A sample storage functional island

Abstract

The utility model discloses a sample storage function island relates to mechanical and automation field, including storage area, operation area and information processing device, the storage area includes warehouse frame and main mechanical arm, the operation area includes layer frame, secondary mechanical arm, interactive position, transfer position, balance and layer frame buffer position, the information processing device includes input terminal and entry module, and input terminal is provided with information entry device, and entry module sets up in the operation end of secondary mechanical arm, and main mechanical arm sets up between warehouse frame and layer frame, the sample storage function island provided by the utility model sets up the information processing device who can enter, record and identify sample bottle and carrier frame information, and the main mechanical arm and secondary mechanical arm who can automatic handling, realizes the intelligent information entry and automatic handling of sample in the warehousing, sampling, sample return, warehouse, and the working process is coherent, fast, and the reliability is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of machinery and automation, and in particular to a sample storage functional island. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of machinery and automation, a sample storage island typically refers to an integrated, modular sample storage and management system used in laboratories, production lines, or medical equipment to achieve automated sample storage, classification, retrieval, and environmental control.

[0003] Existing sample storage islands mostly rely on fixed mechanical structures, which suffer from low access efficiency, lack of automated management capabilities, and difficulty in meeting the needs of large-volume, high-frequency access, as well as limited levels of intelligence. Especially in laboratories and industrial production, traditional sample storage units are separated from experimental and production equipment, requiring manual handling of samples, leading to process interruptions and wasted time, and lacking the dynamic management and stability requirements for large-volume samples. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample storage island to solve the problems existing in the prior art, and to realize intelligent information entry and automatic handling of samples in the processes of warehousing, retrieval, return and release, with a smooth, fast and reliable working process.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following solution:

[0006] This utility model provides a sample storage functional island, including a storage area, an operation area, and an information processing device; the storage area includes a storage rack and a main robotic arm; the operation area includes shelves, a secondary robotic arm, an interaction position, a transfer position, a balance, and shelf buffer positions; the information processing device includes an input terminal and a data entry module, the input terminal is equipped with an information entry device, and the data entry module is located at the operation end of the secondary robotic arm; the main robotic arm is located between the storage rack and the shelves.

[0007] In one embodiment, the storage rack is divided into six layers vertically and four columns horizontally, and the number of storage racks is seven; the main robotic arm is mounted on a guide rail, which is located within the area enclosed by the storage rack and the shelves.

[0008] In one embodiment, the shelf buffer position, balance, secondary robotic arm, transfer position and interaction position are arranged in sequence, and the secondary robotic arm is close to the shelf.

[0009] In one embodiment, the interaction positions include a manual interaction position, an empty rack interaction position, and a rack interaction position.

[0010] In one embodiment, the information entry device includes a barcode scanner and a keyboard.

[0011] In one embodiment, twelve-position racks are placed on the storage rack, and the twelve-position racks and six-position racks are placed on the shelf.

[0012] In one embodiment, the shelf is divided into three layers along the vertical direction, with the twelve-position carrier placed on the top layer of the shelf and the six-position sample vials placed on the other layers of the shelf.

[0013] In one embodiment, a soft pad is provided on the surface of the balance.

[0014] In one embodiment, the balance is a 0.1% balance.

[0015] In one embodiment, the secondary robotic arm is a five-axis robotic arm.

[0016] The present invention achieves the following technical advantages over the prior art:

[0017] This invention provides a sample storage island. Storage racks are used for long-term sample storage. A main robotic arm is used to move the racks to complete sample retrieval and storage. Shelves serve as transfer racks, temporarily storing racks with sample vials or placing empty racks. Transfer positions and shelf buffer positions hold racks for picking up and placing sample vials during retrieval and storage. A secondary robotic arm is used for picking up and placing sample vials and racks. A balance is used to weigh the sample vials to obtain the weight information of the samples entering the storage. An input terminal is used for manual input and collection of sample information, and a data entry module is used for automatic collection of sample information. In this invention, the input terminal and data entry module can automatically confirm sample information and record retrieval and storage information. The balance can automatically detect changes in sample weight. The main and secondary robotic arms can achieve fully automatic picking and placing of sample vials and racks, realizing intelligent information entry and automatic handling of samples during retrieval, sampling, return, and retrieval. The working process is continuous, fast, and highly reliable. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments 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.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a sample storage functional island in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a two-stage robotic arm operating end in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a twelve-position carrier in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a six-position carrier in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The components include: 1. Storage rack; 2. Main robotic arm; 3. Shelf; 4. Secondary robotic arm; 401. Sample bottle gripper; 402. Carrier gripper; 5. Interaction position; 501. Manual interaction position; 502. Empty shelf interaction position; 503. Carrier interaction position; 6. Transfer position; 7. Balance; 8. Shelf buffer position; 9. Input terminal; 10. Input module; 11. Guide rail; 12. Twelve-position carrier; 13. Six-position carrier. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present utility model from the content disclosed in this specification. 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 skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and to facilitate understanding. They are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of this utility model, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed herein. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are merely for the convenience of describing this utility model and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Therefore, features specified with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of those features. In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0026] It should also be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same component or the same part.

[0027] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample storage island to solve the problems existing in the prior art, and to realize intelligent information entry and automatic handling of samples in the processes of warehousing, retrieval, return and release, with a smooth, fast and reliable working process.

[0028] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of this utility model more apparent and understandable, the utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] like Figures 1-4 As shown, this utility model provides a sample storage functional island, including a storage area, an operation area, and an information processing device. The storage area includes a storage rack 1 and a main robotic arm 2. The operation area includes shelves 3, a secondary robotic arm 4, an interaction position 5, a transfer position 6, a balance 7, and shelf buffer positions 8. The information processing device includes an input terminal 9 and an input module 10. The input terminal 9 is equipped with an information input device, and the input module 10 is located at the operation end of the secondary robotic arm 4. The main robotic arm 2 is located between the storage rack 1 and the shelves 3.

[0031] The storage area is used for long-term sample preservation. The sample vials are generally long and slender cylindrical. During storage and transportation, racks are often used as containers to protect the vials. Therefore, except for weighing the samples, the sample vials are moved by handling the racks. In this invention, the storage rack 1 is used to store samples. Several racks are placed on the storage rack 1, each rack has an identifiable code. The code of each rack is recorded in the input terminal 9. Upon warehousing, the information of the sample is linked to the sample vial containing that sample. The input terminal 9 records the information of the sample vial being placed on the rack, and then locates the sample on the storage rack 1 by recording the position of the rack. The input terminal 9 can record the number of sample vials loaded on each rack, the type and quantity of samples, and the sample usage status. The main robotic arm 2 can remove racks from the storage rack 1 or place racks into the storage rack 1.

[0032] The operating area is used for sample transfer and information entry. The secondary robotic arm 4 is the core component of the operating area, used for picking up and placing sample vials. The secondary robotic arm 4 works in conjunction with the main robotic arm 2 to achieve efficient operation. The shelf 3 serves as a transfer rack, temporarily storing racks loaded with sample vials or placing empty racks. The transfer station 6 and shelf buffer station 8 are temporary storage devices used to place racks for picking up and placing sample vials during inbound and outbound processes. The balance 7 is used to weigh the sample vials. The weight information of the samples is collected during initial storage and return. The obtained data is sent to the input terminal 9, and the weight of the sample vials is subtracted to obtain the sample weight. The operating end of the secondary robotic arm 4 is equipped with an input module 10, which can obtain and confirm sample information by scanning the coded marks on the sample vials or racks.

[0033] Work style:

[0034] 1. Warehousing (Initial storage of newly prepared samples or raw materials in the sample storage island):

[0035] Place the sample bottles to be stored into the storage rack, manually enter the sample information into the sample information form, and then place the storage rack on interaction position 5. The operating system will then begin the storage process.

[0036] The secondary robotic arm 4 first moves the receiving rack from the interaction position 5 to the transfer position 6, then grabs the rack from the shelf 3 to scan the barcode, obtaining information about the rack and the corresponding sample bottle, and places the scanned rack in the shelf buffer position 8. Next, the secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the sample bottle to scan the barcode, matching the entered sample information with the sample bottle, and transfers the scanned sample bottle to the balance 7 for weighing. The weight data is automatically generated in the sample information table. The weighed sample bottle is then transferred to the rack in the shelf buffer position 8. This process is repeated when multiple sample bottles need to be received. After the transfer is complete, the secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the rack in the shelf buffer position 8 and moves it to the designated position on shelf 3. The main robotic arm 2 then grabs the rack from the designated position and transfers it to the storage rack 1 for storage. The system automatically updates the storage rack 1 and the corresponding rack position information, completing the receiving process. Then, the secondary robotic arm 4 can move the empty receiving rack from the transfer position 6 to the interaction position 5.

[0037] Interaction position 5 ensures that the rack is kept away from the secondary robotic arm 4 when picking up or placing the rack, thus avoiding collision accidents.

[0038] By inputting data into terminal 9, the position of each sample bottle on storage shelf 1 can be located, allowing several different samples to be placed on the same shelf simultaneously.

[0039] 2. Sampling (collecting samples or raw materials that have been stored in the warehouse):

[0040] Log in to the system and initiate a sampling request.

[0041] The main robotic arm 2 grabs the target rack on the storage rack 1 and places it in the designated position on the shelf 3. At the same time, the secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the empty rack on the shelf 3 as the sampling rack and moves it to the transfer position 6. Then, the secondary robotic arm 4 places the rack on the shelf 3 on the shelf buffer position 8. The secondary robotic arm 4 picks up the target sample bottle from the shelf buffer position 8 and transfers it to the empty rack on the transfer position 6. During this process, each sample bottle needs to be scanned to confirm the information and weighed by the balance 7.

[0042] After all samples are picked, the secondary robotic arm 4 places the carrier on the shelf buffer position 8 into the designated position on the shelf 3. The main robotic arm 2 retrieves the carrier back to the storage shelf 1 for reset and updates the information of the storage shelf 1. Then, the secondary robotic arm 4 scans the carrier on the transfer position 6 to generate a sample information outbound table, moves the carrier on the transfer position 6 to the interaction position 5, and takes the sampling carrier from the interaction position 5. Sampling is then completed.

[0043] If the required samples are placed in different holders, the above process can be repeated for multiple holders.

[0044] In the system, the system provides feedback instructions, where 0 indicates that all samples have been picked; 1 indicates that the main robotic arm 2 needs to transfer other target carriers from the storage rack 1.

[0045] 3. Sample return (returning the retrieved samples or raw materials to the sample storage area):

[0046] Log in to the system, initiate a sample return request, place the sample return rack in interaction position 5, the system receives the return command and begins the return process.

[0047] The secondary robotic arm 4 transfers the sample return rack to the transfer station 6 and scans the barcode to obtain information about the sample return rack and the corresponding sample bottle. Then, based on the sample information to be returned to the warehouse, the main robotic arm 2 grabs the corresponding rack on the storage rack 1 and moves it to the designated position on the shelf 3. The secondary robotic arm 4 then moves the rack on the shelf 3 to the shelf buffer position 8. The secondary robotic arm 4 begins to grab the sample bottle, scans the barcode, and after the sample bottle is weighed by the balance 7, it is transferred to the rack in the shelf buffer position 8. The weight data is automatically updated in the sample information table. After all the sample bottles to be returned to the warehouse are transferred, the secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the rack in the shelf buffer position 8 and moves it to the designated position on the shelf 3. The main robotic arm 2 then removes the rack from the shelf 3 and puts it back on the storage rack 1. Finally, the secondary robotic arm 4 puts the empty sample return rack back into the shelf 3 for sample retrieval and retrieval again.

[0048] 4. Outbound (When samples or raw materials are consumed or fall below the set minimum storage level, select and retrieve them, then unbind and update the storage island database):

[0049] The system received the outbound instruction and began the outbound process;

[0050] The main robotic arm 2 grabs the target rack on the storage rack 1 and places it on the designated position on the shelf 3. The secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the empty rack on the shelf 3 and moves it to the transfer position 6 as the outbound rack. The secondary robotic arm 4 grabs the rack on the shelf 3 and moves it to the shelf buffer position 8. The secondary robotic arm 4 picks the target sample bottles at the shelf buffer position 8 and transfers them to the outbound rack on the transfer position 6. During this process, each sample bottle needs to be scanned to confirm the information and weighed by the balance 7 to generate a sample information outbound table. After all the sample bottles are picked, the rack on the shelf buffer position 8 is reset by the relay transportation of the secondary robotic arm 4 and the main robotic arm 2. The outbound rack is transported to the interaction position 5 and taken away.

[0051] In the system, the system provides feedback instructions, where 0 indicates that all samples have been picked; 1 indicates that the main robotic arm 2 needs to transfer other target carriers from the storage rack 1.

[0052] 5. Decoding:

[0053] When the sample is used up or falls below the set value, the information entry device is manually operated to release the carrier and the coding mark binding.

[0054] In one embodiment, the storage rack 1 is divided into six vertical layers and four horizontal rows, with a total of seven storage racks 1. The main robotic arm 2 is mounted on a guide rail 11, which is positioned within the area enclosed by the storage racks 1 and the shelves 3. When there are many storage racks 1, the main robotic arm 2 cannot cover all of them by simply extending its body; therefore, it moves along the guide rail 11 to expand its working range.

[0055] In one embodiment, the operating end of the secondary robotic arm 4 is provided with a sample bottle gripper 401 and a carrier gripper 402.

[0056] In one embodiment, the shelf buffer position 8, the balance 7, the secondary robotic arm 4, the transfer position 6 and the interaction position 5 are arranged in sequence, with the secondary robotic arm 4 close to the shelf 3.

[0057] In one embodiment, the interaction position 5 includes a manual interaction position 501, an empty rack interaction position 502, and a rack interaction position 503. The racks on the interaction position 5 can be manually picked up and placed, or automatically picked up and placed using a device such as an AGV. The manual interaction position 501 is used for manually picking up and placing racks, the empty rack interaction position 502 is used for placing empty racks, and the AGV can either remove empty racks from the empty rack interaction position 502 or place empty racks on it. The rack interaction position 503 functions similarly to the empty rack interaction position 502, except that it picks up and places racks containing sample vials. Since the AGV is a positioning and movement device and does not have a discrimination function, the separate design of the empty rack interaction position 502 and the rack interaction position 503 avoids inconsistencies in the reliability of picking up and placing empty racks and racks containing sample vials.

[0058] In one embodiment, the information input device includes a barcode scanner and a keyboard. The encoded marker can be a QR code, barcode, or other encoded graphic that can be scanned and read.

[0059] In one embodiment, a 12-position shelf 12 is placed on a storage shelf 1, and a 12-position shelf 12 and a 6-position shelf 13 are placed on a shelf 3. The 12-position shelf 12 can hold up to 12 sample vials simultaneously, providing ample storage for long-term sample storage. The 6-position shelf 13 can hold up to 6 samples simultaneously; its compact design facilitates handling.

[0060] In one embodiment, the shelf 3 is divided into three layers vertically, with twelve-position racks 12 placed on the top layer and six-position racks 13 placed on the other layers. The top layer of the shelf 3 is used as a transfer point for the twelve-position racks 12.

[0061] In one embodiment, a soft pad is provided on the surface of the balance 7. The soft pad protects the sample vial, and the balance 7 needs to be zeroed before measurement to eliminate the count display of the soft pad's weight.

[0062] In one implementation, balance 7 is a 0.001 gram (1 milligram) balance. A 0.001 gram (1 milligram) electronic balance is a laboratory weighing device with a precision of 0.001 grams (1 milligram), which is highly accurate and meets experimental needs.

[0063] In one implementation, the secondary robotic arm 4 is a five-axis robotic arm.

[0064] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0065] If this utility model discloses or relates to mutually fixedly connected parts or structural components, then, unless otherwise stated, a fixed connection can be understood as: a detachable fixed connection (e.g., using bolts or screws), or a non-detachable fixed connection (e.g., riveting, welding). Of course, mutually fixed connections can also be replaced by an integral structure (e.g., manufactured using a casting process) (except where it is obviously impossible to use an integral forming process).

[0066] In addition, unless otherwise stated, the terms used to indicate positional relationships or shapes in any of the technical solutions disclosed in this utility model above include states or shapes that are similar to, close to, or approximate with them.

[0067] Any component provided by this utility model can be assembled from multiple individual components, or it can be a single component manufactured by a one-piece molding process.

[0068] Any adaptive changes made according to actual needs are within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0069] It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, it is obvious that this utility model is not limited to the details of the above exemplary embodiments, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this utility model. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered exemplary and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this utility model is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this utility model. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0070] This utility model uses specific examples to illustrate its principles and implementation methods. The above description of the embodiments is only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core idea of ​​this utility model. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. In summary, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A sample storage island, characterized in that: Includes storage area, operating area and information processing device; The storage area includes storage racks (1) and a main robotic arm (2); The operating area includes a shelf (3), a secondary robotic arm (4), an interaction position (5), a transfer position (6), a balance (7), and a shelf buffer position (8); The information processing device includes an input terminal (9) and an input module (10). The input terminal (9) is equipped with an information input device, and the input module (10) is located at the operating end of the secondary robotic arm (4). The main robotic arm (2) is positioned between the storage rack (1) and the shelf (3).

2. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage rack (1) is divided into six layers along the vertical direction, and the storage rack (1) is divided into four columns along the horizontal direction. The number of storage racks (1) is seven. The main robotic arm (2) is mounted on a guide rail (11), which is located within the area enclosed by the storage rack (1) and the shelf (3).

3. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shelf buffer position (8), balance (7), secondary robotic arm (4), transfer position (6) and interaction position (5) are arranged in sequence, and the secondary robotic arm (4) is close to the shelf (3).

4. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The interaction positions (5) include a manual interaction position (501), an empty rack interaction position (502), and a rack interaction position (503).

5. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The information input device includes a barcode scanner and a keyboard.

6. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: A twelve-position shelf (12) is placed on the storage rack (1), and the twelve-position shelf (12) and the six-position shelf (13) are placed on the shelf (3).

7. The sample storage island according to claim 6, characterized in that: The shelf (3) is divided into three layers in the vertical direction. The twelve-position carrier (12) is placed on the top layer of the shelf (3), and the six-position carrier (13) is placed on the other layers of the shelf (3).

8. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The balance (7) has a soft pad on its surface.

9. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The balance (7) is a 1 / 1000 balance.

10. The sample storage island according to claim 1, characterized in that: The secondary robotic arm (4) is a five-axis robotic arm.

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