening device;

[0007] The transfer trolley assembly includes a first drive mechanism, a transfer trolley, and a transfer pipe. The first drive mechanism is used to drive the transfer trolley to move between a first position and a second position that are set at intervals. The transfer trolley is used to receive and temporarily store the sample caps delivered by the rotating recovery assembly at the first position. The transfer trolley is also used to release the sample caps to the transfer pipe at the second position. The outlet end of the transfer pipe is provided with a trash can for holding the sample caps.

[0008] Optionally, the first drive mechanism includes: a first transport motor, a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a timing belt. The drive wheel is installed at the output end of the first transport motor, and the timing belt is installed between the drive wheel and the driven wheel. The timing belt is used to rotate around the drive wheel and the driven wheel under the drive of the first transport motor.

[0009] Optionally, the transfer trolley includes: a separable trolley body and a trolley bottom, a first sliding mechanism fixedly connected to the trolley body, a second sliding mechanism fixedly connected to the trolley bottom, and a first elastic member disposed between the first sliding mechanism and the second sliding mechanism. The first sliding mechanism is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt, and the first elastic member is used to drive the second sliding mechanism to move synchronously and to undergo elastic deformation when the trolley body and the trolley bottom are relatively separated.

[0010] Optionally, a limiting member is provided between the first position and the second position, and near the second position, wherein the top of the limiting member is higher than the bottom of the second sliding mechanism and lower than the bottom of the first sliding mechanism.

[0011] Optionally, the first sliding mechanism includes: an active slider, an active block fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and an active column disposed on the active block; the second sliding mechanism includes: a driven slider, a driven block fixedly connected to the bottom of the vehicle, and a driven column disposed on the driven block; the two ends of the first elastic member are respectively fixed to the active column and the driven column, and the limiting member is used to limit the bottom of the vehicle and the second sliding mechanism from continuing to move to the second position.

[0012] Optionally, the rotating recovery assembly includes a second drive mechanism, a cap receiving mechanism, and a receiving pipe. The second drive mechanism is used to drive the cap receiving mechanism to rotate and translate between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is located directly below the cap opening device. The cap receiving mechanism is used to receive the sample cap removed by the cap opening device at the third position and to release the sample cap into the receiving pipe at the fourth position.

[0013] Optionally, the second drive mechanism includes: a second transport motor, a motor coupling, a drive disk, and a rotating disk. The motor coupling is connected to the output end of the second transport motor, the drive disk is coaxially and fixedly connected to the motor coupling, and the rotating disk is sleeved on the motor coupling through bearings.

[0014] Optionally, the cap receiving mechanism includes an upper cap receiving arm, a lower cap receiving arm, and a second elastic element. The upper cap receiving arm is fixed to the drive disk, and the lower cap receiving arm is sleeved on the outside of the rotating disk. The second elastic element is used to drive the lower cap receiving arm to move synchronously with the upper cap receiving arm, and to undergo elastic deformation when the upper cap receiving arm and the lower cap receiving arm are relatively separated.

[0015] Optionally, a protrusion is provided at the bottom end of the lower cap arm, the protrusion extending below the inlet end of the receiving pipe, the protrusion being used to restrict the lower cap arm from continuing to move to the fourth position, so that the upper cap arm and the lower cap arm can be separated relative to each other.

[0016] A second aspect of this application provides a sample pretreatment system, including a sample cap recovery device provided in any implementation of the first aspect.

[0017] In traditional sample cap recovery devices, each sample cap that falls from the rotating recovery assembly needs to be individually transferred to the waste bin. This application designs a transfer trolley with storage space, transforming the individual transfer into batch transfer, thus saving steps and improving the efficiency of sample cap recovery. Furthermore, this application features a compact structure, flexible installation methods, and is suitable for various sample pretreatment systems. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a top view of the transfer trolley assembly.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a partial structural diagram of the transfer cart assembly;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating recycling assembly.

[0022] Reference numerals: 1-Rotating recovery assembly; 2-Transfer trolley assembly; 21-First drive mechanism; 22-Transfer trolley; 23-Transfer pipe; 211-First transport motor; 212-Driving wheel; 213-Driven wheel; 214-Synchronous belt; 221-Carriage body; 222-Carriage bottom; 223-First sliding mechanism; 224-Second sliding mechanism; 225-First elastic element; 226-Limiting element; 2231-Driving slider; 2232-Driving block; 22 33-Active column; 2241-Driven slider; 2242-Driven block; 2243-Driven column; 11-Second drive mechanism; 12-Cap receiving mechanism; 13-Receiver pipe; 111-Second transport motor; 112-Motor coupling; 113-Drive disk; 114-Rotating disk; 121-Upper cap receiving arm; 122-Lower cap receiving arm; 123-Second elastic element; 1211-First column; 1212-Receiver groove; 1221-Second column; 1222-Protrusion. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described clearly and completely below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0024] Reference Figure 1The schematic diagram shown illustrates that this embodiment provides a sample cap recovery device, disposed on one side of a cap-opening device. The cap-opening device is used to remove the sample cap from the sample tube located directly below it. The sample cap recovery device includes: a rotating recovery assembly 1 for receiving the sample cap removed by the cap-opening device; and a transfer trolley assembly 2, including a first drive mechanism 21, a transfer trolley 22, and a transfer pipe 23. The first drive mechanism 21 is used to drive the transfer trolley 22 to move between a first position A and a second position B, which are spaced apart. The transfer trolley 22 is used to receive and briefly store the sample cap transported by the rotating recovery assembly at the first position A. The transfer trolley 22 is also used to release the sample cap to the transfer pipe 23 at the second position B. The outlet end of the transfer pipe 23 is provided with a trash can 3 for carrying the sample cap.

[0025] In this embodiment, the rotating recovery assembly 1 receives the removed sample cap from the cap-opening device. The sample cap then falls onto a transfer trolley 22 located at a first position A. The transfer trolley 22 has a certain storage space and can temporarily store the sample cap. When the internal storage space of the transfer trolley 22 reaches its maximum capacity, the transfer trolley 22 moves from the first position A to a second position B. At the second position B, the sample cap in the transfer trolley 22 falls onto a transfer pipe 23, which then transfers it to a waste bin. In traditional sample cap recovery devices, each sample cap that falls from the rotating recovery assembly 1 needs to be transferred to the waste bin individually. This application designs a transfer trolley with a certain storage space, improving the individual transfer to batch transfer, thus saving steps and improving the efficiency of sample cap recovery. Furthermore, this application has a compact structure, flexible installation methods, and is suitable for various sample pretreatment systems.

[0026] Reference Figure 2 The schematic diagram shows that the first drive mechanism 21 includes: a first transport motor 211, a drive wheel 212, a driven wheel 213, and a synchronous belt 214. The drive wheel 212 is installed at the output end of the first transport motor 211, and the synchronous belt 214 is installed between the drive wheel 212 and the driven wheel 213. The synchronous belt 214 is used to rotate around the drive wheel 213 and the driven wheel 214 under the drive of the first transport motor 211.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first drive mechanism 21 is mounted on a base plate, and a motor mounting plate and a driven wheel mounting plate are mounted on the base plate. The motor mounting plate is used to mount the motor, and the driven wheel mounting plate is used to mount the driven wheel.

[0028] Reference Figure 2The structural schematic diagram shows that the transfer trolley 22 includes: a separable trolley body 221 and a trolley bottom 222, a first sliding mechanism 223 fixedly connected to the trolley body 221, a second sliding mechanism 224 fixedly connected to the trolley bottom 222, and a first elastic member 225 disposed between the first sliding mechanism 223 and the second sliding mechanism 224. The first sliding mechanism 223 is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt 214. The first elastic member 225 is used to drive the second sliding mechanism 224 to move synchronously and to undergo elastic deformation when the trolley body 221 and the trolley bottom 222 are relatively separated.

[0029] In this embodiment, the small vehicle body 221 can be a cuboid formed by four sides or a cylinder formed by circumferential sides; there is no limitation here. The first sliding mechanism 223 moves under the drive of the synchronous belt 214, thereby driving the small vehicle body 221 to move. Since a first elastic member 225 is provided between the first sliding mechanism 223 and the second sliding mechanism 224, the second sliding mechanism 224 moves with the first sliding mechanism 223, thereby driving the bottom 222 of the vehicle to move synchronously. The first elastic member 225 can be a tension spring. In the original state, the small vehicle body 221 and the bottom 222 of the vehicle combine to form a receiving space with a bottom, which can be used to carry the sample cover.

[0030] In order to separate the vehicle body 221 and the bottom of the vehicle 222 from each other, in this embodiment a limiting member 226 is provided between the first position A and the second position B and near the second position B. The top of the limiting member 226 is higher than the bottom of the second sliding mechanism 224 and lower than the bottom of the first sliding mechanism 223. The movement of the transfer trolley 22 from the first position A to the second position B is divided into two segments by the limiting member 226. When the transfer trolley 22 moves between the first position A and the limiting member 226, the first elastic member 225 remains in its original state, and the sample cover is contained in the transfer trolley. When the transfer trolley 22 reaches the limiting member 226 and continues to move to the second position B, the second sliding mechanism 224 is blocked by the limiting member 226 and stops on one side of the limiting member 226 (the right side in the figure), while the first sliding mechanism 223 continues to move to the second position B. At this time, the first elastic member 225 undergoes elastic deformation due to being stretched until the body part 221 and the bottom 222 of the trolley are misaligned. At this time, the sample cover falls into the transfer pipe 23 when the second position B is reached.

[0031] In this embodiment, the limiting member 226 can be a column or other protrusions with a certain height.

[0032] Furthermore, to detect the position of the transfer trolley, position detection sensors are installed at both the first position A and the second position B. A counter is also installed at the first position A. The transfer trolley 22 counts while collecting sample covers. When a set threshold is reached, it indicates that the internal storage space of the transfer trolley 22 has reached its limit. The transfer trolley 22 then moves to the second position B and releases the sample cover, returning to the first position A after release.

[0033] Reference Figure 3 The schematic diagram shows that the first sliding mechanism 223 includes: an active slider 2231, an active block 2232 fixedly connected to the small vehicle body 221, and an active column 2233 disposed on the active block 2232; the second sliding mechanism 224 includes: a driven slider 2241, a driven block 2242 fixedly connected to the bottom of the vehicle 222, and a driven column 2243 disposed on the driven block 2242; the two ends of the first elastic member 225 are respectively fixed to the active column 2233 and the driven column 2243, and the limiting member 226 is used to limit the bottom of the vehicle 222 and the second sliding mechanism 224 from continuing to move to the second position.

[0034] In this embodiment, a linear guide rail is provided on the base plate, and both the active slider 2231 and the driven slider 2241 are slidably mounted on the linear guide rail.

[0035] Reference Figure 4 The schematic diagram shows that the rotating recycling assembly 1 includes a second drive mechanism 11, a cap receiving mechanism 12, and a receiving pipe 13. The second drive mechanism 11 is used to drive the cap receiving mechanism 12 to rotate and translate between a third position C and a fourth position D. The third position C is located directly below the cap opening device. The cap receiving mechanism 12 is used to receive the sample cap removed by the cap opening device at the third position C, and to release the sample cap into the receiving pipe 13 at the fourth position D.

[0036] In this embodiment, the second drive mechanism 11 includes: a second transport motor 111, a motor coupling 112, a drive disk 113, and a rotating disk 114. The motor coupling 112 is connected to the output end of the second transport motor 111. The drive disk 113 is coaxially and fixedly connected to the motor coupling 112. The rotating disk 114 is sleeved on the motor coupling 112 via bearings. Driven by the second transport motor 111, the motor coupling 112 rotates, thereby driving the drive disk 113 to rotate; the rotating disk 114 can rotate relative to the motor coupling 112.

[0037] In this embodiment, the cap-receiving mechanism 12 includes an upper cap-receiving arm 121, a lower cap-receiving arm 122, and a second elastic element 123. The upper cap-receiving arm 121 is fixed to the drive disk 113, and the lower cap-receiving arm 122 is sleeved on the outside of the rotating disk 114. The second elastic element 123 is used to drive the lower cap-receiving arm 122 to move synchronously with the upper cap-receiving arm 121, and to undergo elastic deformation when the upper cap-receiving arm 121 and the lower cap-receiving arm 122 are relatively separated. In this embodiment, the second elastic element 123 can be a tension spring or other structures with elastic deformation.

[0038] The upper cap arm 121 is provided with a first column 1211, and the lower cap arm 122 is provided with a second column 1221. The two ends of the second elastic member 123 are fixed to the first column 1211 and the second column 1221 respectively.

[0039] The free end of the upper cap arm 121 is provided with a bottom hollow receiving groove 1212, which cooperates with the free end of the lower cap arm 122 to form a receiving space for receiving the sample cap.

[0040] In this embodiment, a protrusion 1222 is provided at the bottom end of the lower cap arm 122. The protrusion 1222 extends below the inlet end of the receiving pipe. The protrusion 1222 is used to restrict the lower cap arm 122 from continuing to move to the fourth position D, so that the upper cap arm 121 and the lower cap arm 122 can be separated relative to each other.

[0041] When an instruction is received to retrieve the sample cap at position C, from a top-down perspective, the second transport motor 111 drives the upper cap arm 121 to rotate clockwise to position C, waiting for the sample cap to be released by the cap-opening device and dropped into the upper cap arm 121. Then, the second transport motor 111 drives the upper cap arm 121 to rotate counterclockwise. During the process from position C to the inlet end of the receiving pipe 13, the second elastic element 123 remains in its original state, and the lower cap arm 122 and the upper cap arm 121 cooperate to form a receiving space. Because the protrusion 1221 is blocked by the inlet end of the receiving pipe 13, its forward movement is restricted, causing the lower cap arm to stop on one side of the inlet end, while the upper cap arm 121, which is higher than the inlet end, can continue to rotate, causing the upper cap arm 121 and the lower cap arm 122 to separate relative to each other. When the lower cap arm 122 reaches position D, the sample cap is released and falls into the receiving pipe 13.

[0042] In one feasible embodiment, the receiving pipe 13 is equipped with a pipe cap passage sensor, which detects and reports whether a pipe cap has passed through, and also serves as an alarm for any abnormalities. Sound-absorbing cotton is installed at the port end of the receiving pipe 13 to reduce contact noise.

[0043] In this embodiment, the first position, second position, third position, and fourth position are only used to indicate the orientation for ease of explanation and should not be regarded as a limitation of this application.

[0044] This application also provides a sample preprocessing system, including Figure 1 A sample cap recovery device is provided by any implementation method. This sample pretreatment system has the same technical effect as the sample cap recovery device described above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0045] The above are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application shall be included within the scope of the claims of this application pending approval.

Claims

1. A sample cap recovery device, characterized in that, A sample cap recovery device is disposed on one side of a cap-opening device for removing the sample cap from the sample tube located directly below it. The sample cap recovery device includes: A rotating recovery assembly is used to receive the sample caps removed by the cap-opening device; The transfer trolley assembly includes a first drive mechanism, a transfer trolley, and a transfer pipe. The first drive mechanism is used to drive the transfer trolley to move between a first position and a second position that are set at intervals. The transfer trolley is used to receive and temporarily store the sample caps delivered by the rotating recovery assembly at the first position. The transfer trolley is also used to release the sample caps to the transfer pipe at the second position. The outlet end of the transfer pipe is provided with a trash can for holding the sample caps.

2. The sample cap recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first drive mechanism includes: a first transport motor, a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a timing belt. The drive wheel is installed at the output end of the first transport motor, and the timing belt is installed between the drive wheel and the driven wheel. The timing belt is used to rotate around the drive wheel and the driven wheel under the drive of the first transport motor.

3. The sample cap recovery device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer trolley includes: a separable trolley body and a trolley bottom, a first sliding mechanism fixedly connected to the trolley body, a second sliding mechanism fixedly connected to the trolley bottom, and a first elastic member disposed between the first sliding mechanism and the second sliding mechanism. The first sliding mechanism is fixedly connected to the synchronous belt. The first elastic member is used to drive the second sliding mechanism to move synchronously and to undergo elastic deformation when the trolley body and the trolley bottom are relatively separated.

4. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 3, characterized in that, A limiting member is provided between the first position and the second position, and near the second position. The top of the limiting member is higher than the bottom of the second sliding mechanism and lower than the bottom of the first sliding mechanism.

5. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first sliding mechanism includes: an active slider, an active block fixedly connected to the vehicle body, and an active column disposed on the active block; the second sliding mechanism includes: a driven slider, a driven block fixedly connected to the bottom of the vehicle, and a driven column disposed on the driven block; the two ends of the first elastic member are respectively fixed to the active column and the driven column, and the limiting member is used to limit the bottom of the vehicle and the second sliding mechanism from continuing to move to the second position.

6. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating recovery assembly includes a second drive mechanism, a cap receiving mechanism, and a receiving pipe. The second drive mechanism is used to drive the cap receiving mechanism to rotate and translate between a third position and a fourth position. The third position is located directly below the cap opening device. The cap receiving mechanism is used to receive the sample cap removed by the cap opening device at the third position and to release the sample cap into the receiving pipe at the fourth position.

7. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second drive mechanism includes: a second transport motor, a motor coupling, a drive disk, and a rotating disk. The motor coupling is connected to the output end of the second transport motor, the drive disk is coaxially and fixedly connected to the motor coupling, and the rotating disk is sleeved on the motor coupling through bearings.

8. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cap receiving mechanism includes an upper cap receiving arm, a lower cap receiving arm, and a second elastic element. The upper cap receiving arm is fixed to the drive disk, and the lower cap receiving arm is sleeved on the outside of the rotating disk. The second elastic element is used to drive the lower cap receiving arm to move synchronously with the upper cap receiving arm, and to undergo elastic deformation when the upper cap receiving arm and the lower cap receiving arm are relatively separated.

9. A sample cap recovery device according to claim 8, characterized in that, The bottom end of the lower cap arm is provided with a protrusion that extends below the inlet end of the receiving pipe. The protrusion is used to restrict the lower cap arm from moving further to the fourth position so that the upper cap arm and the lower cap arm can separate relative to each other.

10. A sample preprocessing system, characterized in that, The sample cap recovery device includes any one of claims 1 to 9.

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