Storage mechanism, consumable feeding system, and sample analyzer

Abstract

To provide a storage mechanism, a consumable feeding system, and a sample analysis device.SOLUTION: The storage mechanism includes a storage assembly and a loading assembly, the storage assembly includes a storage body having a storage channel, the loading assembly is movably disposed on the storage body, the storage mechanism has a first state and a second state, when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the loading assembly opens an inlet of the storage channel, and the loading assembly at least partially extends out of the storage channel; The loading assembly can carry a loaded consumable into the storage passage, and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the loading assembly closes the inlet of the storage passage, and when the loading assembly is moved relative to the storage body by an external force, the storage mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state. The storage mechanism, the consumable feeding system and the sample analysis device according to the present application can reduce the occupied space and reduce the burden of the slide rail.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION This application relates to the field of medical devices, and more particularly to reservoir mechanisms, consumable delivery systems, and sample analyzers. [Background technology]

[0002] Take immunoassay analyzers as an example of sample analyzers. Immunassay analyzers are highly sensitive and specific analytical instruments that have been rapidly developed around the world in recent years. They are used in clinical laboratories to test and measure various immune indicators in samples such as blood, urine, and other body fluids. Their principle is to combine two technologies, antibody-antigen reaction and chemiluminescence, to achieve high specificity and high sensitivity.

[0003] Immunoassay instruments typically require a consumable delivery system to transport consumables to a delivery station so that the consumables can be quickly replaced and the immunoassay instrument can continue to operate efficiently.

[0004] In large hospitals, drawer structures with a certain storage space and the capacity to accommodate multiple consumables are typically installed to facilitate user loading of consumables. However, users must fully pull out the drawer structure each time before loading consumables, and typically must push the drawer structure back in after filling it with consumables. This not only increases the space occupied, but also places a heavy load on the slide rails connected to the drawer structure and guiding its sliding, making them more susceptible to deformation and damage. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In light of the above, it is necessary to provide a storage mechanism, a consumable supply system, and a sample analyzer that can reduce the space occupied and the load on the slide rails in order to address the above problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A storage mechanism comprising: a reservoir assembly including a reservoir body having a reservoir passage; a load assembly movably mounted on the reservoir body; the storage mechanism has a first state and a second state, and when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load assembly opens an entrance to the storage passage, the load assembly at least partially extends outside the storage passage, and the load assembly can transport a loaded consumable into the storage passage, and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load assembly closes the entrance to the storage passage; When the load assembly is moved relative to the reservoir body by an external force, the reservoir mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state.

[0007] In some embodiments, the load assembly is slidably mounted on the reservoir body, and the reservoir mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by sliding the load assembly relative to the reservoir body; or The load assembly is rotatably mounted on the storage body, and the storage mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by rotating the load assembly relative to the storage body.

[0008] In some embodiments, the reservoir assembly further includes a reservoir drive unit provided on the reservoir body and including a reservoir conveyor belt positioned within the reservoir passage; The load assembly includes a load body slidably or rotatably mounted on the storage body, and a load drive unit mounted on the load body and including a load conveying belt; When the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load body opens the entrance to the storage passage, the load body and the load conveyor belt at least partially extend outside the storage passage, and the load conveyor belt conveys the loaded consumables to the storage conveyor belt, and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load body closes the entrance to the storage passage.

[0009] In some embodiments, the load body is slidably mounted on the storage body, and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load conveyor belt is completely housed within the storage passage; or The load body is pivotally mounted on the storage body, and the load assembly is always positioned outside the storage passage.

[0010] In some embodiments, the load conveyor belt has a load conveyor section for conveying consumables, and the storage conveyor belt has a storage conveyor section for conveying consumables, the load conveyor section and the storage conveyor section extend in the same direction, the load conveyor section is an inclined section whose height gradually decreases in the direction of extension, and the storage conveyor section is a straight section whose height does not change in the direction of extension, and the load conveyor section and the storage conveyor section are arranged to form an included angle greater than 90°, When the storage mechanism is in the first state, at least a portion of the load transport section is higher than the storage transport section, and the portion of the load transport section that is higher than the storage transport section is used to transport consumables to the storage transport section.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the load body is slidably mounted on the storage body, the load conveyor belt and the storage conveyor belt are arranged along the width direction of the storage conveyor belt; When the load body is rotatably mounted on the storage body and the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load conveying belt and the storage conveying belt are arranged along the extension direction of the storage conveying belt.

[0012] In some embodiments, the road drive unit further includes a road motor, a road transmission wheel, a road timing belt, a road intermediate wheel, a road shaft, a road driving wheel, and a road driven wheel; The road motor, the road shaft, and the road driven wheel are all attached to the road body, the road motor is connected to the road transmission wheel, the road timing belt is wound around the outside of the road transmission wheel and the road intermediate wheel, the road driving wheels are distributed on opposite sides of the road intermediate wheel, the road driving wheel and the road intermediate wheel are both fixed to the road shaft, the road driving wheel and the road driven wheel each correspond to the road conveying belt one to one, and the road conveying belt is wound around the outside of the corresponding road driving wheel and the corresponding road driven wheel.

[0013] In some embodiments, the storage mechanism further includes a load detection member provided on the load body; The load detection member is used to detect whether a consumable is loaded onto the load conveyor belt when the storage mechanism is in the first state, and the load drive unit and the storage drive unit are each configured to activate when a consumable is loaded onto the load conveyor belt.

[0014] A consumable delivery system, comprising the reservoir mechanism of any one of the preceding embodiments.

[0015] A sample analyzer includes the consumable delivery system described in the above embodiment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the above-mentioned storage mechanism, consumable supply system, and sample analyzer, the storage mechanism is designed to include a storage assembly and a load assembly, the storage body of the storage assembly is a fixed and immovable part, and the load assembly is a part that is movable relative to the storage body. When the storage mechanism is in the first state, a portion of the load assembly can protrude outside the storage passage, thereby reducing the length of the load assembly's protrusion and occupying less external space. Furthermore, when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load assembly can automatically transport the loaded consumables into the storage passage. Therefore, when the storage mechanism is switched to the second state, the load assembly has already transported the consumable box into the storage passage, reducing the load on the load assembly. Regardless of whether the load assembly is slidably connected to the storage body via the slide rail, the load assembly does not impose an excessive load on the slide rail, and the slide rail is less likely to be deformed or damaged. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a consumable supply system according to an embodiment of the present application, when a storage mechanism in the consumable supply system is in a first state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the consumable supply system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram of a consumable supply system according to an embodiment of the present application, when a storage mechanism in the consumable supply system is in a second state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the consumable supply system shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a storage assembly of the storage mechanism shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the storage assembly shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the storage assembly shown in FIG. 6 rotated by a certain angle. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a load assembly of the storage mechanism shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the load assembly shown in FIG. 8 rotated at a certain angle. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the load assembly shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation between the load conveyor belt and the storage conveyor belt when the load assembly is slidably mounted on the storage body in the storage mechanism shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the cooperation between the load conveyor belt and the storage conveyor belt in the storage mechanism shown in FIG. 1 when the load assembly is rotatably mounted on the storage body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present application more clearly understandable, specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In order to facilitate a full understanding of the present application, many specific details are set forth in the following description. However, the present application can be implemented in many ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without departing from the content of the present application, so the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0019] In the description of this application, orientations or positional relationships indicated by terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like are based on the drawings and are used only for ease of explanation or simplicity of explanation, and it should be understood that they do not represent or imply that the devices or elements shown necessarily have a specific orientation or a specific oriented structure and operation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0020] Additionally, the terms "first" and "second" are for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood to indicate or imply a relative importance or to implicitly indicate the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature qualified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of this application, unless explicitly and specifically limited, "plurality" means at least two, e.g., two or three.

[0021] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the terms "attach," "couple," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integration, a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, internal communication between two elements, or an interactive relationship between two elements. Unless otherwise clearly limited, a person skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application depending on the specific situation.

[0022] In this application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, or that the first feature and the second feature are in indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, a first feature being "above," "above," or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature has a greater horizontal height than the second feature. A first feature being "below," "below," or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or may simply mean that the first feature has a smaller horizontal height than the second feature.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed" or "mounted" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be intervening elements. When an element is described as being "connected" to another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be intervening elements. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," and similar terms used herein are for descriptive purposes only and do not imply the only embodiment.

[0024] The present application provides a sample analyzer for testing and measuring samples to provide a basis for clinical treatment decisions. The sample analyzer may be an immunoanalyzer, a blood coagulation analyzer, a blood cell analyzer, a urine analyzer, or the like, and the specific type is not limited thereto. For convenience of explanation, the following embodiments will be described using an immunoanalyzer as an example of the sample analyzer.

[0025] 1 to 4, a sample analyzer typically includes a consumables supply system 1, which is an essential system for a sample analyzer. The consumables supply system 1 can store consumables and transport the stored consumables to a supply station for supply. This allows for quick replacement of consumables, ensuring continuous and efficient operation of the immunoassay analyzer.

[0026] Here, the consumable supply system 1 can directly transport and store the consumables, or can transport and store the consumables by transporting and storing a consumable box, and can be specifically set as needed. For convenience of explanation, the following embodiment will be described taking the example of the consumable supply system 1 transporting and storing a consumable box.

[0027] The consumable supply delivery system 1 includes a storage mechanism 10 for storing consumable boxes, and an elevator mechanism 20 for transporting the consumable boxes in the storage mechanism 10 to a delivery station and delivering the consumables.

[0028] 1 to 4, and also referring to FIGS. 5 and 8, the storage mechanism 10 includes a storage assembly 11 and a load assembly 12. The storage assembly 11 includes a storage body 111 having a storage passage 111a, and the load assembly 12 is movably mounted on the storage body 111. The storage mechanism 10 has a first state and a second state. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load assembly 12 opens the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, and at least a portion of the load assembly 12 extends outside the storage passage 111a, allowing the load assembly 12 to transport the loaded consumable into the storage passage 111a. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state, the load assembly 12 closes the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a. Here, when the load assembly 12 moves relative to the reservoir body 111 due to an external force, the reservoir mechanism 10 is switched between the first state and the second state.

[0029] The storage body 111 provides a storage space for storing the consumable boxes, and this storage space is a storage passage 111a.

[0030] The external force that moves the load assembly 12 relative to the storage body 111 may be human power or a driving force from an external driving mechanism, and for the sake of simplicity, the external force that moves the load assembly 12 relative to the storage body 111 is assumed to be human power.

[0031] When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load assembly 12 opens the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, and at least a portion of the load assembly 12 extends out of the storage passage 111a, making it easy to load a consumable box into the portion of the load assembly 12 that extends out of the storage passage 111a. The load assembly 12 then transports the loaded consumable box into the storage passage 111a. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state, the load assembly 12 closes the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, enabling storage of the consumable box.

[0032] It will be appreciated that the first state is when the storage mechanism 10 is loading a consumable box, and the second state is when the storage mechanism 10 is storing a consumable box.

[0033] In the related art, a consumable supply system 1 includes a frame and a drawer structure, and the drawer structure is used as a storage mechanism 10. The drawer structure has a large storage space and can store many consumable boxes at once. After the consumable boxes stored in the drawer structure have been fed, the user must fully pull the drawer structure out of the frame, which allows the consumable boxes to be loaded. The drawer structure is long when fully pulled out and occupies a large amount of external space. Furthermore, during the process of filling the drawer structure with consumable boxes and pushing it back into the frame, a large load is placed on the drawer structure. This also places a large strain on the slide rails 13, which are slidably connected between the drawer structure and the frame and serve to guide the sliding of the drawer structure, making them prone to deformation and damage.

[0034] On the other hand, in the present application, the storage mechanism 10 is designed to include a storage assembly 11 and a load assembly 12, with the storage body 111 of the storage assembly 11 being a fixed and immovable part, typically fixed within a frame, and the load assembly 12 being a part that is movable relative to the storage body 111. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, a portion of the load assembly 12 can protrude outside the storage passage 111a, so the length of the load assembly 12 protruding outward is smaller and the space it occupies outside is also smaller, compared to the related art, which requires the drawer structure to be fully drawn out. Furthermore, when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load assembly 12 can automatically transport the loaded consumables into the storage passage 111a. Therefore, when the storage mechanism 10 is switched to the second state, the load assembly 12 has already transported the consumable box into the storage passage 111a, so the load on the load assembly 12 is lighter. Regardless of whether the load assembly 12 is slidably connected to the storage body 111 via the slide rail 13, the load assembly 12 does not impose excessive strain on the slide rail 13, so the slide rail 13 is less likely to deform or break.

[0035] In some alternative embodiments, the load assembly 12 is slidably mounted on the reservoir body 111, and the load assembly 12 slides relative to the reservoir body 111, thereby switching the reservoir mechanism 10 between the first state and the second state. Alternatively, the load assembly 12 is rotatably mounted on the reservoir body 111, and the load assembly 12 rotates relative to the reservoir body 111, thereby switching the reservoir mechanism 10 between the first state and the second state. The method of switching the state of the reservoir mechanism 10 by sliding or rotating the load assembly 12 relative to the reservoir body 111 is relatively simple and easy to operate.

[0036] 1 to 4, and also referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 and 8 and 9, in some alternative embodiments, the storage assembly 11 further includes a storage drive unit 112, which is provided in the storage body 111 and includes a storage conveyor belt 112a located in the storage passage 111a. The load assembly 12 includes a load body 121 and a load drive unit 122, which is provided in the storage body 111 so as to be slidable or rotatable, and which is provided in the load body 121 and includes a load conveyor belt 122a. The load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a extend in approximately the same direction. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load body 121 opens the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, the load body 121 and the load conveyor belt 122a at least partially extend outside the storage passage 111a, and the load conveyor belt 122a conveys the loaded consumables to the storage conveyor belt 112a. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state, the load body 121 closes the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a.

[0037] Here, the load body 121 can be slidably mounted on the storage body 111 via the slide rail 13, and in this case, the load body 121 can have a plate-like structure or a drawer structure. Alternatively, the load body 121 can be rotatably mounted on the storage body 111 via a rotation shaft, and in this case, the load body 121 has a plate-like structure.

[0038] When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, at least a portion of the load body 121 and the load conveyor belt 122a both extend outside the storage passage 111a. A user loads a consumable box onto the portion of the load conveyor belt 122a that extends outside the storage passage 111a. The load conveyor belt 122a then transports the loaded consumable box to the storage conveyor belt 112a. The storage conveyor belt 112a then transports the consumable box to the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a, thereby freeing up space for the load conveyor belt 122a to later load a consumable box. Designing the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a in this way allows the loaded consumable box to be automatically transported and stored in the storage passage 111a, automating the transport and storage of consumable boxes and reducing the amount of manual operation required.

[0039] Furthermore, when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state and the load body 121 and the load conveyor belt 122a partially extend outside the storage passage 111a, the length by which the load body 121 and the load timing belt 122e are pulled out can be shortened when loading a consumable box, thereby reducing the space occupied by the storage mechanism 10. When the storage mechanism 10 is switched from the first state to the second state, the length by which the load body 121 and the load conveyor belt 122a extend outside the storage passage 111a is shortened, and since the consumable box has already been transported into the storage passage 111a by the storage conveyor belt 112a, there is no consumable box in the load assembly 12 at this time, so the load on the load assembly 12 is lighter and no excessive strain is placed on the slide rail 13. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state, the load body 121 closes the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a to prevent the consumable box from falling out of the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, and at this time, the length of the storage mechanism 10 is the shortest and the space it occupies is the smallest.

[0040] In this embodiment, to prevent the consumable box from being transported through the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a, the consumable supply system 1 is further provided with a stopper mechanism at the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a to stop the consumable box, thereby reducing the risk of the consumable box being transported through the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a and allowing the consumable box to be stored in the storage passage 111a. Of course, when the supply is completed and the consumable box stored in the passage needs to be transported to the supply station via the lifting mechanism 20, the stopping action of the stopper mechanism is disabled.

[0041] Furthermore, in some alternative embodiments, the load body 121 is slidably mounted on the storage body 111, and when the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state, the load conveyor belt 122a is completely housed within the storage passage 111a. This arrangement shortens the length of the storage mechanism 10 when it is in the second state, thereby reducing the space occupied by the storage mechanism 10. Alternatively, the load body 121 is rotatably mounted on the storage body 111, and the load assembly 12 is always positioned outside the storage passage 111a. This arrangement reduces interference between the storage body 111 and the rotation of the load body 121, allowing the storage mechanism 10 to be smoothly switched between states. In addition, by always positioning the load assembly 12 outside the storage passage 111a, the contact area between the load assembly 12 and the storage body 111 can be reduced, which is advantageous for reducing wear between the load assembly 12 and the storage body 111 during the switching of the state of the storage mechanism 10, and also facilitates operation and reduces labor.

[0042] 4, 11, and 12, in some alternative embodiments, the load conveyor belt 122a has a load conveyor section 122b for conveying consumables, and the storage conveyor belt 112a has a storage conveyor section 112b for conveying consumables, where the load conveyor section 122b and the storage conveyor section 112b extend in the same direction. The load conveyor section 122b is an inclined section whose height gradually decreases in the extension direction, and the storage conveyor section 112b is a straight section whose height does not change in the extension direction Y, where the load conveyor section 122b and the storage conveyor section 112b are arranged to form an included angle (such as angle A in FIG. 11) that is greater than 90°. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load transport section 122b is at least partially higher than the storage transport section 112b, and the portion of the load transport section 122b that is higher than the storage transport section 112b is used to transport consumables to the storage transport section 112b.

[0043] The load conveying section 122b refers to a section of the load conveyor belt 122a that can be used to load and convey consumable boxes, and the storage conveying section 112b refers to a section of the storage conveyor belt 112a that can be used to convey consumable boxes. For example, if the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveying section 112b are both timing belts that are wound around their corresponding drive wheels and driven wheels, the load conveying section 122b refers to a section of the load conveyor belt 122a that is located on the same side of the wound drive wheels and driven wheels and can load and convey consumable boxes, and the length of this section is approximately the center distance between the drive wheels and driven wheels around which the load conveyor belt 122a is wound (shown as L1 in FIGS. 11 and 12 ). The storage and conveying section 112b refers to a section that is located on the same side of the drive wheel and driven wheel around which the storage and conveying belt 112a is wrapped, and is capable of transporting consumable boxes, and the length of this section is approximately the center distance between the drive wheel and driven wheel around which the storage and conveying belt 112a is wrapped (shown as L2 in Figures 11 and 12).

[0044] Because the load transport section 122b is an inclined section whose height gradually decreases in the direction of its extension, as the load conveyor belt 122a conveys the consumable box toward the storage conveyor belt 112a, the consumable box can slide along the extension direction of the load conveyor belt 122a by gravity and gradually slide down, ensuring reliable transport of the consumable box on the load conveyor section 122b. On the other hand, when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, at least a portion of the load conveyor section 122b is higher than the storage conveyor section 112b, and the portion of the load conveyor section 122b that is higher than the storage conveyor section 112b is used to transport the consumables to the storage conveyor belt 112a. Therefore, before the consumable box is transported to the storage conveyor section 112b, the position of the consumable box is always higher than the storage conveyor section 112b. When the consumable box is transported to a position where the heights of the load transport section 122b and the storage transport section 112b are the same, the consumable box can be transferred smoothly to the storage transport section 112b, ensuring the reliability of the transfer of the consumable box from the load transport section 122b to the storage transport section 112b.

[0045] 1 to 4, in some alternative embodiments, when the load body 121 is slidably mounted on the storage body 111, the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a are arranged along the width direction X of the storage conveyor belt 112a. In this way, the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a always have a spatially overlapping portion in the extension direction Y of the storage conveyor belt 112a, which is advantageous for reducing the length of the storage mechanism 10, and ultimately achieves the objective of reducing the space occupied by the storage mechanism 10.

[0046] In some alternative embodiments, when the load body 121 is rotatably mounted on the storage body 111 and the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a are arranged along the extension direction Y of the storage conveyor belt 112a. When the load body 121 rotates relative to the storage body 111, the included angle between the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a changes. Specifically, as the storage mechanism 10 switches from the second state to the first state, the angle formed between the load conveying belt 122a and the storage conveying belt 112a gradually increases, and when it switches to the first state, the angle formed between the load conveying belt 122a and the storage conveying belt 112a approaches or becomes equal to 180°, and the load conveying belt 122a and the storage conveying belt 112a extend in approximately the same direction, thereby transporting consumable boxes from the load conveying belt 122a to the storage conveying belt 112a. As the storage mechanism 10 switches from the first state to the second state, the angle formed between the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a gradually decreases, and when it switches to the second state, the angle formed between the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a approaches or becomes equal to 90°, and the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a become approximately perpendicular, which allows the length of the storage mechanism 10 to be reduced and achieves the goal of reducing the space occupied by the storage mechanism 10.

[0047] 8, 9, and 10, in some alternative embodiments, the road drive unit 122 includes a road motor 122c, a road transmission wheel 122d, a road timing belt 122e, a road intermediate wheel 122f, a road shaft 122g, a road driving wheel 122h, and a road driven wheel 122j. The road motor 122c, the road shaft 122g, and the road driven wheel 122j are all attached to the road body 121, the road motor 122c is connected to the road transmission wheel 122d, the road timing belt 122e is wound around the outside of the road transmission wheel 122d and the road intermediate wheel 122f, the road driving wheels 122h are distributed on opposite sides of the road intermediate wheel 122f, and the road driving wheel 122h and the road intermediate wheel 122f are both fixed to the road shaft 122g. There are multiple load driving wheels 122h, load driven wheels 122j, and load conveying belts 122a, and each of the load driving wheels 122h and load driven wheels 122j corresponds one-to-one to the load conveying belts 122a, and the load conveying belts 122a are wound around the outside of the corresponding load driving wheels 122h and corresponding load driven wheels 122j.

[0048] In the above embodiment, there are a plurality of load conveyor belts 122a, and the same consumable box is placed on all of the load conveyor belts 122a at the same time, which can improve the stability of conveyance of the consumable box.

[0049] In actual operation, the power of the load motor 122c is transmitted to the load conveyor belt 122a via the load transmission wheel 122d, the load timing belt 122e, the load intermediate wheel 122f, the load shaft 122g, and the load driving wheel 122h in this order. In this embodiment, all the load conveyor belts 122a are driven by the same load motor 122c, so the load drive unit 122 has fewer parts and a simple and compact structure.

[0050] It will be understood that the road driving wheel 122h in this embodiment is a driving wheel around which the above-mentioned road conveying belt 122a is wound, and the road driven wheel 122j in this embodiment is a driven wheel around which the above-mentioned road conveying belt 122a is wound.

[0051] Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7, in some alternative embodiments, the storage drive unit 112 further includes a storage motor 112c, a storage shaft 112d, a storage drive wheel 112e, and a storage driven wheel 112g, and the storage drive wheel 112e, the storage driven wheel 112g and the storage conveying belt 112a are all multiple, and each of the storage drive wheel 112e and the storage driven wheel 112g corresponds one-to-one to the storage conveying belt 112a, and the storage conveying belt 112a is wrapped around the outside of the corresponding storage drive wheel 112e and the corresponding storage driven wheel 112g. The storage motor 112c and the storage driven wheel 112g are both attached to the storage body 111, the storage motor 112c is connected to one of the storage drive wheels 112e, all of the storage drive wheels 112e are externally fitted and fixed to the storage shaft 112d, and the power of the storage motor 112c is transmitted to the storage conveying belt 112a corresponding to the storage drive wheel 112e via the storage drive wheel 112e.

[0052] In this embodiment, there are multiple storage conveyor belts 112a, and the same consumable box is placed on all of the storage conveyor belts 112a at the same time, which improves the transport stability of the consumable box. Also, because all of the storage conveyor belts 112a are driven by the same storage motor 112c, the storage drive unit 112 has few parts, making its structure simple and compact.

[0053] It will be understood that the storage drive wheel 112e in this embodiment is a drive wheel around which the storage conveying belt 112a is wound, and the storage driven wheel 112g in this embodiment is a driven wheel around which the storage conveying belt 112a is wound.

[0054] 4 to 9, in some alternative embodiments, the storage mechanism 10 further includes a load detection member provided on the load body 121. The load detection member is used to detect whether or not a consumable has been loaded onto the load conveyor belt 122a when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, and the load drive unit 122 and the storage drive unit 112 are each configured to activate when a consumable has been loaded onto the load conveyor belt 122a.

[0055] Specifically, the storage mechanism 10 further includes a controller, and the load detection member, the load motor 122c, and the storage motor 112c are all electrically connected to the controller. When the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, after the load detection member detects that a consumable box has been loaded onto the load conveyor belt 122a, the load detection member feeds back a signal to the controller, and the controller controls the load motor 122c and the storage motor 112c to start, so that the load conveyor belt 122a can transport the consumable box to the storage conveyor belt 112a, and the storage conveyor belt 112a can receive the consumable box from the load conveyor belt 122a and transport it to the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a, thereby achieving the purpose of the storage mechanism 10 automatically transporting and storing the consumable box.

[0056] In some alternative embodiments, the storage mechanism 10 further includes a load body detection member, a counting detection member, and an outlet detection member, each electrically connected to the controller. The load body detection member is used to detect whether the load assembly 12 has closed the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a when the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state. The counting detection member is used to count the number of consumable boxes transported to the storage conveyor belt 112a when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state. The outlet detection member is used to detect whether the first loaded consumable box has reached the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a when the storage mechanism 10 is in the second state. The counting detection member cooperates with the outlet detection member to count the consumable boxes.

[0057] Specifically, after the storage passage 111a is filled with consumable boxes, i.e., when the counting detection member detects that the number of consumable boxes transported to the storage conveyor belt 112a while the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state has reached a storage threshold value of, for example, 9, the controller controls the load motor 122c and the storage motor 112c to stop, causing the load conveyor belt 122a and the storage conveyor belt 112a to stop transporting. The user then operates the load assembly 12 to close the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, and the storage mechanism 10 is switched to the second state. Then, when the load body detection member detects that the load assembly 12 has closed the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a, the storage mechanism 10 begins a counting operation. The counting operation is an operation of counting the number of consumable boxes.

[0058] The specific process for performing the counting operation is as follows: The controller controls the storage motor 112c to start, and the storage conveyor belt 112a moves the consumable box toward the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a until the exit detection member detects that the first loaded consumable box has reached the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a. A stopper mechanism is provided, which can prevent the consumable box from being transported through the exit 111c, ensuring that the consumable box can remain in the storage passage 111a. Next, the storage motor 112c continues to operate, moving the storage conveyor belt 112a a certain distance, which is the distance of the storage conveyor section 112b, so that the consumable boxes can be closely arranged and aligned at the exit 111c of the storage passage 111a. The storage motor 112c then rotates the storage drive wheel 112e and the storage driven wheel 112g in reverse, transporting all of the consumable boxes on the storage conveyor belt 112a toward the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a. During this process, the storage conveyor belt 112a transports the distance of one consumable box toward the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a each time. If the counting detection member does not detect a consumable box, it continues to transport the distance of one consumable box, and the counting detection member detects again. The above operation is repeated until the counting detection member detects a consumable box. The number of consumable boxes can be determined from the length of the storage conveyor section 112b of the storage conveyor belt 112a and the number of times the storage conveyor belt 112a transports the distance of one consumable box toward the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a each time. For example, if the length of the storage and transport section 112b is S, the length of the consumable box is L, and the storage and transport belt 112a transports the distance of one consumable box toward the entrance 111b of the storage passage 111a five times, and then the counting detection member detects the consumable box, the number of consumable boxes in the storage passage 111a is (S-5L) / L.

[0059] In this way, by designing the load body detection member, the counting detection member and the outlet detection member, automatic counting of the consumable boxes in the storage passage 111a can be realized.

[0060] According to the above-mentioned storage mechanism 10, consumable supply system 1, and sample analysis device, the storage mechanism 10 is designed to include a storage assembly 11 and a load assembly 12, the storage body 111 of the storage assembly 11 is a fixed and immovable part, and the load assembly 12 is a movable part relative to the storage body 111, and when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, a portion of the load assembly 12 can extend outside the storage passage 111a, so that the length of the load assembly 12 extending outward is small and the space it occupies outside is also small. Furthermore, when the storage mechanism 10 is in the first state, the load assembly 12 can automatically transport the loaded consumables into the storage passage 111a. Therefore, when the storage mechanism 10 is switched to the second state, the load assembly 12 has already transported the consumable box into the storage passage 111a, so the load on the load assembly 12 is lighter. Regardless of whether the load assembly 12 is slidably connected to the storage body 111 via the slide rail 13, the load assembly 12 does not impose excessive strain on the slide rail 13, so the slide rail 13 is less likely to deform or break.

[0061] The technical features of the above-described embodiments can be combined in any manner. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features of the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should all be considered to be within the scope described in this specification.

[0062] The above-described embodiments merely represent some embodiments of the present application, and although the description is specific and detailed, it should not be understood as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make some modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present application, and all of these fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the patent application should be based on the attached claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1...consumable supply system, 10...storage mechanism, 20...lifting mechanism, 11...storage assembly, 12...load assembly, 13...slide rail, 111...storage body, 111a...storage passage, 111b...entrance, 111c...exit, 112...storage drive unit, 112a...storage conveying belt, 112b...storage conveying section, 112c...storage motor, 112d...storage shaft, 112e...storage drive wheel, 112g...storage Storage driven wheel, 121...load body, 122...load drive unit, 122a...load conveying belt, 122b...load conveying section, 122c...load motor, 122d...load transmission wheel, 122e...load timing belt, 122f...load intermediate wheel, 122g...load shaft, 122h...load driving wheel, 122j...load driven wheel, X...width direction of storage conveying belt, Y...extension direction of storage conveying belt.

Claims

1. A storage mechanism comprising: a reservoir assembly (11) including a reservoir body (111) having a reservoir passage (111a); a load assembly (12) movably mounted on the reservoir body (111); The storage mechanism has a first state and a second state, and when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load assembly (12) opens an entrance (111b) of the storage passage (111a), and the load assembly (12) at least partially extends outside the storage passage (111a), so that the load assembly (12) can transport the loaded consumable into the storage passage (111a), and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load assembly (12) closes the entrance (111b) of the storage passage (111a); When the load assembly (12) moves relative to the reservoir body (111) due to an external force, the reservoir mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state. A storage mechanism characterized by:

2. The load assembly (12) is slidably mounted on the reservoir body (111), and the reservoir mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by the load assembly (12) sliding relative to the reservoir body (111), or The storage mechanism of claim 1, wherein the load assembly (12) is rotatably mounted on the storage body (111), and the storage mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by rotating the load assembly (12) relative to the storage body (111).

3. The storage assembly (11) further includes a storage drive unit (112) provided in the storage body (111) and including a storage conveying belt (112a) located in the storage passage (111a); The load assembly (12) includes a load body (121) slidably or rotatably mounted on the storage body (111), and a load drive unit (122) mounted on the load body (121) and including a load conveying belt (122a); 3. The storage mechanism of claim 2, wherein when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load body (121) opens the entrance (111b) of the storage passage (111a), the load body (121) and the load conveyor belt (122a) at least partially extend outside the storage passage (111a), and the load conveyor belt (122a) conveys the loaded consumables to the storage conveyor belt (112a), and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load body (121) closes the entrance (111b) of the storage passage (111a).

4. The load body (121) is slidably mounted on the storage body (111), and when the storage mechanism is in the second state, the load conveyor belt (122a) is completely housed within the storage passage (111a), or The storage mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the load body (121) is rotatably mounted on the storage body (111), and the load assembly (12) is always positioned outside the storage passage (111a).

5. the load conveyor belt (122a) has a load conveyor section (122b) for conveying consumables, the storage conveyor belt (112a) has a storage conveyor section (112b) for conveying consumables, the load conveyor section (122b) and the storage conveyor section (112b) extend in the same direction, the load conveyor section (122b) is an inclined section whose height gradually decreases in its extension direction, the storage conveyor section (112b) is a straight section whose height does not change in its extension direction (Y), and the load conveyor section (122b) and the storage conveyor section (112b) are arranged to form an included angle greater than 90°; 4. The storage mechanism of claim 3, wherein when the storage mechanism is in the first state, at least a portion of the load transport section (122b) is higher than the storage transport section (112b), and the portion of the load transport section (122b) that is higher than the storage transport section (112b) is used to transport consumables to the storage transport section (112b).

6. When the load body (121) is slidably mounted on the storage body (111), the load conveyor belt (122a) and the storage conveyor belt (112a) are arranged along the width direction (X) of the storage conveyor belt (112a), The storage mechanism of claim 3, characterized in that the load body (121) is rotatably mounted on the storage body (111) and, when the storage mechanism is in the first state, the load conveying belt (122a) and the storage conveying belt (112a) are arranged along the extension direction (Y) of the storage conveying belt (112a).

7. The road drive unit (122) further includes a road motor (122c), a road transmission wheel (122d), a road timing belt (122e), a road intermediate wheel (122f), a road shaft (122g), a road driving wheel (122h), and a road driven wheel (122j); The load motor (122c), the load shaft (122g), and the load driven wheel (122j) are all attached to the load body (121), the load motor (122c) is connected to the load transmission wheel (122d), the load timing belt (122e) is wound around the outside of the load transmission wheel (122d) and the load intermediate wheel (122f), and the load driving wheel (122h) is distributed on both sides of the load intermediate wheel (122f) facing each other. The storage mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the load driving wheel (122h) and the load intermediate wheel (122f) are both fixed to the load shaft (122g), the load driving wheel (122h) and the load driven wheel (122j) each correspond one-to-one to the load conveying belt (122a), and the load conveying belt (122a) is wound around the outside of the corresponding load driving wheel (122h) and the corresponding load driven wheel (122j).

8. The storage mechanism further includes a load detection member provided on the load body (121), 4. The storage mechanism of claim 3, wherein the load detection member is used to detect whether a consumable is loaded onto the load conveyor belt (122a) when the storage mechanism is in the first state, and the load drive unit (122) and the storage drive unit (112) are each configured to activate when a consumable is loaded onto the load conveyor belt (122a).

9. A consumable supply system comprising the storage mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A sample analyzer comprising the consumable delivery system of claim 9.

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