Self-correcting tube transport
By designing a side rail device and electrically controlled pulleys to lift the edge of the test tube cap, the problem of inconsistent test tube posture was solved, and posture self-correction was achieved during the test tube transportation process, which improved transportation efficiency and system stability and reduced maintenance costs.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202522557007.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-11-03
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-12-02
AI Technical Summary
In the current technology, the inconsistent posture of test tubes during the test tube transportation process makes it difficult for the robotic arm to grasp and operate, and poses risks of sample spillage and cross-contamination. In addition, the existing mechanical structure adjustment device has poor stability, high failure rate and high maintenance cost.
Design a posture self-correcting test tube delivery device, which adopts two sets of side rail devices and electrically controlled pulleys. The edge of the test tube cap is supported by a rubber ring, and with the help of a conveyor belt and a limiting plate, the test tube opening is always facing upward. The posture adjustment is achieved by using a distance sensor and an electrically controlled lifting device.
It simplifies test tube posture adjustment, improves delivery efficiency and system stability, reduces maintenance costs, and avoids sample spillage and cross-contamination.
Smart Images
Figure CN224929888U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a posture self-correcting test tube delivery device, belonging to the technical field of test tube delivery devices. Background Technology
[0002] In applications requiring large-scale sample analysis, such as clinical testing, environmental monitoring, and food safety, test tubes are typically used as the primary container for the substances being tested. In practice, after staff load the samples into the test tubes and cap them, the tubes are transported in batches to a centralized testing facility or laboratory for analysis.
[0003] To meet the massive testing demands and achieve efficient and automated sample transfer, existing technologies widely employ pneumatically powered test tube delivery pipeline systems. Specifically, this system generates airflow within a closed pipeline, using pressure difference as the driving force to rapidly transport test tubes placed within the pipeline to designated testing stations. Upon arrival at the testing station, the test tubes are typically received by a conveyor belt and horizontally transported, ultimately where a robotic arm performs specific testing operations such as grasping, opening caps, and dispensing.
[0004] However, a key technical issue in the aforementioned automated process is the normalization control of the test tube posture. The posture of the test tubes when they arrive at the conveyor belt is random, and they may lie down in different postures. In subsequent robotic arm grasping operations, especially when precise positioning is required for opening the cap or aspirating liquid, it is strictly required that the mouth of the test tube be kept upright to ensure the accuracy of the operation and avoid sample spillage or cross-contamination.
[0005] To address the issue of inconsistent test tube postures, existing technologies generally employ complex mechanical adjustment devices. These devices correct the posture of the test tubes by physically constraining, colliding with, and flipping them along the transport path. While these complex mechanical structures can achieve posture adjustment to some extent, they exhibit numerous inherent defects during large-scale, long-term operation, including poor stability and reliability, high failure rates, and high maintenance costs. This limits the overall efficiency of the design, and any failure will affect the entire testing line, leading to sample backlog and severely restricting the improvement of testing throughput. Utility Model Content
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a posture self-correcting test tube delivery device. Through a simplified structure, it can efficiently realize posture adjustment during the test tube delivery process, ensure the stability and reliability of the overall system operation, and reduce maintenance costs.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: This utility model designs a posture self-correcting test tube delivery device, including two sets of side rail devices with the same structure. Each side rail device includes a side plate, two electrically controlled pulleys, and a rubber ring with a diameter greater than a preset wire. In the side rail device structure, the side plate is used in numerical posture. The two electrically controlled pulleys are located on the outer side of the two sides of the side plate and are at the same height. Both electrically controlled pulleys rotate in a horizontal posture. The rubber ring is fitted around the side plate and is fitted into the horizontal posture groove on the two electrically controlled pulleys. The surface of the side plate is parallel to the local section of the rubber ring it faces. The rubber ring is driven to rotate by the synchronous rotation of the two electrically controlled pulleys. The two side rail devices are positioned with their side plates parallel to each other, and the electrically controlled pulleys on both side rail devices are positioned corresponding to each other in the same direction. The rubber rings on both side rail devices are at the same height. The area between the two side rail devices is defined as the central channel. The surface of each side plate facing the central channel is in contact with a local section of the corresponding rubber ring facing the central channel. The distance between the local sections of the rubber rings facing the central channel on both side rail devices is adapted to the outer diameter of the test tube. The outer diameter of the test tube cap is larger than the outer diameter of the test tube. The depth of the central channel between the two side rail devices from the position of the rubber ring is greater than the length of the test tube. Based on the synchronous rotation of each electrically controlled pulley in the two side rail devices, the rubber rings in the two side rail devices rotate synchronously. The test tube is placed in the central channel between the two side rail devices, and the bottom edge of the test tube cap is supported by the local sections of the rubber rings on both sides. The test tube moves in the central channel with the synchronous rotation of the rubber rings on both sides.
[0008] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it also includes a conveying device, which includes a conveyor belt and two limiting plates. The two limiting plates are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt in a parallel posture, and the distance between the two limiting plates is adapted to the outer diameter of the test tube cap. One end of the conveyor belt in the conveying device is located above the central channel between the two side rail devices, and the longitudinal plane of the center line of the conveyor belt surface is coplanar with the longitudinal plane of the center line of the central channel between the two side rail devices. The test tube is placed on the conveyor belt and conveyed to the top of the central channel between the two side rail devices based on the operation of the conveyor belt, and then falls to the central channel between the two side rail devices for further movement.
[0009] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model, it further includes a distance sensor and an electrically controlled lifting device. The direction of movement of a local section of the rubber ring in the central channel between the two side rail devices is defined as the target movement direction. The distance sensor is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices, and the detection end of the distance sensor faces the target movement direction. The electrically controlled lifting device is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices on the side corresponding to the side pointed to by the detection end of the distance sensor. The distance sensor detects the distance between its position and the test tube it faces. As the test tube moves in the central channel between the two side rail devices, the initial height of the top surface of the top support in the electrically controlled lifting device is lower than the height of the bottom of the test tube. Based on the distance sensor's detection of the distance to the test tube, when the test tube moves directly above the electrically controlled lifting device, the top support in the electrically controlled lifting device is controlled to move vertically upward to contact the bottom of the test tube and lift the test tube upward.
[0010] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model: the upper surface of the top support in the control electric lifting device has a groove of a preset depth embedded downward, and the inner diameter of the groove is adapted to the outer diameter of the bottom of the test tube.
[0011] As a preferred technical solution of this utility model: along the vertical downward projection direction, the projection of the upper surface of the conveyor belt moving in the same direction as the projection of the local section of the rubber ring in the central channel between the two side rail devices.
[0012] The attitude self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model, compared with the prior art, has the following technical effects: This invention designs a posture self-correcting test tube conveying device, comprising two sets of side rail devices, each consisting of a side plate, a rubber ring, and two electrically controlled pulleys, arranged parallel to each other. The two electrically controlled pulleys in each side rail device work synchronously to drive the rubber rings to rotate. Each side plate provides lateral support to a specific section of the central channel between the two side rail devices, with the distance between the specific sections of the rubber rings on both sides of the central channel designed to adapt to the outer diameter of the test tube. The specific sections of the rubber rings on both sides of the central channel lift the bottom edge of the test tube cap, enabling the test tube to move and be conveyed within the central channel. The device has a simple structure and significant application effect, capable of handling test tubes in different postures and always maintaining the test tube opening in an upward orientation during conveyance, thus improving the efficiency of test tube conveying. Attached Figure Description
[0013] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the core component of the self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model. Figure 2 This is a top view schematic diagram of the posture self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model; Figure 3This is a side view of the self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model. Figure 4 This is a side view of the lifting stage of the self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model. Figure 5 This is a side view of the two-stage lifting process of the self-correcting test tube delivery device of this utility model.
[0014] Among them, 1. Side rail device, 1-1. Side plate, 1-2. Electrically controlled pulley, 1-3. Rubber ring, 2. Test tube, 3. Conveying device, 3-1. Conveyor belt, 3-2. Limiting plate, 4. Distance sensor, 5. Electrically controlled lifting device, 5-1. Top support. Detailed Implementation
[0015] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] This utility model designs a posture self-correcting test tube delivery device, which, in practical applications, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the specific design includes two sets of identical side rail devices 1. Each side rail device 1 includes a side plate 1-1, two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2, and a rubber ring 1-3 with a diameter larger than the preset wire diameter. In the structure of the side rail device 1, the side plate 1-1 is used in a numerical posture. The two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2 are respectively located on the outer side of the two sides of the side plate 1-1, and the two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2 are at the same height. The two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2 rotate in a horizontal posture. The rubber ring 1-3 is fitted around the side plate 1-1 and is placed in the horizontal posture groove on the two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2. The surface of the side plate 1-1 is parallel to the local section of the rubber ring 1-3 it faces. The rubber ring 1-3 is driven to rotate by the synchronous rotation of the two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2.
[0017] The two side rail devices 1 are positioned with their side plates 1-1 parallel to each other, and the electrically controlled pulleys 1-2 on the two side rail devices 1 are positioned corresponding to each other in the same direction. The rubber rings 1-3 on the two side rail devices 1 are at the same height. The area between the two side rail devices 1 is defined as the central channel. The surface of the side plate 1-1 of each side rail device 1 facing the central channel is in contact with a local section of the corresponding rubber ring 1-3 facing the central channel. The distance between the local sections of the rubber rings 1-3 facing the central channel on the two side rail devices 1 is [missing information]. The outer diameter of tube 2 is adapted to the outer diameter of tube body, and the outer diameter of tube cap of tube 2 is larger than the outer diameter of tube body. The depth of the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 from the position of rubber ring 1-3 downward is greater than the length of tube body of tube 2. Based on the synchronous rotation of each electrically controlled pulley 1-2 in the two side rail devices 1, the rubber ring 1-3 in the two side rail devices 1 rotate synchronously. The test tube 2 is placed in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1. The bottom edge of tube cap of test tube 2 is supported by the partial section of the two side rubber ring 1-3. The test tube 2 moves in the central channel with the synchronous rotation of the two side rubber ring 1-3.
[0018] With the above design, test tube 2 can always be transported in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 with its opening facing upwards. In practical applications, such as... Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the further design also includes a conveying device, which includes a conveyor belt 3-1 and two limiting plates 3-2. The two limiting plates 3-2 are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt 3-1 in a parallel posture, and the distance between the two limiting plates 3-2 is adapted to the outer diameter of the cap of the test tube 2. One end of the conveyor belt 3-1 is located above the central channel between the two side rail devices 1, and the longitudinal plane of the center line of the surface of the conveyor belt 3-1 is coplanar with the longitudinal plane of the center line of the central channel between the two side rail devices 1. The test tube 2 is placed on the conveyor belt 3-1 and is conveyed to the top of the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 based on the operation of the conveyor belt 3-1, and then falls to the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 for further movement.
[0019] In practical applications, the conveyor can receive the test tubes 2 from the test tube delivery pipeline. However, the test tubes 2 sent to the upper surface of the conveyor belt 3-1 will be in an inverted position in various directions. With the limiting plates 3-2 on both sides of the conveyor belt 3-1 limiting each test tube 2, the length of each test tube 2 is always parallel to the moving direction of the conveyor belt 3-1. Only the opening of each test tube 2 is not exactly the same; some point in the same direction as the moving direction, and some point in the opposite direction. When each test tube 2 moves with the conveyor belt 3-1 to the top of the central channel between the two side rail devices 1, each test tube 2 falls sequentially into the central channel between the two side rail devices 1. In the channel, because the distance between the upper sections of the rubber rings 1-3 on both sides of the track device 1 facing the central channel is adapted to the outer diameter of the test tube 2, and the outer diameter of the cap of the test tube 2 is larger than the outer diameter of the test tube 2, and the depth of the central channel between the two sides of the track device 1 from the position of the rubber rings 1-3 is greater than the length of the test tube 2, when the test tube 2 falls into the central channel between the two sides of the track device 1, the cap of the test tube 2 is restricted above the position of the rubber rings 1-3 on both sides of the central channel. Due to gravity, the body of the test tube 2 falls into the area below the two sides of the rubber rings 1-3 in the central channel, thus ensuring that the opening of the test tube 2 is always upward and is used for transmission.
[0020] As each test tube 2 is transported along the central channel between the two side rail devices 1, in practical applications, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a further design incorporates a distance sensor 4 and an electrically controlled lifting device 5. The direction of movement of a portion of the rubber ring 1-3 in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 is defined as the target movement direction. The distance sensor 4 is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1, with its detection end facing the target movement direction. The electrically controlled lifting device 5 is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 on the side corresponding to the detection end of the distance sensor 4. The distance sensor 4 detects the distance between its position and the test tube 2 it faces. As the test tube 2 moves through the central channel between the two side rail devices 1, the initial height of the upper surface of the top support 5-1 in the electrically controlled lifting device 5 is lower than the bottom height of the test tube 2. Based on the distance sensor 4's detection of the distance to the test tube 2, as... Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when test tube 2 moves directly above the electrically controlled lifting device 5, the top support 5-1 in the electrically controlled lifting device 5 is controlled to move vertically upward to contact the bottom of the test tube 2 and lift the test tube 2 upward. Then, the test tube 2 can be handed over to the next stage, that is, the robotic arm will grab the test tube 2 and send it to the next stage.
[0021] In practical applications, in order to more securely support test tube 2, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, a groove of a preset depth is embedded in the upper surface of the top support 5-1 in the control electric lifting device 5, and the inner diameter of the groove is adapted to the outer diameter of the bottom of the test tube 2. That is, during the lifting process, the bottom of the test tube 2 falls into the groove on the upper surface of the top support 5-1, which limits the bottom of the test tube 2 and lifts it upward, making the lifting process more stable.
[0022] When the above design is applied in practice, the projection of the upper surface of the conveyor belt 3-1 along the vertical downward projection direction is in the same direction as the projection of the local section of the rubber ring 1-3 in the central channel between the two side rail devices 1. That is, along one direction, the conveying device transports each test tube 2 to the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 for continued transport.
[0023] The self-correcting test tube conveying device designed in the above technical solution includes two sets of side rail devices 1, each composed of a side plate 1-1, a rubber ring 1-3, and two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2, arranged parallel to each other. Based on the synchronous operation of the two electrically controlled pulleys 1-2 in each side rail device 1, the rubber rings 1-3 are driven to rotate. Each side plate 1-1 provides lateral support to a local section of the central channel between the two side rail devices 1 on the corresponding rubber rings 1-3. The distance between the local sections of the rubber rings 1-3 on both sides of the central channel is designed to adapt to the outer diameter of the test tube 2. The local sections of the rubber rings 1-3 on both sides of the central channel lift the bottom edge of the cap of the test tube 2, realizing the movement and conveying of the test tube 2 in the central channel. The device has a simple structure and obvious application effect. It can support test tubes 2 in different postures and always keep the mouth of the test tube 2 in an upward posture for conveying, thus improving the working efficiency of test tube 2 conveying.
[0024] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
Claims
1. A posture self-correcting test tube delivery device, characterized in that: The device includes two sets of identical side rail devices (1). Each side rail device (1) includes a side plate (1-1), two electrically controlled pulleys (1-2), and a rubber ring (1-3) with a diameter greater than the preset wire diameter. In the structure of the side rail device (1), the side plate (1-1) is used in numerical posture. The two electrically controlled pulleys (1-2) are located on the outer side of the two sides of the side plate (1-1) and are at the same height. The two electrically controlled pulleys (1-2) rotate in a horizontal posture. The rubber ring (1-3) is fitted around the side plate (1-1) and is placed in the horizontal posture groove on the two electrically controlled pulleys (1-2). The surface of the side plate (1-1) is parallel to a local section of the rubber ring (1-3) it faces. The rubber ring (1-3) is rotated synchronously by the two electrically controlled pulleys (1-2). The two side rail devices (1) are positioned with their side plates (1-1) parallel to each other, and the electrically controlled pulleys (1-2) on the two side rail devices (1) are positioned in the same direction and correspond to each other. The rubber rings (1-3) of the two side rail devices (1) are at the same height. The area between the two side rail devices (1) is defined as the central channel. The surface of the side plate (1-1) of each side rail device (1) facing the central channel is in contact with the local section of the corresponding rubber ring (1-3) facing the central channel. The distance between the local sections of the rubber rings (1-3) facing the central channel in the two side rail devices (1) is equal to the distance between the test tube (2). The outer diameter of the tube body is adapted to the outer diameter of the cap of the test tube (2) which is larger than the outer diameter of the tube body of the test tube (2). The depth from the position of the rubber ring (1-3) in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1) is greater than the length of the tube body of the test tube (2). Based on the synchronous rotation of each electric pulley (1-2) in the two side rail devices (1), the rubber ring (1-3) in the two side rail devices (1) rotates synchronously. The test tube (2) is placed in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1). The bottom edge of the cap of the test tube (2) is supported by the local section of the rubber ring (1-3) on both sides. The test tube (2) moves in the central channel with the synchronous rotation of the rubber ring (1-3) on both sides.
2. The attitude self-correcting test tube delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a conveying device, which includes a conveyor belt (3-1) and two limiting plates (3-2). The two limiting plates (3-2) are arranged on both sides of the conveyor belt (3-1) in a parallel posture, and the distance between the two limiting plates (3-2) is adapted to the outer diameter of the tube cap of the test tube (2). One end of the conveyor belt (3-1) in the conveying device is located above the central channel between the two side rail devices (1), and the longitudinal plane of the center line of the surface of the conveyor belt (3-1) is coplanar with the longitudinal plane of the center line of the central channel between the two side rail devices (1). The test tube (2) is placed on the conveyor belt (3-1) and is conveyed to the upper part of the central channel between the two side rail devices (1) based on the operation of the conveyor belt (3-1), and then falls to the central channel between the two side rail devices (1) for further movement.
3. The attitude self-correcting test tube delivery device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a distance sensor (4) and an electrically controlled lifting device (5). The direction of movement of a local section of the rubber ring (1-3) in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1) is defined as the target movement direction. The distance sensor (4) is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1), and the detection end of the distance sensor (4) faces the target movement direction. The electrically controlled lifting device (5) is located in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1) on the side corresponding to the detection end of the distance sensor (4). The distance sensor (4) detects the position distance. The distance it faces to the test tube (2) is such that as the test tube (2) moves in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1), the initial height of the upper surface of the top support (5-1) in the electric lifting device (5) is lower than the bottom height of the test tube (2). Based on the detection of the distance of the test tube (2) by the distance sensor (4), when the test tube (2) moves to the top of the electric lifting device (5), the top support (5-1) in the electric lifting device (5) is controlled to move vertically upward to contact the bottom of the test tube (2) and lift the test tube (2) upward.
4. The attitude self-correcting test tube delivery device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The top support (5-1) of the control electric lifting device (5) has a groove of a preset depth embedded in the upper surface of the top support (5-1), and the inner diameter of the groove is adapted to the outer diameter of the bottom of the test tube (2).
5. A posture self-correcting test tube delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Along the vertical downward projection direction, the projection of the upper surface of the conveyor belt (3-1) in the direction of movement is in the same direction as the projection of the local section of the rubber ring (1-3) in the central channel between the two side rail devices (1).