Combined cap plug and liquid nitrogen tank

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of cryogenic storage technology and specifically discloses a combined cap plug and a liquid nitrogen tank. In the combined cap plug, the first cap plug includes a first cap and a first heat-insulating member that is disposed on the first cap and is insertable into the tank opening, the first cap plug is provided with a fluid passage for filling liquid nitrogen, the diameter of the fluid passage is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening and is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample, the first cap includes a first cap body, and the first cap body is configured to cooperate with a locking assembly on a tank body to lock the first cap with the tank body or unlock the first cap from the tank body to enable the first cap plug to be unplugged from the tank opening; a second cap plug includes a second cap and a second heat-insulating member disposed on the second cap, the second heat-insulating member is insertable into the fluid passage to at least partially plug the fluid passage, and the first cap plug and the second cap plug are detachably connected to each other through the second cap and the first cap. Such settings can guarantee the safety of the operators and prevent the samples inside the tank body from loss and confusion during the filling of liquid nitrogen.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411145645.4 filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) on Aug. 20, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of cryogenic storage technology and, in particular, to a combined cap plug and a liquid nitrogen tank.BACKGROUND

[0003] Generally, liquid nitrogen tanks can be classified into two types: liquid nitrogen storage tanks and liquid nitrogen transport tanks. The liquid nitrogen storage tanks are mainly used for the cryogenic storage of samples and are not suitable for long-distance transport under working conditions, and the liquid nitrogen transport tanks have a special design for anti-vibration to meet the conditions for transport.

[0004] Currently, a liquid nitrogen storage tank includes a tank body and a cap plug at a tank opening of the tank body. In the process of filling liquid nitrogen, the cap plug needs to be opened completely to expose the tank opening of the tank body entirely to the air, which may accelerate the volatilization or splashing of the liquid nitrogen and affect the safety of the operators since medical personnel cannot follow the operators at any time. As a result, during the filling of liquid nitrogen, the samples inside the tank body are prone to loss and confusion.

[0005] Therefore, a combined cap plug and a liquid nitrogen tank are needed to solve the above-mentioned problems.SUMMARY

[0006] The object of the present application is to provide a combined cap plug and a liquid nitrogen tank to solve the problem in the related art that the whole cap plug needs to be opened in the process of filling liquid nitrogen, which results in the volatilization or splashing of the liquid nitrogen, affects the safety of the operators, and causes loss and confusion of samples inside the tank body.

[0007] To achieve the object, the present application adopts the solutions described below.

[0008] A combined cap plug is provided. The combined cap plug is used for plugging a tank opening of a tank body of a liquid nitrogen tank, and a sample is capable of passing through the tank opening. The combined cap plug includes a first cap plug and a second cap plug.

[0009] The first cap plug includes a first cap and a first heat-insulating member that is disposed on the first cap and is insertable into the tank opening. The first cap plug is provided with a fluid passage for filling liquid nitrogen, and the diameter of the fluid passage is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample. The first cap includes a first cap body. The first cap body is configured to cooperate with a locking assembly on the tank body to lock the first cap with the tank body or unlock the first cap from the tank body to enable the first cap plug to be unplugged from the tank opening.

[0010] The second cap plug includes a second cap and a second heat-insulating member disposed on the second cap. The second heat-insulating member is insertable into the fluid passage to at least partially plug the fluid passage. The first cap plug and the second cap plug are detachably connected to each other through the second cap and the first cap.

[0011] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the first cap includes the first cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; a first passage is formed inside the first connecting member, and a second passage is formed inside the first heat-insulating member that is cylinder-shaped; and the first heat-insulating member is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first connecting member, the inner sidewall of the first heat-insulating member is bonded and threaded to the outer sidewall of the first connecting member, and the first passage and the second passage communicate to form the fluid passage; and / or the lower side wall of the first cap is bonded to the upper end of the first heat-insulating member.

[0012] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, at least part of the first connecting member is horizontal to form a connecting ring, and at least part of the first heat-insulating member is horizontal to form a connecting stage. The first connecting member is provided with a first mounting hole at the connecting ring, and the first heat-insulating member is provided with a first mating hole at the connecting table. A first bolt of a first expansion screw assembly passes through the first mounting hole and is threadedly mated with a first sleeve of the first expansion screw assembly, and the first sleeve is located in the first mating hole.

[0013] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the first cap further includes an external connecting member which is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. The external connecting member is used for cooperating with the first heat-insulating member and is hooked upon a placement member of the tank body.

[0014] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the second cap includes a second cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; a part of the second heat-insulating member extends through the second connecting member; and the inner side of the second connecting member is bonded to the second heat-insulating member; and / or the second cap body is threaded to the second heat-insulating member.

[0015] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the first cap includes the first cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. At least part of the first connecting member is horizontal to form a connecting ring, and in a case where the first cap plug and the second cap are mated with each other, the lower end of the second connecting member abuts against the connecting ring.

[0016] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the second cap further includes a rotation-stop portion which is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body and located inside the second connecting member. The rotation-stop portion is disposed asymmetrically about the axis of the second connecting member. The second heat-insulating member is provided with a rotation-stop groove corresponding to the position of the rotation-stop portion, and the rotation-stop portion is inserted into the rotation-stop groove.

[0017] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the axis of the second cap passes through the rotation-stop portion. The second cap is provided with a second mounting hole on the axis of the second cap, and the second heat-insulating member is provided with a second mating hole. A second bolt of a second expansion screw assembly passes through the second mounting hole and is threadedly mated with a second sleeve of the second expansion screw assembly, and the second sleeve is located in the second mating hole.

[0018] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the rotation-stop portion extends outward from the axis of the second cap to the second connecting member and is connected to the inner sidewall of the second connecting member; or the rotation-stop portion includes a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion is connected to the second cap, the extension portion is connected to the lower side of the base portion, and the cross-sectional area of the base portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of the extension portion.

[0019] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, the first cap includes the first cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, and the second cap includes a second cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; one of the first connecting member and the second connecting member is provided with an insertion groove, and the other of the first connecting member and the second connecting member is provided with an insertion pin; the insertion groove includes a vertical groove and a horizontal groove which communicate with each other, and the insertion pin is pluggable into the vertical groove and, under the action of rotation of the first cap, the insertion pin is pluggable into and lockable in the horizontal groove.

[0020] As an optional solution of the combined cap plug, at least one of two sidewalls of the horizontal groove in the vertical direction is projected with a limiting block capable of elastic deformation, and in the vertical direction, the width of the horizontal groove is minimum at the limiting block.

[0021] A liquid nitrogen tank is provided. The liquid nitrogen tank includes a tank body and the combined cap plug described in any of the above solutions. The tank body is provided with a handle on the outer side of the tank body and at least one placement member disposed on the handle. The placement member is used for carrying the combined cap plug or a first cap plug in the combined cap plug.

[0022] As an optional solution of the liquid nitrogen tank, two placement members are provided; each of the two placement members includes a fixing portion and a support portion; each of the two placement members is connected to the handle through the fixing portion of each of the two placement members, and in the vertical direction, the support portions of the two placement members are disposed on the upper side of the handle and the lower side of the handle, respectively; and the distance from a side, facing away from the tank body, of the fixing portion on the upper side of the handle to a side, facing the tank body, of the support portion on the upper side of the handle is H; and a second cap includes a second cap body that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member that is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; the second cap body is provided with a placement hole, the placement hole extends in a direction parallel to the axis of a second cap plug, and the distance from the placement hole to the outer sidewall of a second connecting member is H1, where H1 = H; and / or a first cap includes a first cap body and an external connecting member which is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, and the distance from the inner sidewall of the external connecting member to the outer sidewall of a first heat-insulating member is H2, where H2 = H.

[0023] As an optional solution of the liquid nitrogen tank, the liquid nitrogen tank further includes a locking assembly. The locking assembly includes a locking base which is secured to the tank body, a crimping member which is disposed on the locking base and is rotatable with respect to the locking base, and a locking member which is disposed on the locking base. The crimping member is rotatable to a crimping position for crimping the first cap and rotatable to the outside of the first cap. The crimping member is provided with a locking hole, and the output end of the locking member is operable to cooperate with the locking hole at a locking position to lock the crimping member at the crimping position or is operable to withdraw from the locking hole at an unlocking position to unlock the crimping member from the locking base.

[0024] The present application has the beneficial effects described below.

[0025] The present application provides a combined cap plug. The combined cap plug includes a first cap plug and a second cap plug that are detachably connected to each other. The cap plug can plug the tank opening of the tank body and can cooperate with a locking assembly on the tank body to lock the first cap with the tank body. The first cap plug is provided with a fluid passage for filling liquid nitrogen, and the second cap plug is insertable into the fluid passage to at least partially plug the fluid passage. Since the diameter of the fluid passage is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening and is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample, during the filling of liquid nitrogen, only the second cap plug detachably connected to the first cap plug needs to be unplugged from the fluid passage, and then liquid nitrogen may be filled into the tank body through the fluid passage. Since the inner diameter of the fluid passage is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening, in the process of filling liquid nitrogen, the volatilization and splashing of liquid nitrogen are reduced, the safety of the operators is guaranteed, and no medical personnel needs to follow the operators, thereby improving the convenience and safety of the operation. When the sample needs to be taken out or put in, the operators having corresponding authority need to open the locking member to unlock the first cap plug from the tank body. When the sample does not need to be taken out or put in and only liquid nitrogen needs to be filled, the operators only need to lock the first cap plug with the tank body and open the second cap plug so that the sample cannot be taken out from the fluid passage, thereby avoiding the loss or confusion of the sample.

[0026] The present application provides a liquid nitrogen tank. The liquid nitrogen tank adopts the combined cap plug described above. In this manner, when the sample needs to be taken out or put in, the operators having corresponding authority may open the locking member to unlock the first cap plug from the tank body to unplug the first cap plug and the second cap plug together. When the sample does not need to be taken out or put in and only liquid nitrogen needs to be filled, the operators only need to lock the first cap plug with the tank body and open the second cap plug so that the sample cannot be taken out from the fluid passage, thereby avoiding the loss or confusion of the sample. Moreover, since the inner diameter of the fluid passage is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening, the volatilization and splashing of liquid nitrogen during the filling of liquid nitrogen are reduced, thereby improving the safety of the operators.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a structural view of a liquid nitrogen tank according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a liquid nitrogen tank according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the part at A in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the part at B in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a structural view of a placement member according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 6 is a structural view of a combined cap plug according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 7 is a structural view of a first cap plug according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 8 is a structural view of a second cap according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the part at C in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a structural view of a combined cap plug mated with a tank body according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view of a combined cap plug mated with a tank body according to an embodiment of the present application; FIG. 12 is a structural view of a second cap plug mated with a tank body according to an embodiment of the present application; and FIG. 13 is a partial sectional view of a second cap plug mated with a tank body according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] In the drawings: 1000. combined cap plug; 100. first cap plug; 110. first cap; 111. first cap body; 112. first connecting member; 1121. insertion pin; 1122. connecting ring; 113. external connecting member; 120. first heat-insulating member; 130. fluid passage; 140. first bolt; 150. first sleeve; 200. second cap plug; 210. second cap; 211. second cap body; 2111. placement hole; 212. second connecting member; 2121. vertical groove; 2122. horizontal groove; 2123. limiting block; 213. rotation-stop portion; 2131. base portion; 2132. extension portion; 2133. rotation-stop slope; 220. second heat-insulating member; 230. grip; 240. second bolt; 250. second sleeve; 2000. tank body; 2100. tank opening; 2200. handle; 300. placement member; 310. fixing portion; 320. support portion; 400. locking assembly; 410. locking base; 420. crimping member; 421. hinge pin; 430. locking member; 440. locking portion; 500. operation screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Solutions of the present application will be described clearly and completely in conjunction with drawings. Apparently, the embodiments described herein are part, not all, of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of the present application.

[0030] In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that the orientations or position relations indicated by terms such as "center", "above", "below", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inside", "outside", and the like are based on orientations or position relations shown in the drawings. These orientations or position relations are intended only to facilitate and simplify the description of the present application and not to indicate or imply that an apparatus or element referred to must have such specific orientations or must be configured or operated in such specific orientations. Thus, these orientations or position relations are not to be construed as limiting the present application. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for the purpose of description and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The terms "first position" and "second position" are two different positions. Moreover, when a first feature is described as "on", "above", or "over" a second feature, the first feature is right on, above, or over the second feature, the first feature is obliquely on, above, or over the second feature, or the first feature is simply at a higher level than the second feature. When the first feature is described as "under", "below", or "underneath" the second feature, the first feature is right under, below, or underneath the second feature, the first feature is obliquely under, below, or underneath the second feature, or the first feature is simply at a lower level than the second feature.

[0031] In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, terms "mounted", "connected to each other", and "connected" are to be understood in a broad sense as, for example, "securely connected", "detachably connected", or "integrally connected"; "mechanically connected" or "electrically connected"; "directly connected to each other" or "indirectly connected to each other via an intermediary"; or "intraconnected between two elements". For those of ordinary skill in the art, specific meanings of the preceding terms in the present application may be construed according to specific situations.

[0032] Embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are illustrated in the drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the drawings are illustrative, are intended to explain the present application, and cannot be construed as limiting the present application.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the embodiments provide a combined cap plug 1000 to reduce the volatilization and splashing of liquid nitrogen during the filling of liquid nitrogen, guarantee the safety of the operators, and avoid the loss and confusion of samples inside a tank body 2000 in the process of filling liquid nitrogen. The combined cap plug 1000 is used for plugging a tank opening 2100 of a tank body 2000 of a liquid nitrogen tank, and a sample can pass through the tank opening 2100 to be put inside the tank body 2000 or be taken out from the tank body 2000. The combined cap plug 1000 includes a first cap plug 100 and a second cap plug 200. The first cap plug 100 includes a first cap 110 and a first heat-insulating member 120 that is disposed on the first cap 110 and is insertable into the tank opening 2100. The first cap plug 100 is provided with a fluid passage 130 for filling liquid nitrogen, and the diameter of the fluid passage 130 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample. The first cap 110 includes a first cap body 111. The first cap body 111 is configured to cooperate with a locking assembly 400 on the tank body 2000 to lock the first cap 110 with the tank body 2000 or unlock the first cap 110 from the tank body 2000 to enable the first cap plug 100 to be unplugged from the tank opening 2100. The second cap plug 200 includes a second cap 210 and a second heat-insulating member 220 disposed on the second cap 210. The second heat-insulating member 220 is insertable into the fluid passage 130 to at least partially plug the fluid passage 130. The first cap plug 100 and the second cap plug 200 are detachably connected to each other through the second cap 210 and the first cap 110.

[0034] During the filling of liquid nitrogen, only the second cap plug 200 detachably connected to the first cap plug 100 needs to be unplugged from the fluid passage 130, and then liquid nitrogen may be filled into the tank body 2000 through the fluid passage 130. Since the diameter of the fluid passage 130 is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening 2100 and is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample, in the process of filling liquid nitrogen, the volatilization and splashing of liquid nitrogen are reduced, the safety of the operators is guaranteed, and no medical personnel needs to follow the operators, thereby improving the convenience and safety of the operation. When the sample needs to be taken out or put in, the operators having corresponding authority may open the locking member 400 to unlock the first cap plug 100 from the tank body 2000. When the sample does not need to be taken out or put in and only liquid nitrogen needs to be filled, the operators only need to lock the first cap plug 100 with the tank body 2000 through the locking member 400 and open the second cap plug 200 so that the sample cannot be taken out from the fluid passage 130, thereby avoiding the loss or confusion of the sample.

[0035] At least one of the first heat-insulating member 120 and the second heat-insulating member 220 is made of foam to adapt to the nature of the liquid nitrogen and achieve the function of insulating the liquid nitrogen from heat. The first heat-insulating member 120 and the second heat-insulating member 220 may both be made of foam.

[0036] The first cap 110 includes the first cap body 111 that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member 112 that is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body 111, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. A first passage is formed inside the first connecting member 112. A second passage is formed inside the first heat-insulating member 120 that is cylinder-shaped. The first heat-insulating member 120 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the first connecting member 112, and the inner sidewall of the first heat-insulating member 120 is bonded and threaded to the outer sidewall of the first connecting member 112. The first passage and the second passage communicate to form the fluid passage 130.

[0037] As the material of the first heat-insulating member 120 is soft, through the above setting, the first cap 110 may form a comprehensive fixed connection to and provide support for the upper circumference of the first heat-insulating member 120 to reduce the probability of deformation of the first heat-insulating member 120, thereby avoiding indentation of the upper portion of the second passage and guaranteeing the precision of insertion and mating of the second cap plug 200. Moreover, the connection area between the first cap 110 and the first heat-insulating member 120 is increased, thereby improving the firmness of the connection between the first cap 110 and the first heat-insulating member 120. The lower sidewall of the first cap 110 is bonded to the upper end of the first heat-insulating member 120, thereby further increasing the connection area between the first cap 110 and the first heat-insulating member 120. The top of the first heat-insulating member 120 is perpendicular to the sidewall of the first heat-insulating member 120, and the two perpendicular faces fix the second heat-insulating member 220 to form a mutually restricted structure, thereby further improving the reliability of the connection between the first heat-insulating member 120 and the second heat-insulating member 220. In other embodiments, the first cap 110 and the first heat-insulating member 120 may be disposed in the left-and-right direction and connected to each other through their sidewalls.

[0038] At least part of the first connecting member 112 is horizontal to form a connecting ring 1122, and at least part of the first heat-insulating member 120 is horizontal to form a connecting stage. The first connecting member 112 is provided with a first mounting hole at the connecting ring 1122, and the first heat-insulating member 120 is provided with a first mating hole at the connecting table. A first expansion screw assembly includes a first bolt 140 and a first sleeve 150. The first bolt 140 passes through the first mounting hole and is threadedly mated with the first sleeve 150 that is located in the first mating hole. Through the above setting, the threaded connection between the first cap 110 and the first heat-insulating member 120 is achieved, thereby improving the strength of the connection. Moreover, the centerline of the first mounting hole and the centerline of the first cap 110 are parallel and both extend in the vertical direction. The diameter of the first sleeve 150 becomes larger in the process of the threaded connection to enable the first sleeve 150 to be embedded in the first heat-insulating member 120, thereby increasing the connection area between the first sleeve 150 and the first heat-insulating member 120. In the uplifting process, the top of the first sleeve 150 and the stop portion on the periphery of the first sleeve 150 may exert a drawing force on the first heat-insulating member 120.

[0039] To improve the convenience of liquid filling, the inner diameter of the fluid passage 130 is gradually reduced in the direction in which the liquid is filled to form a funnel-like structure which is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, thereby facilitating the filling of liquid nitrogen into the tank body 2000. To facilitate the insertion of the first heat-insulating member 120 into the tank opening 2100, the outer diameter of the first heat-insulating member 120 is gradually reduced in the direction in which the liquid is filled. The outer diameter of the first heat-insulating member 120 is adapted to the second passage to enable the thickness of the first heat-insulating member 120 to be uniform, thereby guaranteeing the heat-insulating performance of the first heat-insulating member 120.

[0040] A small amount of liquid nitrogen needs to volatilize to prevent the liquid nitrogen from exploding, and thus, a spacing needs to be set between the first heat-insulating member 120 and the second heat-insulating member 220. A strip groove is disposed on the outer periphery of the second heat-insulating member 220, and the strip groove extends through the entirety of the second heat-insulating member 220. A spacing may also be set between the first heat-insulating member 120 and the tank opening 2100.

[0041] When the sample needs to be taken out or put in, the first cap plug 100 and the second cap plug 200 need to be unplugged together. To avoid the cap plug being misplaced, in some embodiments, the first cap 110 further includes an external connecting member 113 which is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body 111, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. The external connecting member 113 is used for cooperating with the first heat-insulating member 120 and is hooked upon a placement member 300 of the tank body 2000. The external connecting member 113 can help the combined cap plug 1000 hang on the placement member 300, thereby preventing the combined cap plug 1000 from contamination; the external connecting member 113 can also improve the structural strength of the first cap body 111.

[0042] The second cap 210 includes a second cap body 211 that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member 212 that is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body 211, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. A part of the second heat-insulating member 220 extends through the second connecting member 212, and the inner side of the second connecting member 212 is bonded to the second heat-insulating member 220.

[0043] Through the above setting, the second cap 210 may form a comprehensive fixed connection to and provide support for the periphery of the upper portion of the second heat-insulating member 220 to reduce the probability of deformation of the second heat-insulating member 220, thereby avoiding the second heat-insulating member 220 collapsing outward and preventing the diameter of the second heat-insulating member 220 from becoming too large to be inserted into the fluid passage 130.

[0044] The second cap body 211 is threaded to the second heat-insulating member 220. For the specific threaded connection, reference is made to the threaded connection between the first cap body 111 and the first heat-insulating member 120. In this manner, the mechanical connection between the second cap body 211 and the second heat-insulating member 220 is achieved, thereby improving the strength of the connection.

[0045] Since the first heat-insulating member 120 and the second heat-insulating member 220 are both made of soft foam, when the first cap plug 100 is inserted into the fluid passage 130, to improve the consistency of the insertion effect, in some embodiments, the first cap 110 includes the first cap body 111 that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member 112 that is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body 111, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. At least part of the first connecting member 112 is horizontal to form a connecting ring 1122, and in a case where the first cap plug 100 and the second cap 210 are mated with each other, the lower end of the second connecting member 212 abuts against the connecting ring 1122.

[0046] To facilitate insertion of the second cap plug 200 into or withdrawal from the fluid passage 130, screwing the second cap plug 200 within a small range is required. To avoid disengagement of the second cap 210 from the second heat-insulating member 220 during screwing, in some embodiments, the second cap 210 further includes a rotation-stop portion 213 which is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body 210 and located inside the second connecting member 212. The rotation-stop portion 213 is disposed asymmetrically about the axis of the second connecting member 212. The second heat-insulating member 220 is provided with a rotation-stop groove corresponding to the position of the rotation-stop portion 213, and the rotation-stop portion 213 is inserted into the rotation-stop groove.

[0047] Through the above setting, the rotation-stop portion 213 squeezes the sidewall of the rotation-stop groove in the screwing process to drive the second heat-insulating member 220 to rotate with the second cap 210. Moreover, the setting of the rotation-stop portion 213 also provides a position guide for the second heat-insulating member 220 when the second heat-insulating member 220 needs to be mounted on the second cap 210, thereby improving the assembly efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments, the axis of the second cap 210 passes through the rotation-stop portion 213. The second cap 210 is provided with a second mounting hole on the axis of the second cap 210, and the second heat-insulating member 220 is provided with a second mating hole. A second expansion screw assembly includes a second bolt 240 and a second sleeve 250. The second bolt 240 passes through the second mounting hole and is threadedly mated with the second sleeve 250 that is located in the second mating hole. Through the above setting, both the connection area between the second bolt 240 and the second cap 210 and the connection area between the second sleeve 250 and the second heat-insulating member 220 can be increased, thereby improving the strength of the connection between the second cap 210 and the second heat-insulating member 220.

[0049] Moreover, the centerline of the second mounting hole and the centerline of the second cap 210 are parallel and both extend in the vertical direction. The diameter of the second sleeve 250 becomes larger in the process of the threaded connection to enable the second sleeve 250 to be embedded in the second heat-insulating member 220, thereby increasing the connection area between the second sleeve 250 and the second heat-insulating member 220. In the uplifting process, the top of the second sleeve 250 and the stop portion on the periphery of the second sleeve 250 may exert a drawing force on the second heat-insulating member 220.

[0050] In some embodiments, the rotation-stop portion 213 extends outward from the axis of the second cap 210 to the second connecting member 212 and is connected to the inner sidewall of the second connecting member 212 to enable the second connecting member 212 to be connected to the second cap body 211 through the rotation-stop portion 213. The stop-rotation portion 213 also functions as a reinforcement to improve the strength of the connection between the second connecting member 212 and the second cap body 211.

[0051] In some embodiments, the rotation-stop portion 213 includes a base portion 2131 and an extension portion 2132. The base portion 2131 is connected to the second cap 210, and the extension portion 2132 is connected to the lower side of the base portion 2131, that is, the extension portion 2132 is located on a side, facing away from the second cap 210, of the base portion 2131. The cross-sectional area of the base portion 2131 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the extension portion 2132. Through the above setting, in one aspect, the rotation-stop portion 213 is of a step structure to enlarges the own surface area of the rotation-stop portion 213, thereby increasing the connection area with the second heat-insulating member 220, improving the bonding strength, and facilitating the screwing and uplifting of the second heat-insulating member 220. Meanwhile, the extension portion 2132 can be inserted deeper into the rotation-stop groove than the base portion 2131, thereby further increasing the connection area with the second heat-insulating member 220, and the extension portion 2132 can also serve as a support skeleton to improve the support for the second heat-insulating member 220, thereby improving the strength of the second heat-insulating member 220 in the horizontal direction. Further, a rotation-stop slope 2133 is formed between the base portion 2131 and the extension portion 2132. The rotation-stop slope 2133 slopes inward and downward to further increase the connecting area with the second heat-insulating member 220, thereby facilitating mold opening and assembly with the second heat-insulating member 220. The base portion 2131 extends outward to the second connecting member 212, thereby improving the strength of the connection between the strong second connecting member 212 and the second cap body 211.

[0052] In conjunction with FIGS. 6 to 9, to achieve the quick disassembly and assembly of the first cap plug 100 and the second cap plug 200, one of the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 212 is provided with an insertion groove, the other of the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 212 is provided with an insertion pin 1121. The insertion groove includes a vertical groove 2121 extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal groove 2122 extending in the horizontal direction, and the vertical groove 2121 and the horizontal groove 2122 communicate with each other. The insertion pin 1121 is pluggable into the vertical groove 2121 and, under the action of rotation of the first cap 110, the insertion pin 1121 is pluggable into and lockable in the horizontal groove 2122. In this case, the second cap plug 200 cannot be pulled upward and withdrawn from the fluid passage 130. The first connecting member 112 is located on the periphery of the second connecting member 212, the insertion pin 1121 is disposed on the first connecting member 112 and extends in the horizontal direction, and the insertion groove is disposed on the second connecting member 212. Through the setting of the insertion groove, the weight of the second connecting member 212 is reduced to enable the disassembling and assembling of the second cap plug 200 that is more frequently used to be easier, thereby reducing labor intensity. In the process of inserting the second cap plug 200 downward into the fluid passage 130, when the lower end of the second connecting member 212 abuts against the connecting ring 1122, the insertion pin 1121 is located on the upper end of the vertical groove 2121, that is, the insertion pin 1121 is located at the connecting point of the vertical groove 2121 and the horizontal groove 2122. In this case, the insertion pin 1121 may enter the horizontal groove 2122 only by rotating the second cap plug 200.

[0053] The position of the lower end of the base portion 2131 does not exceed the insertion groove, and the position of the lower end of the extension portion 2132 exceeds the insertion groove. Through the setting in which the cross-sectional area of the base portion 2131 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the extension portion 2132, the extension portion 2132 can be prevented from interfering with the insertion groove, thereby making the layout more reasonable.

[0054] To improve the stability of the locking between the first connecting member 112 and the second connecting member 212, at least one of two sidewalls of the horizontal groove 2122 in the vertical direction is projected with a limiting block 2123 capable of elastic deformation. In the vertical direction, the width of the horizontal groove 2122 is minimum at the limiting block 2123. The limiting block 2123 divides the horizontal groove 2122 into a locking portion and an unlocking portion. The portion, facing away from the vertical groove 2121, of the horizontal groove 2122 is the locking portion, and the portion, facing the vertical groove 2121, of the horizontal groove 2122 is the unlocking portion. In use, during the screwing of the second cap plug 200, the insertion pin 1121 squeezes and passes over the limiting block 2123 to enter or leap out of the locking portion of the vertical groove 2121, and then the limiting block 2123 returns to its initial state. Through the above setting, the second cap plug 200 is prevented from being disengaged with the first cap plug 100, and the operation feels like locking and unlocking. In the direction in which the horizontal groove 2122 extends, the two ends of the limiting block 2123 are of a slope structure to serve as guides for the insertion pin 1121.

[0055] The opening of the vertical groove 2121 is of a flaring structure whose width is gradually increased from top to bottom so that the insertion pin 1121 can quickly enter the vertical groove 2121 in the insertion process.

[0056] To guarantee symmetry and balance of the connection between the first cap plug 100 and the second cap plug 200, two insertion grooves and two insertion pins 1121 are disposed and respectively correspond to each other. The two insertion pins 1121 are disposed symmetrically around the axis of the first cap plug 100.

[0057] To facilitate the lifting and placing of the second cap plug 200, the second cap plug 200 further includes a grip member 230 disposed on the second cap 210. The grip member 230 is of an upward arched strip structure to allow the fingers to reach under the grip member 230. The second cap body 211 is recessed downward at the grip member 230 to provide sufficient space for the fingers.

[0058] It is to be noted that the vertical direction is the up-and-down direction, and the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the up-and-down direction.

[0059] The present application provides a liquid nitrogen tank. In conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 5, the liquid nitrogen tank includes a tank body 2000 and the combined cap plug 100 described in any of the above embodiments. A tank opening 2100 is disposed on the tank body 2000. The tank body 2000 is provided with a handle 2200 on the outer side of the tank body 2000 and at least one placement member 300 disposed on the handle 2200. The placement member 300 is used for carrying the combined cap plug 1000 or a first cap plug 100 in the combined cap plug 1000. By means of the above combined cap plug 1000, only a second cap plug 200 needs to be unplugged during the filling of liquid nitrogen. Since the diameter of a fluid passage 130 is smaller than the diameter of the tank opening 2100, the volatilization and splashing of liquid nitrogen can be reduced, the safety of the operators can be guaranteed, and no medical personnel need to follow the operators, thereby improving the convenience of the operation. Moreover, since the diameter of the fluid passage 130 is smaller than the outer diameter of the sample, the loss or confusion of the sample in the filling process can be avoided. When the sample needs to be taken out or put in, the operators having corresponding authority may open a locking member 400 to unlock the first cap plug 100 from the tank body 2000, thereby improving the standardization and safety of the procedure.

[0060] In conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 10, and 13, two placement members 300 are provided. Each of the two placement members 300 includes a fixing portion 310 and a support portion 320. Each of the two placement members 300 is connected to the handle 2200 through the fixing portion 310 of each of the two placement members 300. In the vertical direction, the support portions 320 of the two placement members 300 are disposed on the upper side of the handle 2200 and the lower side of the handle 2200, respectively. One side of the fixing portion 310 extends in a direction away from the fixing portion 310 to form a support wall, and at least part of the support wall forms a support portion 320. In the horizontal direction, that is, the left-and-right direction shown in the figures, the distance from a side, facing away from the tank body 2000, of the fixing portion 310 on the upper side of the handle 2200 to a side, facing the tank body 2000, of the support portion 320 on the upper side of the handle 2200 is H. A second cap 210 is provided with a placement hole 2111, the placement hole 2111 extends in a direction parallel to the axis of the second cap plug 200, and the distance from the placement hole 2111 to the outer sidewall of a second connecting member 212 is H1, where H1 = H.

[0061] Through the above setting, the second cap plug 200 is hooked upon on the support portion 320 through the placement hole 2111 after the second cap plug 200 is unplugged, that is, the support portion 320 is inserted into the placement hole 2111 and the outer sidewall of the second connecting member 212 may abut against the fixing portion 310 on the upper side of the handle 2200 so that the axis of the second cap plug 200 is vertical.

[0062] To avoid deflection when the first cap 110 is placed, the support wall is arc-shaped and adapted to the placement hole 2111 of the second cap 210. The support wall is disposed around the axis of the second cap 210 in a case where the support wall extends through the placement hole 2111. Through the above setting, the second cap 210 may not be deflected around the support wall when the support wall extends through the placement hole 2111.

[0063] A first cap 110 includes a first cap body 111 and an external connecting member 113 which is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body 111, extends downward and is cylinder-shaped. In the horizontal direction, the distance from the inner sidewall of the external connecting member 113 to the outer sidewall of a first heat-insulating member 120 is H2, and H2 = H. Through the above setting, after the first cap plug 100 and the second cap plug 200 are unplugged together, the external connecting member 113 is placed on the inner side of the support portion 320 on the upper side of the handle 2200, the inner wall of the external connecting member 113 abuts against the sidewall of the support portion 320, the lower sidewall of the first cap body 111 abuts against the top of the support portion 320, and the outer sidewall of the first heat-insulating member 120 abuts against the fixing portion 310 on the upper side of the handle 2200, so that the axis of the first cap plug 100 is vertical. The outer sidewall of the first heat-insulating member 120 may also abut against the fixing portion 310 on the lower side of the handle 2200.

[0064] In the embodiments, further, the radian of the external connecting member 113 coincides with the radian of the support wall to prevent the first cap 100 from rotating around the support wall.

[0065] The fixing portion 310 is provided with a recess, the handle 2200 is embedded in the recess, and the handle 2200 is bonded and threaded to the fixing portion 310. The two recesses of the two placement members 300 cooperate to form a cylindrical groove, the handle 2200 passes through the cylindrical groove, and then the two fixing portions 310 wrap the handle 2200, thereby increasing the contact area between the placement member 300 and the handle 2200 and improving the reliability of the connection between the placement member 300 and the handle 2200.

[0066] In conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 4, the liquid nitrogen tank further includes a locking assembly 400. The locking assembly 400 includes a locking base 410 which is secured to the tank body 2000, a crimping member 420 which is disposed on the locking base 410 and is rotatable with respect to the locking base 410, and a locking member 430 which is disposed on the locking base 410. The crimping member 420 is rotatable to a crimping position for crimping the first cap 110 and rotatable to the outside of the first cap 110. The crimping member 420 is provided with a locking hole. The output end of the locking member 430 is operable to cooperate with the locking hole at a locking position to lock the crimping member 420 at the crimping position or the output end of the locking member 430 is operable to withdraw from the locking hole at an unlocking position to unlock the crimping member 420 from the locking base 410. In the embodiments, a slot is provided between the first cap 110 and the second cap 210. When the first cap plug 100 plugs the tank opening 2100, the lower end of the first cap 110 abuts against the locking base 410, and the crimping member 420, when located at the crimping position, is inserted into the slot between the first cap 110 and the second cap 210 to crimp the first cap 110 and prevent the first cap 110 from being unplugged upward. The locking member 430 may be an electromagnetic lock, and the output shaft of the electromagnetic lock may extend to be inserted into the locking hole or may retract to be withdrawn from the locking hole. A flat plate-shaped locking portion 440 is mounted on the lower side of the crimping member 420, and the locking hole extends horizontally through the locking portion 440. When the crimping member 420 is at the crimping position, the locking portion 440 is located in a limiting groove of the locking base 410 and abuts against the bottom of the limiting groove. In this case, the locking hole directly faces the output shaft of the electromagnetic lock.

[0067] In other embodiments, the locking member 430 may also be a padlock. Accordingly, the first cap 110 is provided with a first padlock hole, and the tank body 2000 is provided with a second padlock hole. The specific structure of the locking member 430 is not limited to the above description. The liquid nitrogen tank further includes an operation screen 500 for displaying information about the sample in the liquid nitrogen tank. In other embodiments, the operation screen 500 may also be operable to open or close the locking member 430.

[0068] Apparently, the preceding embodiments of the present application are merely illustrative examples of the present application and are not intended to limit implementations of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make changes or alterations of different forms based on the above description. All implementations cannot be and do not need to be exhausted herein. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A combined cap plug, wherein the combined cap plug is used for plugging a tank opening (2100) of a tank body (2000) of a liquid nitrogen tank, a sample is capable of passing through the tank opening (2100), and the combined cap plug comprises: a first cap plug (100), wherein the first cap plug (100) comprises a first cap (110) and a first heat-insulating member (120) that is disposed on the first cap (110) and is insertable into the tank opening (2100), the first cap plug (100) is provided with a fluid passage (130) for filling liquid nitrogen, a diameter of the fluid passage (130) is smaller than an outer diameter of the sample, the first cap (110) comprises a first cap body (111), and the first cap body (111) is configured to cooperate with a locking assembly (400) on the tank body (2000) to lock the first cap (110) with the tank body (2000) or unlock the first cap (110) from the tank body (2000) to enable the first cap plug (100) to be unplugged from the tank opening (2100); and a second cap plug (200), wherein the second cap plug (200) comprises a second cap (210) and a second heat-insulating member (220) disposed on the second cap (210), the second heat-insulating member (220) is insertable into the fluid passage (130) to at least partially plug the fluid passage (130), and the first cap plug (100) and the second cap plug (200) are detachably connected to each other through the second cap (210) and the first cap (110).

2. The combined cap plug according to claim 1, wherein the first cap (110) comprises the first cap body (111) that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member (112) that is disposed on a lower side of the first cap body (111), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; a first passage is formed inside the first connecting member (112), and a second passage is formed inside the first heat-insulating member (120) that is cylinder-shaped; the first heat-insulating member (120) is sleeved on an outer periphery of the first connecting member (112), and an inner sidewall of the first heat-insulating member (120) is bonded and threaded to an outer sidewall of the first connecting member (112), and the first passage and the second passage communicate to form the fluid passage (130); and / or wherein a lower sidewall of the first cap (110) is bonded to an upper end of the first heat-insulating member (120).

3. The combined cap plug according to claim 2, wherein at least part of the first connecting member (112) is horizontal to form a connecting ring (1122), and at least part of the first heat-insulating member (120) is horizontal to form a connecting stage; the first connecting member (112) is provided with a first mounting hole at the connecting ring (1122), the first heat-insulating member (120) is provided with a first mating hole at the connecting table, a first bolt (140) of a first expansion screw assembly passes through the first mounting hole and is threadedly mated with a first sleeve (150) of the first expansion screw assembly, and the first sleeve (150) is located in the first mating hole.

4. The combined cap plug according to claim 2, wherein the first cap (110) further comprises an external connecting member (113) which is disposed on the lower side of the first cap body (111), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, and the external connecting member (113) is used for cooperating with the first heat-insulating member (120), and is hooked upon a placement member (300) of the tank body (2000).

5. The combined cap plug according to claim 1, wherein the second cap (210) comprises a second cap body (211) that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member (212) that is disposed on a lower side of the second cap body (211), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, a part of the second heat-insulating member (220) extends through the second connecting member (212), and an inner side of the second connecting member (212) is bonded to the second heat-insulating member (220); and / or wherein the second cap body (211) is threaded to the second heat-insulating member (220).

6. The combined cap plug according to claim 5, wherein the first cap (110) comprises the first cap body (111) that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member (112) that is disposed on a lower side of the first cap body (111), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, at least part of the first connecting member (112) is horizontal to form a connecting ring (1122), and in a case where the first cap plug (100) and the second cap (210) are mated with each other, a lower end of the second connecting member (212) abuts against the connecting ring (1122).

7. The combined cap plug according to claim 5, wherein the second cap (210) further comprises a rotation-stop portion (213) which is disposed on the lower side of the second cap body (211) and located inside the second connecting member (212), the rotation-stop portion (213) is disposed asymmetrically about an axis of the second connecting member (212), the second heat-insulating member (220) is provided with a rotation-stop groove corresponding to a position of the rotation-stop portion (213), and the rotation-stop portion (213) is inserted into the rotation-stop groove.

8. The combined cap plug according to claim 7, wherein an axis of the second cap (210) passes through the rotation-stop portion (213), the second cap (210) is provided with a second mounting hole on the axis of the second cap (210), the second heat-insulating member (220) is provided with a second mating hole, a second bolt (240) of a second expansion screw assembly passes through the second mounting hole and is threadedly mated with a second sleeve (250) of the second expansion screw assembly, and the second sleeve (250) is located in the second mating hole.

9. The combined cap plug according to claim 7, wherein the rotation-stop portion (213) extends outward from the axis of the second cap (210) to the second connecting member (212) and is connected to an inner sidewall of the second connecting member (212); or wherein the rotation-stop portion (213) comprises a base portion (2131) and an extension portion (2132), the base portion (2131) is connected to the second cap (210), the extension portion (2132) is connected to a lower side of the base portion (2131), and a cross-sectional area of the base portion (2131) is larger than a cross-sectional area of the extension portion (2132).

10. The combined cap plug according to claim 1, wherein the first cap (110) comprises the first cap body (111) that is flat plate-shaped and a first connecting member (112) that is disposed on a lower side of the first cap body (111), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, and the second cap (210) comprises a second cap body (211) that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member (212) that is disposed on a lower side of the second cap body (211), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; one of the first connecting member (112) and the second connecting member (212) is provided with an insertion groove, the other of the first connecting member (112) and the second connecting member (212) is provided with an insertion pin (1121), the insertion groove comprises a vertical groove (2121) and a horizontal groove (2122) which communicate with each other, and the insertion pin (1121) is pluggable into the vertical groove (2121) and, under an action of rotation of the first cap (110), the insertion pin (1121) is pluggable into and lockable in the horizontal groove (2122).

11. The combined cap plug according to claim 1, wherein at least one of two sidewalls of the horizontal groove (2122) in a vertical direction is projected with a limiting block (2123) capable of elastic deformation, and in the vertical direction, a width of the horizontal groove (2122) is minimum at the limiting block (2123).

12. A liquid nitrogen tank, comprising a tank body (2000) and the combined cap plug according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the tank body (2000) is provided with a handle (2200) on an outer side of the tank body (2000) and at least one placement member (300) disposed on the handle (2200), the at least one placement member (300) is used for carrying the combined cap plug or a first cap plug (100) in the combined cap plug.

13. The liquid nitrogen tank according to claim 12, wherein two placement members (300) are provided, each of the two placement members (300) comprises a fixing portion (310) and a support portion (320), each of the two placement members (300) is connected to the handle (2200) through the fixing portion (310) of each of the two placement members (300), and in the vertical direction, the support portions (320) of the two placement members (300) are disposed on an upper side of the handle (2200) and a lower side of the handle (2200), respectively; a distance from a side, facing away from the tank body (2000), of the fixing portion (310) on the upper side of the handle (2200) to a side, facing the tank body (2000), of the support portion (320) on the upper side of the handle (2200) is H; and wherein a second cap (210) comprises a second cap body (211) that is flat plate-shaped and a second connecting member (212) that is disposed on a lower side of the second cap body (211), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped; the second cap body (211) is provided with a placement hole (2111), the placement hole (2111) extends in a direction parallel to an axis of a second cap plug (200), and a distance from the placement hole (2111) to an outer sidewall of a second connecting member (212) is H1, wherein H1 = H; and / or wherein a first cap (110) comprises a first cap body (111) and an external connecting member (113) which is disposed on a lower side of the first cap body (111), extends downward and is cylinder-shaped, and a distance from an inner sidewall of the external connecting member (113) to an outer sidewall of a first heat-insulating member (120) is H2, wherein H2 = H.

14. The liquid nitrogen tank according to claim 12, further comprising a locking assembly (400), wherein the locking assembly (400) comprises a locking base (410) which is secured to the tank body (2000), a crimping member (420) which is disposed on the locking base (410) and is rotatable with respect to the locking base (410), and a locking member (430) which is disposed on the locking base (410), the crimping member (420) is rotatable to a crimping position for crimping the first cap (110) and rotatable to an outside of the first cap (110), the crimping member (420) is provided with a locking hole, and an output end of the locking member (430) is operable to cooperate with the locking hole at a locking position to lock the crimping member (420) at the crimping position or is operable to withdraw from the locking hole at an unlocking position to unlock the crimping member (420) from the locking base (410).

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