A cryo tube ejector

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of experimental apparatuses, and provides a cryopreservation tube ejector, which comprises a cryopreservation tube box adapter, a workbench with a mounting position for fixing the cryopreservation tube box adapter, a two-dimensional linear motion mechanism arranged below the workbench, a first transmission mechanism arranged below a base of the two-dimensional linear motion mechanism, a second transmission mechanism arranged above the base, an ejection mechanism and a main control module; the first transmission mechanism is used for controlling displacement of the ejection mechanism in an X-axis direction; the second transmission mechanism is used for controlling displacement of the ejection mechanism in a Y-axis direction; and a control terminal is in communication connection with the main control module. Two transmission mechanisms and the ejection mechanism on the two-dimensional linear motion mechanism are utilized to realize movement along three axes of X, Y and Z. Then, corresponding cryopreservation tubes can be ejected according to the requirements of tube taking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of experimental equipment technology, and more specifically, to a cryopreservation tube ejector. Background Technology

[0002] The main function of a cryovial ejector is to help researchers quickly eject one or more cryovials from a box of cryovials, reducing the difficulty of operation and the probability of taking the wrong cryovial.

[0003] Existing cryovial ejectors use electromagnetic pushers, but this method has several drawbacks: Cryovial boxes come in three sizes: 10*10 (100 tubes), 8*12 (96 tubes), and 6*8 (48 tubes). Existing products using electromagnetic pushers require a different ejector for each type of cryovial box, resulting in a wide variety of ejector sizes. Furthermore, the number of electromagnetic pushers in the ejector must match the number of cryovials, leading to higher costs. Finally, the large number of electromagnetic pushers results in poor product stability.

[0004] Therefore, existing technologies still need improvement. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a cryotube ejector to solve the problems of poor compatibility and high cost of existing cryotube ejectors.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted in the embodiments of this application is as follows: A cryopreservation tube ejector, comprising: Cryopreservation tube adapter; The workbench has a mounting position for fixing the cryopreservation tube adapter; A two-dimensional linear motion mechanism is disposed below the worktable; the two-dimensional linear motion mechanism includes: a base, a first transmission mechanism disposed below the base, a second transmission mechanism disposed above the base, an ejection mechanism, and a main control module; the first transmission mechanism is used to control the displacement of the ejection mechanism in the X-axis direction; the second transmission mechanism is used to control the displacement of the ejection mechanism in the Y-axis direction; A control terminal, which is communicatively connected to the main control module.

[0007] The following are preferred technical solutions of this utility model, but are not intended to limit the technical solutions provided by this invention. Through the following preferred technical solutions, the purpose and beneficial effects of this invention can be better achieved and realized.

[0008] As a preferred technical solution, the cryotube ejector, wherein the cryotube box adapter is detachably connected to the worktable; the cryotube box adapter includes: ejector pin, support foot, base plate fixed on the support foot, and a lower plate, reset plate frame, reset plate, reset spring, upper plate and cryotube box limiting block sequentially arranged on the base plate. The base plate, lower plate, reset plate, and upper plate are all provided with channels for the ejector pins to pass through; The cryopreservation tube box limiting block is fixedly connected to the upper plate. The reset plate is disposed inside the reset plate frame and can move along the X-axis. The reset spring is located at one end of the reset plate and fixed on the reset plate frame, and is used to make the channel on the reset plate offset from the channel on the lower plate and the upper plate by a predetermined distance. The ejector pin is provided with a support member. When the ejector pin is ejected by the ejection mechanism, the support member supports the reset plate.

[0009] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector has an elastic element sleeved on the outside of the ejector pin, with one end of the elastic element abutting against the base plate and the other end abutting against the end of the ejector pin.

[0010] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector includes a receiving cavity on the ejector pin; the support member is a shaped elastic member with an outward protrusion, the main body of the shaped elastic member is housed in the receiving cavity, and the protrusion is exposed on one side of the receiving cavity; when the ejector pin is not subjected to external force, the protrusion abuts against the lower port of the channel on the reset plate, and when the ejector pin is subjected to external force, the protrusion abuts against the upper port of the channel on the reset plate.

[0011] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector further includes a reset mechanism, which is disposed on the worktable and is used to push the reset plate to reset the displaced channel.

[0012] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector, wherein the reset mechanism includes: a base, a pair of slide rails disposed on the base, a pair of buffer springs disposed side by side between the pair of slide rails, a motor disposed on the pair of slide rails, and a cam connected to the motor via a cam connector.

[0013] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector includes a micro switch on the mounting position for identifying the type of the cryopreservation tube adapter; the side of the cryopreservation tube adapter facing the micro switch has a position adapted to the micro switch.

[0014] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector has a reset plate frame formed by four sides, one of which has a notch; and a fixing part for fixing the reset spring is provided on the side corresponding to the notch.

[0015] As a preferred technical solution, in the cryopreservation tube ejector, one end of the reset plate extends outward to form a protrusion; the reset plate is disposed within the reset plate frame, and the protrusion passes through the notch and protrudes outside the reset plate frame.

[0016] As a preferred technical solution, the cryopreservation tube ejector, wherein the ejection mechanism includes: A fixing part with a toothed side, wherein the end of the fixing part is provided with a cylindrical sleeve; A support arm is fixed to the fixed part and located directly below the cylindrical sleeve, and a spring is sleeved on the outer side of the support arm; A push rod, the end of which is provided with a groove; The push rod passes through the cylindrical sleeve and contacts the spring; the fixing part engages with the transmission gear using the rack on its side.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the cryopreservation tube ejector provided in this application include at least the following: This application utilizes a two-dimensional linear motion mechanism located beneath the worktable, employing two transmission mechanisms and an ejection mechanism to achieve movement along the X, Y, and Z axes. This allows for the ejection of the corresponding cryopreservation tubes according to the tube retrieval requirements. Because three-axis movement is possible, it is not necessary to match the number of push rods to the number of cryopreservation tubes, simplifying the equipment structure, reducing production costs, and improving product stability. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a cryopreservation tube ejector provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial exploded view of a cryopreservation tube ejector provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the first transmission mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 4 An exploded view of the second transmission mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 5 The exploded view of the ejection mechanism is provided for the embodiments of this application.

[0024] Figure 6 An exploded view of the cryopreservation tube adapter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the cryopreservation tube adapter provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 8 An exploded view of the reset mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0028] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it may be directly or indirectly located on that other component. When a component is referred to as "connected to" another component, it may be directly or indirectly connected to that other component. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate orientations or positions based on the accompanying drawings, and are for ease of description only, and should not be construed as limiting the technical solution. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features. "A plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 3This application provides a cryopreservation tube ejector, including: a worktable 10, a two-dimensional linear motion mechanism 20, a cryopreservation tube adapter 30, and a control terminal 40. The worktable 10 has a mounting position 100 for fixing the cryopreservation tube adapter 30 and four support columns 110. The two-dimensional linear motion mechanism 20 is disposed below the mounting position 100 on the worktable. The two-dimensional linear motion mechanism 20 includes: a base 200, a first transmission mechanism 210 disposed below the base 200, a second transmission mechanism 220 disposed above the base 200, an ejection mechanism 230, and a main control module 240. The first transmission mechanism 210 controls the displacement of the ejection mechanism 230 in the X-axis direction; the second transmission mechanism 220 controls the displacement of the ejection mechanism 230 in the Y-axis direction.

[0030] In this embodiment, the base 200 can be a square plate, with its four corners fixed to the four support columns 110 of the workbench. A first transmission mechanism 210 is disposed on the side of the square plate facing away from the cryopreservation tube adapter 30. The first transmission mechanism 210 includes a step-by-step motor 211, a transmission shaft 212, and a first transmission belt 213. Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the second transmission mechanism 220 includes a second stepper motor 221, a second stepper motor mounting plate 222, a connecting arm 223, and a second transmission belt 224. The second stepper motor mounting plate 222 is fixed to the first transmission belt 213 via the connecting arm 223. The second transmission mechanism 220 is driven by the first transmission mechanism 210 to move along the X-axis. The ejection mechanism 230 includes an ejection motor 231, a fixing part 232 with a rack on the side, and a cylindrical sleeve 2320 at the end of the fixing part; a support arm 233, fixed to the fixing part 232 and located directly below the cylindrical sleeve 2320, and a spring 234 sleeved on the outside of the support arm 233; and a push rod 235, with a groove 2350 at the end of the push rod. After the push rod 235 passes through the cylindrical sleeve 2320, the groove (not shown) contacts the spring 234. The fixing part engages with the transmission gear on the ejection motor using the rack on its side.

[0031] In this embodiment, the ejector motor 231 is fixed to the second transmission belt 224 via a connecting fastener, and the ejector mechanism 230 is driven by the second transmission mechanism 220 to move along the Y-axis. Controlling the rotation direction of the ejector motor drives the ejector rod 235 to move up and down. The main control module 240 can be fixed to the fixed connecting member. The main control module 240 is used to communicate with the control terminal 40 and control the movement of the two-dimensional linear motion mechanism.

[0032] like Figures 6 to 7As shown, in this embodiment, the cryopreservation tube adapter 30 includes: a ejector pin 300, a support foot (not shown), a base plate 310 fixed on the support foot, and a lower plate 320, a reset plate frame 330, a reset plate 340, a reset spring 350, an upper plate 360, and a cryopreservation tube limiting block 370 sequentially arranged on the base plate 310. The base plate 310, lower plate 320, reset plate 340, and upper plate 360 ​​are all provided with channels 380 for the ejector pin 300 to pass through. The reset plate frame 330 is formed by four sides, one of which has a notch 331; the side corresponding to the notch has a fixing part 332 for fixing the reset spring 350. The support foot, base plate, lower plate, reset plate frame, upper plate, and cryopreservation tube limiting block are connected together by screws. The reset plate is disposed inside the reset plate frame and can move freely within the frame (moving along a straight line in the X-axis direction). Normally, the protrusion 341 on the reset plate extends outward from the reset plate frame (the channel on the reset plate is offset from the channel on the lower plate and the upper plate by a predetermined distance). However, when the protrusion on the reset plate is subjected to external force, it will retract into the reset plate frame (compressing the reset spring). After the external force disappears, the reset spring will push the reset plate back to its original position.

[0033] In this embodiment, a spring 301 is sleeved on the outside of the ejector pin 300, and a receiving cavity 302 is provided in the middle. An irregularly shaped elastic element 303 is provided inside the receiving cavity 302. The elastic element 303 has an outwardly protruding portion 3030. Normally, the upper middle part of the ejector pin 300 is located within a channel on the cryopreservation tube adapter. The channel on the reset plate is misaligned (offset) with the channel on the adjacent plate. The outer side of the protruding portion 3030 abuts against the lower edge of the channel. When the ejector pin 300 is subjected to a force applied by the ejection mechanism, the protruding portion 3030 retracts into the receiving cavity 302 until it reaches the upper edge of the channel, where it abuts against the upper edge of the channel, supporting the ejector pin. At this time, the spring outside the ejector pin is in a compressed state. Because of the protruding portion 3030, multiple cryopreservation tubes can be ejected using the same ejector pin.

[0034] like Figure 8As shown, in this embodiment, the cryopreservation tube ejector also includes a reset mechanism 50, which is fixedly mounted on the worktable and used to push the reset plate to reset the displaced channels. The reset mechanism 50 includes: a base 500, a pair of slide rails 510 mounted on the base 500, a pair of buffer springs 520 arranged side-by-side between the slide rails 510, a reset motor 530 mounted on the slide rails, a cam 540 connected to the motor via a cam connector, and a fixing member 550 for fixing the reset motor 530 onto the base 500. The reset motor 530 drives the cam 540 to rotate. When the cam touches the protrusion of the reset plate, the cam continues to rotate, using the cam 540 to push the reset plate into the reset plate frame. Because the reset plate has moved, the protrusion 3030 on the ejector pin loses its support, and the spring outside the ejector pin recovers from its compressed state, causing all the ejected ejector pins 300 to fall back.

[0035] In this embodiment, by setting the buffer spring 520 and the slide rail 510, the problem of the reset plate not being able to retract (getting stuck) and causing the reset motor to overload can be prevented.

[0036] In this embodiment, the cryovial ejector can be adapted to three common cryovial boxes on the market, namely 10*10 (100 tubes), 8*12 (96 tubes), and 6*8 (48 tubes). Different sizes of cryovial boxes are identified by a micro switch 60 located next to the workbench mounting position. This micro switch is used in conjunction with a position (not shown) located on the cryovial box adapter.

[0037] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A cryopreservation tube ejector, characterized in that, include: Cryopreservation tube adapter; The workbench has a mounting position for fixing the cryopreservation tube adapter; A two-dimensional linear motion mechanism is disposed below the worktable; the two-dimensional linear motion mechanism includes: a base, a first transmission mechanism disposed below the base, a second transmission mechanism disposed above the base, an ejection mechanism, and a main control module; the first transmission mechanism is used to control the displacement of the ejection mechanism in the X-axis direction; the second transmission mechanism is used to control the displacement of the ejection mechanism in the Y-axis direction; A control terminal, which is communicatively connected to the main control module.

2. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cryopreservation tube adapter is detachably connected to the workbench; The cryopreservation tube adapter includes: a pin, a support foot, a base plate fixed on the support foot, and a lower plate, a reset plate frame, a reset plate, a reset spring, an upper plate, and a cryopreservation tube limit block arranged sequentially on the base plate. The base plate, lower plate, reset plate, and upper plate are all provided with channels for the ejector pins to pass through; The cryopreservation tube box limiting block is fixedly connected to the upper plate. The reset plate is disposed inside the reset plate frame and can move along the X-axis. The reset spring is located at one end of the reset plate and fixed on the reset plate frame, and is used to make the channel on the reset plate offset from the channel on the lower plate and the upper plate by a predetermined distance. The ejector pin is provided with a support member. When the ejector pin is ejected by the ejection mechanism, the support member supports the reset plate.

3. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, An elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the ejector pin, with one end of the elastic element abutting against the base plate and the other end abutting against the end of the ejector pin.

4. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The ejector pin is also provided with a receiving cavity; the support member is an irregularly shaped elastic member, the elastic member has an outward protrusion, the main body of the irregularly shaped elastic member is housed in the receiving cavity, and the protrusion is exposed on one side of the receiving cavity; when the ejector pin is not subjected to external force, the protrusion abuts against the lower port of the channel on the reset plate, and when the ejector pin is subjected to external force, the protrusion abuts against the upper port of the channel on the reset plate.

5. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The cryopreservation tube ejector also includes a reset mechanism, which is disposed on the worktable and is used to push the reset plate to reset the channel that has been displaced.

6. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The reset mechanism includes: a base, a pair of slide rails disposed on the base, a pair of buffer springs disposed side by side between the pair of slide rails, a reset motor disposed on the pair of slide rails, and a cam connected to the motor via a cam connector.

7. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting position is provided with a micro switch for identifying the type of the cryopreservation tube adapter; the side of the cryopreservation tube adapter facing the micro switch is provided with a point adapted to the micro switch.

8. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The reset plate frame is formed by four sides, one of which has a notch; the side corresponding to the notch has a fixing part for fixing the reset spring.

9. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in claim 8, characterized in that, One end of the reset plate extends outward to form a protrusion; the reset plate is disposed inside the reset plate frame, and the protrusion passes through the notch and protrudes outside the reset plate frame.

10. The cryopreservation tube ejector as described in any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The ejection mechanism includes: Eject motor; A fixing part with a toothed side, wherein the end of the fixing part is provided with a cylindrical sleeve; A support arm is fixed to the fixed part and located directly below the cylindrical sleeve, and a spring is sleeved on the outer side of the support arm; A push rod, the end of which is provided with a groove; After the push rod passes through the cylindrical sleeve, the groove contacts the spring; the fixing part uses the rack on the side to mesh with the transmission gear on the push motor.

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