A weighing device for cell dispensing

Abstract

This utility model discloses a weighing device for cell dispensing, including a column, an opening and closing drive module mounted on the top of the column, a fixing plate fixed above the column, and a weighing module mounted on the fixing plate. The weighing module includes a weighing sensor, a gripper fixing plate, grippers, and a spring. The grippers include a first gripper arm and a second gripper arm arranged opposite each other. The opening and closing drive module includes a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a cam. When the drive wheel rotates, the driven wheel drives the cam to rotate, causing the cam to switch between a contact state and a separation state with the first gripper arm. The cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model can separate the grippers from the power source during weighing, effectively avoiding the influence of the gripper drive device on weighing. Furthermore, through the design of the support and the outer top cover, the influence of bag swaying and laminar flow on weighing is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological agent filling equipment technology, and in particular to a weighing device for cell dispensing. Background Technology

[0002] In the biopharmaceutical field, especially for cell preparations, flexible pouches are commonly used for filling. Currently, automated online weighing solutions for vials are relatively mature because rigid containers are more likely to stand upright on the weighing device without requiring additional clamping to maintain a stable weighing posture. For automated online weighing of flexible pouches, additional devices are typically needed to automatically clamp the pouches for weighing. However, flexible pouches are usually much larger than rigid containers like vials, and factors such as pouch swaying, disturbances in the clamping drive, and the uncertainty of the pouch's posture under laminar flow can all affect the weighing results.

[0003] Based on this, the present invention proposes a weighing device for cell dispensing to solve the problems mentioned above. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a weighing device for cell dispensing, thereby solving the weighing problem existing in current bag-type formulation filling technology.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides a weighing device for cell dispensing, including a column, an opening and closing drive module installed on the column, a fixing plate fixed above the column, and a weighing module installed on the fixing plate;

[0006] The weighing module includes a weighing sensor, a gripper fixing plate, grippers, and a spring; the upper and lower ends of the weighing sensor are fixedly connected to the fixing plate and the gripper fixing plate, respectively, and the grippers are mounted on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate.

[0007] The gripper includes a first gripper arm and a second gripper arm disposed opposite to each other; the first gripper arm and the second gripper arm are both rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate, and the first gripper arm and the second gripper arm are provided with meshing gear teeth;

[0008] The opening and closing drive module includes a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a cam; the drive wheel and the driven wheel are rotatably mounted on the top of the column and are connected in a transmission manner; the cam is fixedly connected to the driven wheel, and the cam is configured as a disc-shaped component that rotates around a fixed axis and has a variable diameter, used to drive the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm to separate from each other to release the packaging bag; a spring is provided between the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, and the spring is used to drive the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm to move closer together to clamp the packaging bag;

[0009] When the drive wheel rotates, the driven wheel drives the cam to rotate, causing the cam to switch between a contact state and a separation state with the first clamping arm; when the cam is in a separation state with the first clamping arm, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are clamped together under the elastic tension of the spring; when the cam is in a contact state with the first clamping arm, the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are opened under the action of the cam's contact force.

[0010] Furthermore, the weighing module also includes a support component, which includes a support crossbar and two symmetrically arranged L-shaped connecting rods; the support crossbar is located below the gripper and is used to limit the swaying position of the dispensing bag; both ends of the support crossbar are fixedly connected to the gripper fixing plate through corresponding L-shaped connecting rods.

[0011] Furthermore, the distance between the support crossbar and the central axis of the column is slightly greater than the distance between the clamping center line of the gripper and the central axis of the column; both the clamping center line of the gripper and the central axis of the column are vertically arranged.

[0012] Furthermore, when the bag body of the repackaging bag contacts the support crossbar, the angle between the centerline of the bag body and the clamping centerline of the gripper is less than 10°.

[0013] Furthermore, the support crossbar and the two L-shaped connecting rods of the support member are integrally formed.

[0014] Furthermore, the end of the first clamping arm away from its clamping portion extends to form a drive arm for abutting against the cam 22, and a rotary bearing is mounted at the end of the drive arm.

[0015] Furthermore, the opening and closing drive module is provided with multiple driven wheels and cams, with each of the multiple cams corresponding to one of the multiple driven wheels, and each of the multiple driven wheels being connected to the same drive wheel.

[0016] Furthermore, the opening and closing drive module also includes a drive motor and a rotating shaft. The rotating shaft is inserted into the column, and one end of the rotating shaft is connected to the drive wheel, while the other end of the rotating shaft is connected to the drive motor.

[0017] Furthermore, the cell dispensing weighing device also includes an outer top cover, which is installed on the top of the column to shield the opening and closing drive module, the fixing plate and the weighing module; the gripping part of the gripper and the supporting crossbar are both located outside the outer top cover.

[0018] Furthermore, the top of the outer cover is configured with two oblique angles. The horizontal distance between the outer wall of the outer cover near the clamping part of the gripper and the clamping center line of the gripper is slightly larger than the neck diameter of the packaging bag. The inclination angle of the top surface of the outer cover near the clamping part of the gripper ranges from 15° to 60°.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model has a separable design between its opening and closing drive module and the gripper, which can realize the separation of the gripper from the power source during weighing, effectively avoiding the impact of the gripper drive device on weighing.

[0021] The cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model has a support component. When the dispensing bag is held by the gripper, the bag body can lean against the support component, which effectively eliminates the impact of bag shaking on weighing.

[0022] Furthermore, the cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model effectively reduces the impact of laminar flow weighing by optimizing the structure and installation of the support and outer top cover. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the weighing device for cell dispensing in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the gripper structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 This is an example diagram illustrating the application of the weighing device for cell dispensing in this utility model embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an application example of the weighing device for cell dispensing in this utility model embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Column; 2. Opening and closing drive module; 20. Drive wheel; 21. Driven wheel; 22. Cam; 23. Rotating shaft; 3. Fixing plate; 4. Weighing module; 40. Weighing sensor; 41. Gripper fixing plate; 42. Gripper; 420. First gripper arm; 421. First gripper arm; 422. Gear tooth; 423. Rotating bearing; 43. Spring; 44. Support component; 440. Support crossbar; 441. L-shaped connecting rod; 442. Connecting plate; 5. Packaging bag; 6. Outer top cover; 7. Feeding device. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The cell dispensing weighing device of this invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the schematic diagrams, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can modify the invention described herein while still achieving its advantageous effects. Therefore, the following description should be understood as being of general knowledge to those skilled in the art and is not intended to limit the invention.

[0030] The present invention will be described in more detail below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages and features of the present invention will become clearer from the following description. It should be noted that the drawings are in a very simplified form and use non-precise proportions, and are only used to facilitate and clarify the illustration of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, this utility model embodiment proposes a weighing device for cell dispensing, including a column 1, an opening and closing drive module 2 installed on the column 1, a fixing plate 3 fixed above the column 1, and a weighing module 4 installed on the fixing plate 3.

[0032] In this embodiment, specifically, the weighing module 4 includes a weighing sensor 40, a gripper fixing plate 41, a gripper 42, and a spring 43; the upper and lower ends of the weighing sensor 40 are fixedly connected to the fixing plate 3 and the gripper fixing plate 41, respectively, and the gripper 42 is installed on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate 41.

[0033] Combined with reference Figure 2 The gripper 42 includes a first gripper arm 420 and a second gripper arm 421 arranged opposite to each other; the first gripper arm 420 and the second gripper arm 421 are both rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate 41, and the first gripper arm 420 and the second gripper arm 421 are provided with meshing gear teeth 422 to ensure that the rotation angles of the first gripper arm 420 and the second gripper arm 421 are equal.

[0034] The opening and closing drive module 2 includes a drive wheel 20, a driven wheel 21, and a cam 22. The drive wheel 20 and the driven wheel 21 are rotatably mounted on the top of the column 1 and are connected in a transmission manner. The cam 22 is fixed to the driven wheel 21. The cam 22 is a disc-shaped component that rotates around a fixed axis and has a varying diameter, used to drive the first clamping arm 420 and the second clamping arm 421 to separate and release the dispensing bag 5. A spring 43 is provided between the first clamping arm 420 and the second clamping arm 421, used to drive the first clamping arm 420 and the second clamping arm 421 to move closer together to clamp the dispensing bag 5. When the drive wheel 20 rotates, the driven wheel 21 drives the cam 22 to rotate, causing the cam 22 to switch between a contact state and a separation state with the first clamping arm 420. Preferably, the cam 22 and the driven wheel 21 are coaxially fixed.

[0035] When the cam 22 is separated from the first clamping arm 420, the first clamping arm 420 and the second clamping arm 421 are clamped together under the elastic tension of the spring 43.

[0036] When the cam 22 is in contact with the first clamping arm 420, the first clamping arm 420 will overcome the resistance of the spring 43 under the action of the contact force of the cam 22 and rotate in the opposite direction as the cam 22 rotates. The first clamping arm 420 drives the second clamping arm 421 to rotate through the gear teeth 422, thus realizing the opening of the first clamping arm 420 and the second clamping arm 421.

[0037] If the cam 22 continues to rotate, the gripper 42 opens to its maximum extent. Then, the cam 22 quickly disengages from the first gripper arm 420, and the gripper 42 quickly re-clamps. That is, when the packaging bag 5 is in the working state where it needs to be weighed, the cam 22 and the first gripper arm 420 do not contact each other, thus achieving weighing without being affected by the gripper drive device.

[0038] In the above embodiment, the opening and closing drive module 2 further includes a drive motor (not shown in the figure) and a rotating shaft 23. The rotating shaft 23 is inserted into the column 1, and one end of the rotating shaft 23 is connected to the drive wheel 20, and the other end of the rotating shaft 23 is connected to the drive motor.

[0039] The driven wheel 21 and the drive wheel 20 can be connected by a transmission belt or chain. By starting the drive motor, the drive wheel 20 connected to the rotating shaft 23 is driven to rotate. Under the transmission action of the transmission belt or chain, the cam 22 installed on the driven wheel 21 rotates accordingly. The cam 22 drives the gripper 42 to switch between the clamping state and the releasing state, thereby automatically clamping or releasing the neck of the dispensing bag 5.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the end of the first clamping arm 420 away from its clamping portion extends to form a drive arm (not shown in the figure) for abutting against the cam 22, and a rotary bearing 423 is installed at the end of the drive arm. The first clamping arm 420 contacts the cam 22 through the rotary bearing 423, which reduces the friction between the first clamping arm 420 and the cam 22 and reduces the risk of jamming when the gripper 42 switches states.

[0041] In another embodiment, the weighing module 4 further includes a support member 44. (Refer to reference...) Figure 5 The support member 44 includes a support crossbar 440 and two symmetrically arranged L-shaped connecting rods 441; the support crossbar 440 is located below the gripper 42 and is used to limit the swaying position of the dispensing bag 5; the two ends of the support crossbar 440 are respectively fixedly connected to the gripper fixing plate 41 through the corresponding L-shaped connecting rods 441.

[0042] Reference Figure 4 Because the automatic feeding device of the filling system moves quickly and has movement in both horizontal and vertical directions, after the gripper 42 takes the dispensing bag 5 from the feeding device 7, the flexible and suspended dispensing bag 5 will sway unpredictably, causing the load cell 40 to fail to stabilize its reading quickly. If the reading is delayed until it stabilizes, it will affect the filling cycle. When the gripper 42 takes the dispensing bag 5, the bag body will rest against the support crossbar 440 of the support member 44, thereby eliminating the swaying of the dispensing bag 5.

[0043] Preferably, the distance between the support crossbar 440 and the central axis of the column 1 is slightly greater than the distance between the clamping center line of the gripper 42 and the central axis of the column 1; the clamping center line of the gripper 42 and the central axis of the column 1 are both vertically arranged.

[0044] That is, the support crossbar 440 is set to deviate from the clamping center line of the gripper 42 by a certain horizontal distance x1 to ensure effective contact with both empty bags and dispensing bags after filling with liquid.

[0045] Furthermore, the horizontal distance x1 should not cause the bag body of the packaging bag 5 to tilt too much.

[0046] like Figure 3 The airflow direction Z blows vertically downwards from above the device. If the bag body of the packaging bag 5 is tilted too much, a large laminar flow effect will be generated, thus affecting the weighing. Therefore, preferably, when the bag body of the packaging bag 5 leans against the support crossbar 440, the angle α between the bag body of the packaging bag 5 and the clamping center line of the gripper 42 is no greater than 10°, so that the laminar flow effect of the airflow direction Z on the packaging bag has a minimal impact on the weighing.

[0047] Optionally, the support crossbar 440 and the two L-shaped connecting rods 441 of the support member 44 are integrally formed.

[0048] Specifically, the support member 44 is made by bending a single round rod to avoid excessive weight that would require a larger range for the weighing sensor 40, and to avoid excessive cross-section that would obstruct airflow and cause turbulence.

[0049] Furthermore, the support member 44 is fixedly connected to the clamp fixing plate 41 via a connecting plate 442. The connecting plate 442 connects the ends of the two L-shaped connecting rods 441 away from the supporting crossbar 440, thereby improving the strength of the support member 44 and facilitating its installation.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the opening and closing drive module 2 has multiple driven wheels 21 and cams 22, with each cam 22 corresponding to one of the multiple driven wheels 21, and each of the multiple driven wheels 21 being connected to the same drive wheel 20.

[0051] The above settings enable simultaneous operation of multiple workstations, improving work efficiency.

[0052] In one specific embodiment, in conjunction with reference to Figure 3 The cell dispensing weighing device also includes an outer top cover 6; the outer top cover 6 is installed on the top of the column 1 and is used to shield the opening and closing drive module 2, the fixing plate 3 and the weighing module 4, so as to play a certain protective role; the clamping part of the gripper 42 and the supporting crossbar 440 are located outside the outer top cover 6 to avoid the outer top cover 6 affecting the operation of the weighing module 4.

[0053] In the specific embodiment described above, the top of the outer top cover 6 is configured with two beveled sides. Preferably, the top surface inclination angle β of the outer top cover 6 near the clamping part of the gripper 42 is in the range of 15° to 60° to ensure a good guiding path for airflow.

[0054] Another point is that the horizontal distance x2 between the outer wall of the outer top cover 6 near the clamping part of the clamping claw 42 and the clamping center line of the clamping claw 42 is slightly larger than the neck diameter of the dispensing bag 5, so as to facilitate the insertion of the filling needle into the neck channel of the dispensing bag 5.

[0055] Preferably, to ensure the aseptic nature of the cell dispensing process, all components of the cell dispensing weighing device, except for the drive motor, can be located in a sterile isolation area, and the lower edge of the column 1 is sealed to this sterile isolation area. Correspondingly, the rotating shaft 23 in the column 1 extends downward and connects to the drive motor outside the sterile isolation area.

[0056] In summary, compared with the prior art, this utility model has at least the following advantages:

[0057] (1) The cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model achieves separation of the gripper from the power source during weighing by setting up a drive wheel, a driven wheel, a cam and a spring, effectively avoiding the impact of the gripper drive device on weighing;

[0058] (2) The cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model has a support component. When the dispensing bag is clamped by the claw, the bag body can lean against the support component, which effectively eliminates the impact of bag shaking on weighing.

[0059] (3) Furthermore, the cell dispensing weighing device provided by this utility model effectively reduces the impact of laminar flow weighing by optimizing the structure and installation of the support and the outer top cover.

[0060] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this utility model without departing from its spirit and scope. Therefore, if these modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this utility model and their equivalents, this utility model also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A cell aliquoting weighing device, characterized by, It includes a column (1), an opening and closing drive module (2) installed on the column (1), a fixing plate (3) fixed above the column (1), and a weighing module (4) installed on the fixing plate (3). The weighing module (4) includes a weighing sensor (40), a gripper fixing plate (41), a gripper (42), and a spring (43); the upper and lower ends of the weighing sensor (40) are fixedly connected to the fixing plate (3) and the gripper fixing plate (41) respectively, and the gripper (42) is installed on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate (41); The gripper (42) includes a first gripper (420) and a second gripper (421) arranged opposite to each other; the first gripper (420) and the second gripper (421) are both rotatably mounted on the bottom surface of the gripper fixing plate (41), and the first gripper (420) and the second gripper (421) are provided with meshing gear teeth (422). The opening and closing drive module (2) includes a drive wheel (20), a driven wheel (21), and a cam (22); the drive wheel (20) and the driven wheel (21) are rotatably mounted on the top of the column (1) and connected in transmission; the cam (22) is fixedly connected to the driven wheel (21), and the cam (22) is configured as a disc-shaped component that rotates around a fixed axis and has a variable diameter, used to drive the first clamping arm (420) and the second clamping arm (421) to separate from each other to release the packaging bag (5); the spring (43) is provided between the first clamping arm (420) and the second clamping arm (421), and the spring (43) is used to drive the first clamping arm (420) and the second clamping arm (421) to come closer to each other to clamp the packaging bag (5); When the drive wheel (20) rotates, the driven wheel (21) drives the cam (22) to rotate, causing the cam (22) and the first clamping arm (420) to switch between a contact state and a separation state; when the cam (22) and the first clamping arm (420) are in a separation state, the first clamping arm (420) and the second clamping arm (421) are clamped together under the elastic tension of the spring (43); when the cam (22) and the first clamping arm (420) are in a contact state, the first clamping arm (420) and the second clamping arm (421) are opened under the contact force of the cam (22).

2. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The weighing module (4) also includes a support member (44), which includes a support crossbar (440) and two symmetrically arranged L-shaped connecting rods (441). The support crossbar (440) is located below the gripper (42) and is used to limit the swaying position of the packaging bag (5). The two ends of the support crossbar (440) are respectively fixedly connected to the gripper fixing plate (41) through the corresponding L-shaped connecting rods (441).

3. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The distance between the support crossbar (440) and the central axis of the column (1) is slightly greater than the distance between the clamping center line of the gripper (42) and the central axis of the column (1); the clamping center line of the gripper (42) and the central axis of the column (1) are both vertically arranged.

4. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 3, wherein, When the bag body of the packaging bag (5) contacts the support crossbar (440), the angle between the center line of the bag body and the clamping center line of the gripper (42) is less than 10°.

5. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The support crossbar (440) and two L-shaped connecting rods (441) of the support member (44) are integrally formed.

6. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The first clamping arm (420) extends away from its clamping portion to form a drive arm for abutting the cam (22), and a rotary bearing (423) is mounted on the end of the drive arm.

7. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein The opening and closing drive module has multiple driven wheels (21) and cams (22), with each cam (22) corresponding to a different driven wheel (21), and each driven wheel (21) being connected to the same drive wheel (20) for transmission.

8. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The opening and closing drive module also includes a drive motor and a rotating shaft (23). The rotating shaft is inserted into the column (1), and one end of the rotating shaft (23) is connected to the drive wheel (20), while the other end of the rotating shaft (23) is connected to the drive motor.

9. The cell aliquoting and weighing apparatus of any one of claims 2-5, wherein, It also includes an outer top cover (6), which is installed on the top of the column (1) to cover the opening and closing drive module (2), the fixing plate (3) and the weighing module (4); the gripping part of the claw (42) and the support crossbar (440) are both located outside the outer top cover (6).

10. The cell aliquoting weighing apparatus of claim 9, wherein, The top of the outer top cover (6) is set with two oblique angles. The horizontal distance between the outer wall of the outer top cover (6) near the clamping part of the clamping claw (42) and the clamping center line of the clamping claw (42) is slightly larger than the neck diameter of the packaging bag (5). The top surface inclination angle of the outer top cover (6) near the clamping part of the clamping claw (42) ranges from 15° to 60°.

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