A coating system

Abstract

This invention provides a coating system. The coating system includes a pipetting device, a coating device, and a cleaning device. The pipetting device is designed to move along a working path, which includes a coating station, a cleaning station, and a drying station. The coating device performs the coating operation at the coating station, driven by the pipetting device. The cleaning device includes a cleaning component for cleaning the outer surface of the coating device and a drying component for drying the cleaned coating device. The cleaning component is located at the cleaning station, and the drying component is located at the drying station. This not only integrates the coating operation of the coating device, the cleaning operation of the cleaning component, and the drying operation of the drying component into a single coating system, reducing the required area of ​​the coating system and greatly improving its automation and miniaturization, but also simplifies the cleaning process of the coating device, allowing for repeated use and reducing its operating costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of microbial culture, and more specifically, to a coating system. Background Technology

[0002] In the research and cultivation of microorganisms, it is usually necessary to place the microorganisms in petri dishes. The culture medium in the petri dishes can provide the necessary nutrients and environmental conditions for the growth, reproduction and metabolism of microorganisms, thereby promoting their rapid reproduction and metabolism.

[0003] When microorganisms are inoculated into a petri dish using a coating device, specifically, the coating head of the coating device can be used to pick up the microorganisms and spread them onto the culture medium in the petri dish. After each inoculation of microorganisms using the coating head, the coating head needs to be cleaned to ensure that the coating head can be reused, thereby reducing the cost of microorganism implantation and avoiding cross-contamination between microorganisms.

[0004] However, the cleaning equipment currently used for cleaning coating heads needs to be set up separately. Such separate cleaning equipment not only has high manufacturing costs and complicated operation procedures, but also takes up a lot of space, which is not conducive to the automation and miniaturization of coating equipment. Utility Model Content

[0005] In order to at least partially solve the problems existing in the prior art, a coating system is provided according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0006] The coating system includes a pipetting device, a coating device, and a cleaning device. The pipetting device is designed to move along a working path, which includes a coating station, a cleaning station, and a drying station. The coating device, driven by the pipetting device, performs the coating operation at the coating station. The cleaning device has a cleaning component for cleaning the outer surface of the coating device and a drying component for drying the cleaned coating device. The cleaning component is located at the cleaning station, and the drying component is located at the drying station. After the coating device completes its coating operation, the pipetting device sequentially moves the coating device to the cleaning station and then to the drying station.

[0007] This invention relates to a coating system where a pipetting device drives a coating unit to perform the coating operation. After coating, the device can be moved sequentially to a cleaning station and a drying station for cleaning and drying of the coating unit's outer surface. This integrates the coating, cleaning, and drying operations into a single system, reducing the required floor space and significantly improving automation and miniaturization. Furthermore, the cleaning and drying processes simplify the cleaning process, allowing for repeated use of the coating unit and reducing operating costs.

[0008] For example, the pipetting device has a mating part that is adapted to the coating device and is detachably connected to the coating device.

[0009] For example, the coating apparatus includes a coating rod, a housing, and a connecting part. A receiving cavity is formed inside the housing. A portion of the coating rod is movably disposed within the receiving cavity. The connecting part covers the end of the receiving cavity away from the coating rod. The connecting part and the mating part are detachably connected.

[0010] For example, the cleaning assembly includes a cleaning box for holding cleaning fluid and a fixing frame located above the cleaning box. The cleaning box is located at the cleaning station, and a vortex assembly is provided below the cleaning box. The fixing frame supports the coating device inside the cleaning box, and the vortex assembly is used to drive the cleaning box to rotate eccentrically relative to the coating device.

[0011] For example, a cleaning element is provided at the bottom of the cleaning box, and the cleaning element is configured to act on the outer surface of the coating device as the cleaning box rotates eccentrically.

[0012] For example, the cleaning apparatus also includes a limiting member disposed on the side of the coating apparatus, the limiting member being moved above the coating apparatus to limit the displacement of the coating apparatus in the vertical direction.

[0013] For example, the drying assembly includes a drying element and an air shower element. After the cleaning assembly cleans the outer surface of the coating device, the coating device is driven by the pipetting device to move sequentially into the drying element and the air shower element.

[0014] For example, the accommodating cavity includes a first part and a second part that are connected to each other. A first step is formed at the connection between the first part and the second part. The end of the coating rod near the connection has a limiting surface that abuts against the first step to limit the end of the coating rod near the connection within the first part.

[0015] For example, the coating apparatus further includes a counterweight disposed at one end of the coating rod near the connecting portion, the limiting surface being the side of the counterweight away from the connecting portion, and the counterweight applying a downward force in the vertical direction to the coating rod.

[0016] For example, the coating apparatus further includes an elastic element disposed within the first part, the two ends of which abut against a counterweight and a connecting portion, respectively, and the elastic element applies a force to the coating rod to make it move downward in the vertical direction.

[0017] For example, a second step is formed on the portion of the coating rod outside the receiving cavity, and the second step abuts against the end of the housing away from the connecting portion to limit the length of the coating rod extending into the receiving cavity.

[0018] For example, a positioning boss is formed at the end of the connecting part near the housing, and a positioning groove adapted to the positioning boss is formed at the end of the housing away from the coating rod. When the connecting part is connected to the housing, the positioning boss is located in the positioning groove.

[0019] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to better understand the technical means of this utility model and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and understandable, specific embodiments of this utility model are given below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this utility model will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the embodiments thereof in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this utility model and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this utility model to explain the utility model and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0021] Figure 1 A perspective view of a coating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A top view of a coating system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 A top view of a cleaning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 A front view of a cleaning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 5A side view of a cleaning apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 6 A front view of a coating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 7 A perspective view of a coating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0028] Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of a coating apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0029] Figure 9 A three-dimensional view of a cleaning assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 10 A three-dimensional view of a cleaning assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 (Including limiting components);

[0031] Figure 11 A perspective view of a cleaning box according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0032] The components indicated by the reference numerals in the figures are as follows:

[0033] 1. Pipette; 11. Cleaning station; 12. Drying station; 13. Waiting station; 2. Coating device; 21. Coating rod; 211. Limiting surface; 212. Second step; 213. Counterweight; 22. Housing; 221. Receiving cavity; 222. First part; 223. Second part; 224. First step; 23. Connecting part; 3. Cleaning device; 31. Cleaning assembly; 311. Cleaning box; 312. Fixing frame; 313. Cleaning component; 314. Vortex assembly; 315. Positioning column; 32. Drying assembly; 321. Drying component; 322. Air shower component; 33. Limiting component; 34. Deep hole plate; 341. Positioning groove; 35. Clamping component; 36. Drive motor. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model more apparent, exemplary embodiments according to this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments of this utility model. It should be understood that this utility model is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein. Based on the embodiments of this utility model described herein, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0035] In the following description, numerous details are provided to enable a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the following description merely illustrates preferred embodiments of the present invention, which may be practiced without one or more of these details. Furthermore, to avoid confusion with the present invention, some technical features well-known in the art have not been described in detail.

[0036] To fully understand the embodiments of this utility model, a detailed structure will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of this utility model is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art. Preferred embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below; however, in addition to these detailed descriptions, this utility model may have other embodiments.

[0037] One embodiment of this utility model provides a coating system that integrates the coating operation of the coating device 2, the cleaning operation of the cleaning component 31, and the drying operation of the drying component 32 into a single coating system. The coating system according to an embodiment of this utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the coating system includes a pipetting device 1, a coating device 2, and a cleaning device 3. The pipetting device 1 is configured to move along a working path, which includes a coating station, a cleaning station 11, and a drying station 12. The coating device 2 is driven by the pipetting device 1 to perform the coating operation at the coating station. The cleaning device 3 has a cleaning component 31 for cleaning the outer surface of the coating device 2 and a drying component 32 for drying the cleaned coating device 2. The cleaning component 31 is located at the cleaning station 11, and the drying component 32 is located at the drying station 12. After the coating device 2 completes the coating operation, the pipetting device 1 drives the coating device 2 to the cleaning station 11 and the drying station 12 sequentially.

[0039] The pipetting device 1 can be connected to the coating device 2 by clamping or inserting, so as to drive the coating device 2 to reciprocate along the working path of the coating station, the cleaning station 11, and the drying station 12. Specifically, the pipetting device 1 can move the coating device 2 to the coating station to pick up microorganisms and spread them onto the culture medium in the petri dish, thereby completing the inoculation of microorganisms using the coating device 2. After inoculation, microorganisms may remain on the outer surface of the coating device 2. The pipetting device 1 can drive the coating device 2 to the cleaning station 11 for cleaning to remove the microorganisms remaining on the outer surface of the coating device 2. Then, the pipetting device 1 can drive the coating device 2 to the drying station 12 for drying, keeping the outer surface of the coating device 2 dry for the next use.

[0040] In this invention, the coating system uses a pipetting device 1 to drive a coating device 2 for coating operations. After coating, the device 2 can be moved sequentially to a cleaning station 11 and a drying station 12 for cleaning and drying operations via a cleaning component 31 and a drying component 32. This integrates the coating, cleaning, and drying operations into a single system, reducing the required area and significantly improving automation and miniaturization. Furthermore, the cleaning and drying of the coating device 2's surface by the cleaning and drying components 31 simplifies the cleaning process, allowing for repeated use and reducing operating costs.

[0041] In some embodiments, the pipetting device 1 has a mating part that is adapted to the coating device 2 and is detachably connected to the coating device 2.

[0042] The end of the pipetting device 1 facing the coating device 2 may have a mating part, through which the pipetting device 1 and the coating device 2 can be connected and separated. The aforementioned detachable connection may specifically include a plug-in connection or a snap-fit ​​connection, etc., and this application does not specifically limit it in this regard.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the mating part of the pipetting device 1 can be detachably connected to the coating device 2, so as to drive the coating device 2 to move flexibly between different stations, effectively simplifying the connection and separation steps between the pipetting device 1 and the coating device 2, and improving the coating efficiency of the coating system.

[0044] In some embodiments, such as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the coating apparatus 2 includes a coating rod 21, a housing 22, and a connecting part 23. A receiving cavity 221 is formed inside the housing 22. Part of the structure of the coating rod 21 is movably disposed in the receiving cavity 221. The connecting part 23 covers the end of the receiving cavity 221 away from the coating rod 21. The connecting part 23 is detachably connected to the mating part.

[0045] The shell 22 can be cylindrical in shape. The cylindrical shell 22 can have a first end and a second end that are arranged opposite to each other. The accommodating cavity 221 can penetrate the shell 22 along the length of the shell 22.

[0046] The first end of the coating rod 21 can be inserted through the first end of the housing 22 to be located inside the receiving cavity 221, and the second end of the coating rod 21 can be exposed outside the receiving cavity 221 so that microorganisms can be picked up through the second end of the coating rod 21. It can be understood that the coating rod 21 can be movably disposed inside the receiving cavity 221 of the housing 22 so that when the coating device 2 is used to coat the microorganisms onto the culture medium in the petri dish, the coating rod 21 can move up and down with the unevenness of the culture medium surface. In this way, not only can the microorganisms on the coating rod 21 be fully contacted with the culture medium, but the coating rod 21 can also avoid damaging the culture medium, effectively improving the culture efficiency and culture effect of microorganisms.

[0047] The connecting part 23 can be detachably connected to the second end of the housing 22. The connecting part 23 and the housing 22 can be detachably connected or integrally formed. The detachable connection can include plug-in connection or threaded connection, etc. This application does not make specific limitations in this regard.

[0048] The connecting part 23 may have a cavity for connecting with the mating part. Specifically, the mating part may be rod-shaped, and the outer contour of the rod-shaped mating part may be adapted to the inner contour of the cavity so that the mating part can be inserted into the connecting part 23.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the connecting part 23 can be connected to the second end of the housing 22, and can be connected to the mating part of the pipetting device 1 through the connecting part 23. The coating rod 21 can be inserted through the first end of the housing 22, and part of the structure of the coating rod 21 can be movably disposed in the receiving cavity 221. In this way, when the coating device 2 coats microorganisms onto the culture medium in the petri dish, the coating rod 21 can rise and fall with the unevenness of the culture medium surface. This not only allows the microorganisms on the coating rod 21 to fully contact the culture medium, effectively improving the culture efficiency and effect of microorganisms, but also simplifies the connection structure between the components of the coating device 2. When individual components of the coating device 2 are damaged, they can be easily and timely replaced, effectively improving the convenience of component replacement of the coating device 2 and reducing the maintenance cost of the coating device 2.

[0050] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the cleaning assembly 31 includes a cleaning box 311 for holding cleaning fluid and a fixing frame 312 located above the cleaning box 311. The cleaning box 311 is located on the cleaning station 11. A vortex assembly 314 is provided below the cleaning box 311. The fixing frame 312 supports the coating device 2 inside the cleaning box 311. The vortex assembly 314 is used to drive the cleaning box 311 to rotate eccentrically relative to the coating device 2.

[0051] like Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, the cleaning device 3 may further include a deep-hole plate 34, on which multiple placement positions can be formed. Each placement position can serve as a storage unit for placing the coating device 2. Thus, a single deep-hole plate 34 can simultaneously support multiple coating devices 2, allowing for simultaneous cleaning and drying of multiple coating devices 2, effectively ensuring cleaning efficiency when dealing with multiple coating devices 2. When using the deep-hole plate 34 to support multiple coating devices 2 for simultaneous cleaning and drying, the deep-hole plate 34 can be placed on a fixing frame 312. The fixing frame 312 can support multiple coating devices 2 above the cleaning box 311, allowing the multiple coating devices 2 to be immersed in the cleaning box 311. It is understood that, as... Figure 10 As shown, a positioning post 315 can be provided on the fixed frame 312, and a positioning groove 341 adapted to the positioning post 315 can be formed on the deep hole plate 34. When the deep hole plate 34 is placed on the fixed frame 312, the positioning post 315 can be inserted into the positioning groove 341, so that when the vortex assembly 314 drives the cleaning box 311 to rotate eccentrically relative to the coating device 2, the displacement of the deep hole plate 34 in the horizontal direction can be avoided.

[0052] The cleaning solution mentioned above can be water, alcohol, or a diluted disinfectant, etc., and this application does not make any specific limitation.

[0053] The aforementioned vortex assembly 314 may specifically include a stepper motor and an eccentric wheel. The stepper motor can be connected to the bottom of the cleaning box 311 via the eccentric wheel. The stepper motor can drive the eccentric wheel to rotate, thereby causing the cleaning box 311 to sway horizontally.

[0054] like Figures 3 to 5 , Figure 11 As shown, the cleaning assembly 31 may further include a clamping member 35 disposed on the side of the cleaning box 311. The clamping member 35 can connect the cleaning box 311 and the vortex assembly 314 to form a solid integral structure between the two, so as to prevent the cleaning box 311 from falling off when the vortex assembly 314 drives the cleaning box 311 to rotate eccentrically.

[0055] In the above embodiment, when the coating device 2 is placed in the cleaning box 311, the vortex assembly 314 can drive the cleaning box 311 to rotate eccentrically relative to the coating device 2, so that the cleaning liquid in the cleaning box 311 can fully contact the coating device 2, thereby ensuring that the residual microorganisms on the coating device 2 are removed, and effectively improving the cleaning effect of the cleaning assembly 31.

[0056] In some embodiments, such as Figure 11 As shown, a cleaning component 313 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning box 311. The cleaning component 313 is constructed such that it acts on the outer surface of the coating device 2 as the cleaning box 311 rotates eccentrically.

[0057] The number of the aforementioned cleaning components 313 can be multiple, and the multiple cleaning components 313 can be arranged at intervals at the bottom of the cleaning box 311. Specifically, the aforementioned cleaning component 313 can be a brush, which can be fixedly arranged at the bottom of the cleaning box 311, and the brush head can be arranged facing upwards.

[0058] In the above embodiment, when the vortex assembly 314 drives the cleaning box 311 to rotate eccentrically, the cleaning component 313 can directly act on the outer surface of the coating device 2, thereby washing the coating device 2 and further improving the cleaning effect of the cleaning assembly 31.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 10 As shown, the cleaning device 3 also includes a limiting member 33 disposed on the side of the coating device 2. The limiting member 33 is used to move above the coating device 2 to limit the displacement of the coating device 2 in the vertical direction.

[0060] like Figure 10 As shown, the cleaning device 3 may also include a drive motor 36 connected to the limiting member 33, and the limiting member 33 may move towards or away from the cleaning station 11 under the drive of the drive motor 36.

[0061] The limiting member 33 can be plate-shaped. When the cleaning member 313 acts on the outer surface of the coating device 2, the drive motor 36 can drive the limiting member 33 to move towards the cleaning station 11 so that the plate-shaped limiting member 33 can cover the coating device 2 on the deep hole plate 34.

[0062] In the above embodiment, when cleaning the coating device 2, the cleaning liquid in the cleaning box 311 will generate a shaking force during the shaking process. Thus, the limiting member 33 can move to the top of the coating device 2 to prevent the coating device 2 from falling out of the cleaning box 311 when it is subjected to the shaking force generated by the shaking of the cleaning liquid, thereby effectively improving the reliability and safety of the cleaning device 3.

[0063] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the drying assembly 32 includes a drying component 321 and an air shower component 322. After the cleaning assembly 31 cleans the outer surface of the coating device 2, the coating device 2 is driven by the liquid transfer device 1 to move sequentially into the drying component 321 and the air shower component 322.

[0064] A halogen lamp can be installed inside the drying unit 321. The light emitted by the halogen lamp carries a large amount of heat, allowing the cleaning solution on the outer surface of the coating device 2 to be heated and dried when the coating device 2 is placed inside the drying unit 321. Of course, a translucent glass can be installed between the halogen lamp and the coating device 2. This not only allows the light emitted by the halogen lamp to illuminate the coating device 2, but also prevents the cleaning solution on the coating device 2 from dripping onto the halogen lamp located below it, effectively ensuring the drying effect of the drying unit 321 while also improving its cleanliness.

[0065] A fan can be installed inside the air shower component 322. When the fan rotates, it can create a flowing stream of clean air, thereby accelerating the evaporation of the cleaning liquid on the coating device 2. Of course, the fan can be installed on the side of the coating device 2, rather than at the bottom of the air shower component 322, to prevent the cleaning liquid on the coating device 2 from dripping onto the fan.

[0066] It is understandable that, such as Figures 3 to 5 As shown, positioning posts 315 can be provided on the drying component 321 and the air shower component 322 respectively. When the deep hole plate 34 is placed in the drying component 321 and the air shower component 322, the positioning groove 341 on the deep hole plate 34 can be engaged with the positioning posts 315 on the drying component 321 and the air shower component 322 respectively, thereby limiting the displacement of the deep hole plate 34.

[0067] In the above embodiments, after the outer surface of the coating device 2 is cleaned, the coating device 2 can be moved sequentially into the drying component 321 and the air shower component 322 under the drive of the pipetting device 1, thereby ensuring that the surface of the coating device 2 is dry and that the coating device 2 can be reused, effectively reducing the cost of using the coating device 2.

[0068] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 9 to 11 As shown, a waiting station 13 is also set on the working path. After the coating device 2 moves to the drying part 321 and the air shower part 322, it is driven to the waiting station 13 by the liquid transfer device 1.

[0069] In the above embodiments, after the cleaning and drying operations of the coating device 2 are completed, the coating device 2 can be stored in the waiting station 13 under the action of the pipetting device 1, thereby facilitating the use of the coating device 2 and effectively improving the practicality of the coating system.

[0070] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the accommodating cavity 221 includes a first part 222 and a second part 223 that are connected. A first step 224 is formed at the connection between the first part 222 and the second part 223. The end of the coating rod 21 near the connecting part 23 has a limiting surface 211. The limiting surface 211 abuts against the first step 224 to limit the end of the coating rod 21 near the connecting part 23 within the first part 222.

[0071] The cross-sectional area of ​​the first part 222 can be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second part 223, so that a first step 224 can be formed at the connection between the first part 222 and the second part 223. A limiting part can be formed on the first end of the coating rod 21, and the side wall surface of the limiting part facing the coating rod 21 can be a limiting surface 211. It is understood that the cross-sectional area of ​​the limiting part can be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second part 223, so that the limiting surface 211 of the limiting part can abut against the first step 224.

[0072] In the above embodiments, when the coating device 2 is arranged in a vertical direction to perform coating or cleaning operations, the limiting surface 211 of the coating rod 21 near the connecting part 23 can abut against the first step part 224 in the accommodating cavity 221, thereby preventing the coating rod 21 from falling out of the housing 22 and effectively ensuring the reliability and safety of the coating device 2.

[0073] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the coating apparatus 2 also includes a counterweight 213 disposed at one end of the coating rod 21 near the connecting portion 23. The limiting surface 211 is configured as the side of the counterweight 213 away from the connecting portion 23, and the counterweight 213 applies a downward force in the vertical direction to the coating rod 21. It can be understood that the counterweight 213 can be the aforementioned limiting portion.

[0074] The aforementioned counterweight 213 and coating rod 21 can be detachably connected or integrally formed. Detachable connection can include plug-in connection or threaded connection, etc., which are not specifically limited in this application. Specifically, the aforementioned counterweight 213 can be a nut, and a screw can be formed at one end of the coating rod 21 near the connecting part 23. The outer surface of the screw can be formed with an external thread adapted to the nut, so that the coating rod 21 and the counterweight 213 can be threadedly connected.

[0075] In the above embodiment, a counterweight 213 can be provided at the end of the coating rod 21 near the connecting part 23. On the one hand, the side of the counterweight 213 away from the connecting part 23 can be a limiting surface 211, thereby preventing the coating rod 21 from detaching from the housing 22. On the other hand, when the coating device 2 is arranged vertically, the weight of the counterweight 213 can act on the coating rod 21, thereby applying a downward force in the vertical direction to the coating rod 21. When the coating device 2 is used to coat microorganisms onto the culture medium in the petri dish, the coating rod 21 can always be in close contact with the surface of the culture medium, effectively improving the coating efficiency and coating effect of the coating device 2.

[0076] In some embodiments, the coating apparatus 2 further includes an elastic element (not shown) disposed in the first part 222, the two ends of the elastic element abutting against the counterweight 213 and the connecting part 23 respectively, and the elastic element applies a force to the coating rod 21 to make it downward in the vertical direction.

[0077] When the aforementioned elastic element is disposed within the first part 222, the elastic element can be in a contracted state, so that the elastic element can continuously apply force to the coating rod 21 under the action of elastic restoring force.

[0078] The aforementioned elastic element can be a spring or elastic rubber, etc. Any component that can undergo elastic deformation after being subjected to force is within the scope of this application, and this application does not make any specific limitations on it.

[0079] In the above embodiments, the elastic element can always apply a downward force to the coating rod 21 in the vertical direction, so that the coating rod 21 can always be in close contact with the surface of the culture medium, further improving the coating efficiency and coating effect of the coating device 2.

[0080] In some embodiments, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, a second step portion 212 is formed on the portion of the coating rod 21 located outside the receiving cavity 221. The second step portion 212 abuts against the end of the housing 22 away from the connecting portion 23 to limit the length of the coating rod 21 extending into the receiving cavity 221.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the outer wall of the coating rod 21 can protrude outward to form a second step portion 212. When the first end of the coating rod 21 moves into the receiving cavity 221, the second step portion 212 can abut against the end of the housing 22 away from the connecting portion 23, thereby avoiding excessive length of the coating rod 21 entering the receiving cavity 221, which would cause the microorganisms coated on the second end of the coating rod 21 to come into contact with the outer surface of the housing 22, thus preventing microbial contamination and effectively reducing the risk of microbial contamination.

[0082] In some embodiments, a positioning boss (not shown in the figure) is formed at one end of the connecting part 23 near the housing 22, and a positioning groove (not shown in the figure) adapted to the positioning boss is formed at one end of the housing 22 away from the coating rod 21. When the connecting part 23 is connected to the housing 22, the positioning boss is located in the positioning groove.

[0083] The connecting part 23 can be plugged into the housing 22. When the connecting part 23 is connected to the housing 22, the positioning boss can be plugged into the positioning groove, thereby improving the accuracy and convenience of the connection between the connecting part 23 and the housing 22.

[0084] Of course, there can be multiple positioning bosses, and multiple positioning bosses can be arranged at intervals along the circumference of the connecting part 23. The number and position of the positioning grooves can correspond to the number and position of the positioning bosses, thereby further improving the connection strength and accuracy between the two when the connecting part 23 is connected to the housing 22.

[0085] In an embodiment not shown, a positioning groove may be formed at the end of the connecting portion 23 near the housing 22, while a positioning boss adapted to the positioning groove may be formed at the end of the housing 22 away from the coating rod 21.

[0086] In the above embodiments, when the connecting part 23 is connected to the housing 22, the positioning boss of the connecting part 23 can be located in the positioning groove of the housing 22. On the one hand, the positioning boss and the positioning groove can cooperate to form a positioning function during connection, which effectively improves the convenience and accuracy of the connection between the connecting part 23 and the housing 22. On the other hand, it can also prevent the connecting part 23 from rotating relative to the housing 22, further improving the reliability and safety of the coating device 2.

[0087] Although exemplary embodiments have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as claimed in the appended claims.

[0088] For ease of description, the term "connection" may be used herein to describe the relationship between one or more elements or features shown in the figure and other elements or features. It should be understood that "connection" may include direct connections or indirect connections via other elements or features, and this document is intended to encompass all such cases.

[0089] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0090] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0091] This utility model has been described through the above embodiments. However, it should be understood that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the utility model to the described embodiments. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that this utility model is not limited to the above embodiments, and many more variations and modifications can be made based on the teachings of this utility model, all of which fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model. The scope of protection of this utility model is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A coating system characterized by, include: A pipetting device, wherein the pipetting device is configured to move along a working path, and the working path is provided with a coating station, a cleaning station and a drying station; A coating apparatus, wherein the coating apparatus is driven by the pipetting device to perform a coating operation at the coating station; and A cleaning device having a cleaning component for cleaning the outer surface of the coating device and a drying component for drying the cleaned coating device, the cleaning component being disposed at the cleaning station and the drying component being disposed at the drying station; Wherein, after the coating device completes the coating operation, the pipetting device drives the coating device to move sequentially to the cleaning station and the drying station.

2. The coating system of claim 1, wherein, The pipetting device has a mating part that is adapted to the coating device and is detachably connected to the coating device.

3. The coating system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The coating device includes a coating rod, a housing, and a connecting part. A receiving cavity is formed inside the housing. A portion of the coating rod is movably disposed within the receiving cavity. The connecting part covers the end of the receiving cavity away from the coating rod. The connecting part is detachably connected to the mating part.

4. The coating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning box for holding cleaning fluid and a fixing frame located above the cleaning box. The cleaning box is located at the cleaning station. A vortex assembly is provided below the cleaning box. The fixing frame supports the coating device inside the cleaning box. The vortex assembly is used to drive the cleaning box to rotate eccentrically relative to the coating device.

5. The coating system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A cleaning component is provided at the bottom of the cleaning box. The cleaning component is configured to act on the outer surface of the coating device as the cleaning box rotates eccentrically.

6. The coating system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The cleaning device also includes a limiting member disposed beside the coating device, the limiting member being used to move above the coating device to limit the displacement of the coating device in the vertical direction.

7. The coating system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drying assembly includes a drying component and an air shower component. After the cleaning assembly cleans the outer surface of the coating device, the coating device is driven by the liquid transfer device to move sequentially into the drying component and the air shower component.

8. The coating system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The accommodating cavity includes a first part and a second part that are connected to each other. A first step is formed at the connection between the first part and the second part. The end of the coating rod near the connection has a limiting surface. The limiting surface abuts against the first step to limit the end of the coating rod near the connection within the first part.

9. The coating system according to claim 8, characterized in that, The coating device further includes a counterweight disposed at one end of the coating rod near the connecting portion, the limiting surface being the side of the counterweight away from the connecting portion, and the counterweight applying a downward force in the vertical direction to the coating rod.

10. The coating system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The coating device further includes an elastic element disposed within the first part, the two ends of the elastic element abutting against the counterweight and the connecting part respectively, and the elastic element applying a force to the coating rod to make it downward in the vertical direction.

11. The coating system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The coating rod has a second step portion formed on the portion outside the receiving cavity. The second step portion abuts against the end of the housing away from the connecting portion to limit the length of the coating rod extending into the receiving cavity.

12. The coating system according to claim 3, characterized in that, A positioning boss is formed at one end of the connecting part near the housing, and a positioning groove is formed at one end of the housing away from the coating rod, which is adapted to the positioning boss. When the connecting part is connected to the housing, the positioning boss is located in the positioning groove.

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